A Bit About the Guild

The Southwestern Ontario Basketry Guild was formed in April 2003 at the first Southwestern Ontario Basketry Conference in Strathroy. Guild members are from across southern Ontario. Some of us are beginners, some of us are teachers, but all of us enjoy the fellowship and sharing of knowledge that is a part of the life of a guild.

Members of the guild are poised for another exciting year of non-stop basketmaking! The 2009 program features some of our own members teaching numerous techniques with a wide range of materials. Some examples - tension tray, twining, coiling, making a divider and adding a handle, feather weave embellishment and making a liner, borders in round reed, using a wood base and tapestry weaving with a mould, random weave spheres. Some materials - round and flat reed, cane, waxed linen, naturals of all kinds - willow, pine needles, corn husks, iris, cattail, raffia, palm, willow skeins and bark, anything goes. The October program features a two day workshop with internationally known teacher, Dolores von Rosen and an open weave retreat on beautiful Lake Erie is in the works.

Members of the guild receive advance notice of and priority registration in guild workshops and retreats. They benefit from networking with fellow guild members, supporting the basketry community and lead in the art of basketmaking. They have the opportunity to make baskets at monthly workshops structured so that members may assist each other in learning the many aspects of basketry at a reasonable cost. The program is designed for basketmakers at all levels, from beginner to advanced. The guild publishes a quarterly newsletter, WeaveScape.