Swarey Family Baskets

A family rooted in two Countries, raising the next generation of weavers in Iowa.

Phineas and Mary Swarey’s 20‑acre farm is a place where the steady work of the land meets the quiet artistry of basketmaking. Married for over 18 years, they’ve built a life rooted in family, faith, and the satisfaction of working with their hands.

Mary grew up in Wisconsin, surrounded by the familiar sight of neighbors weaving baskets in their homes. Phineas was raised in Ontario, Canada, where the seasons shaped the pace of life, and the value of hard work was learned early. Their paths eventually crossed, and together they’ve created a home where tradition is not just remembered but lived every day.

The Swarey children include John, Levi, Willie, Joe, Harley, and David, who enjoy growing up in a home where family and work are combined. Many members of their extended family live nearby, though the day‑to‑day work of the farm and shop is done by the immediate household. Horses graze in the pasture, a few goats wander the fenceline, and their garden produces sweet corn, potatoes, onions, muskmelons, tomatoes, and peppers. Spring is their favorite season, when the earth wakes from Winter and the first green shoots give the promise of another year of abundance.

Five days a week, the family gathers in their workshop. The air fills with the soft creak of weaving, the snip of shears, and the easy conversation that comes from working together. Mary’s hands move with the confidence of someone who has been weaving baskets her whole life, while Phineas takes special pride in cutting the parts needed to craft each basket to just the right size. The children learn the craft daily, each at their own pace, absorbing the skills that will one day be theirs to pass down to their own children.

For the Swareys, basketmaking is their bread and butter. The work keeps food on their table and their home warm in the Winter. They enjoy knowing that each basket they craft will become part of someone else’s story. When a customer receives one of their baskets, they hope it will bring the same joy they feel when a project is finished and ready to be used.

Their favorite baskets reflect the variety found in their creativity: The Double Pie Basket, perfect for carrying baked goods to a neighbor; the Large Sewing Basket with Drawer, a treasure chest for crafters; and the Vintage Picnic Basket, always ready for a sunny afternoon next to the pond.

Life in the Swarey home is full of simple pleasures. Evenings may find the family gathered around the kitchen table for pizza and ice cream, or sharing a pot of their favorite chili soup. In a world that often rushes past, the Swarey family offers a reminder that life’s richest moments are found in the steady work of hands, the laughter of children, and the quiet satisfaction of a job well done.

 

The Swarey’s Favorite Family Recipe

CHILI SOUP

2 lb. hamburger
1/2 c. onions (optional)
1/2 Tbsp. chili powder
1 1/2 Tbsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 1/3 c. all-purpose flour
6 c. water
1 (15-16 oz.) can chili beans
1 c. brown sugar
2 c. tomato juice

Mix the first 5 ingredients in pan and brown. Take off burner and mix in flour. Return to burner and add water. Bring to boil and add tomato juice, and chili beans. Return to a boil. Add brown sugar and stir. Ready to serve. I usually use more tomato juice and a little less flour.