Joan Carrigan- Bark Basketry Workshop

Some of Joan's Baskets

This past weekend I ferried over to Salt Spring Island to take a 2 day bark basketry course with Joan Carrigan. It was a small class of six- and we all enjoyed ourselves immensely. The class began with a demonstration on preparing cedar and willow bark and we all had a chance for hands on use of the bark.

Joan demonstrates how to prepare cedar bark

Cutting willow bark strips

Work begins!
We were taught how to use various plaiting techniques to make three different pouches.. The bark was absolutely gorgeous in colour and texture and it was  hard to decide which side of the willow bark should be on the inside or outside of the basket!

 Joan teaches at her home studio on Saltspring as well as at the Horticultural Centre of the Pacific 
in Victoria.