Cedar Basket Weaving: Traditional Miniature Baby Pack Board • Weekend Beach Retreat
on the Beautiful Olympic Peninsula: NEXT WORKSHOP DATES: Nov 10-12, 2023 (Fri-Sun, 3 days, 2 nights), Email relax@bullmanbeach.com if you are interested in joining the next workshop or if you would like to schedule a private workshop.
Image: This packboard is full-sized and was used to hold Violet, Samantha’s baby. You will make a miniature version of this packboard in the workshop.
Venture to a secluded beach hideaway for a weekend-long cedar weaving workshop instructed by Melissa Peterson, traditional Makah basket-maker, and her daughter, Samantha Della-Devoney. Together they will offer the opportunity to learn about this unique skill and to put it into practice making your own 10-inch Traditional Woven Miniature Baby Packboard.
The workshop retreat will be hosted at Bullman Beach Inn (5 miles east of Neah Bay, WA). Travel along the scenic Strait of Juan de Fuca & settle in for the weekend in cozy and clean beachfront lodging. Workshop space is on site at Bullman Beach Inn, just steps away from your room and the beach. Leave distractions behind and immerse yourself in the natural and inspiring landscape while crafting a beautiful keepsake.
Materials: Each student should bring a pocket knife or other small knife for splitting. All other materials and handouts provided. Capped at 10 participants*. Participant spots will be filled first with those booking accommodation on site – any additional openings will be released once Bullman Beach Inn rooms have filled (to those who have accommodations elsewhere).
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS:
Melissa Peterson and Samantha Della Devoney are Makah tribal basket makers. They are a generational teaching team who have taught basket weaving for two decades together.
Melissa has made numerous traditional cedar baby pack boards for her own children and grandkids; her basket-making history goes back five decades and a few. Samantha made her first basket at twelve years old. She has been weaving for twenty-seven years. Her daughter Violet age ten just made her first basket. Violet has come to every class her ma and gram have taught together. Three generations will help you make a beautiful cedar baby pack board.
Weekend Retreat Workshop includes:
- Workshop led by Melissa Peterson & Samantha Della-Devoney ($200/person – paid separately from lodging)
- Two nights lodging at Bullman Beach Inn at special retreat rates
(Rooms 2, 4 and 5 have one queen bed and a hide-a-bed couch. Room 1 has two twin beds and a hide-a-bed couch. All rooms have full kitchen, living room and full bath. No smoking indoors, no pets. See website for more info & images.) - S’mores by the fire (Saturday, weather permitting)
Retreat and Lodging:
Participants receive $15 off our regular nightly rates for November (see regular rates here: https://bullmanbeach.com/view-rooms/)
** Participants will not be placed at random with other participants in rooms. Those wanting to share a room must register together.
Retreat Schedule
Friday, November 10
Check-in 2pm or after unless arranged in advance
6:00-9:00 pm
Meet & greet, short orientation & begin project
Saturday, November 11
9am – 12pm
Workshop
12pm-1pm
Lunch/break (on your own)
1pm – 6:30pm
Workshop
6:30pm – 8pm
Dinner on your own (Optional order-in dinner from Calvin’s Crabhouse based on availability – not included in registration price) / Free time
8pm
DIY beach bonfire (We will supply wood and s’mores fixings – weather &workshop permitting, you are also welcome to start one earlier)
Sunday, November 12
9am – 11am
Workshop: Finish project
12noon
Check-out
Ideas for early arrivals / extended stays:
Check-in on Friday is 2pm or after unless arranged in advance. Some attendees may choose to add a night or two onto either end of the workshop retreat (you will receive the retreat nightly rate for a night on either end). You could even fit in one or two of these activities with a 2pm Friday arrival:
– Enjoy the Makah Reservation:
- Cape Flattery (Northwestern-most point in the lower 48) (11 miles away, trail is ~1.5mi roundtrip)
- Hobuck Beach
- Tsoo-Yess Beach
- Shi Shi Beach Trail (13 miles from BBI, ~4mi roundtrip, more if you walk to Point of the Arches)
- Makah Museum / Makah Cultural & Research Center (Give yourself at least an hour. Gift shop open during museum hours. There is a basket exhibition currently on display.)
- Surf, beachcomb, hike, birdwatch
- We also highly recommend taking all the opportunities you have to walk along Bullman Beach or to watch the waves roll in from the warmth and coziness of your room. No need to venture far, or at all 🙂
A bit further away, but also perhaps on the way depending on which way you’re coming from:
- Ozette Trail(s)
- Hurricane Ridge
- Lake Crescent
- La Push
- Rialto Beach
- Hoh Rainforest
Click on the “Explore” tab on our website for more ideas on where and what to explore.
CALL 360.645.2306 to RESERVE YOUR SPOT!
Email or call for questions. relax@bullmanbeach.com