Thursday evening I wove a Birch Bark Necklace under the direction of Carolyn Kemp. The mini basket was woven from birch bark, raffia, and bear grass. Waxed linen and seed beads
were used for highlights
Friday I concentrated on refining techniques including chase weaving, four rod wale and decreasing rows. Annetta Kraayveld designed and taught a basket to keep us focused on balanced shaping and finishing with a Gretchen border to have a smooth and seamless rim. A string of beads was added to the center dip of the basket.
Basket workshops allow for learning new crafts and working with unfamiliar media. I took advantage of this by working with Mary Normand to make an Angel Wing Broom. I used hurl (processed and trimed boomcorn) and the "stacked bundle method to form a flattened hand broom. The handle portion was covered in applied broomcorn stems which were woven to make a smooth and decorative handle This was my first time to make a broom. Mary also showed us how to make a small whisk and pot scrubber with the same materials. 
I concluded my weekend making a Pine Needle and Cabochon Pendant taught by Jean Koon. I used waxed linen to coil the pine needle bundle around the cabochon one time. The braided leather necklace is attached to pine needle coil.
To learn more go to the the Tidewater Basketry Guild's website -
www.tidewaterbasketryguild.org
