Bark Basketry

The course:

Bark basket making, there is no better way to make use of a material such as bark than to create your very own practical basket ...

There are few instances where wood has survived the decay of time in the prehistoric records, tree bark however remains a consistent material that had practical applications as cordage and ofcourse bark baskets. In Sweden and Canada, There is still the longstanding tradition; Birch Bark which is primarily utilised in bark basketry and with wonderful results. 

Birch Bark however is not a resource that we are afforded in Britain today. The climate is simply to warm and moist. 

While tree bark is discarded as a waste product of timber, historically across the globe, tree bark from coniferous and deciduous trees alike has been stripped from trees during the springtime and early summer from fallen trees after winter storms. 

In this workshop you'll…