About Us

Mary West Ustach

My wife, Mary, first fell in love with Nantucket baskets in the early 1970’s while living on Cape Cod and traveling back and forth to Nantucket. It was not until the early 1990’s, however, that she had the opportunity to take a basket weaving class with Bobbie Hall, a well-known basket artist and teacher. Mary became hooked and proved to be a natural. Her first traditional Friendship purse was woven so tightly that other basket artists joked that she must have been a basket weaver in a past life!

Since completing that first basket, Mary has gone on to produce many different styles of Nantucket baskets, purses, and lamps. In the last few years her interest has turned toward weaving purses that reflect the contemporary trends that continue to shape and redefine this historic craft. Over the years, Mary's purses have sold in several shops on Nantucket.

It is Mary’s devotion to the art of basket weaving, and the many talented artists she encounters, that is the inspiration behind this gallery.

Our gallery offers a contemporary twist on a traditional art form unique to Nantucket. We feature Nantucket Baskets hand woven by local artists who share a love and passion for the art. Our artists employ techniques steeped in the rich history of Nantucket basket weaving to produce beautiful contemporary interpretations of this traditional and historic form.

All of our baskets are signed and dated by the artist. 

Please browse our gallery and enjoy our site!

Thank you,
Frank and Mary Ustach