“I was asked to design a backpack by a young woman,” Joan says. “I told her, ‘I don’t do backpacks.Go to Ebay and find an antique Adirondack backpack.’ She told me they were too heavy and too big. She just knew I would make her one. And I did.”
Joan Betzold, a basket weaver and weaving teacher for over 30 years, attends 40+ art, folk art, colonial, fiber and gardening shows a year. She has been honored as the Featured Artist at several nationally recognized shows. Joan designs, dyes the fibers, and weaves her original baskets using centuries-old techniques without nails, glue, staples or molds. She is well known for her award winning custom designs as well as unusual baskets incorporating vintage tools, kitchen items, antlers, or a treasured piece from a loved one. She teaches weaving at many local museums as well as privately. For several years she has been asked to serve as the basket weaving judge at the Maryland State Fair. Learn more: http://www.partnershipcrafts.
TERMS and CONDITIONS: Open to adults and older teens. Because individual material kits are purchased and prepared for each student, cancellations will incur a $40 processing fee. Cancellations not accepted within a week of the course date. Every student will need to bring a basin or bucket that will hold 2 gallons, a spray bottle for water, an old towel, 12 large clip-type clothes pins, regular screw driver, a sharpened pencil, a measuring tape, a brick or something heavy wrapped in plastic wrap, and a pocket knife and/or sharp scissors. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
