SHARE:
White Oak and Skeined Willow Hen Basket
with Amy Krone
Basketry is more than weaving—it is a conversation between the maker, the material, and generations of craft tradition. In this immersive multi-disciplinary workshop, students will step into the world of traditional Appalachian white oak basketry and willow processing, learning not only how baskets are made, but how raw natural materials are transformed by hand into functional works of art. With only one spot remaining, this is a rare opportunity to learn directly from a dedicated craft revivalist in an intimate workshop setting.
Suitable for weavers of all skill levels, the course begins deep in the traditions of Appalachian basketmaking. Together, students and instructor Amy Krone will break down a white oak log using traditional methods, exploring the history, tools, and techniques employed by generations of basketmakers in the Appalachian region. Participants will work with both freshly processed and pre-split white oak to create the frames for their baskets, gaining a rare hands-on understanding of material preparation from tree to finished form.
From there, the workshop shifts to willow processing. Students will learn to split and shave round willow rods into flat, skeined willow weavers, a labor-intensive process that requires patience, precision, and care. These willow weavers will then be combined with white oak frames to create a striking 10-inch hen-style basket that blends two distinct basketry traditions into one cohesive piece.
The workshop is physically demanding and deeply rewarding, requiring both hand strength and stamina as students engage in extensive knife work and material preparation alongside weaving techniques. More than simply constructing a basket, participants will gain an appreciation for the rhythms, problem-solving, and craftsmanship inherent in traditional handwork.
Leading the course is artist and craft revivalist Amy Krone of Cambium Lost Arts. Living in the forests of the Catskill Mountains, Krone has dedicated her work to preserving and reviving forgotten craft traditions, with a particular focus on hand-split white oak basketry in the Appalachian style. Her journey into basketry began unexpectedly in a used bookstore and has since evolved into years of research, experimentation, and practice rooted in both anthropology and traditional craft knowledge.
For Krone, the revival of lost arts is about more than preserving the past—it is about rediscovering the value of skilled handwork and proving that discarded traditions still have relevance today. That spirit of renewal and connection is woven throughout this workshop, offering students an opportunity to slow down, work directly with natural materials, and experience the enduring power of traditional craft
White Oak and Skeined Willow Hen Basket
June 25-28
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Sanborn Mills Farm | 7097 Sanborn Road | Loudon, NH 03307 US