“Oval Willow Basket Workshop”
(two day in-person workshop)
TO REGISTER: 2 sessions
Session #1: March 30-31, 2024 - Session is FULL
Session #2: May 4-5, 2024 - Session is FULL
Please email the Workshops Chair with questions.
Dates/Location:
Session #1: March 30-31, 2024 - Session is FULL @ Edmonds Artworks
Session #2: May 4-5, 2024 - Session is FULL @ Edmonds Artworks
both sessions: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm (note, longer hours)
Class Description:
This two-day workshop will cover construction of a slender oval willow basket, which is great for shopping, going on picnics, carrying paperwork or maybe your current needlework project. The basket begins with a base woven on a frame, and stakes attached using a method called scalloming. The base is fun to weave, and learning to cut scalloms and attach stakes in this way will let you see how to design baskets of all shapes and sizes. Students must be comfortable using a knife for this class and hand strength is necessary when weaving with willow. The basket will be woven from willow grown on the instructors Skagit Valley farm. Colors of willow will vary. Leather will be provided for two shorter handles or one longer shoulder strap.
Skill Level:
All skill levels. No prior basket making experience necessary; however, students should be comfortable with a knife and have sufficient hand strength.
Materials required:
Willow awl
Rapping iron
Fixed blade knife
Best garden clippers
Weight (a bag of rocks or sandbag style workout weight).
Tools will be available to borrow for those who don’t have willow basketry tools.
Registration:
SWG Members: Noon on December 9th, 2023.
Non-members: Noon on January 6th, 2024.
Class size:
Max 8
Cost:
$100 Deposit at time of registration. Estimated total cost: $245, based on 6 students enrolled, $185 based on maximum enrollment. In addition, there is a material fee of $100. The final cost will depend on the number of students enrolled. Final payment is due during the workshop.
Location:
About Katherine:
https://www.dunbargardens.com/
Katherine is a full time basket maker, working on her farm near Mount Vernon, Washington where she and her husband Steve grow many varieties of willow. Growing the willows allows Katherine to choose from a wide selection of bark colors and weaving qualities for her work.
Katherine’s baskets are woven from willow and willow bark using traditional and contemporary basketry techniques and the traditional hand tools of the craft.
Katherine has traveled to Europe several times to study with master basketmakers. In 2011 several of her baskets were acquired by the Renwick Gallery at the Smithsonian American Art Museum as part of the Cole Ware Collection. In 2016 she worked with Peter Juriga on the English translation of his book, “Basketry- The Art of Willowcraft”.
One of her bark baskets “Daphnoides Box” is currently included in the joint NBO/SAQA traveling exhibit “Art Evolved: Intertwined” which will be at the Quilt and Fiber Art Museum in La Conner from Dec 1, 2023 thru Feb 29, 2024.
You can see more of Katherine’s work on her website.