Nora Dauenhauer files away her weaving notes in her attache' case of;Chilkat weft yarns

For the past year, Della Cheney has been hosting a group of artists every Sunday afternoon at the Fireweed Place here in Juneau, Alaska.  Like Della, most of the artists are Ravenstail weavers, cedar bark and/or spruce root basket weavers, although some of them include additional talents like beadworking, and leather work making moccasins and mittens.  When Chilkat weavers joined the basket and Ravenstail  weavers last Sunday, Fireweed Place’s activity room was packed.  There was a lot of fun and excitement.  Time flew!

Yoko Kugo explains to Della Cheney the research she is conducting about whether or not there are effects of climate change on the cedar trees.

There are no specified “teachers” in the group, as we are all learning from one another and teaching one another.  There are those of us who know how to weave cedar bark hats, yet are learning how to make moccasins; those that know how to weave Ravenstail and are learning how to weave cedar; those teaching Chilkat who are learning Ravenstail.  The combination of learning and teaching goes on and on.

Lorraine DeAsis reinforces her children's knowledge of weaving cedar bark headbands and hats by weaving right along side all four. L to R: Patrice, Joshua, Lorraine, Armondo & Antonio

Leandrea Makaily works diligently on her Chilkat headband

Mary Ebona Miller is weaving three Ravenstail projects on her loom

Shgen George is spinning Chilkat warp on her thigh

Kendra Makaily is learning cross-stitching from Debra O'Gara

Lily Hudson is refreshing Nora's memory about weaving her "bear claw" pattern

A bowl of cedar bark soaks while Patrice DeAsis weaves a cedar bark hat

Eileen is one of Della’s basket weaving students; she has learned enough to pass on her knowledge to others in the group.  Although I started my cedar bark hat with Della almost two years ago in a class in Teslin, Yukon Territory, Eileen is helping me complete the very edge of the hat.  Both Della and Eileen are wonderful teachers.  I’m enjoying the comraderie of these women and all those who are attending the Sunday gatherings.

Eileen Wagner shows Dorothy Owen the 6-strand finishing row of her cedar bark hat

Of course, there are some of us who bring food to share.  Eileen is one of those follks.  She has been co-hosting this gathering of weavers every Sunday with Della Cheney providing some sort of a hot dish of salmon with rice, snacks and vanilla wafers.  She takes really good care of us “kids!”  We wanna come back every Sunday for more of everything!