Coastal Pine Creations at Topsail Art Gallery

Coiled baskets have been In use since the time of early man. Grasses, pine needles , straw and many other natural fibers were used depending on what was available to the native people. Baskets were necessary Items that were used for carrying and storing items and in cooking. The Seminole Indians are credited with first using the long leaf pine needles in basket making. African slaves also used them and added their own cultural artistry to the craft.

During the Civil War when material for making hats was non-existent, Mrs. McAfee used pine needles to coil hats for her family. in 1917 the Dept. of Interior, Bureau of Education Issued a Bulletin supplying information on the preparation and techniques necessary for the making of pine needle baskets. The bulletin states “the growing tendency to employ native materials should be encouraged by instructors in manual arts, not only for economic reasons but also because of the educational value to the student of discovering resources near at hand and of accepting and developing native materials.” Pine needle basket coiling has never reached the same level of use as woven baskets, due in part to the time it takes to make a basket and the lack of available teachers in this art form. There has been a revival in pine needle work since the 1970’s when Jeannie McFarland published her first book. This is an ever-changing art form as styles, function, and new materials are used in this ancient art of coiling.

The Artists

Dory Maier

As a child growing up In New York State, I was captivated with the Native American culture represented by the Seneca Nation, which lived in my region. I wanted to learn their craft skills especially the pottery and basket making. An opportunity to pursue one of these skills presented Itself after moving to North Carolina. In my community I found an elder woman with whom I bartered lessons in pine needle coiling for the weeding and pruning of her yard. She taught me to love the work and the beauty in the materials and the stitches. When she moved away, I had no one to share techniques and problems or garner inspiration from. I taught a few women who had expressed an interest In learning this craft but they did not find the joy In the work that is needed to continue In the process. Then I met Dianne, who not only learned to coil but embraced It with a degree of sophistication of a person born to the craft. Now we inspire, challenge , share techniques and are partners in Coastal Pine Creations.

Dianne Masi

I was born and raised In Connecticut . I have always had a love of drawing and crafts and my earliest memory of what I wanted to be “when I grow up” was that of a cartoonist. At an early age I can remember creating and crafting with my girl friends and learning how to sew clothes for myself. Although I had a deep desire for the arts, I never pursued any aspect of art except for an occasional drawing, quilting or art history class. January of 2000, my husband and I relocated to North Carolina to leave Connecticut cold weather behind. Here I met Dory Maier and mentioned that I wanted to take a class on pine needle baskets. She immediately offered to teach me. She taught me the very structured and traditional way in which she was taught. I loved the intricate work and find it hard to put down. Dory and I share techniques, inspire and challenge each other and are partners in Coastal Pine Creations. Since learning pine needle coiling, I have expanded to gourd art and now incorporate not only pine needle coiling But botanicals such as kudzu, grape vine, driftwood, seeds,, dried pods, shells and wire just to mention a few. I continue to try to “push the envelop” while still producing a desirable piece of art that any person would be proud to own.

The Materials

The natural amber long leaf pine needles that are used in our projects are gathered in early summer and autumn as they fall from the Southern White Pines that grow in our community in North Carolina. The light green needles are picked from the trees and dried in a dark environment. By doing this, they retain their chlorophyll and green color. Other needles are fumed in ammonia which causes a chemical change in the resins of the pine needles and the color of the needles changes to a dark bronze. Some needles are dyed using various commercial products. The binding threads vary from project to project, largely due to the effect we are trying to produce. Choices of binders are waxed lined, raffia, artificial sinew, and wire.

The lacey woven parts of our baskets are known as teneriffe. The origins of modern teneriffe designs come from the cutwork or drawn thread lace designs found in embroidery of the Middle Ages. It has been incorporated into the pine needle baskets as a starting foundation or decoration within the piece. Many of the elaborate designs are based on the work done by women weavers on the Marshall islands. These women have taken teneriffe to a level of art not seen anywhere else.

The gourds that we use in our work are grown in North Carolina. It takes almost two years for the gourds to be grown and dried enough for use in a project. The preparation process of the gourds is labor intensive. They must be scrubbed clean of the mold growth that forms on them as they dry, cut open and scraped and sanded on the inside. Only then are they ready for the art work which can be dye, paint, wood burning, carving, and hole drilling. Then the coiling of the pine needles occurs and lastly the embellishments. The gourds are sealed with a protective acrylic finish. The pine needle parts are not sealed at all.