Spend the day unwinding, learning and weaving Pine Needles and Gourds into natural works of art. Purchase tickets here. 

During this workshop, we’ll work with two natural materials that have been used across cultures for generations: gourds and pine needles. We’ll begin with an introduction to gourds: what they are, how they grow, and how they’ve been traditionally used for vessels, tools, and art. Before any weaving begins, we’ll scrub and clean our gourds, decorate them, and drill holes around the rim to get them ready for weaving.

Then I’ll demonstrate the basics of pine needle weaving and how to use the pine needles to embellish and transform the gourd. Along the way, I’ll share cultural context, highlighting Indigenous, African, and global traditions that use gourds and coiled basketry for everyday and ceremonial life.

All materials will be provided, including prepared gourds and pine needles. No prior experience is needed; this class is beginner-friendly. Participants will leave with a finished or nearly finished woven gourd, along with the skills and confidence to continue exploring this craft at home. Additional Pine needle bundles and gourds will be for sale for future projects at the end of class.

Date: Sunday October 11th, from 10am – 4:30pm

Cost: $235 wich includes all materials ($20).

Instructor Abeni ‘Abi’ Pierson: is a Chicagoland native, fiber artist, educator, and the founder of Where the Pines Grow. She studied fashion design at Columbia College Chicago, but over time felt pulled away from the fashion industry and toward a more sustainable way of making. She works with plant fibers she forages, cleans, and dyes by hand. Abeni is committed to keeping the language of American folk arts alive by leading workshops around the U.S. in pine needle weaving, gourd carving, cattail weaving, and broom corn weaving. Her classes are welcoming and grounding, encouraging people to slow down, create with their hands, and reconnect with the natural world. For more about Abi and her work, visit Wherethepinesgrow.com or insta: @wherethe_pinesgrow.

Want to learn more?: You are also encouraged to attend Abi’s Broom-making Workshop on Saturday Ocotober 10th at Fibershed to createyour own brooms using natural materials, including Broomcorn.

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Fibershed Scholarship Program

Fibershed offers limited workshop scholarships to students, people on a fixed income, and those whose financial situation makes the class unattainable. If you would not otherwise be able to attend, and would like to be considered as a scholarship recipient, please see our Scholarship Application. Responses will be reviewed by Learning Center staff and kept strictly confidential.

About the Travel / Childcare Assistance Program:Fibershed offers limited assistance for travel and/or childcare. If you would not otherwise be able to attend a workshop due to transportation challenges or limited resources as a parent, please apply for our Accessibility Assistance application.

About Fibershed’s Cancellation Policy: Refunds, minus Eventbrite fees, are available up to 7 days before the event. (You may transfer your ticket to a friend if someone wishes to purchase your ticket directly from you. You must let us know about this or any changes via email at learningcenter@fibershed.org.)

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Service Animals/Pets: There is livestock and an abundance of wildlife onsite, so we ask that visitors please keep their pets at home. Service animals are permitted on a leash.

Directions: Fibershed Learning Center is at 14000 Point Reyes – Petaluma Road, Point Reyes Station CA 94956. Please download your directions prior to departure as cell service in West Marin is limited.

Parking: Please park carefully along the driveway under our redwood trees, or in the main parking area following sign, parking mindfully to allow as many spots as possible.

Still have questions?: Contact us at learningcenter@fibershed.org.