Weave a White Oak Grape Picking Basket
Taught by Billy Owens
***CLICK HERE*** for more information or to register
Everyone will leave this class with a beautiful piece of our Ozark tradition. The Grape Basket is a small market basket that is about 6" x 12" long with an oak herringbone bottom. It is approximately 6.5" deep and has a handle. You will weave it over a mold. All participants will finish their basket in class.
All materials come from White Oak trees selected, cut, and prepared by Instructor Billy Owens using a homemade tool ( split knife) made and used by his father, Dale Owens. Billy will share everything concerning white oak. He will go over how he selects trees, what he looks for in timber, and how he hand splits the tree into pliable weaving material.
The class cost includes materials and admission to the Craft Village.
Lodging is available in the park at our Cabins at Dry Creek, newly remodeled duplex-style hotel rooms. There is a Folk School discount for students booking more than 3 days. Call the Cabins office at 800-264-3655 to book with the discount. To book rooms for less than 3 days, visit our web site at OzarkFolkCenter.com
Meet your teacher:
Owens Oak Baskets is located in the Ozark Hills of Southwest Missouri near Branson, MO. It is family owned & operated solely by the Owens family for generations. Dale Owens, was the founder of Owens Oak Baskets. He made baskets many years ago for "Mutton Hallow", "Silver Dollar City", & "Shepard of the Hills" in Branson, Missouri. Billy Owens was taught by his father the Owens' traditional way of making baskets and he now carries on the family business and shares his skills with students around the nation.
Billy personally harvests, cuts, and splits, all by hand, the white oak that is used in all the kits, supplies, and baskets. All of the work is done by him & the many Owens family members. Being a large and blessed family, consisting of Billy & Theresa, their daughters, Stacie, Jamie, Bo, Frankie, Dena, and their son Kase, their Sons-in-Law, and their twelve grandchildren. The Owens family all want to say thank you to their many patrons and students for making it possible for them to be able to share their family tradition of white oak basket making.