Duration: Meets one weekend per month for 6 months. April through September 2026. Fridays and Saturdays. Located in the beautiful Methow Valley WA.
Dates:
April 24th-25th
May 22nd -23rd
June 19th-20th
July 17th-18th
August 21st-22nd
September 25th-26th
View detailed schedule here.
Cost: $2150 with a nonrefundable deposit of $250
Instructor: Reisha Beck
This 6-month course is a hands-on, basketry journey that connects us to the natural world. All humans across the Earth, no matter what age, gender, class or ethnicity have traditionally made and used baskets on a daily basis for thousands of years. It has only been until the recent Industrial revolution of the 1900’s did this relationship change. All of our ancestors have amalgamated with the indigenous plants of their homelands to birth beautiful and functional vessels, to not only contain their foods and medicines but also their dreams and prayers for the world. Weaving Our Dreams is a basketry immersion that focuses on reestablishing our relationship to the plant world through weaving with the wild plants that we share our homes with. My goal is to give participants a strong foundation in processing wild plants into useable and beautiful baskets, while weaving in a container of a supportive community. Each class builds upon the next as each project increases in skill level. Participants will have plenty of one-on-one instruction and guidance from me as well as ample time to fully complete each project successfully and with confidence. The continuity of coming back to class each month builds success and skills, which is vital for a robust practice of any art form. Participants will also learn how and when to harvest wild basketry materials, the Ethnobotanical traditions of each plant we weave with, and how to process their own materials into usable fibers.
Here are the main basketry projects we will be practicing, for a detailed calendar click here:
Folded Fir bark baskets with plated willow and alder bark rim
Twined and twill cattail, willow bark and tule round baskets
Twinned and twill satchel with cattail, tule, and dog bane hemp cordage
Coiled cattail basket with driftwood handle
Wildcrafted dyes with raffia, jute, dogbane and nettle cordage and hand spun wool (with drop spindle and spinning wheel)
Twined cattail and tule sunhats
Random weave willow and red osier egg basket
Willow, vine, and cordage rib baskets
Location of class and other important information:
Each class with take place in my medicinal herb garden in Twisp WA. Students will need to provide their own transportation to and from class, as well as provide their own food and lodging for the weekend. ( Except for the July Camp Out) There are ample hotels, cabin rentals and both paid for and free camping available in the Methow Valley. I’m happy to give recommendations if needed. The class tuition covers all tools and materials needed for each class project.
Commitment to the entire duration of the course is required. Refunds are not given to missed classes. Only sign up if you can fully commit to the course.
How To Apply and Prerequisites:
In order to register with this course, you must apply first. Applying does not guarantee your spot; we are expecting a lot of applications. Applications must be in by November 1st, 2025. And you will know if you are accepted into the course by November 15th, 2025. There are only 12 spots available.
In order to apply for this course, you must meet the following requirements:
You have made at least one basket before, Bonus points if you’ve taken a class from me!
You are fully committed to the course, the craft, and to a mentorship with me.
You value and respect the relationship between student and teacher and have an open and honest communication style.
You have the ability to get to class every month, reliable transportation and gas money etc...
You can pay the class in full by March 1st, 2026.
This class is all inclusive and accepting of all walks of life and discrimination of any sort is not tolerated.
If you have questions about the course email Reisha at info@ravensroots.com
Some pictures of past basketry classes and students work