Weaving Together : Story & Tradition

Carol Emarthle Douglas considers herself a Traditional & Contemporary basket weaver

She creates baskets that tell a story by design, shape, and use of color. Coiling baskets is an extremely time consuming process, and the baskets she produces in a year’s time are one of a kind.

Salmon’s Journey

This intricately woven basket tells the story of the sockeye salmon’s life cycle, a journey of resilience and renewal. Beginning at the base, delicate fish eggs symbolize the origins of life, gradually transitioning upward as the young salmon embark on their migration. The design flows with the rhythm of their voyage, culminating at the top with the skeletal remains, representing the completion of their journey and their vital contribution to the next generation.

This piece also reflects the ongoing efforts to restore salmon populations, as dam removals across the Pacific Northwest help revive their natural habitats. Salmon’s Journey is both a tribute to these remarkable fish and a reminder of our responsibility to protect the ecosystems that sustain them.

Traditional coiled figure eight stitch technique.  Single hemp core, coiled waxed linen thread overlay in various colors.  Crystal, bone bead and glass bead embellishments. 2025. 8 1/2” H x 14” W

Galleries

In each gallery below you will find a wondrously detailed scope of work and delightful sneak peeks into her thought process as an artist.

A scope of designs, shapes, and sizes with plenty of visual stories to explore.

Bold figures and details to fit in the palm of your hand.