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…

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,…

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 use include cedar bark, willow bark, day lily leaves, waxed linen thread and yarn. These techniques are well suited to either jewelry or basketry forms. Discussion with cover the broad range of materials these techniques can be adapted to, as well as the wide variety of designs…

How wonderful it is to be able to weave your very own Sun Hat using beautiful soft Rushes. Participants will make their own hat mold from instructions provided ahead of time and this will ensure that your hat fits you perfectly. The hat will be woven using plain weave and twining, with a braid like border. Students will be able to determine the depth of the crown, plus the shape and size of the brim. The rewards are always visible…

Using local rushes, we will be weaving this adorable purse or handbag - perfect for any outing. This basket is woven over a mold which will be provided. We will explore how to weave an oval base and then explore variations of twining on the sides of the basket. Rush is silky soft yet strong....perfect for this project. The harvest and preparation of rush will be discussed, and other examples of rush weaving will be on hand. To Register Fill Out…

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,…