Explore the sculptural design possibilities of Wicker Basketry when starting with a wood base. Bases will be provided along with dyed round reed and a selection of natural materials such as bark to incorporate into this sculptural basket. In the process of weaving this basket, participants will learn control of shaping as well as a […]

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 […]

In this workshop we will explore combining two different weaving techniques to create a striking sculptural basket. First, we will start with random weaving the base of the basket using dyed reed. This weave is inspired by bird’s nests and offers many sculptural possibilities. The top of the basket will be woven with 2 and […]

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. A materials kit will be […]

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 will be provided which will include willow bark and red cedar bark along with waxed thread for twining. Participants will weave their basket using […]

This workshop is being held at Stowel Lake Farm - Upper Barn - 190 Reynolds Rd. Salt Spring Island. 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 […]

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 a variety of twining patterns. We will focus on control of shaping this basket without the use of a mold. The […]

In this workshop, we will be exploring two types of Diagonal Plaiting. Participants will weave both a square basket and a flat pouch. Diagonal Plaiting is super fun to weave and always feels like you are performing a magic trick. We will be using willow bark for each project. Discussion and demonstration will cover how […]

We will be working with sheets of bark to form, stitch and bind the bark into pouches and vases. This is a creative workshop that uses and highlights the beauty of willow bark – Joan’s favourite basket material. Come with an open mind and creative spirit. Sample baskets will be on hand for inspiration. Each […]

This is a great introduction to weaving with willow. Participants will be making several projects employing what is called Rattle Weave. Joan will provide the lovely fine willow for each project which she has grown and harvested. We will start with making several napkin rings, followed by a bird feeder and then a basket with […]

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 […]

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. On day one of this course, we will begin with a hands-on discussion and exploration of how to respectfully harvest and prepare […]

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 1 -  We will be working with sheets of bark to form, stitch and bind the bark into Pouches and Vases. This is […]

Registration for this workshop is Full – If you wish to be on the waitlist, fill out the form and check the waitlist box.  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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

  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 […]

  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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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  […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

This is a Live Online Zoom Workshop with Material Kit Provided Saturday January 18 – Random Woven Birds Nest Basket 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Fee: $120 + GST = $126.00 Shipping Cost: $22 flat rate within Canada Random weave is one of my favourite styles of baskets. The structure is beautiful, reminding one of […]

Sunday January 19, 2025  10:00am – 3:00pm Fee: $120 + GST = $126.00 Shipping Cost: $22 flat rate within Canada Coiling is an ancient basketry technique found in many part of the world. I love how portable this basketry technique is and it's friendly on the hands. We’ll be using tapestry yarn for our stitching […]

This workshop is full. If you'd like to express interest in taking this class at another time, fill out the Registration Form. I may run this Online Class again later in the spring. Saturday January 25  10:00am – 3:30pm Fee: $120 + GST = $126.00 Shipping Cost: $22 flat rate within Canada Tree barks provide […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

We’ll start off by making a Willow Tension Tray; a perfect place to start when becoming familiar with how to handle willow and control your weave. Next, we will make a Woven Rib Style Tray which will allow for more control to shape a shallow serving tray and weave a continuous rib style construction. This […]

The course is now FULL however, if you would like to be on the waitlist or be informed of future dates for this course, you can fill out the Registration Form below and indicate a wish to be on the waitlist. Throughout millennia, the tradition of basket making has always been closely tied to the […]

Come spend the day learning how to weave a classic round wicker basket. Wicker baskets are made with round material and offer many possibilities for functional and sculptural baskets. We will start with a radiating spoke base and will weave the sides with a focus on shaping and design elements and incorporating some natural materials with the […]

Registration is FULL for this workshop. If you would like to add your name to the Waitlist in case of cancellations or if I run the course again, you can fill out the Registration Form below and check the Waitlist Box. You will be guided through the process of creating a “Cat’s Head” basket woven […]

Registration is FULL for this workshop. If you would like to add your name to the Waitlist in case of cancellations or if I run the course again, you can fill out the Registration Form below and check the Waitlist Box. We will be using Willow Bark to create a lovely Woven Twill Tray. The […]

Registration is now FULL for this class. Feel free to fill out the Form and your name will be placed on the Waitlist. Perhaps I will run the class again and if so, I will contact you with first chance to register! This is a Live Online Zoom Workshop with Material Kit Provided. Saturday January […]

Registration is now FULL for this class. Feel free to fill out the Form and your name will be placed on the Waitlist. Perhaps I will run the class again and if so, I will contact you with first chance to register! This is a Live Online Zoom Workshop with Material Kit Provided. Saturday January […]

This is a Live Online Zoom Workshop with Material Kit Provided. Sunday February 1, 2026 10:00am – 3:00pm (Pacific Standard Time) Fee: $140 + GST = $147.00 Shipping Cost: $16.00 flat rate within Canada. This ancient stitching technique has been used to make pouches and bags in many parts of the world. In this workshop, […]

This is a Live Online Zoom Workshop with Material Kit Provided. Sunday February 8, 2026 10:00am – 3:30pm (Pacific Standard Time) Fee: $140 + GST = $147.00 Shipping Cost for Materials: $22 flat rate within Canada. Willow bark is a lovely material for basket weaving and this project is a perfect way to show it […]

Registration is now FULL for this class. Feel free to fill out the Form and your name will be placed on the Waitlist. Perhaps I will run the class again and if so, I will contact you with first chance to register! Saturday February 14, 2026 9:30am – 4:30pm Fee: $185 + GST = $194.25 […]