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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 2023  WORKSHOPS

Please contact the venue to register. 

~January  7th-8th Black Ash Baskets at Kroka Expeditions  in Marlow NH  (not open to the public)

~January 21st  Black Ash Berry Baskets  at Shelburne Craft School in Shelburne VT

~January 22nd Black Ash Berry Baskets at Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro VT

~January 28th-29th Black Ash Day Pack Baskets at  Day Breaks Glass in Bethel VT 

~February 4th-5th Black Ash Day Pack Baskets  at Shelburne Craft School in Shelburne VT

~March 4th Black Ash Berry Baskets at Craft Studies  in Norwich VT

~March 5th Mixed Bark Black Baskets at White River Craft Center  in Randolph VT

~March 11th Mixed Bark Black Ash Baskets at Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro VT

~March 25th -26th Black Ash Pack Baskets at Mudita in Keene NH

~April 15th Black Ash Berry Baskets at Kroka Expeditions  in Marlow NH (open to the public)

~April 22nd Black Ash Berry Baskets at Berkshire Botanical Gardens in Stockbridge MA

~April 23rd Mixed Bark Black Ash Baskets at Berkshire Botanical Gardens in Stockbridge MA

~June 3rd Black Ash Berry Baskets at White River Craft Center in Randolph VT

~June 4th Black Ash Berry Baskets at Roots School in Corinth  VT

~June 23th-25th   Sloyd Skills Gathering. in Stannard VT

~July 1st -2nd Black Ash Pack Baskets as part of the Gather’s Program at the Roots School  in Corinth VT

~July 15th Black Ash Berry Baskets at  Day Breaks Glass Studio, Bethel VT

~July 22nd-23rd Work Horse Tote Baskets at Roots School in Corinth VT

~September 2rd-4th Roots Rendezvous in Corinth VT

~September 8th-10th Black Ash Pack Baskets in Stannard VT (email 68pennyg@gmail.com to register)        

~October 7th-8th Black Ash Pack Baskets at Kroka in Marlow NH

~October 18th-19th Black Ash Pack Baskets at Eric Cannizarro's Chair Workshop in Charlotte VT

~October 21th-22th Black Ash  Pack Baskets at Roots School in Corinth VT

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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~ 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.