Make your own basket and in the process learn one of the oldest crafts in human history.  For thousands of years baskets served as indispensable objects in every culture. Carry on the tradition and take home a beautiful, durable and useful basket crafted from local and responsibly harvested, birch bark or hand pounded black ash logs.  Take a scheduled workshop or contact me to host your own.

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Please see the Lazy Mill Living Arts page for workshops taught by guest craftspeople and

for details about my western basketry tour in March and April .

​​​2026​

~January 17th and 18th Birch Bark Pouches at The Roots School in Corinth VT

~February 7th and 8th Black Ash Day Packs at Mudita in Keene NH

~February 28th and March 1st Black Ash Day Packs at St Francis of the Woods in Coyle OK

~March 7th and 8th Black Ash Pack Baskets in Silver City NM (Email 68pennyg@gmail.com for details)

~March 21st and 22nd Black Ash Packs Baskets at Fibershed in Point Reyes Station, CA 

~March 28th and 29th Black Ash Pack Baskets in Clio CA (Email 68pennyg@gmail.com for details)

~April- possible Black Ash Pack Baskets near Portland OR. TBD

~May 9th and 10th Black Ash Day Packs at Craft Studies in White River Junction VT

~May 22nd-24th Black Ash Pack Baskets at Green Mountain Timber Frames in Middletown Springs VT

~May 30th-31st Black Ash Day Packs at Shelburne Craft School in Shelburne VT

~June 4th- 6th Basket Camp n Springfield VT

~June 13th Black Ash Berry Baskets at The Roots School in Corinth VT

~June 26th-28th SLOYD SKILLS GATHERING in Stannard VT

~July 3rd-5th  Black Ash Packs at The Roots School in Corinth VT

​~August 8th-15th Traditional Ways in Ashland WI

~September 5th-8th Roots Rendezvous in Corinth VT

~October 30th Crafting with Birch Bark at Sanborn Mills in Louden NH

~October 31st- November 1st Black Ash Pack Baskets at Sanborn Mills in Louden NH

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​​​​Workshop Descriptions

~Black Ash Berry Basket ~ This is a great introduction to the extraordinary qualities of the black ash tree. Weave a square to round basket, approximately 6”x 6” with optional leather strap in a six hour class that  includes a discussion on how the material is harvested and processed.  This workshop is great for adults and teens but can be adapted for a children's class.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~Mixed Bark Black Ash Basket~ Start with a black ash base and use a variety of native barks; including willow, cedar and birch to create your own unique design.    One day workshop for adults and teens.

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~Black Ash Pack Basket ~ Weave an approximately 18” tall traditional Adirondack pack basket with cedar runners and base and adjustable webbing harness. This basket is made to last and be used. The workshop is two full days and will include a discussion and demo on how the material is harvested and processed. There is also the option of adding a half day to this workshop, so students can have the opportunity to pound a black ash log to acquire their own material.  This is a great workshop for teens and adults.

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~Birch Bark Basket ~ Create a double woven diagonal plaited  basket and experience the amazing qualities of the inner bark of the white birch tree.  Students will have some choices in the shape and rim design.  Included is a discussion on how the material is sustainably harvested and processed. This workshop is for teens and adults.

 

 

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~Birch Bark Pouch~ Weave a diagonal plaited birch bark pouch, approximately  6″x 8″x 2″  with a leather flap and strap; great as a small purse or tool pouch.  This is a two-day class that includes a discussion on how birch bark is sustainably harvested and processed. This workshop is for teens and adults.

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~Birch Bark Wallet~ Weave a diagonal plaited birch bark wallet with a leather flap. This is a one day class that includes a discussion of how birch bark is sustainably harvested and processed. This class is for teens and adults.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~Birch Bark Ornaments ~ Enjoy the simple pleasure of creating a decoration or gift from materials responsibly harvested on my Northeast Kingdom farm.  Utilizing techniques common to the Scandinavian and Russian style of basketry, you will craft birds and stars using strips of inner bark from the paper birch in this four hour workshop.  You will also learn how these materials are harvested and prepared. This workshops is for teens and adults.

 

 

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~Workhorse Tote~ Black ash, with eather straps and a filled bottom with protective runners, make this basket a super sturdy one for toting tools, farmer’s market finds, picnic lunches or anything else you can think of.

Learn all the basics of black ash basketry plus some additional skills.  In this two day workshop, students will experience all the steps in the process, from a demonstration of pounding the log, to weaving their own unique basket.