Basketry: Birch Bark Box With Lid

Learn how to transform birch bark into functional art in the form of a box.

Meeting Times

Sat, 11/4/2023 9:00:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sun, 11/5/2023 9:00:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Sat, 11/4/2023 - Sun, 11/5/2023

Closed

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About

Birch is a remarkable tree found in the boreal regions around the world. The bark has long been utilized by indigenous peoples from Scandinavia through Russia, Alaska, Canada, and New England. Join us to learn about this amazing and versatile bark and continue its long history of tradition. Karen will share her knowledge of gathering birch while speaking to the seasonality and sustainability of this wonderful material.

In this class you will follow traditions creating a lined and lidded birch box while learning a variety of stitches to beautifully finish and strengthen the rims. The top can then be embellished with contrasting bark that may be stamped with leather tools to add a unique and personal touch. The importance of stitch placement and good pattern layout while reading the natural character of the bark will be emphasized. Finished container measures about 5x5x4 inches.

Details:

Skill Level: Beginning
Bring a sack lunch. BARN has a refrigerator and microwave on the lower level

Materials

Materials students need to bring:
A $40 materials fee, covers all materials needed- including Birch bark and Hamburg Cane. The materials fee is included in the class price.

Class Policies

Ages 14 and up welcome.

BARN Policies

View BARN's current COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
BARN is committed to accessibility. Tuition Assistance is available. Fill out the application before registering.
For those who might need physical assistance, learn more about BARN's Companion Program.

Instructors or Guides

Karen Sherwood

Karen Sherwood began her basket weaving journey creating purposeful containers useful for wilderness survival. Over the last 35 years Karen's understanding of natural materials along with her refinement of weaving techniques has allowed a greater understanding of the enormous skill possessed by early basket makers. She carries a passion for exploring historic basketry techniques and styles and brings this to her work, in part, by harvesting and preparing her own materials.

Karen teaches ethnobotany programs with the Washington State Department of Ecology. She leads online and in-person classes sharing over 40 years of experience teaching the identification and traditions surrounding of wild edible and medicinal plants. Karen leads basketry classes throughout the county and as well as other earth centered programs through Earthwalk Northwest, a wilderness school she co-founded and directs.