Workshops
2025 is my ninth year teaching basketry classes. Workshop schedule and information is listed below.
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In a one day workshop:
We will make a frame basket, traditional to the Roma peoples of Europe. Learn to make hoops, work with the willow, add ribs, make a God's-eye fasten, and shape your frame basket. All students make and take home their own willow frame basket.
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In a two-day workshop:
We make a round-base basket, otherwise known as stake-and-strand, like the one in the picture on the left of this page. Learn to make the slath, two-rod twining, staking up, 3-rod waling, French randing, a waled border, and handles of your choice. Take home a round-base basket to use for the rest of your life and the skills to make more.
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A note on coffin weaving: I've had many requests for an apprenticeship program to teach coffin weaving. Here is the info in short: try making a basket first and see if you like working with willow. If you have land, or access to a long-term agreement on someone else's land, look into starting a big patch of willow, to supply your work. Then please reach out and we can chat about weaving some coffins together. I also love hearing from people who are excited about learning this craft and so always feel free to reach out and share your excitement and how you first heard about this skill!
2025 Workshop Schedule
January 3-5, Turner's Falls, MA
Pack Basket Workshop
$250 plus $100 materials fee
Email marylaurenfraser@gmail.com to register
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March 1-2, Turner's Falls, MA
Baby Bassinets Workshop
$250 plus $75 material fee
Email marylaurenfraser@gmail.com to register
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March 29-30, Turner's Falls, MA
Stake and Strand Workshop
$250 plus $50 material fee
Email marylaurenfraser@gmail.com to register
CLASS FULL
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April 26-27, Turner's Falls, MA
Stake and Strand Workshop
$250 plus $50 material fee
Email marylaurenfraser@gmail.com to register
CLASS FULL
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June 28-29, Turner's Falls, MA
Stake and Strand Workshop
$250 plus $50 material fee
Email marylaurenfraser@gmail.com to register
CLASS FULL
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July 19-20, Cloudwater Farm, Warren, VT
Stake and Strand Workshop
$250 plus $50 material fee
Email rachealmouellette@gmail.com to register
CLASS FULL
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September 13-14, Native Earth Teaching Farm, Martha's Vineyard, MA
Stake and Strand Workshop
$325 plus $50 material fee
Email Rebecca at nativeearthteachingfarm@gmail.com to register
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September 20-21, The Commons, Provincetown, MA
Stake and Strand Workshop
$250 plus $50 material fee
Email Lesley at lesley@commonsptown.org to register
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October 4-5, Maine Local Living School, Temple, ME
Stake and Strand Workshop
$400-$500 sliding scale, includes room and board
https://www.mainelocalliving.org/community-programs
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2022 Workshop Schedule
Stake and Strand Weekend workshop - FULL
February 18-19, 10am-4pm
Turner's Falls, MA
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Stake and Strand Weekend workshop - FULL
March 25-26, 10am-4pm
Turner's Falls, MA
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Stake and Strand Weekend Workshop
April 15-16, 10am-4pm
Gettysburg, PA
To register email Julie Abell at inchbyinchwillows@gmail.com
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Stake and Strand Weekend Workshop
May 13-14, 10am-4pm
Hubbard Park, Montpelier, VT
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Frame Basket One-day Course
June 3rd, 11am-5pm
Osamequin Farm, Seekonk, MA
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Stake and Strand Weekend Workshop
August 5-6, 9am-3pm
Maine Primitive Skills School, Augusta, ME
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Frame Basketry One Day Workshop
August 3rd, 9am-4pm
Way of the Earth School, Blue Hill, ME
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Stake and Strand Weekend Workshop
September 2-3, 10am-4pm
Cloudwater Farm, Warren, VT
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Stake and Strand Weekend Workshop
September 9-10, 10am-4pm
Gloucester, MA at private artist's residence
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2023 Workshop Schedule
2024 Workshop Schedule
February 10-11, The Permaculture Place at the Mill, Shelburne Falls, MA. CLASS FULL. Waiting list and information at https://www.permacultureseries.org/
March 10, Phinehas S Newton Library, Royalston, MA.
This is an introductory 2 hour workshop making small conicular baskets. Workshop is FREE, and will be posted at the library and go out in their newsletter. https://www.royalstonlibrary.org/
April 20-21, Gettysburg, PA.
Stake and strand workshop, 12 participants limit.
$250 plus $50 material fee. To register email Julia Abell at inchbyinchwillows@gmail.com
April 27, Wild Earth, High Falls, NY.
A one-day, ribbed or frame basketry class. Info will be posted at https://wildearth.org/programs
June 8, Wendell Public Library, Wendell MA. 2-5pm.
*DATE CHANGED TO AUGUST 24th.
Another introductory workshop making small conicular baskets. Workshop is FREE. Will be posted on the library website and newsletter. https://www.wendellmass.us/departments/library/
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June 15-16, East Hill Tree Farm, Plainfield, VT
Stake and strand workshop. 10am-4pm both days.
$200 plus $50 material fee. To register email Hannah Biliian at Hbillian@gmail.com
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August 31/September 1, Cloudwater Farm, Warren, VT
Stake and strand workshop. 10am-4pm both days.
$250 plus $50 material fee. Delicious lunches included.
To register email Racheal Ouellette at rachealmouellette@gmail.com
*Class is full and waitlist has started.
October 5-6, Maine Local Living School, Temple ME.
Stake and Strand class. Accomodation and meals included!!
Register at https://www.mainelocalliving.org/
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September 28-29, Private residence, Wellfleet, Cape Cod, MA
Stake and Strand workshop. 10am-4pm both days.
$250 plus $50 material fee.
To register, email Elspeth Hay at elspeth.hay@gmail.com
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Two November Burial Tray Weaving Courses. A new course!!
November 14-17, Thursday through Sunday, 10am-4pm all days.
November 21-24. Thursday through Sunday, 10am-4pm all days.
Class size limit of 6 students. Previous willow experience much preferred. Classes will both be at my workshop in Turner's Falls, MA.
*CLASSES FULL
To make this class more affordable, I will be keeping the trays we make. If you want to take one of these trays home with you, please specify this when you register and we can make an arrangement so you can buy one.
Full tuition: $500. A deposit of $250 due with registration. Refundable cancellations only before Nov 1st.
*Email me to register.
Stake and Strand Workshop
December 7-8, 10am-4pm both days.
Turner's Falls, MA. Class limited to 6 students.
Tuition: $250 plus $50 material fee. Deposit of $50 due with registration. Refundable cancellations only before Nov 23rd. Full tuition due at class.
*Email me to register. *CLASS IS FULL
Stake and Strand Workshop
December 14-15, 10am-4pm both days.
Turner's Falls, MA. Class limited to 6 students.
Tuition: $250 plus $50 material fee. Deposit of $50 due with registration. Refundable cancellations only before Nov 30th. Full tuition due at class.
*Email me to register. *CLASS IS FULL
The descriptions for the stake and strand workshops are on my website, on the page titled "Learning", and described under "two-day workshops". This is my most commonly taught course.
And another NEW course:
Willow Pack Baskets!
January 3-5, 10am-4pm all days.
Turner's Falls, MA. Class limited to 6 students.
Tuition: $350 plus material fee of $100.
We will be doing oval bases, which are quite hard, and so I am requiring previous willow working experience for this class. We will be working on the bases Friday, weaving the sides on Saturday and Sunday morning, and then working on straps Sunday afternoon. If you have your own leather strapping that you'd like to use, the material fee will be less as that adds $50 to the cost.
Deposit of $100 due with registration. Refundable cancellations only before December 20th. Full tuition due at the class.
*Email me to register.
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Round-base workshop
July 23-24
Warner Public Market, Warner, NH
https://www.warnerpublicmarket.com/event-details/round-base-willow-basketry
**CANCELLED
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Round-base workshop
July 30-31
Maine Primitive Skills School, Augusta, ME
https://www.primitiveskills.com/course/basket-making-weekend/
**CANCELLED
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Green Burial Talk
August 26, Lichen Center, Blue Hill, ME
https://www.lichen.center/calendar/2022-what-is-green-burial
**CANCELLED
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Round-base Workshop
August 27-28
Lichen Center, Blue Hill, ME
https://www.lichen.center/calendar/2022-willow-basket-workshop
**CANCELLED
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Round-base Workshop
September 10-11
Gloucester, MA
Email Sarah Wonson to sign up: swonson1908@gmail.com
**CANCELLED
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Short cone basket workshop
Groundnut Gathering, Montgomery, MA
October 9, 10am
*this is a two-hour class as part of a larger weekend learning
and community event!
**CANCELLED
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2021 Workshops
July 23, "What is Green Burial?" talk by Mary Lauren Fraser at the
Lichen Center, Blue Hill, Maine.
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July 24-25, 2021, 10am-4pm
Round base workshop at the Lichen Center, Blue Hill, ME.
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July 31-August 1, 2021, 10am-4pm
Frame basketry workshop at the
Maine Primitive Skills School, Augusta, ME.
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August 21-22, 10am-4pm
Round-base workshop.
Please email me to sign up.
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September 4-5, 10am-4pm
Round-base workshop
Please email me to sign up.
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2020 Workshops
July 15-16, 10am-4pm
Frame basketry class, Maine Primitive Skills School, Augusta, ME
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August 9, 10am-4pm
Frame basketry class, West Townshend, VT
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