Trent University - Continuing Education

Welcome to the Wild Basketry Workshop Series!

You can sign up for one or more workshops separately (pricing varies per workshop) or attend the full series (all 4 workshops) for a discounted price of only $300.

Wild Basketry Workshop Series

In this workshop series, students will be able to deepen their understanding of locally available basketry materials and fundamental techniques. We will learn how to harvest and process local plants that can be easily found in backyards, urban neighborhoods, and other natural areas, with an emphasis on invasive species. Additionally, there will be hands-on demonstrations of key basketry techniques, such as cordage, braiding, weaving, twining, coiling, plaiting, and twill. This series is well-suited for those with basketry experience at all levels (including beginners) who want to learn how to identify, harvest, process, and use the wide variety of plants nature has to offer in Peterborough and the surrounding areas. What we harvest will depend on seasonal availability, but we will look in particular at gathering invasive plants (buckthorn, phragmites, dog strangling vine, etc.) from the trails at the Trent University Nature Areas both to help with invasive species management and obtain materials for basketry. The instructor will also provide additional materials to supplement what we gather. Students are also welcome to bring any materials from their own foraging.

There are 4 workshops in the series. Students should feel free to sign up for one or all. While those who gather their own materials in workshop 1 are encouraged to bring them to subsequent workshops, the instructor will also provide (additional or all) materials for use in workshops 2, 3, and 4.

Workshop 1: Identifying, Gathering, and Processing Natural Materials

Saturday June 14th, 10am-2pm (Rain date Sunday June 15th)

In this workshop, we will focus on how to identify, gather, dry, and store various natural basketry materials (grapevine, Virginia creeper, buckthorn, cattails, lily and iris leaves, dandelion stems, bark, roots, willow, etc.). While we will look at a variety of plants, what we gather will mostly be invasive species (buckthorn, phragmites, dog-strangling vine) from the Trent University Nature Areas. We will also talk about what plants to collect from your yard and how to create a basketry garden. Students will leave with materials for their own use or workshops 2, 3, and 4.

Workshop 2: Preparing Basketry Materials

Saturday June 21st, 10am-2pm

In the second workshop, the focus will be on how to process certain materials (roots, bark, etc.) for basketry, how to dye plant fibres, making cordage and braiding techniques (lily leaves), creating nut and wooden bases (including woodburning), and how to apply a beeswax finish. Students will leave with processed materials and cordage for their own use or workshops 3 and 4.

Please note: Instructor will provide materials. For those that have their own materials from workshop 1 or elsewhere, please feel free to bring those as well.

Please note that the Trend Cafe in Traill College is not open on weekends, so please bring a snack and drink with you.

Workshop 3: Basketry: Focus on Vines, Bark, Branches, and Roots

Saturday June 28th, 9am-1pm

Using vines, bark, branches, and roots students will learn to create rustic woven baskets. Random or freeform basket weaving is probably one of the most organic, intuitive, sculptural, and easiest methods that can be used for basketmaking. In this workshop, we will employ various common and invasive plant materials, including Virginia creeper, grape vines, English ivy, willow, and other local vines, branches, bark, and roots to create baskets full of character and movement. Techniques from ribbed basketry will also be introduced. Each project will be unique and showcase the wonder of natural forms and textures!

Please note: If you gathered and prepared materials in workshops 1 and 2, please bring them along, as well as anything foraged independently. For those who did not attend workshops 1 and 2, all materials will be provided.

Workshop 4: Basketry: Focus on Bark and Soft Materials

Saturday June 28th, 2pm-6pm

Many cultures and peoples around the world have used a variety of natural materials and techniques, including twining, coiling, and weaving, to create baskets that are both beautiful and utilitarian for thousands of years. In this workshop, we’ll use woven bark and twining techniques (in which two wefts cross over each other between warps) to make baskets. I’ll also teach how to incorporate different colours of leaves into the design, as well as how to make a lashed, braided, or coiled rim. Depending on material availability, we will also look at twill work (weaving bark in patterns).

Please note: If you gathered and prepared materials in workshops 1 and 2, please bring them along, as well as anything foraged independently. For those who did not attend workshops 1 and 2, all materials will be provided.

*For all workshops, please note that The Trend Cafe in Traill College is not open on weekends, so please bring food/drinks with you. If you will be coming for the full day, for workshops 3 and 4, on June 28th, please bring a lunch with you as well. There will be 1 hour of free time in between workshops.*