Forager/Garden Tool Basket with Wrapped Handle

Forager/Garden Tool Basket with Wrapped Handle
Date: June 13 & 14, 2025 (Friday & Saturday)
Time: 10:00 am to 4:30 pm (Friday) & 10:00am to 3:30 pm (Saturday)
Instructor: Sian Gwynne Turner
Fee: $250 plus HST (Members) | Fee: $287.50 plus HST (Non-Members)
Materials Fee: $50 payable to the instructor cash or etransfer to siangwynne@gmail.com

This is a very versatile basket that you will make out of Nova Scotian grown willow. Using stake and strand methods, you will create a strong, durable and beautiful household basket. Learning the language of willow, you will be pairing and randing, waling and bordering down all basketry techniques fundamental to this style.  A wrapped handle balances the basket and provides great hand comfort. You will learn some of the basics of growing, harvesting and preparing the willow to weave.  Some hand strength is required. Students should bring a lunch. Max number of students is 8.

Sian Gwynne Turner is a willow farmer, teacher and basket maker living near Antigonish NS. Her basket journey began over 45 years ago and has developed into her life’s passion with the help of many local and international tutors and colleagues. Starting with imported materials she has evolved her craft through white oak, birch bark, pine needles, black ash and now grows, weaves and promotes all things willow.

Offering workshops, one on one tutoring and marketing her handcrafted baskets from bassinets to caskets at fairs and retails outlets including her own Helyg Gallery, Sian has strived to introduce and promote the use and cultivation of Salix in the Maritimes and beyond. See her ‘portfolio’ @siangwynnebaskets on Instagram.

Advance registration for members begins March 24

General registration for non-members begins April 7

(How to become a member with Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design)

For more information on this program or to register, email tammy@capebretoncraft.com