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.

​

2024

 Birch Bark Ornament Workshops

~December 1st Plainfield VT 1-5pm (email hbillian2@gmail.com to register)

~December 7th Mudita in Keene NH 1-5pm

~December 8th Old Friend's Farm in Amherst MA 1-5pm

~December 14th White River Craft Center in Randolph VT 1-5pm

~December 15th Southern Vermont Art Center in Manchester VT 1-5pm

~Friday December 20th Shelburne Craft School in Shelburne VT 1-5pm

 

​2025 Workshops

~January 8th-9th Private Black Ash Basket Workshop at Kroka in Marlow NH  

~January 11th-12th Birch Bark Pouches at Roots School in Corinth VT

~February 1st-2nd Black Ash Pack Baskets in Egg Harbor NJ (email 68pennyg@gmail.com to register)

~February 8th-9th Black Ash Pack Baskets in VA -location TBA (email 68pennyg@gmail.com to register)

~February 15th-16th Black Ash Pack Baskets in Asheville NC (email 68pennyg@gmail.com to register)

~February 22nd-23rd Black Ash Pack Baskets at Elia Bizzarri's shop in Hillsborough NC

~March 15th Black Ash Berry Baskets at Day Breaks Glass in Bethel VT

~March 16th Black Ash Berry Baskets at Highlands Center for the Arts in Greensboro VT

~March 22nd Black Ash Berry Baskets at Craft Studies in White River Junction VT

~March 23rd Black Ash Berry Baskets at Mudita in Keene NH

~March 29th Willow Bark Baskets at Day Breaks Glass in Bethel VT

~April 13th Willow Bark Baskets Highlands Center for the Arts in Greensboro VT

~April 15th-18th Private Pack Basket Workshop in Stannard VT

~April 19th and 20th Black Ash Pack Baskets at Mudita in Keene NH

~April 26th-27th Black Ash Day Packs at Craft Studies in White River Junction VT

~May 10th-11th Black Ash Day Packs at Shelburne Craft School in Shelburne VT

~May 17th-18th Black Ash Day Packs at Day Breaks Glass in Bethel VT

~May 24th and 25th Black Ash Workhorse Totes at Roots School in Corinth VT

~June 14th Black Ash Berry Baskets at Red Wagon Plants in Hinesburg VT

~June 15th Black Ash Berry Baskets at Roots School in Corinth VT

~June 27th-29th SLOYD SKILLS GATHERING IN STANNARD VT

~July 4th-6th Black Ash Pack Baskets at Roots School in Corinth VT

~August 10-16 Traditional Ways Gathering

~August 30-September 1st Root Rendezvous at Roots School in Corinth VT

~September 18th-21st Black Ash Pack Baskets at Eric Cannizzaro's in Charlotte VT

This longer workshop includes a half day of pounding a log and a day of carving rims and handles, taught by    Eric Cannizzaro.

~September 26th-27th Black Ash Pack Baskets at Roots School in Corinth VT

~October 10th-11th Black Ash Pack Baskets (location TBA)

~Monday, November 24th Birch Bark Ornaments at Eric Cannizzaro's in Charlotte VT

​

​

​

​

​

 

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.

​

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~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.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

            

 

 

~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.

 

 

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

~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.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

~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.

 

 

​

 

 

 

 

 

~Workhorse Tote~ Mostly black ash, with the option to add some willow or birch bark to the design.  Leather 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.