Courses

The graceful curve of the deer antler provides a creative springboard for the emerging folk-art form of antler basketry. In this course students learn to weave a stunning rib-style basket from dyed and natural rattan reed, incorporating a deer antler as the handle or focal point of the design. The…

The between-twill twine pouch blends weaving techniques and materials to create a patchwork of nature that you can carry. There will be two project size options; a small pouch (approx. 6” x 1” x 4”) or a medium pouch (approx. 7” x 2” x 6”). The first day will mostly…

Using spring and winter birch bark harvested in Angora, MN, students will weave one basket necklace on a mold. The course will cover a simple start and stop basket weave for the body with a choice of rim treatment, waxed linen colors and bead embellishments. The necklace hanger can be…

This birch bark basket is a relatively simple square or horizontal weave basket. The weaving is done in the traditional Scandinavian and Russian style. The material used to make the basket is split inner bark of the birch tree. The birch bark is harvested from timber sale areas in Itasca…

This course is a great introduction to the magical qualities of the black ash tree. Experience pounding the ash log and how it releases the splints, which are the materials needed for basket-making. Students will learn to prepare splint by cutting, splitting, scraping and using hand tools to make their…

The black ash pack basket: It's beautiful, highly functional, and can be made using simple materials. The first part of the class will be spent preparing black ash splint for your basket by pounding a locally harvested log. Next, you'll weave the basket and finish it with a rim, handle,…

Wondering what to do with all those cattails growing down by the pond? Learn how to make a handy and stylish tote bag. Students will learn how to plait with the cattail leaves and assemble a tote bag. The basic checker weave (usually done with palm fronds) will be taught…

Traditional northern craft meets Don Draper? Fedoras are definitely back in fashion, DIY is all the rage, and in this fun course you can combine them both. Put a northern twist on a southern hat weaving tradition and make a woven cattail hat to protect yourself from the sun during…

Shade the sun and see your eyes sparkle each day you pop this classy hat atop your head. Students will learn plaiting with western red cedar bark, chase twining with finely prepared Alaskan yellow cedar and develop an understanding of the use of Northwest coast and Haida weaving techniques. An…

When northern European emigrants came to North America they brought with them a host of crafts and skills necessary for survival in their new world. The basketry tradition known as ‘stake & strand’ was one such craft, as baskets were used to store nearly everything around the homestead. Learning to…

This little antler tray basket is perfect for holding your loose change, trinkets, or to hold your mail. It can also be hung on the wall as an art piece. Students will be weaving on a pre-set round rattan reed framework, which incorporates two pre-drilled antlers. The weaving material is…

The hex weave basket is commonly called a "cheese basket" because it can be used for processing cheese. However, this holey design is perfect for holding produce or other displayed storage needs. This project will be made from Black Ash splints, which the students will help cut and prepare. The…

Rims and handles add functionality and structural stability to a basket.  Basket handles are typically made from wood.  Many modern basketmakers use either heavy splint or half-round reed for basket rims. These rim materials work reasonably well and are easy to bend to the rim shape desired.  However, they lack…

For those prone to picking plants and wondering what can be made of them as they wander through the forests and fields of this region, both basketry and natural dying offer many possibilities for humble leaves and sticks to become something much more. In this team-taught session, students will learn…

Create a traditional coiled basket from locally harvested red pine needles. Starting with either a pliable birch bark base or an elegant agate base, you will work with a variation of the spiral stitch to form a basket with a distinct spiral pattern inside and out. Samples of pine needles…