Janice Phillips creates stunning, functional, and whimsical pine needle baskets and sculptures using coiling techniques passed down through the years. She harvests and prepares her own needles from the long-needle forests of South Carolina.
Janice first learned basic pine needle basketry in 2018 from her mother, who had learned it from her own grandmother back in the 1930’s. Since then, “YouTube University” and getting together with other artists has broadened her vision. She has sold baskets in juried art shows, craft fairs, two different galleries, and privately around the country.
Living in the Midlands of South Carolina, Janice realized the gift that the local long-leaf pine forests were to her craft. She started harvesting and drying her own needles, and then experimented with glycerin treatments and dyes. As her skill grew, Janice found that adding grapevine would both strengthen and embellish her work. Soon she learned to add other gifts of nature–antler, stones, pieces of wood, pine cones, aromatic herbs–as well as resin pours, decoupage, beads, and other artistic twists to her baskets.
Janice has displayed her baskets and taught pine needle basketry at Camden Art Shoppes since 2023.
ART TRAINING
Her mother taught her the basics in pine needle basketry, but mostly, Janice is self-trained.
ART INSPIRATIONS AND INFLUENCE
Janice’s family definitely gave her an appreciation for good art, be it music, crochet, painting, woodwork, and other areas.
Matt Tommey’s teaching has helped her in seeing herself as an artist whose work is worth putting out for other people to buy and enjoy.
OTHER (FAMILY, HOBBIES, PLACES LIVED)
Janice writes, “I’ve lived in Blythewood, SC, but I was raised in Venezuela, the child of missionary parents. I’ve been married 47 years to Mark, also a missionary kid from Zimbabwe. We have 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren. I love being in the woods harvesting pine needles or hunting with my husband. As I have a heart for God and missions, I volunteer with my church in various areas. I also volunteer as a hub coordinator for Righteous Rides, a non-profit that provides low-cost mini-vans to missionaries home on furlough.”
Sample Art by Janice Phillips:
