I'm a Basket Case

I love baskets.  I don't have a collection of any value but I seem to pick up baskets here and there and just drop them wherever they seem to be most comfortable in our home.  I also enjoy basket weaving although its probably been five years or so since I've pulled out the supplies for a basket.

Today I'm focusing on two basket companies.  I'm sure you are all familiar with one and one you may not be.  Most everyone has heard of Longaberger baskets click here.  Maybe you've been to a home party or been lucky enough to pick up one of their baskets at a yard sale somewhere. I visited their factory in Ohio a few years ago on the way back from the east, even without a GPS you can't miss the GIANT basket out in front.  It was interesting to watch the baskets being made and I was so looking forward to a "seconds" shop but alas when I visited there were no seconds.

The second  company that I'm always on the look out for their baskets is Peterboro baskets, click here which is located in Peterborough New Hampshire.  Maybe you've seen Walter Hood on QVC making Peterboro baskets in the past?  Bless his heart Walter made baskets for fifty years and has been a real great representative of this company.  QVC used to have a big Peterboro basket show on the 4th. of July.  Since I normally don't leave the house on the 4th. it was always a welcome diversion for me.

I first came in contact with Peterboro many years ago when I was looking for a company that would do some custom work for me for a sales meeting I was holding at a ski resort.  I wanted a nice basket with a lid and I wanted our company logo included on the lid. The finished baskets held a pair of LL Bean socks, a great mug from Crate and Barrel with hot chocolate packets, and several other ski related items. Peterboro came through for me and we've been friends since that day.  I've been to the factory many times and love to go in "the back" where all the seconds are...I'm always in basket heaven and love the fact that they pack and ship anything I can't drag on the plane with me.

With all the focus on America made products its nice to know that both of these companies with long histories are still Made in America. They are both very similar in design and quality and yet when I come across a Peterboro basket in a thrift shop or an on-line auction they are much less expensive than a Longaberger basket.  So if you love baskets keep an eye out for a Peterboro basket, same quality but usually far less expensive for pre-owned pieces.

Sidebar:  I had planned to post pictures of many of my baskets which are Longaberger and Peterboro but unfortunately my memory card for my new camera has lost it's mind and I have nothing at this time.  I've attached a couple of pictures from each website which certainly doesn't do either basket justice.