This is an Alaskan natural sweet grass. It comes from the Bering Sea area along the salt
water beaches. There are also places that this grass grows without salt water influence. We cut
this grass in late fall when the green just about disappears and slight traces of pink appears at the tip of
the plant where we cut it. Cutting takes place after the first freeze. This is back-breaking, cold, wet, and labor
intense work. We have to work quickly because of the weather conditions in Alaska are always unpredictable at this time of
the year. We often sing and joke a lot when we pick grass. That is why it is often said that our baskets and grass work have
many songs and much happiness in them. We then weave the grass into the form of a rug. This allows it
to air dry quickley. After about a week, we sort and seperate the good ones. The brighter and cleaner ones are kept and
are used as the threading. This is what give the exterior grass work is sheen and beauty. The average ones you use to use
to form inside and around the basket. A bundle can make one weaved basket with a lid.
