Learning to make cordage from the leaves and grasses at hand is fun for every age. Discovering a bit of ancient knowledge about how to appreciate and utilize the plants around us, transforms us into makers of make beautiful and useful objects. Here are some pictures of young people making coiled cordage pendants, but this workshop is fun for all … [Read more...]
A Moist March Day in the Woods
The past two moist March weeks I've been lucky to spend time diving into the experience of Plant-Fiber Technology with 90 wonderful young people, while teaching at IslandWood, a fantastic environmental learning center in Washington State. Here are some pictures of the budding young artists at work. Students pictured in this blog entry are … [Read more...]
Cedar and Iris Fan Is Done
This fan is approximately 5' wide by 4.5' tall and 2" deep. It is made out of my favorite ornamental plum branches, Siberian iris stalks, New Zealand flax, and inner bark of the Western red cedar. I love the textures and smells of the materials while working. When I conceived this, I thought I'd end up applying … [Read more...]
The Odyssey Program 1st and 2nd Grades
This May I was happy to be invited to teach an ethnobotany lesson to Peggy Koivu's 1st and 2nd graders in the Odyssey Program, from the Bainbridge Island School District, at Camp Indianola, in Indianola, Washington. Here is one group of students making 'nature beads' out of 1" lengths of Red Osier Dogwood and Swamp Willow twigs, that were … [Read more...]
The Suquamish Basket Marsh
It's been over a decade now since the conception and development of the Suquamish Basket Marsh. This outdoor classroom for environmental learning on the grounds of Suquamish Elementary School, in the town of Suquamish Washington, is a product of an ongoing collaboration between the school, teachers, students, parents; volunteers from the … [Read more...]
