This is a great beginner project with a fun and functional end result in only 4 to 6 hours. Once you've made this, you will have the basic understanding to make all sorts of baskets! Market basket is approximately 10" wide x 14" long x 14" tall.

There will be different options for making your basket unique. You can use a chain of color as in the picture, you can leave it plain, or you could add a few more rows of color. In the end, we can leave your basket natural reed colored, or stain it a slightly darker brown using crushed walnut shells as a dye.

About the instructor, Cristy Benson:

I have been making baskets for the past 8 years. I started with a few simple reed baskets and kits, then went to workshops at the Abbe Museum, a Basket Convention in Michigan, and had the privilege to study with Hisako Sekijima at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts.

My work using natural fibers such as Date Palm and locally harvested Spruce Bark has been exhibited at the Somesville Historical Society as part of their "Big and Small" Show, and I seasonally sell baskets at the SevenArts Gallery in the Maine Grind in Ellsworth. I love finding and processing natural materials such as vines and barks to turn into baskets.

As a former high school teacher, I love to teach and have had the privilege to teach basketry on Isle au Haut, Matinicus, Great Cranberry, and MDI both to adults and children.