Craftswoman weaves new niche in farmer's market

Author: Dina Magaril

Maura Clancy, a native of Fairfield Conn., works as an access services assistant at the New Library. But she has another passion that rivals her love of books. Every Saturday morning, from Memorial Day weekend until the weekend before Halloween, Clancy sets up her stand alongside the stands of other artisans at the Middlebury Farmer's market. Her passion is basket weaving and her commodity is baskets. Clancy sat down with The Middlebury Campus to talk more about the art of basket weaving and what the Middlebury Farmer's market means to her.

The Campus: You've been with the college for seventeen years. When did you decide to start weaving baskets?

Maura Clancy: I started weaving about 5 years ago. One day a friend of mine called me and asked me to take a basket weaving class. I wasn't sure about it but she said it would be fun. So, three of us all went town to the now defunct Ferrisburgh artisan's guild. It was a snowy day in December and we were the only people in the class. The instructor was wonderful and we decided we all loved basket weaving.

TC: What is your favorite thing about weaving a basket?

MC: It's just a really fun and calming thing to do and you get almost instant gratification out of it. I can usually finish a basket in one sitting, unlike if I were knitting a sweater which would probably take me months to do.

TC: Can you talk a little bit about the process of basket weaving?

MC: The skill itself is relatively easy to learn. You use the basic premise of under over under over. Of course there are all kinds of variations and patterns you can follow. You can get more creative with colored reed and can use different widths and textures. You can weave with vines or really with anything.

TC: What is your favorite type of weaving?

MC: I'm a traditional weaver. I just use a plant material, rattan, which is a reed and is very simple to work with. It comes dry in a one-pound wheel and you soak it. Then, as you weave along you spritz it with some water so it doesn't become brittle and dry out.

TC: How did you get into selling your work at the farmer's market?

MC: It must have been about four years ago. I realized that [weaving] was quickly turning into an addiction and I needed an outlet for my addiction. I had never been to the market before but it's such a delightful and great community.

TC: Are you the only basket weaver at the market?

MC: Thank heavens, yes.

TC: What is the atmosphere like at the Middlebury Farmer's market?

MC: It's a really great social event and it's a great way to support local crafts people. All the vendors go there for different reasons. Some are there because it is their livelihood; it's where they get to sell their produce. Some vendors are faithful for five months and are their every week rain or shine; I'm just there on Saturdays (laughs). We also really love parent's weekend at the market and it's a great way for them to see Middlebury, since their kids are probably asleep at 9 am anyway [when the market starts].

TC: What other kinds of crafts are sold at the market?

MC: Oh, there's everything. Some vendors sell fruits and vegetables, or jams. There's stained glass and jewelry. Oh, and the cheeses are great! There are goat cheeses and cream cheeses. There's one Middlebury alum there who works with his daughter's farm selling goat cheese and they give out a ton of free samples.

TC: What are your future plans in terms of weaving?

MC: Well, I'm actually teaching a J-term workshop this year with Shelly Glassner in college advancement, for basket weaving, which will take place on January 20th . This will be our 3rd year teaching it and we'll be making a solid base basket all in one sitting.

TC: Any events coming up that those of us who missed the market could look forward to soon?

MC: The farmer's market annual craft fair is coming up on November 18th and it will be held in the Municipal building. Farmer's market members and anybody who would like to sell their craft can participate. It's so local and so centralized. I think we should invite students to come and see what's there. It's sort of a slice of life in small town Vermont and a great social gathering place.