🧺 February - Alberta Basketry News
Registrations for Weaving Connections 2026 are officially CLOSED!
This year is shaping up to be our best yet! Thanks to YOU, our amazing community, we will be offering 21 workshops and have 130 weavers joining us in March!
Your enthusiasm and participation make our weaving community thrive—thank you for being part of it!
Many of you have reached out to ask about tools! So we have started a Google Doc where we will start to create a bit of a directory for where you can purchase tools and materials to keep you weaving year-round.
February Members Social
Bowden (Open to the Public)
Sunday, February 8
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
More Info + Register
Learning to Work with Locally Harvested Native Willow
Join members of the Alberta Basketry Guild for a friendly, hands-on day exploring willow basketry in Bowden. This gathering is designed to be welcoming and low pressure, whether you are new to weaving, new to willow, or already have some experience.
We will begin the day by trimming and sorting wild-harvested willow for weaving, taking time to get to know the material before moving into an open weaving session.
Trimming and Sorting Wild-Harvested Willow (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Winter is the best time to harvest willow, but knowing what to harvest and what to do with it once you bring it home can feel overwhelming at first. In this session, we will walk through the basics of harvesting, trimming, grading, and preparing willow for weaving, with plenty of space for questions and conversation.
Time and weather permitting, we may take a short walk to a nearby willow patch to demonstrate respectful, sustainable harvesting practices using native ditch willow.
Open Weaving Session (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
Once we have finished sorting the willow, you are welcome to purchase some of the processed material or bring your own willow and stay to weave with us. This is a relaxed, social session where we weave alongside one another, share ideas, and learn together.
If this is your first time working with willow, you are very welcome. We will have books available to browse and experienced weavers nearby to offer helpful tips and gentle guidance as you begin.
You do not need to be a member of the Guild to participate, all are welcome.
We are also looking for members interested in hosting future socials (hopefully all around the province). If that is you, simply reply to this email, we would love to chat.
Guild Events
Bowden
February 8
- Member Social
Private Residence in Bowden
Register
Members receive $10 off. Check your email for your discount code.
Sherwood Park
March 6–8, 2026
Guild Sponsored Events
Members receive a discount on Guild sponsored events. Please check your inbox for this month’s member email, which includes your discount code.
Edmonton
February 21
- Miniature Willow Basket
Tiffany Watson
Bonnie Doon Community League
Register
- Willow Serving Tray with Braided Border
Tiffany Watson
Bonnie Doon Community League
Register
Bragg Creek
April 17–19
- Willow Backpack
Freyja Ulveland
Folk Tree Lodge
Waitlist
April 24–26
- Willow Backpack
Freyja Ulveland
Folk Tree Lodge
Waitlist
Community Events
Peace River
February 15
- Mini Basket
Marie Pariseau
Bodhi Tree Eco Boutique
Contact Marie for more information: [email protected]
Athabasca
February 20
- Solid Base Basket
- Willow Tension Tray
Candice Cullum
Contact for more information: [email protected]
Westlock
February 21
- Woven Base Basket
Candice Cullum
Register
February 22
- Tension Trays (AM)
- Melon Basket (PM)
Candice Cullum
Contact for more information: [email protected]
Mayerthorpe
February 12
- Cattail Basket Weaving
Kelsey Shapka
Mayerthorpe Public Library
Contact Kelsey to be put on the waitlist: [email protected]
Edmonton
February 9
- Weaving with Bulrush
Marie Pariseau
Hearth Coworking and Cowellness
Register
March 21
- Asymmetrical Gathering Basket With Birch Handle
Tiffany Watson
Bonnie Doon Hall
Register
April 11
- Willow Trinket Basket
Tiffany Watson
Meraki Emporium
Register
Spruce Grove
February 23
- Willow Basket Weaving
Candice Cullum
Backyard Birds Nature Shop
Register
April 14
- Weave a Willow Bird House
Candice Cullum
Backyard Birds Nature Shop
Register
Antler Lake
February 13
- Woven Willow Heart
Tiffany Watson
Antler Lake Hall
Register
- Foraged Branch Basket
Tiffany Watson
Antler Lake Hall
Register
Rocky Mountain House
February 7
- Tension Trays (AM)
- Melon Basket (PM)
Candice Cullum
Contact for more information: [email protected]
Millarville
Third Tuesday of the Month
- Basketry
Sheep Creek Weavers
More Info
Interested in booking a workshop of your own? See our Current Instructor List
Exhibits
Calgary
February 3 – April 5
- Rooted: Juried Members Exhibition
Lougheed House
Opening Reception: Saturday, February 7 (1:00–4:00 PM), with artist remarks at 2:00 PM
More Info
Talks
Red Deer
March 17 at 5:30 PM
- Art 1101 Visiting Artist Lectures: Freyja Ulveland
Margaret Parsons Theatre, Red Deer Polytechnic
(Open to the Public)
Festivals
Golden, BC
June 19–22
- Earth Daughters Women’s Festival
Community Casket Weaving
Drop-in Willow Weaving
More Info
Calls for Submissions
Sangudo
February 28 & March 1
- Sangudo RegenFest
More Info
Tofield
September 11-13
- Baskets in the Garden
MoreInfo
Join Us, We'd Love to Have You
Are you thinking about becoming a member of the Alberta Basketry Guild?
Here’s what you can look forward to:
- Resources and inspiration to support you on your weaving journey
- Access to our private Slack space: connect with fellow members, ask questions, share ideas, and stay in touch between events
- Discounts for Guild Sponsored Events, and Members Socials
- Priority registration for Weaving Connections
- Spotlight Features: members are invited to apply to be featured in our newsletter and on our social media, so we can all get to know the talented individuals behind the classes, studios, and businesses that keep basketry alive and thriving in Alberta
- A warm, supportive community of like-minded weavers who cherish the rhythm and connection of working with natural materials
Thank you for being part of this community of makers, learners, and gatherers. We are always glad to be weaving alongside you.
Warmly,
The Alberta Basketry Guild
Tiffany Watson
Freyja Ulveland
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