Instructors
Emily Derke
Grand Marais, MN
Emily spends much of her time working to create what she needs in life. This includes making baskets, harvesting and cooking wild foods, sewing, making leather and more. Emily lives in northern Minnesota and is continually getting to know the land around her through creating useful items. The search for knowledge and experience has brought her from her home in Minnesota to both the east and west coasts to learn from many experienced teachers over the years.
Emily was an Artisan in Residence in North House's Artisan Development Program (Cohort IV) where she focused on her basketry practice and other crafts.
Current Courses Offered by Emily Derke
All the Small Things
How many small things can we make out of birch bark in two days? Rings, beads, cubes, stars, birds?…
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Sat, Oct 10th, 2026 - Sun, Oct 11th, 20269am-5pm each day
Teeny Tiny Baskets
Instructors:
Emily Derke
How small can you weave? Using a variety of local materials, students will create their own…
Willow Basketry
Instructors:
Emily Derke
Willow has been a prized basketmaking material for centuries, and after this class, students will…
Fri, Feb 5th, 2027 - Sun, Feb 7th, 2027
Day 1: 4-7 pm; Days 2-3: 9am-5pm
Day 1: 4-7 pm; Days 2-3: 9am-5pm
Instructor:
Emily Derke
Woven Birch Bark Basketry
Instructors:
Emily Derke
Birch bark holds a multitude of uses, and has been widely used across the world wherever birch trees…
Sat, Jan 23rd, 2027 - Sun, Jan 24th, 2027
9am-5pm each day
9am-5pm each day
Instructor:
Emily Derke
