The bark of the birch tree “pops” every summer, when it is harvested for use in making baskets, mats, beads, canisters, and sap collecting containers. Historically, these traditions have roots in Scandinavian and Native American cultures and are used to make items for everyday use and decoration. In this class we will discuss the harvest, processing and historical uses for birch bark, and get a feel for working with this material by making birch bark stars. These stars will be strung with a cord made of leather or yarn for hanging. Youth age 8-18 can enroll if accompanied by an enrolled adult.
Materials to bring to class: Please bring scissors to class. We will also have scissors available if you need to borrow some.
Dates: Tuesday, December 12, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Location: DFG Studio at 2701 W. Superior St., Suite 210, Duluth, MN 55806
Tuition: $25 DFG members, $30 non-members
Materials Fee: $5 (paid to instructor during class)
Instructor: Josie Cooke
Instructor Bio: Josie learned to weave birch bark at Lake Superior Traditional Ways Gathering, North House Folk School, and Beth Homa-Kraus. From double hexagonal weave to wrapped canister, beads to boots, birch bark can be used in many ways. She has been working through the projects in the book Plaited Basketry with Birch Bark, and hopes to offer these items for exhibit to acquaint people with this wonderful material and historic craft.
Refund policy: If you need to cancel your class registration, you will receive a refund, less a $5 administrative fee, if the cancellation is received fourteen days prior to the class. If you cancel less than fourteen days before the class, you will not be eligible for a refund. If for some reason DFG needs to cancel a class, you will receive a full refund. Please contact education@duluthfiberguild.org if you need to cancel.
