AI, or artificial intelligence, is the latest hype. So I looked into it, partly because of my job, and had a few suggestions on the subject of basket making. I asked various questions about this in Bingchat.
Question: Tell me a little about the history of the basket maker
Answer:
A basket maker (or basket weaver) is an artisan producer and repairer of baskets, usually woven from willow shoots. Basket makers in Germany are now trained under the new job title of basketry designer¹.
The history of the basket maker goes back a long way. Around 9,000 years ago, woven baskets were used in Çatalhöyük, a settlement with several thousand inhabitants¹. In earlier times, many basket makers were also basket peddlers who moved from village to village and sold their products¹. They found the raw material for the baskets free of charge in nature, especially along willow-lined streams and rivers¹.
Today, many basket weavers appear at markets to promote their craft and sell their products¹. Basket making was also one of the first classic professions for the blind, but its importance declined since Braille was introduced¹.
If you would like to learn more about the craft of basket making, you can watch this video showing basket makers in the Rur lowlands² or read this article describing green basket weaving³. I hope you learned something new! 😊
Source: Conversation with Bing, July 16, 2023
Bing Chat
(1) Basket maker – Wikipedia. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korbmacher.
(2) Internet portal “Westphalian History” / Craft of the basket maker…. https://www.lwl.org/westfaelische-geschichte/portal/Internet/ku.php?tab=med&ID=198.
(3) Internet portal “Westphalian History” / Lindenbuß, Bernhard: The…. https://www.lwl.org/westfaelische-geschichte/portal/Internet/ku.php?tab=tex&ID=100.
Question: What are some modern uses of basket weaving?
Answer:
Basket weaving is an ancient craft that still has many applications in modern times. Here are some examples:
Sewing baskets: This technique is particularly suitable for beginners because it is very uncomplicated and the material is easy to use. You can use various dried grasses, seaweed or corn twine to sew baskets of different shapes and colors¹.
Weaving baskets: This technique requires a little more skill and practice, but it can also be used to create a variety of basketry. You can use different natural materials such as willow, rattan or wicker to create baskets with different weaving techniques².
Chair weaving: This technique is particularly suitable for restoring or redesigning chairs. You can use different weaves such as Viennese weave, cane weave or Lloyd Loom to provide chairs with a new seat or backrest².
Light objects: This technique is particularly suitable for the design of modern lamps. You can use different braids such as wicker, rattan or wicker to make lampshades of different shapes and sizes³.
Furniture: This technique is particularly suitable for making sturdy and comfortable furniture. You can use different braids such as rattan, wicker or Lloyd Loom to weave armchairs, sofas, tables or shelves³.
As you can see, there are many modern uses of basket weaving that you can try. I hope you have fun with it! 😊
Source: Conversation with Bing, July 16, 2023
Bing Chat
(1) Basket weaving materials – all important information | Ms. Friemel. https://fraufriemel.de/korbflechten-material.
(2) Basket and chair weaving since 1906 – Pauline care. .
(3) Trinks basket weaving – real Erzgebirge handicraft from a health resort… http://www.korbflechterei-trinks.de/.
Question: How can you learn basket weaving?
Answer:
Basket weaving is an old craft, but it can also be a lot of fun and relaxing. If you want to learn basket weaving, there are several ways you can learn and practice. Here are some tips:
Books: There are many books that will explain the basics and techniques of basket weaving and show you different projects to do. Books are convenient because you always have them at hand and can learn at your own pace. Here are some examples of basket weaving books¹²³.
Videos: There are also many videos on the Internet that clearly demonstrate basket weaving and show you step by step how to weave a basket. Videos are helpful because you can pause and replay them at any time and see exactly what the movements look like. Here are some examples of basket weaving videos.
Courses: There are also many courses that will teach you basket weaving in person and give you individual tips and feedback. Courses are ideal because you can learn from an experienced basket maker and exchange ideas with other course participants.
As you can see, there are many ways to learn basket weaving. You can choose the method that suits you best and appeals to you the most. I wish you much success and joy in basket weaving! 😊
Source: Conversation with Bing, July 16, 2023
Bing Chat
(1) Weaving a basket – tips & instructions | Ms. Friemel. https://fraufriemel.de/selbermachen/korb-flechten.
(2) Learn to weave baskets – this is how it works step by step – HELPSTER. https://www.helpster.de/korbflechten-lernen-so-klappt-s-tritt-fuer-tritt_76036.
(3) Basket weaving for beginners – my new mindfulness exercise. .
However, the AI does not know that there is also a state vocational school for wickerwork designers in Lichtenfels. In the only school of this kind in Germany you can learn the profession of a wickerwork designer in 3 full-time years.
And now I wanted to know what we could find out about Katja.
Question: Tell us something about Katja Schyrer from Ranstadt in the Wetterau
Answer:
Katja Schyrer is a basket maker and wickerwork designer from Ranstadt in the Wetterau. She runs the company Kreative Finger, which offers basketry, chair weaving and weaving courses²,⁴. It is also a Wetterau original, which means that it produces all of its products itself and only uses regional materials². She regularly takes part in markets and events, such as the farmers’ market in Bad Salzhausen³. She is a member of the Wiesbaden Chamber of Crafts and is also trained as a theater costume seamstress⁴.
If you would like to find out more about Katja Schyrer and her work, you can visit the following links:
Katja Schyrer company
Farmers market | Nidda
Katja Schyrer – Wiesbaden Chamber of Crafts
Katja Schyrer Company Profile | Ranstadt, Hesse, Germany | Competitors…
I hope this information is interesting for you. 😊
Source: Conversation with Bing, July 16, 2023
Bing Chat
(1) Katja Schyrer company. http://www.kreativefinger.de/.
(2) Katja Schyrer – Wiesbaden Chamber of Crafts. https://www.hwk-wiesbaden.de/betriebe/katja-schyrer-44,0,bdbdetail.html?id=121129.
(3) Farmers Market | Nidda. https://www.nidda.de/kultur/maerkte/bauernmarkt/.
(4) https://bing.com/search?q=katja+schyrer+ranstadt+wetterau.
Although the AI provides reasonably sensible answers (and not just on this topic), I prefer to stick to writing the articles myself in the future and prefer to rely on my own intelligence.
For me, the problem is that because of the overload of stimuli and news on many channels, people are no longer interested in objectively questioning the written history. And this is independent of a human, artificial source or a mixture of both. Everyone should maintain a healthy dose of skepticism in the future.