About
Wendy Gadbois Jensen is an award-winning professional basketmaker living in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts.
Wendy divides her time between making baskets and teaching basketmaking. Wendy teaches workshops at many museums, crafts schools, and conventions, as well as in her own studio. Her work can also be seen at juried craft shows and gallery exhibits. Her work has been published in 500 Baskets: A Celebration of the Basketmaker's Art by Lark Books, and By Hand: 25 Beautiful Objects to Make in the American Folk Art Tradition by Janice Eaton Kilby, also by Lark Books. She has also had a piece of her work on the White House Christmas tree. Wendy has been chosen for Early American Life magazine’s Directory of Traditional American Crafts for several years. She is a member and past president of the Northeast Basketmakers Guild and a member of the National Basketry Organization.
Basketmaking
Wendy has been making baskets professionally for over 30 years, a passion that continues to take her to places to learn more about the craft and the unending possibilities of materials. Her work is woven with primarily two different basket materials: either rattan or homegrown basket willow.
Rattan
Rattan is a tropical vine that is commercially available. Wendy’s rattan designs incorporate hand-dyed accents with a variety of shapes and weaving techniques. Many of the baskets are completed with hardwood, leather, or woven handle treatments.
Willow
Wendy has been growing her own basket willow for over 25 years. In addition to weaving her functional “farm” baskets, the growing of willow has sprouted her work into woven fences and garden trellises. She has studied with several willow basketmakers from England, Latvia, Denmark, and the US. She has also traveled to Ireland to study with Irish willow basketmaker and author, Joe Hogan.
All of Wendy’s basket forms are shaped by hand without the use of molds. She enjoys the challenge of working out weaving patterns with an endless variety of shapes, while taking pleasure in the usefulness of the finished product. Wendy has been influenced by the practicality and beautiful simplicity of the historical splint basketmakers from this area, particularly the Shakers and Native Americans. Her mainly utilitarian baskets range in size from small berry-collecting baskets to larger, more involved lidded urns.
Teaching
Wendy teaches workshops and leads demonstrations at many venues, including her own studio. Her patient, friendly, and precise teaching style give her students confidence and encouragement with the task at hand. Her attention to detail ensures her students leave with a sturdy, useful, and attractive basket.