It’s just about farmer’s market season, which is my favorite time of the year!  I love the feeling I get when I go to the market to get produce that is so fresh from local farmers. I grow a fair amount of produce in my garden as well, and this year will be no different. Although Strawberries are one of the first things to pop up in the spring, I am pretty excited for the blueberries to be in season.  They’re my favorite and I could literally each a basket each morning for breakfast.

In preparation for a spring full of fresh fruits and veggies, I created a few of these berry baskets to hold the haul that I bring home or pick. The baskets are quite easy to make and are quite cute too.  You could even use them for a party or as a food filled gift. Want to make your own? You can!

 

The Balsa wood pieces can just be found at any craft store in their wood crafting area!  Be sure to get the thinnest pieces available!

You’ll need two pieces of the 4″ wide balsa wood and one piece of the 1″ wide wood.  MEASURE one at 9″ long, then repeat, making the second one just a little longer (about 9 ¼).  Measure the 1″ wide balsa wood at 19″ long.  Cut to size with regular scissors. SOAK all three pieces in a pan of warm water for 10 minutes.  You’ll have to soak both ends of the long piece unless you have a sink/pan that fits 19″.

LAY the two 4″ pieces over each other forming an ‘X’ put the slightly longer piece on the bottom.  Then, using a straight edge, bend up the ends of the pieces, forming the body of your basket. Then, BEND the 19″ x 1″ piece at 4.5″ intervals.  This will be your top rim piece.  Wrap the body of the basket with the edge piece, securing with a stapler.  You only need 18″ of wood to wrap your basket, so use the extra 1″ to secure the rim and tuck into the beginning of your wrap.

It turned out pretty cute and I’ve made a whole stack to keep in the garden or to take with me to my local market!

On another berry note, one of my friends told me that they have a blueberry bush and that it’s really easy to maintain and produces quite a lot!  I’m thinking about planing one this year and seeing how it goes!