The first baskets were woven by gatherers to collect fruits, grains, nuts and other edible plant materials to be brought back and eaten, as well as for holding fish by early fishing peoples.

Although early baskets were created to serve
a practical use rather than an aesthetic purpose, the practice of basket making has evolved into
an art in its own right.

Basket makers today use a wide variety of colors, materials, sizes and patterns to create traditional and original baskets for decorational purposes.

The various basket types are :

- Coiled : using grasses and rushes
- Plaiting : using materials that are wide and ribbon-like,
  such as palms or yucca
- Twining : using materials from roots and tree bark
- Wicker and Splint : using reed, cane, willow, oak, and ash