As a contemporary visual artist I've been exploring the traditional art of weaving with plant fibers since 1985. I gather materials respectfully, recycling bark off of trees that are being cut down, pruning selectively to encourage the growth and health of plants, and replanting at every opportunity. I enjoy sharing the lessons I've learned from my generous teachers.
Being a hands-on, low-tech type person, I will do my best to make weekly (or at least monthly) posts. I like writing about the making process, worthwhile community projects, and sharing practical ideas of what the seasons have to offer those who are longing to live creatively within the rhythms of the natural world.
Suquamish Elder Ed Carriere is a 2023 National Heritage Fellow
We who know Ed Carriere, have always seen him as a treasured teacher and an encyclopedia of traditional ecological knowledge. But now he will truly be honored as a 2023 National Heritage Fellowship Recipient.
Our Sacred Obligation – A Story Worth Spreading
Our Sacred Obligation is a well told story of resilience, persistence, purpose and hope. To bring the salmon back to the Klamath River requires decades of hard work, vision, collaboration, community and great leadership. We can all learn from this story.
Basketry Program at BARN-Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network
After a long pause in the basketry program at the Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network (BARN) due to the covid pandemic, it was wonderful to contribute to this program by teaching a Weaving Nature Workshop at BARN this Fall.
Living Teachers, Living Landscapes, Living Students
A few thoughts after a long pause from writing to you.
Hazelnut In Spring
Hazelnut limbs are a strong hardwood that work wonderfully as hoops, handles, or for the ribbed frame pieces that give some baskets their shape and strength. Harvest in winter to keep the bark on. Harvest in spring if you’d like to peal it.
Food For Thought – No Reconciliation Can Come Without Truth
Everyday I appreciate the food plants along the trail I walk, reminding me that people have lived here from time immemorial to today who have preserved appreciated these food plants too.
Weaving Project With Periscope Woodcraft
It was wonderful working with the Dream Team at Periscope Woodcraft on this fun project!
Food Along the Trail – Big Leaf Maple Flower Fritters
Elise Krohn and Sable Bruce, of GRuB & Gather, Tend & Grow, have generously shared a delicious recipe during their presentation to the South Sound Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society.
Weaving Nature Workshop Fall 2022 at BARN
Hello again. I’m still here and I hope you are too! Are you interested in learning how to respectfully and sustainably gather, prepare, store and utilize fibers from the plants and trees that grow in the communities we are a part of?
Paper From Plants – A Lesson in Resilience
Port Gamble S’Klallam Community Awards Program made this artistic weekend of Paper Making With Plants possible.
Fireweed and Nettle Fiber Papers
It’s been fun experimenting with making papers from the plants that grow in my neighborhood. Fireweed and Nettle have similar useful bast fibers.
Plants Have Fibers – And Other Good Lessons
Thank you for looking at this blog. I haven’t been writing much this past year, for various reasons, but I hope to share more with you in the coming months. Last year was dedicated to working on some projects I’d started, but never seemed to have the time to finish, like the Suquamish-Indianola Storytelling Project. […]
