Southwestern Ontario Basketry Guild

October workshop: Dolores von Rosen Remembrance weave Old and new members came together for the October workshop to weave the lovely Mountain Range basket designed by the guild member Dolores von Rosen. Sadly, we lost one of our founding members earlier this year. A day filled with laughter and tears. The solid wooden base with a handle makes a sturdy basket with flat reed walls. We learned to chase weave and how to create an undulating rim. The rolled rim finishes this beautiful basket.

September workshop with Stephen Jerome Black ash basketmaker Stephen Jerome travelled from Quebec to spend two days with the guild teaching black ash basketry techniques. Rib basket Fancy ash basket with lid

 June workshop with Martina Obersat Guild member Martina Obersat went back to the basics with this market basket workshop. Beginner and experienced basketmakers took home a--mostly completed--useable and sturdy basket!

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.