Southwestern Ontario Basketry Guild

November workshop with Karen Kotecki Guild member Karen Kotecki taught students how to make a six-sided basket! This lovely hanging basket is woven on a mold (which we learned how to make) and we all made multiple hexahedrons. Karen provided a variety of coloured reed, wooden beads and waxed linen, so we could customize our ornaments. Guild member shared a learning weaving experience and a special potluck lunch. Thanks to everyone who came to the workshop on Saturday.

September workshop with Nancy Hager Guild member Nancy Hager taught a beautiful six-pointed star basket using dyed reed donated by the Elizabeth Evans family. The base of the basket, with a hexagonal pattern, was a learning experience for many students but we all went home with a unique basket.

July workshop with Martina Obersat Guild member Martina Obersat taught an introductory random weave basket. After the ribbed melon basket structure was completed, the bowl of the basket was woven randomly--with a variety of reed widths, sizes and colours available. Every basket was different and many students enjoyed working randomly, without a pattern. Thank you so much to the family of Elizabeth Evans for donating their mother's reed to the Guild--we used her beautifully dyed reeds for these baskets and will use more in the upcoming six-point star basket taught by Nancy Hager in September . Beautifully dyed reed by Elizabeth Evans.

June workshop with Dale Adamson Gourd specialist Dale Adamson taught us to decorate a gourd using alcohol inks--every vessel was different. Creating a kumihimo braid was new to many and added a unique finishing element to the painted gourds.  

May workshop with Karen Kotecki Guild member Karen Kotecki taught us to weave a basket our a mirror! We used the round reed to twine, wale and create a lovely braid. When completed, the mirror is ready to hang.

March workshop with Edy Marlatt Guild member Edy Marlatt introduced Southwestern Ontario Basketry Guild students to a new technique this workshop--wet felting. Edy supplied locally dyed wools in a beautiful array of colours and away we went. We wetted the material down, agitated and compressed the woolen layers until it was firmed enough to shape a bowl.   

February workshop with Nancy Hager Member Nancy Hager taught the Southwestern Ontario Basketry Guild students how to make a small handled basket. It looked simple but had a nice mix of techniques. We all went home with a lovely little basket!

January workshop with Martina Obersat Member Martina Obersat taught the Southwestern Ontario Basketry Guild students how to make a small basket using Danish paper cord. The material was new to everyone and everyone completed at least one basket, and some even two. A nice way to spend a cold winter Saturday.

2017  Guild workshop  program The Southwestern Ontario Basketry Guild is working on the 2017 basketry workshop program. The year promises to be filled with new and challenging baskets and techniques. January 21 Martina Obersat - Onion/garlic basket - all skill levels This open-weave basket is the perfect addition to any kitchen! Not only is it a lovely form but very functional--allowing good air circulation around garlic or onions to maintain freshness for weeks. Students will learn to work with Danish cord, a tightly woven paper cord traditionally used to weave Scandinavian modern chair seat and how to hand-shape the form. This basket is surprisingly sturdy! The basket height measures about six inches (eight inches to top of handle) and the opening is about four inches and decorated with waxed linen and beans (choice of colours). Hanging basket for garlic or small onions, woven with Danish cord. February 18 Nancy Hager - Small-handled basket - all skill leve...