North House Folk School

Courses

September 30

• Willow Exploration Extravaganza

October 1

• Black Ash Pack Basket: Extended Session

October 2

• Advancing with Coiled Baskets
• Etched Birch Bark Maple Sugar Cones

October 5

• Sweetgrass Basketry
• Willow Exploration Extravaganza
• Scandinavian Bark Basketry
• Woven Holiday Ornaments
• Basketry Open Studio

Free Public Activities

We’ll host a variety of activities and gatherings open to the public during Basket Week. Free, no registration required. Location on campus varies: see Welcome Center for more info.

The Art of Deconstruction with April Stone

Tuesday, October 1, 7:00pm Presentation

North House is excited to host April Stone for this unique kick-off to the week of learning. April writes, “As a basket maker for over two decades, I have had the honor of harvest, process, weaving, using and sharing all things related to black ash.  As I see it, when one makes a basket for the first time, they have the potential to step into the realm of opening up—either out of curiosity or necessity or anywhere in between—oftentimes resulting in lessons for life and stories that move the soul.  Personally, I view basket making as an act of bravery, especially for those first-timers, when they don’t fully know how to interpret the instruction or what to expect through the act of weaving or how their hands might feel at the end of the day.  To make a basket is one thing.  To take apart a perfectly well made basket is another.  Creating 3-D vessels comes from somewhere and in my case, it comes from 2-D material.  Every once in a while I like to deconstruct a basket.  Through the process of deconstruction, we get a chance to see and experience something different—perhaps a new understanding or a new connection—and black ash material is perfect for doing just that.  What are the actual working parts of this basket?  Come find out.”

Basket Travels with Beth Homa Kraus

Wednesday, October 2, 7:00pm Presentation

Beth Homa Kraus traveled and studied basketry in Scandinavia this spring. Hear more about their trip and see many pictures of beautiful baskets.

Tillverkning av en Knutkorg/ The Making of a Knot Basket with Jane Laurence

Thursday, October 3, 7:00pm Film Screening

Goran Andersson has been making knot baskets for more than six decades in Storvik, Sweden. He has collected dozens of richly decorated examples of knutkorg from surrounding Halsingland and greater Sweden. Jane Laurence reached out to him upon finding articles that he’s written about the history of the unique basket and its place in celebrating confirmations and weddings. During his career as a Slojd Instructor he shared his knowledge throughout Scandinavia. In 2022, Jane traveled to Storvik to make a willow and pine knutkorg with Goran. In 2024, she returned to film the entire process, in order to preserve his knowledge and share it with aspiring builders of the intricate and handsome basket. Their result is a documentary film of the process that takes you from the forest to the finished basket. In Swedish with English subtitles, 1h20m

Presentations

Friday, October 4, 9:00-1:00

Woven Boats 1.0 with Lindsay Lee

9:00am-10:00am

Sticks, string, skin. These simple ingredients have been used to fashion boats from pre-historic times to the present. In this short presentation Lindsay Lee will discuss his own history with such vessels.

Fall Harvest with Greg Biskakone Johnson

10:30-11:30am

Greg Biskakone Johnson will discuss the materials he harvests in the fall and early winter, including winter bark, cattails, roots for lashings, moose wood bark, hemlocks and bloodroot for dyes and tag alder.  Greg is a maker and cultural practitioner from Lac du Flambeau, WI who teachers a variety of courses throughout the year at North House. 

Norwegian Baskets Lunch and Learn Webinar with Hege Aasdal

12:00-1:00pm

We are excited to welcome Norwegian basket maker Hege Aasdal, joining us via zoom. Hege will give a presentation on Norwegian basket traditions. She’ll show some of the huge diversity of materials and styles that are made throughout Norway, and focus in particular on how various materials are split and woven with.  Screen this from anywhere, or bring lunch and join us in the Blue Building. 

Registration Link

Demonstrations

2:00pm-4:00pm

Birch Bark

Artist Helen Pelletier of Fort William First Nation makes a huge variety of work from wiigwas, birch bark, harvested near her home. While her art is rooted in Ojibway imagery, teachings, and traditions, she continues to grow her connection with Wiigwas to awaken new designs of wearable art including backpacks, hats, and skirts. Helen will be demonstrating her process and have recent work on display. Drop by, observe, chat and lend her a hand as she completes a model birch bark canoe and other projects.

Greg Biskakone Johnson of Lac du Flambeau will have a variety of winter bark baskets ready for etching. He’ll demonstrate his process and even have an opportunity for you to try your hand at embellishment

Willow Work

Willow can be and has been turned into nearly anything over the last 8,000+ years. Steen Madsen will be weaving willow in the Red Building. Drop by and see how he turns willow into baskets, eel traps, trays and more.

Wattle Weaving

Stop by campus for a demonstration of wattle weaving with Paula Sundet Wolf, a natural and fun way to create a fence or trellis in the garden.  We’re working on a couple bigger wattles for campus, and we’ll put willing hands to work outdoors, weather permitting.

Pop Up Basket Marketplace

4:00pm-5:30pm

A few folks will have wares for sale in this casual pop up market. You can always use another basket, can’t you? 

Community Craft Night: Basket Repair

7:30pm

Our occasional drop-in and craft together night focuses on basket repair. Instructors April Stone and Beth Kraus will consult with anyone on how you might undertake a repair. Bring your baskets in need of care, or any other project you’d like to work on.

Big Ideas, Big Projects with Steen Madsen

Saturday, October 5, 7:00pm, Presentation

International guest instructor Steen Madsen will highlight some of his biggest basket undertakings: from one ton birds nests to three meter eggs, these mega baskets are feats of engineering. Hear some stories and be inspired to think big yourself.