Instructor:
Karen Tembreull
As a fiber artist focused in basketry, Karen describes her medium as derived primarily from her environment. Karen is continuously inspired by the abundance of natural material that surrounds her, driven to experiment with barks, roots and fibers that seem to lend themselves to textile applications. Care and patience is necessary in the gathering and processing of her material. Karen enjoys combining traditional basketry applications with other historical fiber arts and metalworking techniques such as: piecework, lace making, and fabrication. Karen’s basketry forms are a celebration of the harmony that is intertwined between these materials and traditional methods.
Email: kltemb@up.net
website: barksnroots.com
About the Workshop
Students must participate in a minimum of four days of projects - projects don't need to be chosen ahead of time. Fees are paid to Instructor.
Tuesday - Birch Cozy: Material fee $85. Size 3” x 3” x 4-4 1/2” tall. Using finely prepared Birch bark, students will learn to make a double woven traditional Birch basket suitable for a drink cozy. A sewn leather rim will be taught to dial in the fit.
Tools needed - flat packer, narrow tipped bone awl or a kostik, scissors. sharp pocket knife, tapestry needle, micro clips.
Wednesday - Ripple Effect Flask Sleeve: Material fee $85. Size 4 1/4” x 4 x 1/2” approx., sizes will vary. Working on cedar bark spokes long enough for height options, students will twine with iris leaves and waxed cotton conforming to the bottom of a 6 oz. hip flask. The fun begins with a twill plaited, between weave twined and knotted technique that Karen developed. Karen’s version of a fold and lash rim, as well as raised shoulders will be taught to leave room for an optional cordage strap. The class will include a basswood fiber cordage demonstration.
Tools Needed - flat packer, angle clippers, spray bottle, scissors, tapestry needle, bath towel and a large kitchen size garbage bag.
Thursday - Birch Bark Turtles and Trees: Material fee $70 (includes 2 of each). Size Turtle 4” x 3 1/2” x 1”, Tree 4" X 3 1/2" X 1/8". Learn two wonderfully whimsical Birch bark ornaments, one in the a.m. one in the p.m. Discussion on embellishments will be shared. Material will be supplied for 2 of each ornament.
Tools needed - flat packer, scissors, micro clips, angle cutters
Friday - Design your own basket on a Vintage Spigot Handle base. Material fee $95. Thread a vintage spigot handle with Cedar bark spokes and use techniques you’ve learned and/or a variety of twining and twining combination techniques: wrap twining, chain twining, chase combinations, knots etc. A variety of materials will be available including, but not limited to: willow bark, cedar bark, birch bark, iris leaves, soft rush, basswood and other cordage fiber, waxed cotton, fine willow and red osier dogwood.
Tools Needed - flat packer, angle clippers, spray bottle, scissors, tapestry needle, bath towel and a large kitchen size garbage bag.
Saturday - Birch Bark Seed Collectors/Winnowing Tray: Materials Fee $75. Size 8” x 8” x 2”. Learn to heat and fold a basic Birch Bark tray. We will stitch with artificial sinew. A split and peeled willow rim with a leather side handle makes for a friendly and functional piece. Cutting awls will be available for use.
Tools needed - Scissors, pocket knife, tapestry needle, clothespins.
Weaving Skill Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Basket Examples: 1. Bark Cozies 2. Birch Tray Outside 3. Birch tray stitching 4. Birch Tray 5. Chased Example 6. Flask Sleeve 7. Ripple Effect Detail 8. Scalloped Rim Treatment 9. Spigot Base 10. Wisp of Willow 11. Turtle & Tree 12. Wrap Twine Detail
Materials for daily project supplied by the instructor will range from $70-95 each, payable to the instructor at the workshop. See daily project descriptions above for material fees.
5 Day, 6 Nights Workshop 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: $1,100 per person private room, $720 per person shared room
Tuition/Fees: $660
Total Package Price: $1,380-$1,760
Non-refundable deposit of $250 due to hold workshop space. The remaining balance is due 60 days prior to workshop start date.
