Indian baskets woven by Native Americans are among the most beautiful handmade objects in American history. For generations, these baskets served as essential utility items for daily life. In this class, students will learn to replicate the look and feel of these woven treasures, this time in wood. Focusing on patterns from Western and Southwestern tribes, participants will begin with a blank of 8/4 hard maple, 9-10 inches in diameter. Using the wood lathe, a 1/8″ beading tool, a burning pen, and India ink, each student will create a piece that mimics the coils and intricate patterns of traditional basketry.

After turning the wood to achieve a graceful form, students will choose a pattern-either from those provided by the instructor or one they bring themselves-and carefully lay it out with a degree wheel and pencil. The pattern will then be burned and inked into the wood, creating striking designs that echo Native American basketry. Once the front is complete, the back will be decorated in the same way, leaving space in the center for signing and dating the piece. The class concludes with rim treatments and a protective finish to preserve the design for years to come.