This Amish Family Makes Over 80 Kinds Of Baskets — And Their Daughter Signs Every One

Hands weaving flat reed through the spokes of a square plywood-based basket at Sonshine Baskets — The Vernon Lehman family runs Sonshine Baskets from their home in Millersburg, Indiana. Image: Fred Hendricks

Fred Hendricks previously gave us a look at Weaver Wagons, an Amish-owned horse-drawn implement company in Ohio. Today he shares the story of another Amish family business – this one in Indiana – called Sonshine Baskets, which was acquired by the Vernon Lehman family from neighboring friends. I enjoyed this glimpse into how an Amish basket company operates even more than I expected.

Following his Amish schooling, Vernon Lehman helped his dad with the family’s 160 acre farm. After retiring from farming, his dad started a woodworking shop. “When I came of age, I worked a brief couple years at the RV (recreational vehicle) factory. I still did some tinkering in Dad’s shop. In fact, I made a bedroom suite for my wife, Elma.

“After the RV factory job, I changed over to a table woodworking shop for 17 years. In 2001, we built a barn to raise meat ducks for Maple Leaf Farms. We usually have between 6,000 and 13,000 ducks in the barn at all times,” Vernon says.

He continued, “Oversight of the duck raising was not full-time. There was a desire for an additional income source. Fortunately, an opportunity came up through a business where we could work at home as a family,” Vernon says.

Buying Sonshine Baskets

Vernon shared the emergence of their business, “The basket business was founded by Calvin and Anna Yoder in 2010. We bought the business in 2018 when the Yoders decided to sell. We were fortunate to buy the business and further develop it from our home base.”

“The previous owners had named the business, Sonshine Baskets. The name Sonshine refers to the Son Of God shining through the business and it signifies our witness. It’s also an expression of companionship and interactions with those we meet and work with along the way. Consequently, we retained the business name,” Vernon shared.

Sonshine Baskets roadside sign trimmed with Christmas garland in Millersburg, Indiana — Image: Fred Hendricks

Currently Vernon creates the foundation parts of the baskets. The Lehmans’ teenage daughter, Kara, weaves the flat reed that completes the basket shape. And Elma creates attractive fabric liners. The other Lehman children help as they can.

How the Baskets Are Made

Sonshine Baskets are made with plywood bottoms for a firm foundation. Using plywood as the base, Sonshine is able to produce any size or shape basket, depending on the use. “We’ve made pie shape baskets to fit a Lazy Susan. There have been requests to fit baskets in a kitchen cabinet or even in macrame to hang from the ceiling,” Vernon says.

Man stapling wooden slats to the edge of a plywood basket base in a workshop — Lateral strips are being attached to the plywood base. Flat reed is then woven through the strips to complete a firmly structured Sonshine basket. Image: Fred Hendricks

As for construction, once the spokes are attached at the base, the reed weaving begins. Vernon explained, “Before the weaving starts, a flat reed is attached around the base. After the weaving is finished, the basket is completed with a complementary, decorative rim at the top.”

Hands weaving flat reed through the spokes of a square plywood-based basket — Pictured is a flat reed being weaved to construct a Sonshine basket. Image: Fred Hendricks

He continued, “After the basket is fully assembled, it is dipped in stain for the coloring. We offer three shades of brown: light, medium, and dark. When a basket calls for a cloth lining, Elma creates those from a large selection of designs.”

Weaving with rattan core, known as reed, is one of the more popular techniques because of its availability. And it is pliable when woven correctly. This includes flat reed used by Sonshine Baskets. Flat reed can also be dyed easily to look like oak or hickory.

Freshly stained baskets drying upside down on a metal rack — After a Sonshine basket has been completely assembled, it is dipped in stain. These baskets were dipped and drying for display or preparation to fill an order. Sonshine Baskets are available in three shades of brown: light, medium, or dark. Image: Fred Hendricks

Sonshine offers over 80 different baskets that include small sewing baskets, napkin baskets, square cake pan baskets, picnic baskets, waste baskets, bakers baskets, storage baskets, and more, many more. Every basket is signed and dated on the bottom by Kara.

Woven reed canisters labeled tea, sugar and flour with a lined picnic basket and a large lidded basket — Hand woven natural reed home accessory Sonshine Baskets. Image: Sonshine Baskets

Woven carry-all basket with leather handles and a floral fabric liner — Sonshine’s medium carry-all basket measures 19” x 8” x 13”. A decorative liner is optional. Image: Sonshine Baskets

Wholesale, Shows, and Tours

“Our primary marketing is wholesale through stores across the United States. We sell to furniture stores, variety stores along with houseware and fabric stores. Woodworking businesses have learned about our baskets, especially custom pieces. They may request a special need. Or arrange for the homeowner to come by and discuss a unique basket requirement,” he said.

“It is a joy meeting and helping people with their home design needs. It’s especially fulfilling to see a customer’s expression when they see their specialty basket completed. Naturally, this creates repeat business. And satisfied customers create referrals, for which we are grateful,” Vernon added.

Woven basket with an insulated zippered liner holding a pizza — Sonshine’s mega basket. The 15” size is suitable for a pizza pan or rock crock. The large, 20 ½” x 17” x 7 ¾” version is suitable for a large deep sheet cake or four pies. Liner and lid are optional; a Roni bag is available for the mega basket. Image: Sonshine Baskets

Additional business is created through the six annual retail shows where Sonshine Baskets are offered. The Lehmans also display at four wholesale shows annually that are compatible with their products.

The retail store and production phases are contained in buildings adjacent to their home in Millersburg. The Lehmans welcome bus tours along with weave your own basket tours.

Lidded two-pie carrier basket with leather handles and a chalkboard tag reading Pies — Sonshine offers this two pie carrier basket, measuring 12 ¼” x 5 ¼” x 3”, along with an optional choice of liners. Image: Sonshine Baskets

Restorations and Custom Orders

“It has been a blessing to have visitors from Switzerland, Canada, and numerous other countries. We get baskets returned to us that are ten to twelve years old for restoration. The most common needs are new leather handles. When they are faded or weathered, they can be refreshed with new stain,” Vernon says.

Dark brown woven hamper with a wooden lid and floral liner — This handmade woven hamper is made by Sonshine. It measures 20 ½” x 13 ½” x 25 ½” with an optional liner. Image: Sonshine Baskets

Vernon reflected on a specialty order, “A Chicago couple had a large cabinet in their sewing room that required ten special size baskets. They learned about our made-to-order baskets through a furniture business. It was a good experience working with the couple and seeing their satisfaction when the baskets were completed,” he said.

Cream-colored storage bench holding five dark brown woven baskets — Shown is Sonshine’s store-it-all bench with five baskets. The framework is buttermilk, whereas the baskets are dark brown. The baskets are available with hand-holes or support pull. Image: Sonshine Baskets

“We have repeat customers who stop by two or three times a year for additional baskets. On other occasions, we hear back from customers who will send pictures. And still others, will send stories about how their baskets are used,” Vernon added.

Vernon reflected with gratitude, “Our family has been blessed through Sonshine Baskets. We continue to be amazed at how the business has touched people’s lives. We thank God for making it all possible.”

Sonshine Baskets is located at 11020 W 400 S, Millersburg, Indiana. For those desiring information on becoming a dealer, you may phone: 574.642.0599. The Lehman family welcomes shoppers during the following store hours, Monday – Friday 8:00–4:30, Saturdays 8:00-12:00.

A version of this article was originally published in Plain Communities Business Exchange (PCBE) and is being reprinted with permission. For subscription information to PCBE, phone: 717.362.1118 or visit www.pcbe.us.

About the author: Freelance writer Fred Hendricks of Mansfield, Ohio, covers a vast array of interesting subjects. You may contact Fred at fwhendricks@gmail.com. Read Fred’s profile of Weaver Wagons here.