One Day Class

Instructor: Joan Betzold

Students will learn how to make a Traditional Egg Basket. This is a classic “rib” basket, woven completely differently than the familiar over under weave of the splint basket weaving. This basket is a bit challenging and is NOT for first time weavers. Students will learn the God’s eye construction method and will be able to choose dyed fiber to create a unique basket.

Class will begin promptly at 10:00am, students should arrive a few minutes early to set up their workstation. 

Supplies List: (Students should bring these items with them)

• Old towel
• Bucket or basin to hold approximately 2 gallons of water
• Sharpened pencil
• Measuring tape
• 12 large wooden clip style clothespins
• A brick or something similar wrapped in plastic wrap
• Spray bottle
• A regular screw driver with a straight slot
• Sharp good-sized scissors
• A pocket knife
• A packed lunch, snacks and drink

Teacher Bio: Joan Betzold grew up in a family of craftsmen/women and attributes much of her success to her “crafty” genes. Healthcare was another part of Joan’s family background; so loving both, she got her B.S. in Therapeutic Recreation so she could share her love of crafting/recreation with many special populations. After pursuing her Master’s degree, she founded a healthcare consulting firm to assist troubled healthcare providers to survive and thrive. In 1998, after the sudden death of her husband, a retired U.S. Army officer, from Agent Orange from Vietnam service, Joan decided life really was too short. After her two children were on their own, Joan began her second career as a basket weaver by turning a hobby into a full time passion. Joan has won many awards in local and state fairs, as well as art shows. She has been featured in Maryland Life Magazine and participates in as many as 45 art/colonial market fairs/craft shows annually in the mid-Atlantic area. Joan’s passion for basket weaving has produced many awards and she is humbled by the fact that she has won “Basket of the Year”, Recycling Project of the Year and People’s Choice Award all at the Maryland State Fair and many other awards at prestigious art shows. For three years she has been honored to be the Basket Weaving Judge at the Maryland State Fair. In 2018, Joan was honored to be the Featured Artist for the Pennsylvania Herb and Garden Show and the Featured Artist for Heart of Lancaster Arts and Craft Show.

Joan weaves very traditionally, using age old techniques with no molds, nails, glue, tape or staples. Each basket is “one of a kind, made one at a time. “ Joan restores chairs including, caning, splinting, and rushing. Another passion of Joan is repurposing. She combines these two interests in what are becoming her signature unique baskets incorporating vintage kitchen items, gardening and other tools. Joan loves to do custom work and coming up with just the right thing for a customer. Joan enjoys teaching and demonstrating, especially to children as a way for them to be introduced to weaving and handcrafts of the past. This passion has expanded into demonstrating weaving at all shows she attends and teaching weaving almost weekly at a dozen museums/sites in the mid-Atlantic area. Joan is thrilled to have nearly 800 students across the mid Atlantic, many who drive several hours to take a class. Joan’s customers include stores, gift shops, art galleries, individuals, companies, political figures, members of the military, municipalities and other government entities.