Small and Medium Birch
Birch bark, willow bark, hosta stems (plaiting)
Up on the Porch Roof, Portland, ME
I made these baskets from birch bark I foraged while walking my dog. They’re finished with a willow-bark rim and hand-split Hosta-stem lashing, emphasizing strength, utility, and restraint. The natural variation in the bark speaks to the forest where it was found. They’re meant to be used, not idealized—an object shaped by material limits, repetition, and the quiet problem-solving of making by hand.
The smaller square basket is the first I made from bark. It is crafted from birch and willow bark gathered within a half-mile of my home. The rim is lashed with dried Hosta stems from my garden. The basket’s simple construction highlights how everyday natural elements around us can be gathered, processed, and shaped into a functional container.
