Life is too short to save the good stuff. Use it, carry it, enjoy it.
My philosophy
I have always been drawn to making things by hand, shaped by growing up and spending years around the table with the women in my family, each one working on something while sharing stories. My sisters gave me a gift card to a weaving class and, in true me fashion, I let it sit for two years before using it. When I finally did, I fell in love with the slowness of it. The satisfaction of making something both beautiful and functional. There were no shortcuts to the end result, you just needed attention to detail and time.
It brings me so much joy to craft pieces meant to be lived with and woven into the stories of people's homes and lives (pun intended).
never met a craft i didn't like
About MAGGIE
Growing up, I watched my mom, my grandma, and aunts make things with their hands. A Christmas stocking for a new baby. A needlepoint pillow. Something to sew next. Some of my best memories are of sitting around that table, everyone working on their own project, talking about everything and nothing. That is what making has always meant to me. Not just the object at the end, but the care that goes into it, and the people it connects you to.
My dad gifted my mom a Nantucket lightship basket on their wedding day. Thirty-four years later, she still takes it out for their anniversary dinner. The basket isn't just a decoration, but a symbol of their love (with a handle). That's my goal in every piece I make.
Each piece I create is meant to last, not just physically, but emotionally. These are objects designed to collect memories, to be present for life's moments big and small, and to be passed down. That is why I never rush. A basket that takes weeks to weave carries something a quick production never could: intention, care, and the evidence of time well spent.
QUALITY
QUANTITY
over
ANNA
"Working with Maggie was an absolutely wonderful experience from start to finish!"
kind words
REILLY
I loved the idea of having a custom made piece for my wedding that is handmade, sentimental to me and made with care from someone who truly values the art and timelessness of weaving Nantucket baskets.
kind words
or at my 9-to-5 (lol), baking whatever new recipe I find on NYT Cooking, or needlepointing. I gravitate toward things that force you to slow down, because we could all use more time in the present.
with my camera
strolling Boston
When I'm not weaving, you'll find me
Nantucket lightship baskets are among the most recognized handmade objects in American craft. Each one takes dozens of hours to complete, made to be used and passed down for generations.
Today /
José Formoso Reyes arrived on Nantucket and added a lid to an oval handled basket, creating the friendship basket — the purse form that remains the most recognized expression of the craft today.
1945 /
The baskets gained recognition beyond the island. Collectors prized their craftsmanship, and the tradition grew into what we now call Nantucket baskets.
Late 1800s /
Sailors stationed on Nantucket's lightships had long, quiet hours at sea. To pass the time, they turned to weaving — using rattan brought back from the Pacific and locally sourced hardwoods to create baskets of extraordinary precision. What began as a pastime became an art form.
Early 1800s /
YEARS
Through the
A Brief History of the Lightship Basket
Every basket begins with a hand-turned wooden base, made by exceptional woodworkers to precise specifications. This is what gets signed when the piece is complete. Baskets are woven bottom to top, with the rim and handle among the last steps.
Wooden staves are cut, tapered at the edges, and set into the base at specific intervals. These form the vertical structure around which the cane is woven. Then premium rattan cane goes over and under, strand by strand, for hours or sometimes days depending on the size and complexity of the piece.
The wooden rims are sanded smooth using multiple sandpaper grits, then lashed with cane around the edge. The handle is attached. The last step is varnishing to protect it from sand and sun. What emerges is an object designed to last generations.
I weave in the traditional manner, using the same time-honored techniques passed down through generations of Nantucket basket makers. But I design pieces for how we live today. Carried to the farmer's market. Set on a shelf. Brought to a wedding. Filled with flowers or small keepsakes. Heirlooms, yes, but ones that collect memories through daily use.
Each piece is signed and dated. A record of when it came into being, and my way of honoring the tradition while making it personal.
The craft
what makes it special
The length of time it takes to complete a piece can vary from a few to 50 hours start to finish. It depends on a variety of factors, including size, material selection, and complexity. While the labor is a meaningful part of the process, the materials themselves are equally important and not easily sourced.
Only a small number of trusted suppliers are able to meet the precise standards required for proper fit, structure, and longevity, which contributes to the overall cost. My pricing is reflective of both the quality of these materials and the meticulous hands-on process behind each piece, resulting in something ready to love.
a quick note about pricing
Each commission is built around what you envision, from the wood, the finish, and the details in between. These are pieces made to be kept for years, passed down, and woven into the everyday moments that end up mattering most. If you're ready to get started, I'd love to chat.
Work TOGETHER
let's build your dream piece
