Weaving the Black Ash Pack Basket - September 14-18, 2025

September 14-18, 2025

9am-5pm

Weaving the Black Ash Pack Basket 

Ash pack baskets, large splint baskets that are typically fixed with a harness system and worn  on your back, have a rich history here in the United States. Designed to carry heavy loads, the  pliability and resiliency of the material make it some of the best to work with. Made well, these  baskets can last for generations.  

Due to the time one must dedicate for material processing fresh from the log, we will start this  5 - day course by sorting, cutting and scraping our choice, pre-pounded and pre-dried Black  Ash splint. Design and lay-out will follow, prior to free-form weaving and setting to dry our  custom baskets. A freshly harvested Black Ash log will be riven with froe, mallet and wedges,  giving us the wooden billets needed for handle, outer rim, and skid making. Once all of these  parts have been prepared to basket specifications, participants will learn how to tightly lash it  all together, creating a most serviceable, working basket. We will end our time together with  building a custom-fitted harness using leather, buckles and copper rivets.  

Participants can expect to learn about the subtle nuances of the weaving material, including  how material thickness and tension play a key role in shaping baskets and how shrinkage  alters the overall shape, once dry. They will learn how to work with drawknife and shave-horse,  in carving billets to desired widths and lengths before water-bending into handle, rim and skid  shapes for each basket.  

This process heavy class will require hand strength.  

Feeling comfortable using sharp tools is a must.  

All tools and materials will be provided by the instructors. 

While no two baskets will be the same and all measurements are approximate, participants can  expect to make baskets measuring 11”x 6” x 15” (19” overall height w/ handle) or 12” x 7” x  17” (21” overall height w/ handle) … or thereabouts.  

A log-pounding station, designed to show the splint removal process, along with a plethora of  baskets and resource material will be set up on site for further enhancement.  Developing a greater understanding of what it takes to create such an artifact, as well as an  increased appreciation for the finished basket, will be a key take away.  

Questions will be answered, stories will be shared and laughter and learning will be had by all. 

We at the AHFS never want finances to be an obstacle in participating in something that you really want to experience. We have scholarship funds available for a limited number of spots. Please reach out to us if this is something that will help you say yes to this experience. Contact us for more information.

If you’re willing and able to donate to the scholarship fund to help others attend, donate here. Support the Scholarship Fund.

Tuition: $510
Materials: $150

This course is for adults 18+.

Your Instructors

APRIL STONE

April Stone, an Ojibwe Black Ash basket maker from the Bad River reservation in northern WI, has been working with black ash since 1998. She spent one year studying a basket in use before attempting to weave her first basket in the spring of 1999 and ended up falling in love with all things connected to this craft including live harvest and log processing of raw material into usable splint for weaving. Since 2000, she has researched and traveled extensively, sharing her skills with young and old.

April harvests all of her raw materials for her own basket making and for various programming from the ceded territory swamps and forests of northern WI. and processes all of this material by hand. She has received much recognition for her working knowledge of Black Ash basketry, while being thought of as a patient and gentle educator.

BETH HOMA KRAUS

Beth Homa Kraus uses sustainably harvested and hand processed bark from White Paper Birch tree to make woven items that can be used in everyday life, as well as in a gallery. By teaching classes and facilitating other learning opportunities in this handcraft, Beth focuses on building communities and celebrating the weaving traditions rooted many different cultures.

After studying painting at Hamline University and working as a caseworker for the homeless in Baltimore Maryland, Beth became an intern at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais, Minnesota. There they learned many traditional crafts including many styles of boat building, but their focus shifted to basketry and their obsession with birch bark was sparked. Birch bark quickly became Beth’s principal medium.

Beth has taught birch basketry classes at North House Folk School, the American Swedish Institute, the Weavers’ Guild, and many special engagements. Through communal learning, public demonstrations, and facilitating harvests, they share their love for this durable and beautiful material with everyone with a desire to learn.