Make Your Own Pack Basket

Take part in one of the most ancient crafting traditions. Basketry has existed for thousands of years and has been essential for most cultures around the world. This workshop is specifically focused on one of our regions most important and unique basket plants, the black ash.

Learn to make your own medium-size black ash pack basket.

Your basket will be complete with built-in skids and bottoms made from local northern white cedar as well as canvas straps that we will sew during the workshop.

Note: In order to complete your basket you may need to stay after program hours. Andy and other assistants will be available after program hours for support.

About Black Ash

The black ash (Fraxinus nigra) has a range that stretches from the Canadian Maritimes and North Eastern U.S. down into Central Appalachian across to the Great Lakes of the Midwest and Southern Canada. It is an uncommon tree with a specific habitat. It prefers somewhat saturated soil choosing to grow in wetland forests, along streams and rivers and mountain seeps, which is where we harvest most of our ash trees.

The processing of ash splint begins by choosing a healthy tree with a relatively straight trunk. After felling I begin by peeling the bark, scoring strips lengthwise down the log, and then pounding…lots of it. As the log is pounded the individual growth rings separate creating the most amazing material for weaving baskets. Beautiful, flexible, light and incredibly strong.

About Andy Paonessa

Andy Paonessa is a craftsman, naturalist, and farmer who lives in Northern Vermont. He has been making baskets and teaching workshops for over 10 years. From growing vegetables to maple sugaring and basket making Andy strives to make his living from the land by having a direct connection with the earth through his work.