My name is Penny Hewitt. Among other things, I am a homeschooling mom, craftsperson and homesteader, who is inspired by the traditions of other cultures to revitalize and share skills useful to everyday life. I strive to grow, craft and participate in seasonal harvests for as many of my needs and wants as possible. I am grateful to be part of a generous community of talented makers and growers with whom I trades skills, ideas and wares. I use hand-harvested resources from the forest, letting the qualities of varying materials dictate their use. I believe we all hold the capacity for positive change in the world and even the smallest steps toward reclaiming agency over our lives and wellbeing reverberate far beyond what we can see and know.
Thank you for your interest in checking out what I have to offer.
Basketry workshops
Make your own basket and in the process learn one of the oldest crafts in human history. For thousands of years baskets served as indispensable objects in every culture. Carry on the tradition and take home a beautiful, durable and useful basket crafted from local and responsibly harvested, birch bark or hand pounded black ash logs. Take a scheduled workshop or host your own.
2021 Workshops
~April 11-13 Black Ash Pack Baskets -private workshop for Kroka Expeditions in Marlow, NH
~April 26-28 Black Ash Baskets -private workshop for Kroka Expeditions in Marlow, NH
~May 8th Black Ash Berry Baskets at Sanborn Mills Farm in Loudon, NH
~May 22nd Black Ash Berry Baskets at Roots School in Bradford, VT
~June 5th-6th at Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro, VT
~June 12th Black Ash Berry Baskets at White River Craft Center in Randolph, VT
~June 19th Black Ash Berry Baskets at Fletcher Farm School for Arts and Crafts in Ludlow, VT
~June 20th Black Ash Berry Baskets at River Arts in Morrisville, VT
~June 25th -27th Black Ash Berry Baskets at the Sloyd Skills Gathering in Stannard, VT
~July 3rd-4th Black Ash Pack Baskets as part of The Gatherers Program at Roots School in Bradford, VT
~July 10th -11th Birch Bark Tote Baskets at Sanborn Mills Farm in Loudon, NH
~July 24th- 25th Workhorse Tote (black ash with mixed bark) at Cloud Mountain Living Arts in Roxbury, VT
~August 15th-21st Fingers crossed, I’ll be teaching something at Traditional Ways Gathering in Ashland, WI
~September 4-6 Roots Rendezvous at Roots School in Bradford, VT
~September 11th-12th Workhorse Tote(black ash with mixed bark)White River Craft Center in Randolph, VT
~October 2nd Birch Bark Ornaments at White River Craft Center in Randolph, VT
~October 16th-17th Black Ash Pack Baskets at Roots School in Bradford, Vt
Workshop Descriptions
~Black Ash Berry Basket ~ This is a great introduction to the extraordinary qualities of the black ash tree. Weave a round basket, approximately 6”x 6” with optional strap in a six hour class that includes a discussion on how the material is harvested and processed. This is a great class for ages 8 to adult.
~Mixed Bark Foraging Basket~ Start with a black ash base and use a variety of barks to create your own unique design. Add a leather strap and you are ready for a mushroom walk, patch of wild berries or a convenient place by the door to put your keys or mail. One day workshop for adults and teens.
~Black Ash Pack Basket ~ Weave an approximately 18” tall traditional Adirondack pack basket with cedar runners and base and adjustable harness. This basket is made to last and be used. The workshop is two full days and will include a discussion on how the material is harvested and processed. There is also the option of adding a half day to this workshop, so students can have the opportunity to pound a black ash log to acquire their own material. This is a great class for teens and adults.
~Birch Bark Basket ~ Create a double woven diagonal plaited basket and experience the amazing qualities of the inner bark of the white birch tree. Students will have some choices in the shape and rim design. Included is a discussion on how the material is sustainably harvested and processed. This class is for teens and adults.
~Birch Bark Pouch~ Weave a diagonal plaited birch bark pouch, approximately 6″x 8″x 2″ with a leather flap and strap; great as a small purse or tool pouch. This is a two-day class that includes a discussion on how birch bark is sustainably harvested and processed. This class is for teens and adults.
~Birch Bark Wallet~ Weave a diagonal plaited birch bark wallet with a leather flap. This is a one day class that includes a discussion of how birch bark is sustainably harvested and processed. This class is for teens and adults.
~Birch Bark Ornaments ~ Enjoy the simple pleasure of creating a decoration or gift from materials responsibly harvested on my Northeast Kingdom farm. Utilizing techniques common to the Scandinavian and Russian style of basketry, you will craft birds and stars using strips of inner bark from the paper birch in this three hour workshop. You will also learn how these materials are harvested and prepared. This class is for teens, adults and younger children/adult pairs.
~Willow Tension Trays~ Craft a simple serving tray or trivet from locally harvested willow and red osier. Learn some basic weaving techniques and take home a useful handmade item that looks great hanging on the wall when not in use. This is a three hour class for ages 10 and up or as young as 5 with an adult helper.
~Workhorse Tote~ Mostly black ash, with the option to add some willow or birch bark to the design. Leather straps and a filled bottom with protective runners, make this basket a super sturdy one for toting tools, farmer’s market finds, picnic lunches or anything else you can think of.
Learn all the basics of black ash basketry plus some additional skills. In this two day workshop, students will experience all the steps in the process, from a demonstration of pounding the log, to weaving their own unique basket.
If you are interested in scheduling or hosting a workshop, please email me at 68pennyg@gmail.com
Workshops and Demonstrations
SEPTEMBER 12-13 2020 OUTDOOR, COVID FRIENDLY PACK BASKET WORKSHOP AT BEAUTIFUL CLOUD MOUNTAIN LIVING ARTS TO REGISTER OR INQUIRE EMAIL PENNY AT 68PENNYG@GMAIL.COM
2020
January 25th -26th~ Black Ash Pack Baskets in Walden VT at Walden Heights Nursery To register email Penny at 68pennyg@gmail.com
February 1st~ Black Ash Berry Baskets in Liberty ME at Water Street Learning Center
February 2nd~ Black Ash Berry Baskets in Yarmouth Maine at Artascope
February 8th~ Birch Bark Baskets in St. Johnsbury at Catamount Arts
February 15th~ Black Ash Berry Baskets in Greensboro VT at Highland Center for the Arts
March 8th~ Mixed Bark Foraging Basket in Burlington VT at Gardner’s Supply
March 22nd~ Mixed Bark Foraging Baskets in Lebanon NH at Gardner’s Supply
May 30th-31st~ Day pack sized Black Ash Pack Baskets in Ludlow VT at Fletcher Farm School forArts and Crafts
June 19th-21st~ Sloyd Skills Gathering in Stannard VT . A weekend of traditional handcraft workshops.
July 18th~ Black Ash Berry Baskets in Louden NH at Sanborn Mills Farm.
2019
February 25th~ Black Ash Berry Baskets in Montpelier. Contact Lindsey Warren for registration: vermontvocalwork@gmail.com
March 20th~ Willow Trays in Jeffersonville. FULL
June 28-30~Sloyd Skills Gathering in Stannard VT. A weekend of traditional handcraft workshops. I will be teaching birch bark wallets and stars. Many other workshops. Website link to come.
July 6th~ Black Ash Berry Baskets at Fletcher Farm School for Arts and Crafts in Ludlow VT
July 14th~ Black Ash Berry Baskets at Free Verse Farm in Chelsea VT.
July 20th~ Black Ash Berry Baskets at Wandering Roots Farm inFletcher VT. Pick your own blueberries into your newly made basket!
August 11-17th~ Traditional Ways Gathering in WI. Birch bark ornaments
October 12th and 13th~ Apples and Crafts in Woodstock VT. Selling and demonstrating.
November 2nd~ Birch Bark Ornaments at Railyard Apothecary in Burlington VT
November 9th~Birch Bark Ornaments at Fletcher Farm School for Arts and Crafts in Ludlow VT
November 17th~Birch Bark Ornaments at River Arts in Morrisville VT.
November 20th~ Birch Bark Ornaments at Gardner’s Supply in Burlington VT
November 24th~Birch Bark Ornaments at Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro VT
November 30th~Birch bark Ornaments at Sugar House Workshop in Sandgate VT
December 3rd~ Birch Bar Ornaments at Grace in Hardwick VT
December 7th~Birch Bark Ornaments at Catamount Arts in St. Johnsbury VT
For Sale~
Please ask about custom orders.
Shipping is in addition to the prices given.
Birch bark ornaments or tree toppers, 9″ $50
Birch Bark Ornaments
Stars $20 + $5 shipping no matter how many you get!
Birds $20+ $5 shipping no matter how many you get!
Birch Bark Wallets
$55 
$45
$55 
$55
Pack Baskets
18″ high, leather harness $350 or webbing harness $300
Smaller, 12-14″ high with leather harness $225
Birch Bark Pouches
$90 SOLD $120 $150 5.5″x7″x2″
$100sold 
8.5″x9″x2.5″
$250 SOLD
Top left, $65, top right $100, bottom $100
Black ash baskets with leather strap. Great for berry picking or hanging by the door for keys and mail. Larger ones available for mittens and hats or bigger harvesting opportunities!
$75-85
Mixed bark foraging basket or purse
$90 each Left one SOLD
Birch Bark Card Holder/Wallet
$22 each
Folded birch bark containers
$40-90
