Marcia Holland

Marcia's interest in pine needle basketry grew out of attempts to restore an old pine needle basket, created fifty years ago by her great-aunt. She was attracted to this ancient form of basketry because she found the long, thin pine needles to be more friendly than the reeds and vines she used in other traditional baskets. The sewing needle and thread also appealed more to her than the pliers and pruning shears needed for bending and cutting tough reed.

In 1998, Marcia's original pine needle designs were made of pine needles gathered in her yard at home, and formed baskets around walnut or polymer clay centers. Marcia enjoys creating unusual designs of pine needles, dyed bright colors or left in their natural brown state. Her work is characterized by surprising shapes and forms, often with loosely gathered, unsewn needles instead of the tight coils and decorative stitching seen on many pine needle baskets. "I'll leave the beautiful raffia stitchery to those with more skill and patience in sewing, and have my fun with coaxing the pine needles into unexpected art forms." Several of her award-winning designs resemble vases or pots more than baskets, and as a result have earned the distinction of "almost earthen vessels." She appreciates the inevitable questions when people view her work, and likes seeing reactions to her use of a medium that many consider to be a nuisance in their own yard.

Because of the difficulties she encountered while replacing the broken and brittle pine needles of the heirloom basket, Marcia takes special care to preserve her own work so that it will last for generations.

Blue Morning Gallery
112 S Palafox Pl.
Pensacola, FL 32501
(850) 429-9100

Open Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

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