This gallery is a sampling of some of the handbags I have produced recently. The largest is 12"inches and the smallest is 5"inches. Purses, although they never caught on, were made during the lightship era. It wasn't until Jose Reyes came to the Island in the late 1940's that this form of the Nantucket Lightship basket gained popularity to the point that it may now well be the most recognizable style of basket of all.

Many basket makers buy all their materials from a shop and simply weave the basket.  I design and make all my molds and basket parts (bases, rims, wooden staves and rims, handles, and some ivory carvings, purse pins, and knobs) here in my shop to insure the highest quality and control of all aspects of my work.  Much like other fine arts, part of what you are buying is a name.  For over twelve years I've studied the history of Nantucket Lightship Baskets and it has been my only occupation, through working on repairs of old baskets I've gained a a great deal of knowledge on tradition construction techniques and methods.

 Examine my work carefully and I am sure you will see the quality and care I put into each basket.  After "doing your homework", please feel free to e-mail me or call me at the shop with any questions.

       Most of the purses you see below were custom made for one of my customers.  I do stock a few standard sizes but most people prefer to custom "build " one from the ground up. 

Baskets come with cherry bases and handles, reed staves and rims and hand turned ivory knobs and peg.  Wooden staves and rims are optional and can be quoted on an individual basis.

  Any repairs needed due to normal wear and tear are done free of charge for the original owner. 

Call for a quote on a specific basket.