Weaving Connections at the NW Basket Weavers Spring Retreat
I started by loading the wagon with tools and supplies for the marketplace (and all you lovelies who pre-ordered for pickup at retreat). If you’d seen me heave the bins, you would have applauded my commitment to craft supply transport. They say that as women age we need to start lifting heavier weights - I think I had that covered for retreat weekend.
My first class was a fantastic split-ash bracelet with April Stone. It was my first time working with ash wood, and it was a joy thanks to April’s clear instruction and steady humor. There’s something very satisfying about coaxing a rigid piece of wood into cool, wearable art. Bonus: I now own a bracelet and an appreciation for the muscle work involved in working with ash.
Evening brought W(h)ine & Weave, where a room full of wonderful weavers and a glass (or two) of vino provided the best kind of company. I managed to make a bird feeder and, remarkably, did not smack anyone or spill my wine with a willow rod. Small victories are still victories. A few folks showed interest in the serial weave feeders, perhaps a class or two in that is in order.
Day 2 began in Katherine Lewis’ market-basket willow class. We cut scalloms for uprights, wove the base, tied everything on and got things positioned just so in preparation for day 3. Katherine’s approach is equal parts precision and kindness — a lovely combo when you’re learning to coax symmetry out of willow. Her instruction is patient but direct, making sure all her students progress and leave with a beautiful piece. She is one of the incredible women I strive to model my teaching style after. The raffle followed that evening and I did surprisingly well for my ten-dollar investment. I came home with piles of died reed perfectly in time for use in an intro to basket weaving class the following week. And biggest surprise of all - I DID win the brass basket door-knocker in the silent auction! My studio door has never looked better. After the raffle was a beautiful presentation by April Stone on ash: harvesting, processing, weaving, and truly honoring the material. April’s reverence for ash made me see the wood in a whole new way.
Day 3 finishing our willow market baskets felt like the classroom turned into a cheerful production line. The support, laughter, and overall joy were infectious. Even while folks were wrestling with borders and handles. There’s a kind of quiet pride in finishing a border that only another weaver can fully appreciate. I was amongst studied artists as well as beginners and all brought something to the table and wonderful vibes.
Day 4 was a change of pace - reed instead of willow - and that meant color and pattern came to play. I finished a nicely sized market basket in a faux plaid that I’m ridiculously proud of (and as it became a gift for my momma, she’s proud too!). The evening market was a blast; thanks to everyone who helped me bring in tools and set up! The Gala afterward is always a treat — seeing the variety of work submitted for viewing never fails to remind me how deep and wide the talent in our community runs. By the end of the day I was exhausted in the best possible way: full of new skills, new friends, slightly sore hands, and big plans for next year.
Takeaways:
Carry fewer rapping irons at once, or work out more. Or both.
Ash is lovely, strong, and worth the respect it gets.
Katherine Lewis teaches a mean scallom-and-base combo.
April Stone makes you look at materials like you’re meeting an old friend.
Reed brings color and pattern aplenty - faux plaid for the win.
The market and Gala are proof this community can do everything from practical to stunning.
If you came and smiled with us, thank you for the laughter and the shared tangles of tools and willow. If you didn’t make it this year, you’ve got next year to look forward to - and I’m already excited.
