Adult Skills Classes
Winter Weaving Workshops
I’m teaching four different basketry styles this fall and winter at Whirled Pies! Workshops will be on Monday evenings (5-8pm) to further explore what is possible with locally harvested and naturally dyed materials. I’ve been busy gathering, processing, drying and dying plant fibers since early spring.
Space is limited by materials- so if there’s a basket that calls to you reach out soon and I’ll save you a spot. All classes are $50, limited work-trade available upon request. These classes are designed for adults and teens and probably not suited for most kids but all are welcome.
Grab a slice, your favorite beverage, and cozy up by the mural to spend the evening creating beautiful weavings like our ancestors did!
November: Miniature Tension Basket (Willow-style)
November 3rd & 10th, 2025
I’m so excited to be able to offer this basket workshop! For years I’ve been trying to figure out how to make a small tension basket to practice willow weaving techniques without the expense and time of using actual willow. I finally found a local abundant material that works! This basket is more challenging than a twined basket, and might not be a great first basket experience unless you are crafty, patient and skilled working with your hands. To create this little basket that fits in your palm you’ll learn the skills that will enable you to weave a larger, willow or sucker basket, including three-rod wale and French rand. This basket will require at least two sessions to complete.
December: Twined Cattail Basket
Dec 1st or 8th or 15th 2025
Back by popular demand: make a twined basket from cattails and raffia dyed with local berries, nuts and flowers. If you made one last year, you might want to get adventurous and weave in some other materials, play around with plaiting, color work, or perhaps learn to add to change the shape of your basket. It’s a good time to make a gift for the holidays.
January: Dandi Ring Basket
Okay, okay, some are too small for a ring- but how cute are these tiny baskets? Play with form and style as you weave with daffodil and dandelion stems. Work with the spirit of spring in the heart of winter and create beautiful little things that won’t take up too much space in your house.
February: Ribbed Wild Cucumber
This style of basket, often called a ribbed basket, gets its form from two stiff circles, followed by the addition of ribs. I have grape vines for this part and possibly other types of wood. Next we’ll weave with one of my most favorite magical plant friends: wild cucumber! This spectacular native vine (Marah oregana) is both ephemeral and deeply perennial. I dug up a root once and there’s a reason it’s called “Old Man in the Ground” – the root was the size of a skull and went down deeper than I could dig. The vines emerge in the spring, flower, fruit, then die back during the summer. Harvested at the right time, we can take as much as we want without any damage to the plant. It is some work to process, so come prepared to help clean and prepare these lengthy fibers.
March: TBD
This year’s goal is to connect with a local orchard and help them trim suckers off their fruit trees in the winter. My hope is to work with these weavers green to create willow-style baskets- large enough to be useful! I’m not sure about the timing of this project, but if you’re interested in joining me on this journey, reach out and help me experiment.
Past Skills Classes
Greenwood Spoon Carving
I harvested some beautiful chinkapin wood from a recent clear-cut, and have been enjoying the process of greenwood spoon carving. If you’d like to join me, I have material and carving knives to share.
Greenwood Spoon Carving Party May 4th, 2025 10am-3pm. Mateirals fee $25. Reach out for details and to save a spot.
Basket Weaving Classes (March 2025)
We are partnering with Singing Creek Educational Center to offer two more twined basket classes this month- the first uses cattail and the second tule!
