Make a caramel and take it to the hard crack stage. Hold a ladle in one hand and turn the round side up. In the other hand, take the handle of a wooden spoon and dip it in the caramel; Jackson Pollack it across the ladle in all directions, re-dipping the spoon handle in the caramel as needed, until you have a basket shape. Let it cool and then gently remove it from the ladle.

Here's a link to a video for making a spun sugar basket. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blZlxy6KL_8