Testamonials!

I feel so immodest printing them! I do enjoy teaching and the students that seem to find me. Some have come from as far away as Montreal or Toronto! I guess they see the pictures of my work and feel that we will speak the same language.

Hi Janet,
just a word to let you know that I spend such a nice day!  I had a lot of fun with your hilarious sense of humor; I learned so much and it was so stimulating.  The group was so nice – I enjoyed being with everyone.  I was pure happiness today.  You have a very nice personality, are very talented and we just want to be with you.  Thank you so so much! Lucie Lacelle

Janet:
Just a quick note to say thanks for a great workshop. I really enjoyed the experience and feel that I learned a lot. Your teaching technique is excellent. I’d highly recommend this course to anyone. Your home is such a welcoming and relaxing environment for learning. Thanks again, Janet. Bridget Brennan

Thanks so much for all the info, Janet! I know what I’m putting on my list for Santa!!!And thanks again for a wonderful weekend! I was exhausted and sore when I got home but feel so good about all the learning. As I mentioned, I love your teaching style. And while I cannot criticize the folks at the Kingston Weaver’s Guild, your methods seem to be so much simpler than those I was taught before. I will keep an eye on your site for other workshops and will recommend you highly to anyone I know who is looking to learn some new skills!Take care, everyone! Hope our paths cross again! Christine Chevalier

Thanks so much for such an enjoyable weekend of weaving. I was so pleased with my progress over the 2 days because of your teaching skills. It could have been a difficult experience but you made it so easy. You are a fantastic teacher.  I like the way you made me do everything myself so I was able to learn how to do it.  From Erin.

How to enroll for a class

Try to enroll 2 weeks before a class, this gives me the time to prepare materials and the work place. Occasionally it is possible to apply closer to the time. Payment in full guarantees your space. You can etransfer to handweaving@gmail.com, (it is automatic deposit, so no question and answer is necessary) or phone in your credit card # to 613-448-3733 or send me an old fashioned cheque to Janet Whittam, PO Box 253, Chesterville ON K0C1H0. If you have to miss the class after payment is processed, you can have a credit for another class. Please make sure I have your email address as I send more information about the class closer to the date.

Class dates for 2024

Scroll down for more information

Coiled Basketry Jan. 20 (snow day Jan.27)

Recycle, Upcycle! Make a Basket from Magazine Pages cardboard boxes, etc. March 30

Make a Rib Basket Using Native Materials Apr. 27, this day is now full

Weave a Birdhouse, May 11

Rib Basket June 8

Uncomplicated (Loom) WeavingNov 16, 17

More dates to follow.

Uncomplicated Weaving

Hopefully we will be able to have a class Nov. 16 and 17,  20024, 9.30 am to 4.30 pm each day in my studio near Chesterville, Ontario
– Cost is $200.00, which includes materials. Please enroll  at least 2 weeks in advance with full payment at that time.
– The class is for absolute beginners and people who have had some weaving experience. The class outline is simple. Every student makes a warp on a warping board, sets up a floor loom and learn how to weave a project. I like students to work on the kind of project they want to learn how to do. Some choices from the past have been tea towel, rag work (using strips of cloth as weft), simple patterns and plaids, random warps, etc. It is my hope that each student chooses something different, that way the class as a whole covers a lot of possibilities.
– My theory is that weaving is not brain surgery and I teach a relatively fast and easy way to do it. I pass along what I have learned in 50 years of being a weaver.

Make a Basket from  Magazine Pages and other Upcyclable Materials

March 30, 2024. 

10.00 to 12.30

Cost 50.00

We will be weaving a basket from cereal boxes or magazine pages. It would be helpful if you brought any or all of the following, a magazine,  a knitting needle, scotch tape, and a pair of scissors.

My workshop proves that Basketmakers have always used materials they have found in their environment. In this case, the results are often very attractive. Think of how scraps of cloth make a beautiful quilt, to get an idea of how the finished piece will look.  Traditional Basketry techniques with modern materials. Older children welcomed with an adult to help.

Creative Coiling, .

DATE Jan. 20, snow day Jan 27, 2024.   10.00 am to 12.00 Cost 50.00
Coiled Basketry technique is probably the most open ended basketry technique, any shape, any size is possible, almost any material, and changes in design or material  are easily done.  Please bring a towel, a darning needle  and a pair of scissors. I will be providing long pine needles, linen thread and rafia for stitching, and a lotus seed pod for a lid if desired and also lots of other kinds of materials.

 

Make a Rib Basket using Native Materials and Beyond the Basic Rib Basket

Date  ,Apr 27th (this date is now full)  June 8th,  and Sept. 21, 2024.  Time 9.30 to 3.30 Cost 85.00

We will follow any current Provincial guidelines pertaining to Covid.   We can work in my backyard or the garage if it is  raining.  Please contact me if you are interested in any other dates, weekdays are also possible.

I find the Rib Basket technique is very forgiving for beginners and also very adaptable with regards to making purely functional baskets, or decorated art objects or something in between..

I have decided to have this class be a “multilevel” Rib Basket Classes,

Beginners will make a smallish rib basket, with or without a handle, and those with some experience can try a flat back basket to hang on the wall, or a tray shape or a funky free form shape or a 4 section base basket using Rib Basket technique. The Apr. and Sept. classes starts off with a “Gathering” expedition to a near by wetland at 9.00. We will discuss what plants are appropriate for basketry materials. Surprizingly, everything you need can be found in Eastern Ontario. We will experiment with processing materials, which should be used when “green”, i.e. as soon as we pick them, and which materials should be dried and then soaked until pliable enough to be used. We can make cordage by twisting leaves and corn husks.

Let’s hope the path will be drier than it is right now.  Rubber boots could be definitely in order! Note: In the months of May, June and early July there are just too many mosquitoes to undertake the gathering expedition, but, don’t worry, for these class dates, I will have previously gathered materials for you to use. 

The cost includes the materials for this project.

 

 

Testimonial:

“I really enjoyed weaving at your house, and just being around you and John was a pleasure. I would go again for another workshop. I did more in one weekend than I would have thought possible. Thanks for making it feel so easy. You have helped me build my confidence, exactly what I need.” Marie-Reine