Making the basket

Once the time-consuming harvest and processing are done, the basket can be made. If it is done right after harvest, the bark can be folded by holding it over a heat source--a hot, but not flaming, coal of a wood fire is best. If using dried bark, I hold it over steam to shape it. The bark is very sensitive to both heat and water so only a few seconds is needed.

Once formed, the basket is secured with clothespins. A strip of bark is added to the rim and a cranberry stem goes over it. The basket is then sewn with the spruce root. I use a leather punch to make the holes, but an awl or a sharpened nail can be used.