Nantucket Baskets at the Hattie Weselyk Studio – January 8 & 15

Instructor: Bob Antonishak

Skill Level: Some basket weaving experience is preferred but not required

This workshop will include the use of all necessary tools, mold, cane, and reed to complete a Nantucket basket ready for finishing.  The mold size will be between 3 and 5 inches with a solid cherry rim and base.  It is not necessary to have basket-making experience but would be helpful.

The Nantucket style basket is made on a mold using cane and reed material.   The weave is tight and with narrow spacing between the staves.

The first true Lightship Baskets were made in the mid- to late 1800s aboard the Lightship stationed on the Nantucket Shoals. The first Lightship Station on the Nantucket Island Shoal was established in June 1854 and crewed by six men.^[4] Deployments aboard the Lightship often lasted for 30 days and the crewmembers generally had little to do.^[5] The earliest Lightship Baskets begin appearing in the 1860s and are generally of more utilitarian form. The first purse style basket with a lid was made by Lightship Captain Charles Ray (1798–1884) and is relatively similar to the type sold today. Lightship basket bases, rims, and staves tended to be made on-island, with lightship crewmembers bringing these items on board the ship to do the actual weaving, and help pass the time. The molds were originally made from old cut-up ships’ masts.

If you have any questions please contact Bob Antonishak at raa108@yahoo.com.

Please note *** A materials fee of $20 is included in the tuition.

Cancellation/Refund Policy: 

The Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen does not provide cash refunds for cancellation of classes unless the class is canceled by the instructor or the Guild. In order to request a withdrawal from a workshop, students must contact the Guild by phone at 717-431-8706 or email handmade@pacrafts.org at least 7 days before the class. Students who request a withdrawal at least 7 days prior to the class will receive a 100% tuition class credit.

Please note that we are unable to provide refunds for missed classes due to personal scheduling conflicts.