Baskets Abound

Dusty Holmes was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan where she remained until she became engaged to JB Holmes and moved to Maryland.

Life being funny like it is they ended the engagement and both went their separate ways. Dusty, an RN, had the opportunity to work in several states broadening her perspective and life experience. She enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 29 and served from 1980 to 1984. Her love for nursing and people in general, served her well as she thrived as an ICU nurse at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii.

After retiring from the military she moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico continuing her nursing career and thought that she had found her “forever home,” but then life had another interesting twist. She reconnected with JB after a pause of 35 years and found that they were still “the same” and the spark was reunited, marriage followed.

She retired her nursing cap when she married Dr. JB Holmes, also a Veteran, and moved to Naples Florida in 2007.

With nursing behind her she found a hobby that became her passion, creative arts.

Dusty began working in stoneware clay in 2008. She maintained a pottery studio in conjunction with the Bonita Springs Art League for several years. That is where she met master weaver Georgia Hortin. Georgia had been weaving pine needles since 1954 and was eager to pass on the almost lost art form.

Dusty studied under Georgia for seven years until Georgia passed away at the age of 99 in 2017.

The Seminole Indians of south Florida made baskets out of pine needles long before they made pottery. Their baskets were made out of necessity and used for utilitarian purposes. They would carry water, winnow seeds, dry meats and even cook in their baskets.

Current day baskets are made to enhance form and function. Dusty has puta unique twist into making her baskets. She uses a variety of found and or made objects to enhance her baskets. Each basket is a unique one-of-a-kind piece of functional art.

Dusty weaves pine needles around her hand made pottery pieces, around vintage jewelry, around pieces of driftwood or animal horn, around seashells: the list is endless.

Dusty is an exhibiting member of the Naples Art Crafters and can be found selling her baskets the second Saturday of the month, in season, at Cambier Park.

Her baskets are also for sale at Myxn Scents at Bayfront and at Made to Inspire in Boca Grande, Florida.

Dusty sits on the Board of Directors of the Naples Art Crafters, is a member of the Emeritus Basketeers, the United Arts Council of Collier County and the Potters Council. Both Dusty and JB are involved in most Veterans affairs here in Collier, both willing to help when and where needed. Her website is www.dustyholmes.com)