Char has been a basket weaver for more than 30 years - designing, weaving and teaching reed baskets at many major basket weaving conventions. About 8 years ago she became very interested in the lapidary process of cutting rocks into beautiful cabochons to use in both jewelry and pine needle art.

As she worked at perfecting her coiling techniques on many pine needle baskets and winning several awards for her art, she was encouraged to teach this awesome art form! The process begins when she collects her long leaf pine needles in Florida. The needles are dried, cleaned and then soaked in glycerin to make them more pliable for coiling. Finally, she teaches the techniques that you will use to design and weave YOUR CUSTOM ARTWORK with the selection of your cabochon, threads and beads.

The baskets will start with a cabochon center that she personally trims, grinds and polishes into centerpieces mounted and ready for your weaving to start!

Char also turns many cabochons into beautiful silver pendants through silver smithing techniques and wire wrapping.

In addition to Pine Needle baskets, she also continues to teach chainmaille weaving, creating bracelets and earrings out of sterling silver jump rings!

This class is designed for all levels of coilers with a bonus option to grind, sand and polish your own cabochon for a project center!

Beginners will start with the slant stitch while more experienced can begin with other stitches. In this class, you will begin learning the basic stitch to weaving a coiled pine needle basket. You will begin using an irregular shaped stone cabochon.

Students will coil using long-leaf pine needles gathered in Florida. The needles are prepared using a glycerin bath to make them pliable. Students will choose their waxed linen threads to complement the stone. Many different stones, threads, and beads will be available to choose from.

Please understand, these are your pieces. You can make them any size you prefer. Start small, getting comfortable with the basics and move on to new stitches and shapes as you learn.

This process is very time consuming. How many pieces you make will depend on your experience and perseverance.

All students will have the opportunity to grind, sand and polish their own cabochon! The cabs are then glued onto leather and can be used the next day. Glue must dry for 24 hours. A grinding machine and many cabochons ready to be cleaned, ground, sanded and polished will be provided.

Projects (Project selections will be made during the workshop week):

Choose at least 3 projects from the selections below or design your own creation. The maximum number is up to the student and what they think they can accomplish. Before choosing a project, please be aware of the weaving level for each project.

1. Coiled Cabby: Material Fee: $70, Size: 6”Diameter x 2” High

Skill Level: Beginner Students will learn to begin coiling using an irregular shaped cabochon of your choice. Learn the slant/single stitch and how to add a new thread and change colors. Coil the bottom, then learn to shape the sides and add beads! Special tools: small sharp scissors; Ott light if needed.

2. Smooth Coiling: Material Fee: $70, Size 7” Diameter X 2” High

Skill Level: Beginner This is also a beginner level piece. You will add learning to solidly wrap colorful rows to add to your creation. Students will learn to begin coiling using an irregular shaped cabochon of your choice. Learn the slant/single stitch and how to add a new thread and change colors. Coil the bottom, then learn to shape the sides and add beads! Special tools: small sharp scissors; Ott light if needed.

3. Triangular Slices: Material Fee: $75, Size: 8 X 8 X 1 1/2”

Skill Level: Intermediate Beginning with an irregular shaped cabochon stone, students will begin coiling pine needles around the cabochon using the single slant or wrap stitch. You will learn and perfect the single stitch, the wheat stitch, wrapping a row and attaching walnut slices to finish off this lovely wall hanging. Progress on the piece will depend on your level of experience with coiling. Special tools: small sharp scissors; Ott light if needed.

4. Bead It: Material Fee: $75, Size: 6 x 3”

Skill Level: Intermediate

Students begin coiling around an irregular shaped cabochon using the basic stitch. Techniques for this piece include wrapping a row, adding beads between rows, adding accent beads along stitches and the diamond stitch to finish. Many different stones, threads and beads will be available to choose from. You will use both large and small beads. Special tools: small sharp scissors; Ott light if needed.

5. Ti Tray: Material Fee: $65, Size: 6x6x2”

Skill Level: Intermediate

Students will begin coiling pine needles around an irregularly shaped stone cabochon. will encourage you to design your own basket or tray, but stitches taught will include the single stitch, ti stitch, adding beads and wrapping rows. Progress on the basket will be determined by your coiling experience. Special tools: small sharp scissors; Ott light if needed.

6. Swirley: Material Fee: $85-$95, Size: you decide!

Skill Level: Intermediate

Swirly can be a fairly large wall piece depending on your coiling experience. Stitches used will be single stitch, wrapping a row, Indian Blanket stitch and spacing the “Swirleys”! This will be your design so plan on coiling “outside the box”! Many different cabochons and thread colors will be available to choose from. Let’s PLAY!!!

7. Tommy The Turtle: Material Fee: $115, Size: You Pick!

Skill Level: Intermediate Tommy the Turtle will be your own creation! Begin coiling around a stone cabochon. Learning and using several different stitches to establish your shape you will incorporate a wrap stitch to create Tommy! Coiling may be finished with a single wrap or double wrapped rows. Progress on Tommy will depend upon your previous coiling experience. Day one will be spent beginning and setting up the shape. Day 2 will start Tommy’s coiling!!

8. DESIGN YOUR OWN! Materials fee: $70-$95 Choose a cabochon and design your project as you go with Char’s guidance in playing with color and learning stitches! Truly a one of kind!

5-Day, 6-Nights Overnight Package Includes: 6 nights onsite lodging, private chef prepared meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and 5 days of instruction in a private venue.

Supply fees paid directly to instructor.

Meals and Lodging: $1,172 per person private room, $757 per person shared room

Tuition/Fees $660

Non-refundable deposit of $250 due to hold workshop space. The remaining balance is due 90 days prior to workshop start date

Policies: When making a reservation, students will be asked to acknowledge and agree that they have read and understand Shenandoah CREATES Payment, Refund Cancellation, Liability and Sick Policies.

Other information is provided on the FAQ page.