Southwestern Ontario Basketry Guild

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...

Art & Soul Basketry Retreat September 30 - October 2, 2016 The Art & Soul Basketry Retreat was a great success! Master weavers Jo Campbell-Amsler (Iowa) and Joan Carrigan (British Columbia) shared their new techniques and designs using home-grown Ontario willow and Pacific Northwest cedar. We received 14 hours of instruction, plus friendship building and good food in a beautiful setting with members and friends from far and wide. We are looking forward to the next retreat. All retreat participants posing with finished (or mostly finished) baskets. Joan Carrigan teaching her York Basket using a variety of barks, grasses and sedges.    The willow weavers group with teacher Jo Campbell-Amsler. Jo Campbell-Amsler teaching her Shadow Basket using Ontario-grown willow. A bonus weaving session was organized for Saturday evening. Karen Kotecki  (above) and Debbie Mroczenski (below) taught us ...

September workshop with Dale Adamson Instructor Dale Adamson taught students how to make a potato basket, a ribbed basket using one oak round handle. The sturdy structure allows for different shapes and sizes to create a basket for a variety of uses. Dale brought some of her beautifully hand-dyed reed to allow students to really customize the design. Dale Adamson's hand-dyed reed added lovely colour to the potato baskets.