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Mary May grew up in Ocean County with parents who taught her carpentry, sewing, and gardening. She began making baskets as a hobby, but soon developed an interest in making the type of baskets once used to trap fish, gather berries, and other tasks in South Jersey. She was drawn to the white oak baskets of the Pinelands region, and became skilled in recreating their traditional forms. Mary May describes the process of splitting the white oak in almost musical terms: "When you pop the grain right, it's like a song."
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Mary has developed skills in identifying and splitting the best white oak logs, separating and shaving the splints and weaving them into berry baskets, pound fishing baskets, eel fykes and grocery baskets, among others.
Mary May is not only a master basketmaker, she is also a curator of traditional South Jersey baskets. In the past, baskets were used for trapping fish, transporting shellfish and vegetables, gathering berries and eggs, collecting charcoal, and carrying laundry and groceries. Although no longer used for industrial purposes, baskets continue to be used in the home.
Mary May began by collecting traditional baskets and research local artists. The work of basketmaker Mikie Archer became her model. Through apprenticeships with Esther Parker and Clyde Jenkins, she developed her skills. Mary has now become a master herself, teaching her craft to her own apprentices as well as to children and adults in workshops. As with many traditional artists, Mary May's craft is a family effort. Her husband built a basketing room on to their house and a shave horse for making the splints.
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