Date and time: Saturday, March 22 and Sunday, March 23, 2025. 9am – 5 pm both days, with a 1-hour lunch break.
Location: The class will be held at the Multnomah Arts Center (7688 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR). Room TBD.
Cost: $155 total (includes $80 class fee and materials fee of $25 plus $50 for Guild willow). If you have volunteered at the Guild's willow plot and have earned willow bucks, you can get reimbursed following the class toward the cost of materials. Bring your willow bucks tally to the class.
Skill level: Intermediate; experience with rib-style construction and willow is important
Maximum Number of students: 10
Instructor: Jo Campbell-Amsler
Tools needed: bodkin or large awl, basket shears, sharp hand pruner, sharp fixed-blade knife for “whittling” (box cutters work well, but not the disposable ones), 1-foot square leather or denim scrap, two 4-inch Hippo clamps, 10 chenille sticks (craft pipe cleaners), available at most craft/hobby stores. One old bed sheet or two old bath towels, water spray bottle, work apron (optional). Lunch and a beverage (optional).
Description: This basket design is based on the traditional Scottish hen basket, (Ose basket in Gaelic) but the addition of sections of coiled willow create a lovely open lace design, which I call “American Lace.” One of the most challenging of rib-style baskets, there will be much emphasis on the shaping of ribs to create the graceful shape. A variety of rib-style basketry techniques will be studied, including the use of spacers to create this form of basket. This basket form has a long history, which we will be discussing in class. Dimensions = 12"H x 12"W.
Please note: This class is meant for Guild members only. If you are not a Guild member, but would like to become one, we welcome you! Click here to join.
To reserve a space, click “add to cart” below.
The last day to register is Saturday, March 8, 2025 . If you need to cancel, please do so before March 8 to receive a full refund. When the class fills, you can join the wait list by sending an email with the class title and your contact information to ColumbiaBasinBasketryGuild@gmail.com
About Your Instructor
My baskets are my way of sharing what I gather from the natural world. Working from my home studio, Willow Ridge, in eastern Iowa, I grow and harvest the willow that is used for my basket work. This creates a seasonal process for me; growing and watching over the willow in the warm season, harvesting in preparation for the “stay at home” snow season, long days of studio time during those winter months, and the renewal process starting again early each Spring. It is a joy to spend time working the willow, and creating in my studio, but teaching and sharing gives me a connection with people and the world beyond my studio space, which offers me its own kin.