Summer Sunday Sessions is a Series of 3 Basket Workshops focusing on the use of Joan’s favourite basket material - Willow Bark. Each workshop will explore a completely different weaving technique. Week 3 - We will be weaving this unique shaped Pointed Pouch/Purse which is also beautiful to hang on the wall. We will incorporate other locally harvested materials such as sedges and cedar bark and explore techniques such as plaiting and twining variations. Discussion and demonstrations will cover how…

Registration for this workshop is Full - If you wish to be on the waitlist, fill out the form and check the waitlist box.  Throughout millennia, the tradition of basket making has always been closely tied to the natural world around us. Nature offers an abundance of beautiful materials as well as inspiration for the basket maker. Tree Barks will be a focus for this basket, however, we will have a wide variety of materials to explore and discuss. On…

This is a classic splint woven basket associated with the 19th century northeast woodlands. Today this basket is versatile for comfortably carrying and storing all manner of items. You will be using flat reed splints to weave the basket which measures 12" wide x 8" deep and 14" high.  Nylon webbing in a choice of colour will be on hand to provide the strapping. This sturdy basket is sure to become a favourite for years to come. Open to all…

Soft materials such as rush, water iris leaves and flower leaves offer the basket maker a beautiful material for fine twining. We will be using a combination of these materials to weave a basket with a radiating spoke base. Variations of twining will be presented and can be incorporated as you design your own basket. Focus will be placed on how to control the shaping of your basket. Soft materials such as these are readily accessible in our gardens, roadside…

Tis the season to make some willow stars and star lanterns! Joan will have willow on hand to make an assortment of decorative stars of various sizes as well as a willow hanging mobile which when strung with fairy lights makes a magical lantern. The shape of the mobile is a dodecahedron which incorporates the star pattern. Many variations within these shapes are possible. They make great gifts and will brighten up your home throughout the winter season. This class…

Tis the season to make some willow stars and star lanterns! Joan will have willow on hand to make an assortment of decorative stars of various sizes as well as a willow hanging mobile which when strung with fairy lights makes a magical lantern. The shape of the mobile is a dodecahedron which incorporates the star pattern. Many variations within these shapes are possible. They make great gifts and will brighten up your home throughout the winter season. This class…

This workshop is taking place at the Horticultural Centre of the Pacific in Victoria, BC.  To Register: Here's the Link to HCP Website This is a traditional European style basket used for centuries as a household gathering and storage basket. This version has 2 round oak hoops forming the handle and opening of the basket. We will be using natural and dyed reed along with seagrass and cordage. Although seagrass will be on hand, participants will learn how to make…

Registration is Full for this Workshop.   If you would like to be on the Waitlist fill out the registration form below - add your name and email and check the waitlist box. If there is enough interest I will the class again at a future date. Throughout millennia, the tradition of basket making has always been closely tied to the natural world around us. Nature offers an abundance of beautiful materials as well as inspiration for the basket maker. Tree…

This workshop is taking place at the Horticultural Centre of the Pacific in Victoria, BC.  To Register: Here's the Link to the HCP Website The “Cat’s Head” basket has a distinctive elegant shape. It starts with a square base and moves to a round form which sits on four-pointed base corners. This is a traditional Shaker style basket with many variations on its shape and size and makes a beautiful storage basket. This version has a continuous twill pattern adding…

  Registration is Full for this Workshop.   If you would like to be on the Waitlist fill out the registration form below - add your name and email and check the waitlist box. If there is enough interest I will the class again at a future date. This course offers an opportunity to explore 4 different basketry techniques using a variety of materials. The 4 projects we will make employ twining, coiling, knotless netting and knotting. The materials we will…

  Registration is Full for this Workshop.   If you would like to be on the Waitlist fill out the registration form below - add your name and email and check the waitlist box. If there is enough interest I will the class again at a future date. This is a classic splint woven basket associated with the 19th century northeast woodlands. Today this basket is versatile for comfortably carrying and storing all manner of items. You will be using flat…

Random weave is one of Joan’s favourite styles of baskets to weave. The structure is beautiful reminding one of bird’s nests. It is strong, durable and lends itself to sculptural forms on both small and large scale. We will discuss and cover several ways of approaching this technique. The material we will be using is round reed in a selection of colours. We will take a tour the garden to discuss other potential plants suitable for this style of basket…

Throughout millennia, the tradition of basket making has always been closely tied to the natural world around us. Nature offers an abundance of beautiful materials as well as inspiration for the basket maker. Tree Barks will be a focus for this basket, however, we will have a wide variety of materials to explore and discuss. On Day One of this course, we will begin hands-on with how to respectfully harvest and prepare a wide variety of plants including tree barks,…

Willow bark is a lovely material for basket weaving and this project is a perfect way to show it off.  We will be weaving this variation of a point pouch designed to hang on the wall to hold utensils or a flower arrangement. Along with the plaited designs using willow bark we will also use locally foraged materials for twining patterns. Discussion and demonstrations will cover how to harvest and prepare these locally foraged materials. This course is being offered…

Day One: Willow Tension Trays. Willow is highly valued as a basket weaving material and this project offers a perfect introduction to weaving with willow rods. We will begin with a discussion about how to grow, harvest and prepare willow for weaving. These lovely trays are certain to become a favourite center piece for serving food or displaying your fresh produce. They are also useful for drying herbs. If time permits, we will make a smaller round version. To Register:…

Day Two: Willow Bark Diagonal Plaited Baskets We’ll begin with a discussion and hands on demonstration of how to harvest, peel and prepare willow bark. We will be exploring two different styles of Diagonal Plaiting. First, participants will weave a square desktop storage basket with their strips of willow bark. Secondly, we will weave a  wallet size flat pouch perfect for holding cards and notes. Diagonal plaiting is like a fun puzzle and is so rewarding to weave with this…

This is a traditional harvesting basket constructed with willow hoops and woven with a selection of materials including willow, willow bark, and cordage. This style of basket originates in Europe and is ideal for harvesting, carrying and storage. In addition to learning how to weave this basket we will discuss how to grow and harvest the materials we are using. Date: Saturday August 24 & Sunday August 25, 2024 Time: 10:00 - 4:00 Location: Lions Hall Salt Spring Island Registration…

Come spend an autumn day at the Gardens with Joan Carrigan, learning how to weave baskets with soft materials such as rush, sedge and flower leaves such as iris and daylily leaves. These materials are lovely to weave with and offer the opportunity to explore a variety of twining patterns. Participants  will focus on control of shaping this basket without the use of a mold. The ancient skill of making cordage will also be explored. Discussion will cover the identification of…