Aaron Griggs

Aaron Griggs

Houlka, MS

Wood

Baskets

Guild member since 2011

Making the first trip to Montana View, Arkansas in September 2010 with his wife Patsy, Aaron met a person by the name of Leon Jennings. Leon was about 90 years old at that time. He found him on the "Off The Beaten Path" tour of craftsmen and artisans. Aaron became interested at that time in White Oak Basket Making because Leon made baskets in the traditional way. Aaron makes his baskets in the traditional way. He selects the right tree, then spits it with wedges and a froe, shaves it down to billets with a draw-knife, then splits it down the grain in weavers, ribs, and handles depending on the type and size of basket to be woven. There are many basket weavers but only a handful of true traditional White Oak Basket Makers in the state of Mississippi and he is proud to be one of them.