We were honored to be the cover story for the August edition of Spencer County Living and tell our story! Read the article in it's entirety below to learn more about Dani Sue, her family and what it means to us to be a woman-owned, small business that gets to serve our small community and makers around the world!
The Anderson Family
Weaving the Next Chapter of Basket Making in Spencer County
As published in Spencer County Living, August 2024
The rich tradition of basket making in Spencer County is weaving an exciting new chapter, under the leadership of Spencer County native, Danielle Suzette (Herndon) Anderson, aka Dani Sue. Just like the age-old craft of basket making, each new generation it touches has the opportunity to build upon it's storied past while offering fresh inspiration. That is exactly what is taking place as over 80 years of combined weaving history converges with Basket Maker's Supply and Dani Sue Creations.
Dani Sue's love for weaving began like many in Spencer County, learning from her beloved grandmother, Ardia Herndon. Ardia played a pivotal role in preserving and passing on the art of weaving. For 30+ years, she taught from her home in Spencer County and even started the local basket guild. Her legacy continues to thrive through Dani Sue, who began teaching and designing baskets of her own.
In 2016, Dani Sue launched Dani Sue Creations, which teaches young and old alike, the art of basket weaving. Her award-winning basket designs and passionate customer base have followed her from Louisville to Texas and back as she and her family recently moved to the family farm she grew up on in Elk Creek. Living on the farm and the basket business is truly a family affair. Dani Sue and her husband, Christopher, along with their three daughters, recently built and moved into a farmhouse on that same farm. The girls have already taken an interest in weaving themselves, carrying on the tradition with yet another generation.
This past March, Dani Sue became the new owner of Basket Maker's Supply, a 42 year old basket supply company from Scottsville, KY, formerly known as The Basket Maker's Catalog. Many people are surprised to learn that Dani Sue and her staff work full time with a basket supply business, but it's true! Shipping to customers all over the world, Basket Maker's Supply is one of the top suppliers in the country for basket weavers and chair caners.
Dani Sue has relocated the business to the family farm, just across the road from where Ardia taught and lived. The Basket Barn, as it has become known, serves as a welcoming space for crafters and shoppers alike, offering a creative oasis for those interested in exploring the world of basket weaving. It is open to the public for in-store shopping from 10am to 3pm Tuesday to Friday (and by appointment), and hosts a variety of Open Weaves and classes.
As with any small business, community support plays a crucial role in its success. The local chamber recently celebrated the opening of both businesses at an Open House ribbon cutting ceremony. Additionally, the local post office has been instrumental in supporting the increased shipping demands of the business as it reaches customers worldwide.
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