Workshop Baskets
Apple of the Pine
Class Description: The base for this basket begins with a vintage spigot handle, threaded with cedar bark. Twine the base with waxed cotton cord and iris leaves to upright. Using thinner cedar and wider willow bark learn the fun and challenging Japanese knot weave. Height is variable depending on the rows of knots and twining. A basic braid track border completes the piece.
Size Approx. 4” x 4” D x 4” H
Athabaskan Influence
Class Description: This piece is styled after Native Alaskan Athabaskan birch bark baskets. The sides are bias plated, and the spruce roots rim and foot are sewn with waxed cotton or linen. A double layer of birch bark is then fitted and sewn together, then laced into place in the same fashion as the native baskets. An optional birch star may be taught toward the end of the class for adornment.
Size Approx. 5 1/4” x 5 1/4” x 5” H
Bark Elbow
Class Description: Starting with a Birch Bark Elbow, students will weave a cedar bark and willow bark twill rectangle to match the size of the birch piece. Learn to angle twine over pairs to further shape the rectangle into an oval to fit. The first rim of spruce root sewn with waxed linen frames and attaches the two walls together. After a couple more rows of twining with a heavy waxed cotton, the second flip and fold rim completes the lovely shallow tray.
Size: 6” x 5” x 2” H
Barks on the Bias
Class Description: Students will learn to bias weave this non-traditional basket with thin birch bark. Overlays of poplar or willow and hemlock barks will be added for color and textural notes. The faux braided rim was taught to me by master basketmaker Dawn Walden and is executed with cedar bark. A wall handle is sewn and installed with fine brass washer to secure the stitching.
Size: 7.5” x 6.5” x 5.5” H without handle
Basketry 101
Class Description: Learn basic basketry techniques using ethically harvested U.P. materials including: cedar bark, willow bark, birch bark, white pine bark, and soft rush or iris leave cordage. Students will learn basic plating, twining, a neat laced base technique, and cordage making. All materials will be ready for your use, and there will be a cordage demonstration. A great project for beginning basketmaker as well as those more experienced.
Size: 5” x 5” x 3” H
Bias Barks
Class Description: Weave this bias woven birch bark basket with a textural twist. Gradually decreasing sizes of poplar or willow and elm barks are laced into the weave to create a strong and unique design. The rim consists of birch bark with an elm bark filler and is button hole stitched to create a nice boxy finish.
Size: 6” x 6” x 5.5” H
Double Helix
Class Description: Students will heat, fold, and stitch a hexagonal birch bowl with split spruce roots. Next, a spiraling liner of hexagonal to bias woven willow or cedar bark (or a combination of barks) will be added. The braided rim of cedar bark was taught to me by Dawn Walden.
Size Approx. 5.5” x 5.5” x 3.25” H
Eco-printed Patchwork
Class Description: Students will lay out a unique design of eco-printed birch bark patches onto a base of birch bark. Then the patches are creatively stitched onto the base with waxed linen or cotton. Many stitches will be taught. The base is heated and formed into a cylinder with a locking Russian style seam join. A pine base is inserted, and a foot and rim of hemlock bark are buttonhole stitched in place to complete this beautiful eco-printed birch piece.
Size: 4.25” x 4.25” x 4” H
Fluted Constellation
Class Description: Beginning with a unique threaded base of willow and cedar barks, weave this sweet and functional basket with an interesting twist. The fluted sides and rim are resultant of a weave change on the basket. The braided cedar rim enhances the overall flow.
Size Approx. 6” x 6” x 2.5” H
Mini Birch Bark Tray
Class Description: Coming soon.
Size: Coming soon.
Moose Ornament
Class description: Weave my unique adaption of a classic ornament in the form of a moose. Finely split and cut birch bark along with waxed linen and red osier dogwood antlers are your materials. The legs are reinforced and wrapped in a perfectly animated shape. Fine tip markers will aid in adding the perfect eye detail. My instruction includes an illustrated image for each step.
Size: approx. 5” x 5”
Off the Grid
Class description: The base of this bias weave basket consists of wider birch bark strips and narrower willow bark strips. The top edge is saw tooth and tucked securely. Students will have the choice of: a spruce root rim which doubles as a rim/wall hanger handle, a buttonhole stitch hanger, or a steel wire rim handle, or any combination of the three. Material will be provided for a 2nd basket will wider willow and narrower birch.
Size: 3” x 3” x 7”H
Pint Cozy
Class description: The basket fits a pint mason jar which I will supply. Materials are birch bark, willow bark, and cotton cord. It’s suitable for all level of weavers. The basket begins with a birch bark hex base that converts to bias weave on the sides. A threaded base overlay, in willow bark, adds a beautiful element to the weave and bulks up the overall feel of the basket. Cotton cord is used for a twiner and rim (buttonhole stitched) stitcher.
Size: 4” x 4” x 4”
Portal
Class description: This shallow heat and fold birch bark bowl is stitched with finely split and prepared spruce root. Then an overlay of a combination of willow, cedar, white pine or poplar barks is added to form the hexagonal weave portal. The rim consists of three cedar bark elements buttonhole stitched with waxed cotton cord which nicely conforms to the outward angle of the edge.
Size: 9” x 9” x 2.75” H
Ripple Effect
Class description: This unique piece is a combination of between weave twining, with a knotted element added to create the beautiful spiral effect. A mold is used to control the shape. Finely split Elm bark spokes will be twined with cedar bark, and waxed cotton or linen. Birch bark weavers are used with the cord in the between weave/knotted twining section. A wider outside split of Elm bark is added as an accent, finishing off with a wonderful braided border. If you enjoy a challenge with a mixed media barks pallet, this class is for you!
Size: 4” x 4” x 7”H
Scissor Sheath
Class Description: Learn basic porcupine quill embroidery on birch bark using a floral inspired design or your own unique design. Buttonhole stitch a sweetgrass edging around both sides of this functional scissor sheath.
Size: Approx. 4.75” x 2” x 0.5”
Sewing Kit
Class Description: Students will adorn their birch bark sewing kit cover with different colors and textures of birch patches stitched with waxed linen. Embossed bark will be available. The kit is edged with sweetgrass and the hinge is made of birch bark with a wooden pin and end caps. The needles flap and scissor pocket are made from recycled felt.
Size Approx. 5” x 4.5” 1” thick
White Pine Bowl
Class Description: Coming soon.
Size: Coming soon.
White Pine Petals (optional planter)
Class Description: Using white pine bark, students will cut out and fashion a unique pentagonal based shape. The side seams will then be stitched with finely prepared split spruce roots. A spruce root rim is added and stitched in place to complete the piece. Scraps of the bark and roots will be left over for experimentation. This class can also be adapted to be a small planter for a cactus or succulent. A repurposed plastic liner and a small pot or repurposed beverage can may be added to accommodate the plant.
Size: Approx. 5” x 5” x 5”
Wisp of the Willow
Class Description: Students will thread a base of cedar bark through a vintage spigot handle base. An overlaid hexagonal base is added. The basket is then twined with iris leaves or soft rush, and wrap-twined with cotton cord over willow bark. An additional wisp of basswood cordage and fleece may be added. A cordage demo will be presented. The rim is a nice braided border.
Size Approx. 2.75” x 2.75” x 5” H