Dear Guild Members and Friends,

September has arrived — bringing with it the gentle return of routines and our most beloved season of all: sweater weather.

There is a sweetness to this time of year… slipping into your warmest sweater, stepping outside to breathe in the crisp air, and watching as the world shifts slowly into gold. It’s the perfect season for gathering — maybe you find yourself collecting soft grasses and weaving materials as you walk, tucking them away for future baskets.

Or perhaps you reach for one of your crafted willow baskets, strong and beautiful in your hands, and head to the garden to harvest the bounty of the earth. Apples, squash, herbs, seeds — treasures gathered into a basket that holds both the season and the care of the maker.

May this season wrap you in warmth, inspire your hands, and remind you of the simple joy of gathering.

A Special Message from the Board of Directors

Hello Members and Friends,

We’d like to share an important update with you regarding the Alberta Basketry Guild’s Board of Directors. Two of our valued directors have recently stepped down from their positions. We are deeply grateful for the time, effort, and dedication they contributed to the Guild, and we wish them all the very best moving forward.

We are also pleased to introduce our new Board of Directors:

• President – Lauren Rosinski
• Treasurer – Freyja Ulveland
• Secretary (Interim) – Betty Attwood
• Members at Large – Tania Kristensen and Mia Coco

Thank you for your continued support of the Guild. We look forward to moving ahead together with creativity, community, and connection.

Warmly,
The Alberta Basketry Guild Board of Directors

Opportunity to Join the Alberta Basketry Guild Board

The Board of Directors for the Alberta Basketry Guild is currently looking to fill the position of Secretary. The Secretary is an important member of the Board of Directors, helping to keep the Guild organized and connected.

Key Responsibilities:

• Take minutes during board meetings and share them with members afterward
• Maintain records of meetings, decisions, and important documents
• Assist with email correspondence and communication to members
• Support the Board in planning and organizing events or activities as needed

Time Commitment:

• Attend board meetings (currently monthly)
• Approximately 2–3 hours per month outside of meetings

No previous board experience is required — just an interest in basketry and a willingness to contribute to building our community. Must be a current member of the Guild in good standing (see below for how to join). If this is something that interests you, and you would like to be part of bringing the Guild to life, we would love to hear from you!

Please reply to this email if you are interested or would like more information about the role.

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 Open Weaves

• 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

Become a Member Here

Guild Events

Edmonton

• September 27 Cattail Wrapped Vase - Open Weave
  @Bonnie Doon Community Hall
  More Info

• October 25 Hand Brooms - Open Weave
  @Bonnie Doon Community Hall
  More Info

Community Events

Beaumont

• Sept 6 - Harvest Festival
  @Good Note Community Farm
  More Info

Tofield

• Sept 12-14 Baskets in the Garden
  More Info

  • Cattail Cubby w/ Tania Kristensen
  • Large Willow Basket w/ Freyja Ulveland (Sold Out)
  • Basket from the Garden w/ Tania Kristensen
  • Cedar Bark Bracelet w/ Carman McKay
  • Mini Basket w/ Kelsey Shapka
  • Woven Bulrush Vessel w/ Marie Pier

Rocky Mountain House

• Sept 12-14 A Day of Weaving Willow
  More Info

Calling All Teachers

Teacher applications are now open for our favorite weaving weekend of the year - Weaving Connections 2026!

This annual gathering brings together weavers, makers, and learners to share skills, build community, and celebrate the traditions of basketry and weaving in Alberta.

We invite applications for classes and workshops that explore weaving with natural fibers - hard, soft, grown, gathered and everything in between - as well as topics such as growing, harvesting, and preparing materials. If your work aligns with these themes, we welcome your application through the link below.

Apply Here

Wondering if your class or workshop is right for this gathering? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you and explore together.

Field Notes

Gathered from water and field — cattails, bulrush and daylilies are what's in season now. Each stem a thread in the season’s basket, each bundle a reminder that autumn offers both beauty and material for the hands that weave.

Here are some tips from Guild member Freyja Ulveland to keep in mind when harvesting bulrush ...

• Harvest when seed heads begin releasing seeds, usually early August.
• Cut at the base and remove seed heads to leave for the birds.
• Dry in a hot, well-ventilated place. Drying time depends on the weather.
• Once fully dry, bundle and store in a dry place.
• Only harvest from the same patch every three years.

Call for Submissions

In our October newsletter and on social media, we’ll be featuring:

Willow Projects – Send us a photo of your projects made using willow through our submission form. We’ll feature it in the next newsletter.

Submit Here

Thank you for being part of this community of makers, learners, and gatherers.
We’re always glad to be weaving alongside you.

Warmly,
The Alberta Basketry Guild