Filipino Wicker Basket Manufacturers

Filipino Wicker Basket

If you’re looking for a beautiful basket, you might want to check out the work of the Filipino wicker basket manufacturer. These are the craftsmen who will make your basket look perfect. It’s easy to see why they’re so popular! Decorative baskets are perfect additions to any room. You can use them as a centerpiece on your dining room table, accent on your home office shelving, or simply as an everyday storage container.

Jose Reyes was the eldest of ten children. He learned the art of basket-making at an early age in the Philippines. Although this early training was primarily for survival, it was still a necessary skill for Reyes to make ends meet and support his family. He found his calling and began his basket business in 1948. He was inspired by a Life magazine picture of a basket that had a cloth top. He took that idea and began to call his hybrid creations “Friendship Baskets”.

Jose Reyes became so popular that he eventually had a backlog of orders to handle. Then he posted a sign on his counter that said, “No repairs until next year!” In 1952, a colony of British ladies in Nantucket ordered one for the young Elizabeth Windsor-Mountbatten. This was the first time a basket made by Jose Reyes became an instant sensation.

Filipino Wicker Basket Manufacturers

After choosing a design for the basket, the process begins. Gathering the necessary materials, purchasing tools, and assembling tools begins. Fibers may need dyeing or soaking before they are ready for the next step. Wood bases are shaped to accommodate the spokes. The finished basket may have a diameter of between 6 to 12 inches. It is often topped off with a decorative border. The finished basket is often used to store small items.

Jose Ramon left the Philippines when he was fourteen years old. He attended Washington High School in Portland, Oregon and received a scholarship to Reed College, established in 1911. He earned a bachelor’s degree in education, making him the first Asian to graduate from the college. During this time, he met Mary Elizabeth Ham. The two had a mutual love for each other, even though they were too young to be legally married.