Workshops Past and Present

Honeysuckle Rib Basket

This is a traditional European style basket used for centuries as a household gathering and storage basket. This version will have a honeysuckle vine handle giving it an organic shape. Participants will be offered a variety of natural materials and colorful dyed reed to incorporate into their basket and will learn about the gathering and preparation of these materials. This basket is suitable for beginners.

1 Day Workshop

Testing Working

This is a traditional European style basket used for centuries as a household gathering and storage basket. This version will have a honeysuckle vine handle giving it an organic shape. Participants will be offered a variety of natural materials and colorful dyed reed to incorporate into their basket and will learn about the gathering and preparation of these materials. This basket is suitable for beginners.

1 Day Workshop

Japanese Random Woven Basket

Random weaving is a traditional Japanese weave which lends itself to many creative possibilities. This basket is both functional and sculptural and is a lot of fun to make. We will discuss the use of molds for this technique and will be weaving with dyed reed and vine rattan with the option of incorporating a wood or driftwood handle.

1 Day Workshop

Japanese Flower Basket

Baskets for flower arrangements are found in all shapes and sizes in Japan. One of the most common weaving techniques used for these baskets is open hexagonal weaving. Using dyed cane, we will have time to explore hexagonal weaving and try other design variations such as random weave overlay. These wall baskets are whimsical and charming.

1 Day Workshop

Japanese Hexagonal Flower Baskets

Baskets for flower arrangements are found in all shapes and sizes in Japan. One of the most common weaving techniques used for these baskets is open hexagonal weaving. Using dyed cane, we will explore a couple of variations of this weave including a hanging wall version and a free standing basket. Random and bark patterned overlay will also be incorporated.

1 Day Workshop

Diagonal Plaited Pouch

Participants will learn diagonal plaiting in the form of a flat pouch. There will be time to make more than one finished piece, so we will explore different design variations. Watercolour paper and a selection of tree barks will reveal their beauty and versatility when used for this technique.

1 Day Workshop

Pine Needle Coiled Basket

Everyone loves the smell and feel of pine needles. Here is an opportunity to make a pine needle coiled basket using both raffia and waxed linen thread. It begins with a short/long stitch using the raffia and the sides are plain and v-stitched with waxed linen thread.

1 Day Workshop

Waxed Linen Thread Knotted Basket

Waxed Linen thread is a delight to work with and this technique of knotting is ideal for creating beautiful colorful patterns. It may be small but it is a very enjoyable and portable basket.

1 Day Workshop

Wicker Basketry with Nature’s Bounty

Explore the exciting design possibilities of the wicker basketry technique in this 2-day course. In the process of weaving this basket, participants will learn control of shaping as well as a variety of weaving patterns. The emphasis will be on using an assortment of natural materials such as vines, barks, root and grasses with colourful dyed reed. The rich variety of materials makes for a fun and creative experience.

2 Day Workshop

Wicker Gathering Basket

A large round base basket useful for gathering and storage. It has a decorative spiral twine weave with an open weave pattern, a rolled border and sturdy wrapped handle.

2 Day Workshop

Woven Necklace Basket

Using a selection of barks, waxed linen thread and beads, participants will weave a small basket using twill and twining techniques. These pieces can become a lovely necklace or a small treasure basket.

1 Day Workshop

Rush Sun Hat

We will be making a plaited Rush Sun Hat using local rush (tule). Experience the thrill of weaving your own unique well fitted hat! Experience the thrill of weaving your own hat – guaranteed to fit and suit you beautifully! (Want a purse to match your hat? Check out the Rush Open Weave Purse.)

1 Day Workshop

Rush Open Weave Purse

This small rush hand bag is twined with a radiating spiral technique that is well suited to this beautiful local natural material. It is suitable for carrying as a purse or for storing knitting etc.

1 Day Workshop

Rush Wine Bottle Carrier

Tis the season to be jolly and what’s better than to be jolly and in style! We will be using lake rushes (tule) and sedge grass, to create a lovely wine bottle carrying basket. You can choose from several different weave patterns such as twining, plain weave, X-Warp and twill weaves to create your unique basket. Impress your hosts and your guests this season!

1 Day Workshop

Bean Pot Basket

This has always been a favourite basket of mine. It is a lovely round splint woven basket with a radiating spoke base. This basket has a pleasing round shape and a wire and wood dowel handle. The original handles used in New England in the late 19th century for these baskets were from old metal pails. Recycling at it’s finest.

1 Day Workshop

Twill Tote

A very sturdy splint woven twill pattern basket with double swing handles. This is a lovely and versatile storage or carrying basket which could easily be used everyday as a purse..

1 Day Workshop

Twill Market Basket

This is a very sturdy rectangular splint woven basket with wood handle. It has an attractive twill pattern and is a basket ready to be put to use. Great for shopping, garden produce, garden tools, storage etc.

1 Day Workshop

Lidded Sewing Basket

This round sewing basket makes a lovely storage basket and is a great way to use local materials such as, cattail leaves, rush and sedges. It measures 7″ wide and 4″ high. It is inspired by East Coast Mi’kmaq sewing baskets with the lovely radiating spoke base and lid.

1 Day Workshop

Adirondack-Style Backpack

This is a classic style basket associated with the 19th century northeast woodlands. Today they make a very versatile and attractive basket for carrying and storing all manner of items. You will be using flat reed splints to weave the basket and carving the handle and skids for the base. The basket measures 12″ wide x 8″ deep x 14 “ high. The nylon strapping is adjustable to fit the wearer. This is a very comfortable, sturdy basket that is sure to become a favorite.

2 Day Workshop

Nantucket Style Basket

This basket is a very sturdy splint woven basket with a spirally twill weave. It has the traditional wood base and wood handle of Nantucket baskets and is woven with dyed cane over reed. It is a lovely and versatile storage or carrying basket.

1 Day Workshop

Zig Zag Twill Vase

Learn the In’s and Out’s of designing continuous twill patterns. In this basket we will weave a continuous zig-zag twill pattern and look at changing the width of the weaving material to add drama to the pattern. We will use dyed cane and reed to make this elegant vase shaped basket.

1 Day Workshop

Diagonal Plaited Baskets with Bark

In this workshop, we will start by discussing the process of harvesting and preparing tree barks in a sustainable way. Using willow bark we will explore the basketry technique of diagonal plaiting by making both a square basket and a flat pouch. There are many variations within this technique leaving plenty of room for creativity.

1 Day Workshop

Round Cedar Bark Basket

A variety of natural materials will be on hand to weave this round base basket. We will start with red cedar bark spokes and west coast sweetgrass for weaving the round base. Dyed cedar, beargrass, and a selection of other barks will be available to design an attractive basket incorporating twill and twining techniques. Aspects of shaping will also be a focus.

2 Day Workshop

Pacific Northwest Cedar Basket

This course will begin with a discussion about the gathering and preparation of natural materials found in the pacific northwest. Materials such as red and yellow cedar bark, willow bark, wild cherry bark, west coast sweetgrass and beargrass will be on hand. A wide variety of weaving techniques and patterns, including plaiting, variations of twining and twill weaves will be presented. Sample baskets will be available for ideas but participants will be encouraged to create their own design on their basket.

2 Day Workshop