Nancy Grabner: Creative B-Town Basket Weaver

by JANA WILSON

When Nancy Grabner began weaving baskets as a hobby 20 years ago, she found it so calming that her home was soon filled with them. As a way to share her hobby with others—and free up some space in the house—Grabner founded Woodward Baskets in 2001.

“For me, basket making is very relaxing,” she says. “Each basket is different, and your creative ability is unlimited.”

Grabner’s baskets are woven using wooden basket reeds and decorated with materials like beads, ribbons, yarn, and even antlers, which she first tried incorporating because her husband and son enjoy hunting.

“You can make them out of just about everything,” she says. “I like to make functional baskets most of the time. I think they need to be used.”

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Grabner traveled to art shows across the Midwest, including the Penrod and Broad Ripple art fairs in Indianapolis. While she isn’t sure what the future brings in terms of travel for her creations, Woodward baskets are available locally at By Hand Gallery in Bloomington and at the Brown County Craft Gallery in Nashville, Indiana.