Nathan Taylor

                 Nathan Taylor came to basketry in the mid 1970’s when he and his live-in partner, Martha Wetherbee discovered nothing was known about Shaker basketry.  There was no information to be gleaned from books, museums or the Shakers themselves.  Soon the Shakers at Canterbury, NH helped to open museum collections for the pair to pursue the history.  The Shakers at Sabbath Day Lake also pitched in and opened their doors and hearts.  Ten years of pursuit culminated in the book, Shaker Baskets, Wetherbee and Taylor.  Also along the way they wrote Legend of the Bushwhacker Baskets, a story about basket makers whose work was always thought to be Shaker made.

            In the doing, Taylor and Wetherbee became known as the “Saviors of the lost art”.  They also became basket makers in the attempt to understand the baskets themselves.  They taught themselves to find the tree, pound and prepare the “stuff” as the Shakers called it.

            The Sanbornton basket shop Nathan and Martha built consisted of 5 major historic looking buildings.  The Basket Shop was featured in national magazines and on TV.  It  even made the cover of Americana magazine.  The Basket Shop’s products sold in national art and craft shows and galleries.

            In an attempt to pass on the knowledge, the basket shop family joined by Nathan’s son, Eric began teaching basketry classes across the nation.  This necessitated the making of kits, tools, splint, handles, and rims for support of these basket makers.  Amazingly, now 30 years later, Shaker basket makers seldom realize that the craft was once lost.

            After 15 years of basket making Nathan turned to Nantucket basketry.  The Shaker and Nantucket systems were uniquely similar but unlike other basket making methods.  Nathan started a second branch of supply inside the original shop to back up the growing interest in Nantucket basketry.  Nathan traveled nationwide teaching as the couple had done with Shaker basketry.

            Twenty-five years into the enterprise, Martha left the family shop.  Martha still teaches and Nathan carries on the supply business now known as Nate’s Nantuckets, Inc.  Nathan eventually sold the Shop in Sanbornton.  Eric created his own shop and now teaches art basketry nation wide with his partner Sue Brooks.

                  Nathan is a juried member of the prestigious League of New Hampshire Craftsmen, the oldest craft guild in America.  He is a consultant to antique basketry collectors and dealers.  Nathan has been consulting designer to the Vermont based Basketville, Inc. , founded in 1842.   Quality manufacture of Shaker and Nantucket basketry through Basketville is now available to people who could otherwise not afford it.  Nathan’s life goal has always been to build and spread art basketry appreciation to as many people as possible.  These baskets can be seen on his website (www.NathanTaylorBaskets.com).  Nathan hopes this will build interest and understanding of the craft, thus helping the craft of basketry live and thrive across America. 

            Nathan now teaches at his small shop in Warner, NH and a few select spots around the Northeast and across America.  The supply business (www.basketshop.com) keeps him and his wife Kathleen busy.  Kathleen has become an integral part of Nate’s Nantuckets, Inc.    Her baskets are more feminine adding color and textile to the designs.  Her photography is utilized throughout the business and appears in a three page color article on Shaker basket history in the Fall/Winter 2005-06 issue of Style 1900 magazine.

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