Karen is currently active with her local Buellwood Weaver’s guild as well as the Finnish American Folk School. Her work is represented and available at Aura Design Collective in L’Anse, MI., and through her Etsy site- BarksnRoots. She has taught at Conventions, guilds, and Folk Schools across the country for the last 30 years, most recently at the Barks and Roots Symposium in Hancock, MI. Karen’s work has also been published in: 500 Baskets A Celebration of the Basketmaker’s Art, Weaving History A Basket Heritage Project (Where her baskets are included in the collection at MSU Museum), National Basketry Organization’s - All things Considered VII, and their spring 2014 Magazine, and most recently, the Voyage Michigan Magazine.

Karen began making baskets in 1983 with a focus on mixed media natural materials. She has harvested and prepared barks, roots and fibers form the start, sparking a life long love of naturals. The combination of other textile, metalworking, embroidery and lacemaking techniques enhance her work. Most recently she has been experimenting with botanical printing on barks and new cordage applications. Website: barksnroots.com

Judith is currently a member of the National Basketry Organization, the Handweavers Guild of America, as well as several regional associations and guilds. She has taught basketry workshops in Virginia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania including the John C. Campbell Folk School, NC. She has had work in many juried exhibitions including NBO Exhibitions and Hand Weavers Guild of America’s Small Expressions Exhibitions, and her work is included in the Contemporary Basketry Artists section of the book Plaited Basketry with Birch Bark by Vladimir Yarish, Flo Hoppe and Jim Widess.

Judith was first introduced to bias weaving in a workshop with Shereen LaPlantz in 1986. She says she was fascinated with the possibilities bias weaving provides. Because living in Virginia and North Carolina made accessing traditional natural materials nearly impossible, she developed her use of non-traditional materials focusing on her patterned painted papers and use of copper in her work.

Students brace yourselves for not one but two instructional experiences that perfectly blend together. This opportunity to explore both natural and contemporary materials as well as both traditional and innovative techniques is a unique opportunity made possible by the experience, hard work and camaraderie which Karen and Judith together provide.

A unique TWO-for-one workshop with TWO top-tier instructors!

Days One - Two:

The class will be divided into two groups, with half studying with Karen and the other half studying with Judith. On Day Two, the groups will swap teachers.

With Karen, students will choose one of a variety of bias woven shapes using birch bark and more traditional techniques. An assortment of rims choices and materials will be available.

With Judith, students will be experimenting with pre-painted watercolor papers (with the possibility of copper accents) and a variety of bias features while making an individualized creation.

Days Three - Five:

The remainder of the workshop will be co-taught by Karen and Judith together! Many unique possibilities may arise from this collaboration!

Participants will be introduced to making cordage using a variety of materials, both natural and commercial, followed by multiple project options including making pouches, weaving around forms such as river rocks, glass bottles and even canteens or water bottles. Various looping and twining techniques and netting applications will be taught - including the Tunisian Camel muzzle technique!

Students will have the remainder of time to choose projects that build on the techniques learned. Karen will have natural materials and kits available including new designs. Judith will also have a variety of materials and will help students design unique, personalized projects.

Tools: Scissors including a small sharp pair, flat packing tool, pocketknife, small angle cutters, old bath sized towel, spray bottle, apron, clothespins, and lots of smooth micro clips or other smooth clips that will not leave marks on the work! (the instructors like the small copper ones best).

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. Project fees range from $45-$150. Pre-order and pay at workshop if interested in a canteen. The approximate cost is $20.

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

Tuition/Fees $730

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.