Basketweaving

Across time, humans have delighted in making, echoing in art and purpose the joy of our Creator. The Hebrews created beautiful baskets specific for daily use from elements at hand, such as palm, willow, rush. Tene’ baskets were woven to preserve first fruit offerings for the sanctuary.  Infant Moses’ mother coated a papyrus basket in pitch and tar, to float him in the Nile. A 10,500 year old basket recently unearthed in a Judean cave resembles the Biblical ephah, made for storage. Slaves in Egypt carried the clay for bricks in the common dudh, while a palace baker balanced his confections on top of his head in a cal. Perhaps Paul was lowered down the Damascus’ wall in a hamper-sized sphuris, or carried his provisions strapped on his back in a woven kophinos. 

Come join us as we learn basic skills and techniques of basketry.  Reach across centuries as a fellow artisan, as you name the basket you weave, and find the joy and gratification in creation! 

The baskets below have been made by Sylvia Leins, the leader for this class, as examples for the ones we will be making in October!