This basket was lovingly crafted for a dear friend out of the finest Ponderosa pine needles I have ever found...the gift of a beautiful, mature tree that stood tall and straight....enduring as the best of friendships always are! As every special friendship should be able to withstand the test of time, it must have the tough, unbreakable threads of love to hold it in place. Thus the material chosen to weave this delicate basket's curving vase-like shape was all-natural, strong hemp fibers, and given an extra coat of shellac to preserve it's strength and shine. And finally, as for all human beings, it is not enough for our friendships to be simply strong and tough; they must contain that ever-present spark of effervescent joy...the bubbling laughter and twinkle in one's eye that make life more than just survival...they give us the beauty of happiness. So the final touch added to this basket was a wreath of marbled beads and a spunky, all-natural pine cone nob...the "crown on the masterpiece". I hope this basket, when it reaches the home of my friend, will be a reminder to her and others how precious every true friendship is around the world! And like such friendships...you can never put a price tag on it!