The art of indigenous basket weaving is being kept alive and well by practitioner Dolly Jerome with 12 women gathering in the craftroom at The Potting Shed last week for a two-day workshop to learn the skill.
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Ms Jerome said the workshop came about just from her visits to the store to stock up on items she uses in her work like balls of twine. She got talking with Gayle Wilkinson at the shop about the possibility of a workshop and next she knew there were nine women lined up, and then 11…
Participants learned not only how to construct baskets but also how to select suitable plant material, which may even be growing in their garden. Ms Jerome said flax, lomandra, palms, currajong, ivy, thornless roses (which she likes for their long slender arms) and even blackberry can all be harvested for the purpose.
She also discussed introduced plants and her passion for finding uses for so-called weeds. Weaving is also a way to use all of a plant.
Ms Jerome said she would save the seedhead for next year’s crop, and then use the remaining plant material for items like baskets, mats, strainers and even fishing nets.
“Matt (Richardson, The Potting Shed proprietor) offered the use of the back room and it’s a wonderful little place,” she said.
“We had a very good, fun time together.”
Mr Richardson said the newly-created Gather & Yarn space is designed for such workshops and the retail of homewares. He and Ms Wilkinson are putting together a calendar of upcoming workshops of a similar vein to take advantage of the facility. Keep on eye on the instagram feed @_thepotting_shed.
As well as making new acquaintances Ms Jerome said it was an opportunity to catch up with old friends, including her former high school English teacher which was daunting to start with but worked out well.
Participants came from as far as Stanthorpe to learn firsthand, and everyone’s keen for more.
“It’s a lifelong skill,” Ms Jerome said.
“You can use it when you’re camping or going for bushwalks. It’s great to share some aboriginal culture that’s been handed done over thousands of years, and now it’s in use again.
“It’s important to keep the tradition alive.”