Southwestern Ontario Basketry Guild

May workshop with Joan Carrigan British Columbian basketmaker Joan Carrigan taught us to weave a cell phone pouch using the beautiful natural materials of the Pacific Northwest. Joan lead the workshop in a discussion of gathering and preparation of the materials we would use: red and yellow cedar, willow bark, sedge and beargrass. She encouraged us to create a unique pouch incorporating a variety of the barks and grasses using a variety of techniques, including twining and plaiting.

April workshop with Linda Scherz American basketmaker, Linda Scherz, taught the Guild about the beauty and flexibility of waxed linen as a weaving material. She showed us the basics of making a small, footed vessel. We started the morning weaving the round base and creating the foot with beads. In the afternoon, we created the wall design. Linda is a great teacher and taught, even the most experienced basketmakers, new skills. 

February workshop with  Mavis Kiyoshk Four-generation First Nation basketmaker Mavis Kiyoshk helped us create a small lidded sweetgrass basket. First we beaded the lid centres and then started coiling the base. Mavis, and assistant Martha Sands, provided locally-grown sweetgrass and a variety of threads and beads so we could create our own individualized baskets. Thanks to T K Fibres for welcoming us to her studio space early Saturday morning.

January workshop with Amy Jorgensen Guild member Amy Jorgensen taught us the lovely Hugs & Kisses basket--perfect gift for Valentine's Day! We had a choice of weaving a heart-shaped basket or a more traditional round one. The reed basket was ornamented with X patterns and incorporated an oak handle that we wrapped with natural and dyed caning creating heart shapes. The Guild's Saturday workshop was well-taught and fun.

2018  Guild workshop  program The Southwestern Ontario Basketry Guild is proud to present the basketry workshops for 2018. The year promises to be filled with new and challenging baskets and techniques. January 20, 2018 Amy Jorgensen -  Hugs and Kisses basket  - all skill levels Perfect for Valentine's Day! Guild member Amy Jorgensen will teach this heart-shaped basket. Learn to create this special shape using flat and round reed, learn to embellish the basket and learn to cover and ornament the inserted handle. ***Workshop start time changed to 8:30 am.*** Learn to create this special heart-shaped basket. Lovely ornament decorate the basket's handle. February 17, 2018 Mavis Kiyoshk - Sweetgrass Coil Basket  - all skill levels Basketmakers will create a small lidded basket sewn in coils. The lid will have a beaded felt centre and the bowl a felt centre. The sweetgrass basket will be created using a traditional First Nation method taught by a ...

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.