Hi you! Happy September!

Goldenrod is blooming, the song of cicadas fills the air . . . and our vegetable garden is bursting with all kinds of abundance. (Need any tomatoes?)

When I was growing up in rural Missouri, we grew a lot of our own food. With a family the size of ours, processing the harvest was a hyyuuuge amount of work. But it didn't feel heavy when we did it together. And when someone started singing and the rest of us joined in, the time flew.

As an entrepreneur who works from home, I've felt lonely for that kind of togetherness in work for a while. It sometimes seems hard to make time for some of the best parts of being a human.

I've been realizing that if I want depth of connection outside of my comfortable bubble, I have to be deliberate and plan it in. And what a better time to do it, than when there's work that can be done side by side, like at harvest time?

So, I've got a different kind of harvest project this year. I need to make a whole lot of baskets for the farmer's market weekends in October. Weaving side by side with you sounds like a whole lot of fun to me. Would you like to join me? Bring your weaving or other creative project. We'll potluck drinks and snacks. And maybe there will be free tomatoes, and maybe there will be singing . . . .

Announcing:

September Basket Weaving/Creativity Meetups

Where: Virtual and Northfield locations TBA (think Bridge Square or Little Joy or Raven's Nest or Keepsake Cidery). Specifics available when you sign up for notifications.

When: this week: Thursday and Friday, 1:30-3:30 (Coincides with Crafternoons). Then, schedule varies; four times per week between now and October, and possibly into October as needed. Various times to fit my own schedule, typically mornings or mid-afternoons.

Cost: Free to show up and weave (or do your other creative project). If you want me to teach you, 1:1 basket weaving lessons available on request for $60 per session.

Who: All ages are welcome.

Details: I am scheduling up to four basket weaving/creativity meetups per week through the end of the month and possibly in October, if needed.

These weaving meetups are open to folks of all ages and abilities. Those who have taken my basket weaving classes or learned via my book (or otherwise already know how to weave) can bring their own materials and join at no cost (and I'll have plenty of extras so don't worry if you want to come and don't have materials yet).

For newbies, I'll also have spaces for a couple of 1:1 basket weaving lessons per week ahead of the meetups. First come first served, so respond to this email ASAP if you would like to reserve a spot. I'll bring all tools and supplies.

Virtual option: There will be a Google Meet option if you're not in Northfield and want to join with whatever creative project you've got going.

Sign up below to get notified where and when these meetups will be happening.

Hope to see you soon!

Trina

PS It's time to harvest cattails for basketry where I live, and also a great time to harvest daylily and iris leaves. If you want to learn more about when and how to harvest and prepare natural materials for weaving, I go over all of that in my brand new book: How to Weave A Tiny Baskets With Natural Foraged Materials.

From one reviewer on Amazon:
​“This is a beautiful book! A quick read and a great reference to keep on hand. The author offers a fast way to get up to speed on basket weaving, showing you a few easy-to-find plants you probably already have in your yard or neighborhood. The color-coded weaving examples are especially helpful, easy to follow and understand. The book also includes plenty of extra resources, tips, guidance, and a community support system to help you make your own darling baby baskets. Highly recommend!”

You can get the e-book or paperback on Amazon, AND if you'd like more of your money to go to me, you can get the paperback version directly from me -- I expect to be getting the shipment on September 9, and will send out your copy then along with a thank you gift that will help you with your weaving. (Pre-order a copy here.)