Southwestern Ontario Basketry Guild

Four classes of rib construction – willow baskets – turned into a big success thanks to Frances who put it all together. Not only did she arrange to have Jo Campbell- Amsler , a renowned rib-style willow weaver and teacher from Iowa, come to teach the classes, she also donated the majority of the willow for the baskets. To prepare for the classes she made and dried frames and cut lengths for ribs and soaked all the weavers for the 48 baskets – a huge job, so a BIG THANK YOU goes to you, Frances! Jo had brought a selection of her beautiful baskets and guild members had picked four designs for the workshops. Photos of the basket designs selected for the workshops are at the blog post about the 2010 program . The fun started on Saturday when we made The Gypsy Melon Basket. Some of us had never worked with willow before, for others the rib-style weaving was a new experience, but we all had fun and helped along by Jo’s instructions we each created our own unique basket. Sunday’s Wist...

I joyously participated in Cherilyn Fontana’s Melon Basket workshop on April 17th.  She led us so smoothly and painlessly through the basket steps, it was hard to imagine coming home with anything less than a flawless result.  I wasn’t the only one who appreciated the continuously calm and patient approach of Cherilyn and the equally skilled Gina Zientara, who assisted.  A bonus opportunity was being able to try out some unfamiliar but very useful tools which were available for purchase.  I particularily love my new scissors and shaver.  It was a fun day and I wouldn’t hesitate to take a workshop with Cherilyn again if I got the chance.  Janice T. Everyone celebrated the guild's 7th anniversary with a piece of luscious chocolate cake!

What a great day!  Thanks to Catherine for all of her hard work in putting together this workshop.  So many options to choose...so little time.  I had a great time doing this workshop.  As always, everyone had chosen colours and textures that I wish I had done.  I was really pleased with the way the open coiling was more freestyle and allowed for a variety of placements.  Add in some beading and some textured yarn and Voila!...coiling masterpieces!  I did have some issues with breaking my needles but three was the charm and completion was a success.  There was a lot of giggling followed by ooohs and aaahs that day that makes these workshops priceless.  Edy M. Photos by Linda I.

A what?!  Yes, a basket weaving cruise from chilly Port Canaveral to Nassau to beautiful and warm St. Thomas and San Marteen and back.  I'm not a foodie or a night owl, but Dolores vonRosen convinced me to sign up with news of the basket activities and wonderful description of her friend, Jane, for my cabin mate. The trip was like a basket conference but on a giant ship holding almost 4000 guests and 1400 staff waiting on you with a smile.  It was complete with top notch teachers, a beautiful weaving room just for us, and about a hundred down to earth, creative, friendly weaver-types.  We had 3 days of weaving and 3 days of port tours, beaches, and sailboats.  Jane and I enjoyed a balcony room, which I highly recommend for people like me who get a bit claustrophobic.  The views of dolphins, birds, sunrise/set and islands from the balcony big enough to weave on, if desired, was worth the extra cost. Our assigned dinner table of 10 had 6 weaving addict...

JANUARY & FEBRUARY - Twill Tote in two tone reed. Hannah’s Marriage Basket from Lyn Siler’s “The Basket Book” Guild Workshop leaders Germaine Osborn & Nancy Hager FEBRUARY - Willow Tension Tray Guild Workshop leader Frances Thorn MARCH - Free-Form Coiling on a Gourd Guild Workshop leader Catherine Devine APRIL - Rib Construction, basic technique - 10" Melon basket Guest instructor Cherilyn Braun MAY - Connie’s Carrier in flat reed - a great basket for your vehicle Guild Workshop leader Wanda Haydt JUNE - Rib Construction - Four 8-hour workshops in willow Guest Instructor Jo Campbell-Amsler Gypsy Melon Basket & Wisteria Bowl - Chatham Willow Ridge Herb Basket and Charm Basket - Strathroy JULY - Garden Harvest pattern by Debbie Richards, flat oval & round reed on a wooden base Guild Workshop leader Linda Dobinson AUGUST - Morning - Modified Gretchen rim on Garden Harvest basket, Afternoon - open weave and instruction on gat...

Two mini-workshops were featured simultaneously so the large group was divided into 2 classes of 8. Some students made a pretty star of willow taught by Frances Thorn and some created a plaited box of paper, either brown wrapping paper or Christmas gift wrap, taught by Nancy Hager. People loved their little star and the paper patterns were amazing.