Workshops
2023 is my eighth year teaching basketry classes. Workshop schedule and information is listed below.
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.
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.
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! If you've done some basketry and have some willow planted, I will be opening a few apprenticeship spots in 2023, please reach out!
2023 Workshop Schedule
Stake and Strand Weekend workshop - FULL
February 18-19, 10am-4pm
Turner's Falls, MA at Mary's workshop space, 22 3rd Street
To register email marylaurenfraser@gmail.com
Cost: Sliding scale $150-$225. Additional material fee $50
Deposit of $50 due and last sign-ups by February 12
*Class limited to 4 students
Stake and Strand Weekend workshop - FULL
March 25-26, 10am-4pm
Turner's Falls, MA at Mary's workshop space, 22 3rd Street
To register email marylaurenfraser@gmail.com
Cost: Sliding scale $150-$225. Additional material fee $50
Deposit of $50 due and last sign-ups by March 19
*Class limited to 4 students
Stake and Strand Weekend Workshop
April 15-16, 10am-4pm
Gettysburg, PA
To register email Julie Abell at inchbyinchwillows@gmail.com
Cost: $250. Additional material fee $50. There are two scholarship spots offered on a first come first serve basis at $150.
Deposit of $50 due by April 6th.
Stake and Strand Weekend Workshop
May 13-14, 10am-4pm
Hubbard Park, Montpelier, VT
Co-taught with Ali Riggen.
Email ali.riggen@gmail.com to register.
Cost: Sliding scale $175-$250. Additional material fee $50.
Deposit $50 due with registration. Ends May 3rd.
Frame Basket One-day Course
June 3rd, 11am-5pm
Osamequin Farm, Seekonk, MA
To register go to:
https://osamequinfarm.org/events-calendar/willowbasketry
Stake and Strand Weekend Workshop
August 5-6, 9am-3pm
Maine Primitive Skills School, Augusta, ME
To register visit https://www.primitiveskills.com/courses/list/
Stake and Strand Weekend Workshop
September 2-3, 10am-4pm
Cloudwater Farm, Warren, VT
Cost: $250 with additional material fee of $50. Two scholarship spots are available on a first-come-first-serve basis for $125.
Register at https://www.cloudwaterfarm.com/product-page/willow-weaving-workshop
Stake and Strand Weekend Workshop
September 9-10, 10am-4pm
Gloucester, MA at private artist's residence
Cost: Sliding scale $175 - $250 with additional materials fee of $50.
To register email Sarah Wonson at swonson1908@gmail.com
2022 Workshop Schedule
Round-base workshop
July 23-24
Warner Public Market, Warner, NH
https://www.warnerpublicmarket.com/event-details/round-base-willow-basketry
**CANCELLED
Round-base workshop
July 30-31
Maine Primitive Skills School, Augusta, ME
https://www.primitiveskills.com/course/basket-making-weekend/
**CANCELLED
Green Burial Talk
August 26, Lichen Center, Blue Hill, ME
https://www.lichen.center/calendar/2022-what-is-green-burial
**CANCELLED
Round-base Workshop
August 27-28
Lichen Center, Blue Hill, ME
https://www.lichen.center/calendar/2022-willow-basket-workshop
**CANCELLED
Round-base Workshop
September 10-11
Gloucester, MA
Email Sarah Wonson to sign up: swonson1908@gmail.com
**CANCELLED
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
2021 Workshops
July 23, "What is Green Burial?" talk by Mary Lauren Fraser at the
Lichen Center, Blue Hill, Maine.
July 24-25, 2021, 10am-4pm
Round base workshop at the Lichen Center, Blue Hill, ME.
July 31-August 1, 2021, 10am-4pm
Frame basketry workshop at the
Maine Primitive Skills School, Augusta, ME.
August 21-22, 10am-4pm
Round-base workshop.
Please email me to sign up.
September 4-5, 10am-4pm
Round-base workshop
Please email me to sign up.
2020 Workshops
July 15-16, 10am-4pm
Frame basketry class, Maine Primitive Skills School, Augusta, ME
August 9, 10am-4pm
Frame basketry class, West Townshend, VT
