Hello everyone! I just wanna share our photos from yesterday's visit to America's premier maker of handcrafted basket - The Longaberger Company. They offer not only baskets but other home and lifestyle products such as pottery, wrought iron, fabric accessories and specialty foods. The company is based in Newark, Ohio which is about 52 miles (an hour drive) from our house.
Oh my, I think I've fallen inlove with that place! The fact that its not only a shopping place, it's also a factory store with lots of amazing sights!
The Longaberger Company's trademark is their 7 stories Home Office building, located at Newark, off 161.
Its factory called The Longaberger Homestead was 24 miles away from their office. Located in Dresden, Frazeysburg, Ohio. It is the birthplace of the company, home to Longaberger stores, restaurant and the World's Largest Basket. As soon as we arrived, we hit the Welcome Center right away. A host welcomed us with a guide map, gave us informations and tips on what to do and what to see around homestead. When we got out, we saw Longaberger's Footsteps.
Here is JJ inside the basket!
We saw another basket on our way to Crawford Barn, south of the shopping center.
(notice the largest apple basket in the opposite direction)
(shops for decoratives accessories, gifts and apparel)
Next stop was Dave Longaberger's Memorial. The landscape was well managed and the setting was very peaceful.
Behind the memorial was the Sentimental Rose™ Tea Garden Gift Shop. Gee, this place is filled with delectable teas and accessories. I could not pass this Pink Rose mini teaset and a napkin ring teapot for my collection.
...and you know what? The old lady who took care of us actually had been to Philippines! Her son had been there to play Golf and he took her there for vacation. She's very nice, even wished for me that JJ will buy me that curio cabinet that I had been longing for as a christmas gift. I really need a bigger display cabinet for my growing collection! (finger's crossed now 
) We also browsed Longaberger at Home Store. Did not stay here, afraid that I'd be broke! So off we go to the Popeyes Dairy Cream for some refreshments, but had to pass the World's Largest Basket first!
I just use my click and run skill in here (camera timer if you know what i mean!) Not bad eh? Gorillapod from thinkgeek.com would realy come handy in times like this (hint*hint*lol!)
After enjoying velvet ice cream at the Popeye's Dairy store, we took the shuttle from the Welcome Center to the Basketmaking facility, the factory store and home show experience. Not really that far away. Here, I made my own basket with the help of Jody. I choose to make Medium Saddle Brook Basket that will contain the pink hope ribbon from the Cancer Foundation. This keepsake will not only be cheerished by me but it will also help (in a little way) the Cancer Foundation.
That is my teacher Jody. She started the bottom part and the first 3 starting and cutting lines....and then I was on my own. I looked so serious ha? Tell you what, its sooo much fun! Very cool experience! I think I had been a basketmaker in my previous life hihihi! (come back for the video okie?)
...and then, we both signed our name on it and she finished it by putting the handle. I had to wait for 5 days to air dry though, before I could put on the accessories. It would look like this once the accessories are on. The plastic protector goes inside and then the tag would be glued wherever I want.
We also wandered at the factory mezzanine level where we could've seen the basketmakers handcrafting. Unfortunately, they were off earlier and the best times to see them is before noon. Also we were not allowed to take pictures of their work stations but we could picture any display around the mezzanine.
Then we visited their factory store. I got crazy shoppin' around and checkin' out retired and revered longaberger baskets, accessories and stuff for christmas...wait, did I say christmas? It's only July but yeah they already have lots of christmas items that are so irresistable...then I run out of extra hands to take pictures while inside, oh well! That was our lots stop, jj's complaining that he is tired...blah blah! haha what can i say....
