Explore our willow basketry, soapmaking, mending, herbalism classes, and more.
We think that reskilling and community connection are important, gratifying and truly provide both a reconnection and a way forward. This year, we are happy to offer courses in willow basketry, soapmaking, visible mending, folk herbalism and more. We invite you to join us in relearning these ancestral skills.
Ohio Workshops
Garden Basket
May 30-31, Gracious Farm in Goshen, Ohio
$325, Register here
Willow Foraging Bag
July 15-16 Agraria Center for Regenerative Practice
Yellow Springs, OH
Registration coming soon.
Soap-Making
July 25 Agraria Center for Regenerative Practice
Yellow Springs, OH
Registration coming soon.
DIY laundry soap, cleaning, and personal care products
July 26, Agraria Center for Regenerative Practice,
Yellow Springs, OH
Registration coming soon.
Harvest Basket
Sept 26-27 Agraria Center for Regenerative Practice,
Yellow Springs, OH
Registration coming soon.
Land-based Crafting: Herbal Tincturing 101 (AM and PM)
Sunday, October 25
Registration coming soon at https://cwpd.recdesk.com/Community/Program
Ages 18 and up
AM session: 10:00 – 12:00
PM session: 1:00 – 3:00
Grant Park, Kennard
6588 McEwen Rd.
Fee: $70 ($50 base fee + $15 materials + $5 to pay park district)
Registration Deadline: Sunday, October 18
Join Beth Bridgeman, a full-time maker and weaver from Yellow Springs, Ohio in two unique workshop offerings this fall! Her expansive knowledge of land-based (nature-centered) making, crafting and life skills will guide participants and challenge them as they learn new skills and craft beautiful creations by hand. Sign up for one or both of these programs!
In this workshop, you will learn how to make herbal tinctures for yourself, friends and family. You will learn about several safe, effective adaptogenic herbs and the unique properties and benefits of each of them. You will also learn about marks and menstruum and the variety of liquids that you can use for tincturing, and finally, you will take home several tinctures that you make in class!
The AM and PM sessions of this program are the same- program- please select one to register for.
Land-based Crafting: Cold Process Soap
Registration coming soon at https://cwpd.recdesk.com/Community/Program
Ages 18 and up
Friday, November 20
AM: 9:00 – 1:00pm
PM: 2:00 – 6:00pm
Activity Center Park, Community Room
221 N Main St.
Fee: $80 residents ($75 baseline fee + $5 to pay park district)
Registration Deadline: Friday, November 13
Join Beth Bridgeman, a full-time maker and weaver from Yellow Springs, Ohio in two unique workshop offerings this fall! Her expansive knowledge of land-based (nature-centered) making, crafting and life skills will guide participants and challenge them as they learn new skills and craft beautiful creations by hand. Sign up for one or both of these programs!
November’s workshop will focus on cold-pressed soap making. We will learn to make soap through cold processing, using lye and fat to build our bars as well as essential oils and natural colorants. Participants will walk away with 8 – 10 bars of gentle, natural and handmade soap just in time for the holiday season. You will also learn about the process, the history of soap crafting, and gain the confidence to make your own soap at home. All materials are included. Light refreshments will be provided.
The AM and PM sessions of this program are the same- program- please select one to register for.
Land-based Crafting: Visible Mending
Registration coming soon at https://cwpd.recdesk.com/Community/Program
Ages 18 and up
Saturday, January 9
AM – 10:00 – 12:00
PM – 1:00 – 3:00
Bill Yeck Park Smith House
2230 E Centerville Station Rd.
Fee: $35 ($30 baseline price + $5 to pay the park district)
Registration Deadline: Sunday, January 2
Join Beth Bridgeman, a full-time maker and weaver from Yellow Springs, Ohio in two unique workshop offerings this spring!. Her expansive knowledge of land-based (nature-centered) making, crafting and life skills will guide participants and challenge them as they learn new skills and craft beautiful creations by hand. Sign up for one or both of these programs!
This month’s workshop will focus on visible mending. What if worn fabric, rips, tears and other damage to clothing was an opportunity rather than a problem? Mending is a skill that teaches not only a form of fiber art but also contradicts our culture of use-and-waste. If you have moth eaten wool garments, try your hand at needle felting to cover them up. Learn about sashiko and boro stitching, creating playful embroidery figures to cover worn areas, and how to make creative patches. Bring your clothing in need of repair, or simply try out the skill on provided scrap fabric. All materials will be provided.
The AM and PM sessions of this program are the same- program- please select one to register for
Regional Workshops-Pennsylvania, Michigan
Willow Foraging Bag
June 6-7. Tillers International in Scotts, Michigan.
$280, SOLD OUT.
Contact tillers@tillersinternational.org to be placed on wait list.
In this course, you will learn to work with willow, making a stake and strand foraging bag that you can use for many years. On the first day, you will learn how to make an oval base, insert stakes, weave the upsett, and begin weaving the sides, using the French rand method. On the second day, you will continue the weaving, weaving to the top of the bag, complete the border and add a carrying strap. You’ll Walk Away With:
-A beautiful, handwoven bag you made yourself and that will last for decades
-The skills to make an additional bag on your own at home
-Hands-on experience with creating bases, twining, waling, French randing and borders
-Confidence to try again!
Moderate hand strength is recommended for this workshop. Arrive with a willingness to learn, a sense of humor, and patience with yourself and others. We will be working steadily and have a lot to get through!
Willow Asymmetrical Basket
September 19-20 at the National Apple Museum in Biglerville, PA
$327, SOLD OUT
Contact inchbyinchwillows@gmail.com to join wait list
We will weave an asymmetrical basket with the instructor Beth Bridgeman. This will hold the space for you for the 2-day class in September. More information to follow. Location will be at the National Apple Museum in Biglerville, PA 17307. A fifty dollar registration fee will be rolled into the final cost. This registration fee is fully refundable up to 14 days prior to the class date.
Private Lessons and Workshops
Have you been thinking about taking a workshop to learn how to weave a willow basket?
Private basketry lessons are offered for one to three individuals at a time in Beth’s home studio in Yellow Springs, Ohio. A private lesson for one person is $200 per day. A private lesson for two to three people is $175 per person per day.
Some baskets can be made in a day, but most classes require two days. Some, such as backpacks, often require three. I offer workshops in specific baskets, such as asymmetrical, round and oval shoppers, garden baskets, backpacks, foraging totes and purses, lipped trays, charcuterie boards, bird feeders, etc. Private lessons offer an opportunity for you to make a basket of your own choosing.
Group lessons for 4 to 8 people can be booked at your location. Group lessons at your location are $150 per person per day. Depending on distance, there may be an additional fee for mileage.
Contact Beth at bbridgeman1@gmail.com to schedule private or group lessons.
One Full Day Private Lesson
One full day private basketry lesson, 9am to 3pm in my home studio in Yellow Springs, Ohio. I can accommodate one to eight people. A lesson must be purchased for each person in the group. The fee includes the cost of materials. Contact me at bbridgeman1@gmail.com about dates and times that will work for both of us. Please include information about what kind of basket you would like to make. Please note: some baskets take multiple days to complete.