Business is among the best

ST. LOUIS - Wild Pony Baskets, a Scott County business, is participating in the 11th Annual Best of Missouri Market, which is currently under way at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis.

Ruth Andre took up the craft of basketmaking after moving to Missouri and her family grew six acres of gourds. The gourds offered Andre the inspiration to combine them with the ancient art of coiled pine needle basketry to create "gourd-weaving."

In addition, Andre will offer a recently released series of basket-weaving kits that make the task easy for beginners and children. Each "Southwest Series" kit includes pre-cut ready to weave rolled paper, paper covered wire, clothespins and step-by-step photo instructions.

This year, Wild Pony Baskets will introduce their Gourd Weaving Baskets in addition to finished Field Gourds, Gourd Bird Houses and more.