LeeAnn Galusha Pine Needle Baskets

When I was 12 years old, I saw an article in a magazine about making baskets from grass, twigs, and pine needles. The baskets were very rustic, but I was so taken by the idea of taking something from nature and making it into art that I never forgot. Later in life, I spent a year in Oregon and saw an advertisement for a class in Pine needle basketry at the local craft store. From the first class I knew that pine needle basketry was the perfect fit for me. By the end of classes I had developed my own style and a passion. The next year I returned to Yellowstone, and continued to make baskets in my spare time. I was invited to have my baskets displayed in a gallery at the entrance to Yellowstone for many years.

Eventually I met my husband, who was also living in the Yellowstone, and fulfilled my lifetime dream of becoming a teacher. We moved to Alaska, where we taught on a small island in Prince William Sound. Due to the cold, wet, dark, winters, I spent many hours making pine needles baskets and knitting. I started hand dying pine needles and adding bright beads to my baskets at this time to combat the dark, gray days.

My husband and I have recently retired from teaching and now live in beautiful, sunny Montana, where I continue to create pine needle art and knit socks.