My name is Joanne Beller. I have been making baskets for most of my adult life. I started making Appalachian baskets, then moved on to Shaker baskets, and finally to Nantucket lightship baskets. I had to wait for my kids to grow up before weaving Nantucket baskets because some of the tools are rather sharp and I didn’t want them getting hurt.
I come from an artistic family, each with their own “thing”; mine just happens to be weaving baskets. It is my niche and I enjoy the crafting of each piece; creating something from simple materials.