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November 2019
Basketry Explorations: Working with Soft Materials
Basket weaving is an ancient skill found in all cultures in a wide variety of forms. In this course we will be exploring weaving techniques and variations associated with Soft Materials such as rush, sedges, iris/daylily leaves, yarn and threads. A variety of techniques will be covered including twining, coiling, cordage, knotless netting and knotting. These techniques offer a broad exposure to weaving with soft material and we will finish several projects of diverse approach and material. Demonstration and discussion…
Find out more »February 2020
Twill Tote Basket
Weave this lovely carrying basket for everyday use or keep as a decorative storage basket. This basket is woven with a twill weave using natural and dyed reed and has a sturdy swing handle. A great project for beginner weavers. This workshop is being offered at the Horticultural Centre of the Pacific in Victoria, BC To Register: Call HCP at 250-479-6162
Find out more »Wicker Basket with Wood Base
Explore the sculptural design possibilities of the Wicker Basketry technique when starting with a wood base. Bases will be provided along with dyed round reed and a selection of natural materials to incorporate into this sculptural basket. In the process of weaving this basket, participants will learn control of shaping as well as a variety of weaving patterns. The rich variety of colour and design options makes for a fun and creative experience. This workshop is being offered at the…
Find out more »Baskets: Working with Flat Materials – Full
This is a 4-day course being offered through Maiwa School of Textiles in Vancouver, BC. To Register follow the link to their website: Maiwa School of Textiles Basket weaving is an ancient skill found in all cultures in a wide variety of forms. In this course students will explore weaving techniques associated with flat materials, such as plaiting twill, flat and three-dimensional diagonal plaiting, and single sheet free-form construction. These techniques offer a broad exposure to basketry construction. Participants will…
Find out more »March 2020
Cedar Bark Pouch
Come weave a beautiful individualized small pouch with plant materials harvested from the Pacific Northwest. I use my pouch to hold my cell phone so make sure you bring yours with you. We will begin with a discussion on how to respectfully harvest materials followed by a hands-on demonstration of how to prepare the materials including cedar bark, willow bark and sedge. Participants can design their pouch using different weave patterns presented which include a variety of plaiting, twining and…
Find out more »Willow Bark Point Pouch
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 unique shaped 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 to harvest and prepare these locally foraged materials. This workshop is being offered at the Horticultural Centre of the…
Find out more »Baskets: Working with Round Material – Full
This is a 4-day course being offered through Maiwa School of Textiles in Vancouver, BC. To Register follow the link to their website: Maiwa School of Textiles Basket weaving is an ancient skill found in all cultures in a wide variety of forms. In this course students will explore weaving techniques associated with round materials, such as open weave twining, wicker/wailing variations, rib construction, and random weave. These four techniques offer a broad-based exposure to basketry and permit experimentation with shaping…
Find out more »April 2021
Zoom Presentation: A Basket Journey with Joan Carrigan
Joan will be taking us on a visual journey, touching down on some of the highlights of her 30 years of exploring Basket Weaving. Along the way she will share her story of how she got swept up in the world of baskets; spotlight some of her influential teachers; take us on a few of her journeys of discovery; illustrate the diversity of basketry by sharing some of her favourite basket materials and how they are harvested and prepared; and…
Find out more »May 2021
Online Workshop – Willow Hoop Rib Basket
This is a traditional Rib Style Basket often called a Potato Basket constructed with a willow hoop and woven with a selection of materials including dyed reed and seagrass. This style of basket originates in Europe and is ideal for harvesting and storage. This is a great basket for beginners. Online via Zoom. Material Kits to make the basket will be provided and will be available for pick up at HCP at a confirmed date. If you do not live…
Find out more »Online Workshop – Random Woven Nest Basket
Random weave is one of Joan’s favorite styles of baskets. The structure is beautiful, reminding one of birds’ nests. It is strong, durable and lends itself to sculptural forms in both small and large scale. We will discuss several ways of approaching this technique. A materials kit will be provided consisting of dyed round reed for the construction of this basket. Discussion will cover how to harvest and forage for other plant material suitable for this technique. Online via Zoom.…
Find out more »June 2021
Basket Weaving with Rush and Soft Materials – In Person Workshop At Horticultural Centre of the Pacific
We will explore weaving 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 various twining patterns. Shaping soft twined baskets can be done with or without molds and both options will be presented. The ancient skill of making cordage will also be explored. Discussion will cover the identification of useful plants you might find in the garden, sustainable harvest…
Find out more »July 2021
Bark Basket – Online Zoom Workshop through the Horticultural Centre of the Pacific
Tree barks provide one of nature’s most beautiful materials for basket making. This course will begin with a discussion covering how to harvest and prepare local tree barks. A materials kit with be provided which will include willow bark and red cedar bark along with waxed thread for twining. Participants will weave their basket using plaiting, twill and twining techniques. Great for beginners. This is an Online Workshop via Zoom. Kits will be available for pick up at HCP at…
Find out more »August 2021
Cultivated at Stowel Lake Farm Retreat
I will be joining the celebrated Floral Artist and Author Christin Gaell, at Stowel Lake Farm on Salt Spring Island for a magical creative weekend bringing together workshops in floral arranging and basketry. This is a rare opportunity to explore the innovative 100-acre ecological community at Stowell Lake Farm, swim in the lake, start the day with yoga, enjoy the delicious farm meals and relax and recharge. Pure Heaven. For More Information: Cultivated at Stowel Lake Farm — CULTIVATED (cultivatedbychristin.com) …
Find out more »September 2021
ONLINE: Willow Hoop Rib Basket
This is a traditional Rib Style Basket often called a Potato Basket constructed with a willow hoop and woven with a selection of materials including dyed reed and seagrass. This style of basket originates in Europe and is ideal for harvesting and storage. This is a great basket for beginners. This workshop is conducted Online via Zoom. Material Kits to make the basket will be provided and will be available for pick up at HCP at a confirmed date. If…
Find out more »ONLINE: Random Woven Nest Basket
Random weave is one of Joan’s favorite styles of baskets. The structure is beautiful, reminding one of birds’ nests. It is strong, durable and lends itself to sculptural forms in both small and large scale. We will discuss several ways of approaching this technique. Discussion will cover how to harvest and forage for other plant material suitable for this technique. A materials kit will be provided to each participant consisting of dyed round reed for the construction of this basket.…
Find out more »ONLINE: Willow Bark Point Pouch
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 unique shaped 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. Discussion and slide show will cover how to harvest and prepare the barks. This workshop is conducted Online via Zoom. Kits will…
Find out more »In Person: Market/Harvest Basket
This is a very sturdy rectangular splint woven basket with wood handle. It has an attractive plain and twill weave pattern and is a basket ready to be put to use. Great for shopping, garden produce, garden tools, storage etc. This basket is woven with natural flat reed. Discussion covering staining and dyeing options will be presented. This is an In Person Workshop held at the Horticultural Centre of the Pacific in Victoria, BC. Date: Wednesday September 29 Time: 9:30…
Find out more »October 2021
In Person: Rush Flower Vase/Wine Bottle Basket
Using lake rushes (tule) create your own vase or wine bottle carrying basket. We will discuss the harvesting and preparation of rush which is a traditional European basket material. We will be using a mold to weave over, and participants will have the choice of including different open and closed weave patterns such as variations of plaiting, twill and twining and cross warp. This basket has a handle for carrying but it can also be designed to be a flower…
Find out more »March 2022
Online Course: Willow Bark Wall Pouch
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 conducted online…
Find out more »April 2022
Online Course: Random Woven Nest Basket
Random weave is one of Joan’s favourite styles of baskets. The structure is beautiful, reminding one of birds’ nests. It is strong, durable and lends itself to sculptural forms in both small and large scale. We will discuss several ways of approaching this technique. Discussion will cover how to harvest and forage for other plant materials suitable for this technique. Workshop is conducted Online via Zoom. A materials kit will be provided consisting of dyed round reed for the construction…
Find out more »