Old friend Mike Searl has made a lot of them for the 'show tipi' and uses modern methods to accomplish their structure.. he uses the 1" bypass shears to cut them.. goes to newer stands of the willow growing in ditches that have been cut down to the ground years a couple.. several maybe years before and gets just the straightest of sprouts to use on these. these sprouts are peeled and wrapped into bundles that are then tied up and dried . Think he puts them up high in his garage rafters or something.. cuts the ones that are just the RIGHT size too…. so then a frame of plywood is made that is the finished size of the backrest.. then some smaller boards are cut to secure over the lined up willow shoots.. these shoots are placed alternately down so the top of one is alongside the ground level end of anoter.. the smaller boards are fixed down over all of these 'ends so that the rods don't move while they are drilled with a dremel tool with a 1/16" bit with a pointy end on it.. I believe that's the size.. I could be wrong.. anyway it's a VERY small bit with the very pointy tip.. okay so then a very long doll makers needle is used to string the artificial sinew.. so anyway! This was close to my take on these! Mike paints some of his too and I forget what exact paint he used too.. guess if you could find bloodroot you could do some that are pretty close replica of some made back in the day.
Hmm.. I finally have a piece of plywood that I might be able to use to make some myself! thanks for the inspiration! Good luck.. great way to get out and enjoy the springtime. I know I'll be eyeing the willow stands longingly.. have some pretty stained up fingers for a few.. lol.
