Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced

Join us for a 5-day basket weaving workshop with award winning weaver Cael Chappell! This hands-on experience will take you on a creative journey, where you'll learn the art of twined basketry using waxed linen thread. Each day will be filled with in-depth instruction to create unique, personalized baskets. Cael's expertise and passion will guide you through the process, from planning your project to completing beautiful baskets. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned weaver, this workshop promises to be an enriching experience.

Cael Chappell has been working with basket weavers in Africa since 1991. In 2017 he started weaving his own baskets. Because of his deep understanding of basketry, he quickly developed his own unique style of whimsical weaving. His baskets exhibit personality and life which engages viewers. His work has been featured in many exhibitions and publications. Cael enjoys teaching and is writing a book on twining baskets with waxed linen thread. He has presented many lectures to weaving guilds and groups across the country.

Learn more: caelchappell.com

Fee: $550 + $40 Non-Refundable Registration Fee

Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced

Rug Hooking is a traditional art form here in the Catskills. Beginning with a complete kit, students will learn how to hook a simple 8" x 10" picture using hand-dyed strips of wool. Learn how color and texture function in this intriguing craft technique. Because this tool is portable, students will be able to continue working on projects outside class hours, and the next morning will be spent going over how the colors create textures, how to fix a mistake as well as lots of show and tell. Demonstrations and lots of individual attention are guaranteed. 

Tina Harp is an accomplished fiber artist and educator who has been weaving for 27 years. Drawing from age-old techniques to reflect contemporary life, she loves to provide inspiration to those she teaches and enjoys sharing her knowledge. Tina lives on a small farm in Shandaken NY with a large fiber arts studio. When not working with the animals on her farm, she spends hours weaving textures and playing with colors that bring pleasure to her days!

Fee: $385 + $40 Non-Refundable Registration Fee

Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced

Drawing from traditional English rush weaving techniques, this workshop will delve into working with locally harvested cattail leaves found here in the Catskills. This unique course will extend the student’s basket weaving skills through constructing smaller baskets and culminating with weaving a sun hat. Expect to leave Sugar Maples with the knowledge and practice to harvest, prepare and weave baskets from this abundant wetland plant. No previous basketry experience required! From the knowledge gained, students will be prepared to investigate Nature and select, harvest, and make objects of beauty from what they find.

Renee Baumann is a Catskills-based chef and designer who specializes in working with wild plants and fungi. She rediscovered her childhood love for basketry when she was unhappy with the sourdough bread baskets she could buy and decided to make them herself. She works in many media, builds cob ovens, bakes bread and pastries and obsesses over finding and eating wild mushrooms.

Learn more: instagram.com/renee_makes_things/

Fee: $340 + $40 Non-Refundable Registration Fee