Basket Weaving at The Adult School begins October 8th

Looking to try out a new craft in a fun and social environment?  The hippest new craft in town is coming to the Adult School.  

Join with fellow students as they find their imaginations challenged and develop new skills or perfect old ones.  Experiment with reed and wood to spark new ideas to create innovative baskets while learning about color, texture, shape and execution. 

ABOUT THE TEACHER AND THE CLASS
Lesley Kurtz Schiftic holds a BA from George Washington University and a Masters from NYU, and she did not major in “underwater basket weaving “ as the old joke goes.    She did however, have a long career in museum education and corporate philanthropy. Studying metal-smithing and jewelry as a hobby for over twenty years, Lesley is a crafter at heart.  Several years ago she was offered a chance to teach basket weaving to children and she jumped on it.  Through her company Art Starts, she teaches “Wee Weavers” to elementary school age children, teaches basketry full time at a local day camp and throughout the year hosts Birthday Basket Bash for all ages. 

Basket weaving is a great combination of knitting and pottery.  Each basket takes on its own look as it is woven.   As the basket takes form, it begins a life of its own, similar to throwing on the wheel in pottery.  As there are endless patterns and a variety of stitches it is related to knitting.  It's always amazing to see that the same base, same materials will end up being so uniquely different.    Using wood reed in a variety of shapes and sizes, from round to flat, adding embellishments as the weaver sees fit creates the designs for each.

Basketry is a great way to clear your mind and get creative.  Since the stitches take focus it is never boring or simply repetitive but rather mesmerizing and absorbing.  Basketry is easy to for beginners to master and builds on skills for new challenges.  And the best part, you can never have too many baskets!  

To register, click here or call (973) 378-7620.

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