Class Content: Students will be provided with a prepared gourd that will be decorated with alcohol inks like in example (D). Once dry it will be coated with several coats of UV varnish then a coat of wax. If you wish to draw on your gourd instead like example (A) bring a couple of felt tip pens.

After an early lunch, students will start weaving southern longleaf pine needles onto the gourd using the simple or spiral stitch. Students will learn how to start a basket, how to wrap a coil to add color, how to add a bead, and how to add thread when it runs out. Ways to add texture to your basket will be taught as well.

The gourds are prepped ahead of time by the instructor. Prepared gourds have been cut, the guts cleaned out, sanded, holes drilled with proper spacing, wood petrifier added to the inside, formula 49 applied to the outside, and the interior sprayed black. Pine needles will be preconditioned using a turkey roaster and glycerin. A material fee of $88.00 is included in the price of the $178 two-day class fee.

Provided: Dessert (Email Kathy ahead of time if you are gluten free or have a nut allergy. 865-660-6400 or info@GracehillArt.com) BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH.

Supply List: All alcohol inks, varnish, and wax to decorate the gourd are provided. Roughly 5 to 8oz of southern longleaf pine needles, dyed or natural color, in a glycerin bath, choices of artificial sinew or jewelry twine, and beads. How many beads depend on what you pick out. These are your supplies to make the basket.

IF YOU WISH TO BRING A SMALL DEER ANTLER OR PIECE OF DRIFTWOOD OR OTHER NATURAL WHAT NOT WE’LL SEE IF YOU CAN WEAVE IT ONTO YOUR BASKET.

If you wish to have a gourd with cut outs on the sides like example (B) and (C) Bring an extra $7 with you and contact the instructor ahead of time. If you wish to use some Palm Inflorescence like example (B) and (F) (the squiggly stuff) you can buy that for $1.50 a strand. If you have a piece of driftwood or other wood that you would like to mount a “gourd top” on like example (E) and (F) contact Kathy ahead of time.

She will also provide different-sized sewing needles, clips, and gauges that stay with the instructor. She’ll have a few extra pairs of scissors and pliers she’ll bring with her but if you have a pair you might want to bring them from home. She’ll have an assortment of prepared gourds in different shapes, but mostly round, cut with a wave in the gourd rim rather than straight across. (Adds interest.) The rim you sew on can take many forms. No two baskets are ever the same. You will have plenty of time to finish this basket.

Biography: Kathy works in several mediums, primarily alcohol inks and pine needle basketry. She currently sells her art in her newly opened art gallery, Gracehill Fine Art and Basketry, in Townsend, TN. She is the recipient of the State of Tennessee Art Commision’s 2024 Fellowship in Craft.

Instructor Website: https://www.GracehillArt.com

Class Content: Learn to make a coiled basket out of yarn and parachute cord. In this class you will complete a small to medium sized basket. The picture is a basket that I completed using the amount of parachute cord I supply for the class. The oval is 5 inches by 3.5 inches and it is 4 inches tall. My goal is not to teach you how to copy one of my baskets. Instead, I will teach you the techniques and you will use your own creativity and imagination to create an oval basket of your own design. To ensure success with your first coiled basket, I will provide a selection of yarn for you to choose from. The class consists of three sessions.

Session one: I will review the basics of making a coiled basket. You will select your yarn from the selection I will bring and will begin the base of your basket. Between session one and session two, you will complete the base of your basket.

Session two: I will show you how to form the sides of the basket and how to shape the sides. You will begin working on the sides of your basket. You have two weeks between session two and session three to provide sufficient time for you to complete the sides of your basket.

Session three: I will show you how to add an embellishment to your basket and end the coil. By the end of session three, you should have your first coiled basket treasure.
I provide handouts with tips and tricks, instructions for ending the coil, and a list of resources for coiled basket supplies. I am always available via email to answer any questions you might have about completing each phase of your basket.

Supply List: All you need to bring is a pair of scissors to cut the yarn. I supply the yarn to ensure that it is a yarn that will work well for your first coiled basket, as well as 25 feet of parachute cord and the darning needles. The class fee includes $30 for the supplies.

Biography: Linda Shea is a self-taught artist. She learned the basic coiled basket technique in the 70’s but used cotton cord instead of parachute cord, resulting in floppy bowl shaped baskets. About 10 years ago she wanted to make a coiled basket and began to experiment with different materials for the core. When she hit on using parachute cord, she realized that its smaller diameter and extra strength allowed her to do anything she wanted with the shapes. She began to experiment and push the boundaries of what the materials would allow her to do. Her creativity combined with her love of color, texture, and sense of movement resulted in unique baskets of her own design.

Instructor Website: Home | Bunny Creek Baskets and Beads

Class Content: Have fun combining watercolor with other media for a colorful painting of a blue heron or subject of your choice. Use basic watercolor techniques including wet on wet, dry brush, masking and negative painting along with ink, oil pastel, white acrylic and collage for added detail and texture. Different color schemes and/or subjects can be explored to complete two finished paintings. Demos along with individual help will encourage everyone in their own artistic expression.

Supply List: Click here to view the supply list

Biography: Martha Kisling has over thirty years experience painting in the exciting and spontaneous medium of watercolor. She also enjoys experimenting with acrylics, mixed media, collage and batik. She has taught painting classes and workshops while living in Colorado, South Carolina and now Tennessee and enjoys sharing her personal creative discoveries while encouraging students to develop their own artistic expression. Her original artwork has been exhibited in art shows and galleries.

Instructor Website: Martha Kisling Colorful Contemporary Art