Bentwood Trellis & Kudzu Basketry

We have to look no further than the ETV employee parking lot for inspiration for making a Bentwood Trellis and Kudzu Vine Basket. There, when he isn't on a television shoot, you will likely find Jimmie Dinkins' truck, laden with vines, full of baskets, and one of his own mounted, bentwood chairs. The truck is a bit of roving accessible art for all of us and a statement of Jimmie's continuing delight and wonder in the creative process.

To see videos and learn more about Jimmie Dinkins and his folk art, click on the links below.

Title:
A Natural State 1
A Natural State
Episode 1

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Jimmie is a self-taught craftsman, who initially picked up the art of fashioning vines and branches into wreaths and baskets while caring for an ailing parent. He honed his art and moved into the...
A Natural State 2
A Natural State
Episode 2

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Jimmie’s upbringing fostered creativity and resourcefulness. His joy in his family history is palpable. In his world, nothing is wasted. Every simple thing is treasured for the value of its inherent...
A Natural State 3
A Natural State
Episode 3

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Jimmie’s upbringing fostered creativity and resourcefulness. His joy in his family history is palpable. In his world, nothing is wasted. Every simple thing is treasured for the value of its inherent...
A Natural State 4
A Natural State
Episode 4

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

There are many definitions about what constitutes folk art. One definition by Sharon F. Patton states that a folk artist is one who is self-taught, usually makes art late in life which is tied to...
A Natural State 5
A Natural State
Episode 5

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Jimmie’s life is abundant with memories. Weaving the past into the present is a way of solidifying and unifying both. While he is an untrained artist, Jimmie understands and appreciates the very...
A Natural State 6
A Natural State
Episode 6

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Rustic furniture has been around for a very long time, often languishing in attics and barns in rural areas. Some fine examples of rustic furniture were a legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps...
A Natural State 7
A Natural State
Episode 7

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Jimmie Dinkins begins work on the side pieces. Wear sturdy work gloves when you are cleaning and flexing the branches. When using sharp tools such as pruning shears, exercise caution. Adult...
A Natural State 8
A Natural State
Episode 8

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

f you don’t have access to an old picnic table like Jimmie is using in the video, make sure that you protect the surface of your work area with a large piece of scrap lumber or an old cutting board...
A Natural State 9
A Natural State
Episode 9

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Before beginning your project, look at your building materials. Try to locate nails that will work for the smaller joints as well as the larger joints. You may need to get more than one size...
A Natural State 10
A Natural State
Episode 10

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Your wood trellis will last a long time in the garden, but you can expect that it will weather a bit. You may have to add additional nails over time to further strengthen the structure of the trellis...
A Natural State 11
A Natural State
Episode 11

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Jimmie favors the old growth of the kudzu vine. He will plunge into the richness of a kudzu thicket armed with tall boots, pruning shears and a saw. He is well acquainted with dangers such as snakes...
A Natural State 12
A Natural State
Episode 12

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Remember to wear your work gloves when cleaning up the branches and vines. You can actually use willow for the spokes of your basket, and follow up with another type of vine, such as Virginia Creeper...
A Natural State 13
A Natural State
Episode 13

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

What Jimmie is describing are standard weaving techniques. The first baskets were woven to collect fruits, nuts and grains. By making a basket, you are joining a long history of basket makers.
A Natural State 14
A Natural State
Episode 14

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

By turning up the sides of the basket, you are creating a bowl shape. The higher you build the sides, the deeper the bowl, and more you can put into the bowl. If you don’t work the sides upwards, you...
A Natural State 15
A Natural State
Episode 15

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

In this video, you can see just how tough these kudzu vines can be. If you are using other vining materials to build your basket, you will use the same techniques that Jimmie uses to add vines and...
A Natural State 16
A Natural State
Episode 16

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Don’t worry about small mistakes in your basket. They will just make your basket unique.
A Natural State 17
A Natural State
Episode 17

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

To prolong the life of your basket and to give the basket a soft sheen, you may want to brush or spray the basket with a coat of wood sealant like you would use on a deck. If you choose to do this, do...