Dazy's Basketry Workshop Schedule for 2016

Greetings once again to everyone.  Summer is back so lets spend some of those hot sunny days weaving baskets down here in Never Never Land. This year the workshops will include some of the old favorites and some with a new twist. Thanks go out this year to everyone who helped me in the gathering and preparing of materials, which is in itself a huge job. Thanks to Peter, Suzie and Pia Lironi for the amazing job of falling, peeling and striping a beautiful wild cherry tree.  Jimmy Milicheap for the cedar bark. Sharon Chesham and Susan Ellard for helping peel the cedar bark. And, thanks to all the "Bull Bitches" who trudge the Sooke beaches with me in September and haul, wash, sort, coil and dry all the amazing bull kelp we use each summer.

For each workshop, please bring the standard basket making tools. A good sharp pocket knife, some strong scissors, needle nose pliers, a tape measure, an oyster knife and a two gallon soaking bucket. Dress to work outside in your old comfy work cloths. Bring something to share for an amazing "Lasqueti potluck" (no watermelon Annette). Workshop space is limited, so please call ahead to reserve a space (250-333-8566). Accommodations are available for off-islanders.  

Bull Kelp and Bark Basket

Friday June 24th    11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

This is a great basket to start with.  It's fun and easy to make.  The bark helps to keep the shape of the bull kelp, which has a mind of it's on when it comes to drying, and makes the process a little less challenging to work with.  

$70.00 all materials included.

Mule Skinner Basket

Thursday and Friday July 7th and 8th  10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Back by popular demand the mule skinner basket is a large, rectangular basket with a leather belt that is worn over the shoulder.  Mine  is four years old, gets heavy duty use, has been repaired three times and still gets lustful wolf whistles when I use it.
We'll be weaving this with thick, strong wild cherry bark, so bring strong scissors as well as your regular basket making tools.  

$125.00  All materials included except the belt.

Cedar and Mixed Media Basket

Thursday July 28th   10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

This attractive and very useful counter top basket can be used for wooden spoons, large utensils or a large vase.  Colleen has just gifted me a huge box of lovingly gathered grasses and vines that we'll be weaving in along with some bull kelp for design.  Let your creative juices flow.

$75.00  All materials included.  

Split Cedar Root Gathering Basket

Thursday and Friday   August 11th and 12th   11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The difference between this split cedar root basket and the ones we've woven in the past is that we may be using some large gauge round reed for frame and ribs.  Also, instead of a handle,  you may want to attach a leather belt and wear it over the shoulder like a mule skinner basket.   The end result will be a rustic, durable and useful basket. This basket usually takes two days although some overachievers have finished in less time. To this workshop add a good, sharp,  pair of garden clips.

$125.00 All materials included except belt (if you chose to use one).          

Diagonal Plaited Cedar Basket

Thursday August 25th   11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

This fun little basket goes together quite quickly once of get the hang of it.  We'll be weaving with red cedar and bull kelp.

$60.00   All materials included.