#WellsME - #PackBasket #Workshop: #ExplorerPack at the #WellsReserveAtLaudholm

Saturday, January 31, 2026, 9:00am – 3:00pm

Join us to make your very own pack basket with Wood Thrush Wilderness owner and educator Jessica Steele!

Reservations Required

To reserve your space, please email [email protected] or call (207) 646-1555 x116.

Pricing

Members: $100.00
Non-Members: $125.00

Location

Mather Auditorium

This event is handicap accessible

"Join us to make your own pack basket with Jessica Steele from Wood Thrush Wilderness! Participants have the option to choose from three different basket sizes. Please see details below and register for the basket of your choice! (Please note the size, time, and cost differences for each option).

- Explorer Pack Basket (10-12" tall), 9am-3pm, $100/member and $125/non-member
- Guide Pack Basket (17" tall), 9am-5pm, $120/member and $150/non-member
- Expedition Pack Basket (21" tall), 9am-6pm, $136/member and $170/non-member

Making a pack basket can be a fun and rewarding project and a perfect gift!

A pack basket is a traditional type of backpack used for carrying items while hiking, hunting, or for general outdoor activities. Pack baskets have a long history dating back centuries and have been used by various cultures around the world. Here in Maine our Maine Guides walked the woods with these packs to transport supplies and game through rugged terrain.

In this course, we will weave a 10-12” tall basket with premium reed. We will go over the history of pack baskets and what materials have been used. The instructor will go through the process of making the basket step-by-step ensuring all will walk away with a finished basket. The baskets will have a base and feet along with pack straps. We will bring a variety of color straps and even color reeds to add a little color to your basket. Walk away with a pack basket and the knowledge for life! All level weavers are welcome EVEN if you have never weaved!"

FMI - https://wellsreserve.org/event/80156/basket-workshop-explorer-pack

#SolarPunkSunday #MaineEvents #Laudholm #BasketWeaving #BasketWorkshops #PackBaskets #TraditionalArts

Riley and Iris getting donuts after weekly dinner out and talking about how excited they are to see everyone next week.

#Art #FanArt #FurryArt #OCArt #OC #RileyNorainu #IrisMoonbow #Sisters #🍩 #Sketch #Drawing #ColorPencil #TraditionalArts

History of Tallow: Ancient Beginnings to Modern Uses

Tallow has a fascinating and rich history that dates back thousands of years, spanning cultures and continents. Its versatility made it a staple for cooking, lighting, and skincare in societies around the world. Here’s a look at how tallow has evolved and earned its place in history.

Excerpt:

"#Indigenous Cultures: Reverence for Tallow

#IndigenousPeoples in North America, #Australia, and other parts of the world also utilized tallow.

- Native Americans: Rendered fat from buffalo and other animals was used for cooking, preserving foods like pemmican, and as a protective balm for the skin.
- Australian Aboriginals: Tallow from native animals was used in traditional medicine and as a moisturizer to guard against the sun and wind.


The #IndustrialRevolution: Decline and Adaptation

With the advent of industrialization in the 18th and 19th centuries, the demand for tallow shifted:

- Soapmaking: Tallow became a primary ingredient in mass-produced soaps, replacing traditional homemade versions.
- Lighting: Tallow candles were gradually replaced by kerosene lamps and, later, electricity.
- Cooking Fats: Vegetable oils like margarine and shortening began to compete with tallow for culinary use.

Despite these shifts, tallow retained its importance in rural areas and traditional practices because of it’s ease of access especially in cities and regions close to farmlands.


The 20th Century: A Decline in Popularity

As industrialization progressed, tallow and tallow butter fell out of favor for a few reasons:

- The Rise of Synthetic Alternatives: #Petroleum-based products and #synthetic skincare formulations became widely available.
- Dietary Trends: The popularity of plant-based oils led to a decline in the use of animal fats in cooking and skincare.
- Perception of Fats: Animal fats were stigmatized in the mid-20th century due to health concerns, causing people to shy away from tallow."

Read more:
https://articles.creekwoodnaturals.com/history-of-tallow-ancient-beginnings-to-modern-uses/

#SolarPunkSunday #AnimalProducts #TraditionalArts #TraditionalUses #AnimalFat

5 Clever Ways to Use Lanolin At Home

April 28, 2023

"As we may all know, lanolin is commonly used in skincare products due to its ability to moisturize and protect the skin. However, it has many other uses around the home that you may not have known and considered.

It is a versatile and useful substance that can be used in many ways around the home. From leather conditioner to lip balm, lanolin is a natural and effective ingredient that can help you to care for and protect your belongings.

Let's explore some clever ways to use lanolin at home."

https://www.nznaturally.nz/blogs/news/5-clever-ways-to-use-lanolin-at-home

#SolarPunkSunday #OldWays #NoChemicals #AnimalProducts #TraditionalArts #TraditionalTechnology #DIYCleaners #HomeProduct #Waterproofing #NoPFAS #NoChemicals #LeatherConditioning #WoodPolish #RustPrevention #LipBalm

So, #wool and #lanolin (extracted from raw wool) are made without harming #sheep! In fact, a good shearing can help sheep beat the summer heat! I'll be posting about some of the uses of lanolin in future posts.

How to Extract Lanolin from Sheep's Wool

Last Updated: September 16, 2021

"Sheep's wool contains lanolin as a form of protection against nature and insects. Human use of lanolin is as old as the use of wool. Extracting it is easy to do at home and is a great way to get lanolin that is pure, free of industrial chemicals and ready for use in homemade products."

Learn more:
https://www.wikihow.com/Extract-Lanolin-from-Sheep%27s-Wool

#SolarPunkSunday #OldWays #NoChemicals #AnimalProducts #TraditionalArts

These Passamaquoddy baskets are amazing.

❝ 🌟 Congratulations to Jeremy Frey, Passamaquoddy master basketmaker, on being named a 2025 MacArthur Fellow, one of the most prestigious honors in the arts and sciences, often called the “Genius Grant.”

Frey, based in Eddington, has transformed Wabanaki basketmaking from a traditional woodland craft into contemporary fine art celebrated in galleries around the world. His work pushes the boundaries of form, material, and storytelling while honoring the traditions passed down through generations.

The MacArthur Fellowship comes with an unrestricted award of $800,000, recognizing his extraordinary vision, artistry, and innovation. This honor shines a national spotlight on Maine’s Indigenous arts and the living traditions of the Wabanaki people.

Portrait photo by Greta Rybus. Additional photos from Frey's exhibition last year at the Portland Museum of Art.

#MaineArts #MacArthurFellow #WabanakiArt #TraditionalArts #artsinmaine ❞
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_PBNBFM-_g

Native Plant Dyes

"Plants have been used for natural dyeing since before recorded history. The staining properties of plants were noted by humans and have been used to obtain and retain these colors from plants throughout history. Native plants and their resultant dyes have been used to enhance people's lives through decoration of animal skins, fabrics, crafts, hair, and even their bodies.

"Types of Dyes

"Natural dye materials that produce durable, strong colors and do not require the addition of other substances to obtain the desired outcome are called substantive or direct dyes. Sumac (Rhus spp.) and walnut (Juglans spp.) are native plant examples of direct dyes. Because these species are high in tannic acid, they do not require additional substances to be added for the dye to attach to fibers and form a durable bond. Dyes that need this type of assistance are called adjective or mordant dyes.

"Mordants

"Mordants are water-soluble chemicals, usually metallic salts, which create a bond between dye and fiber thus increasing the adherence of various dyes to the item being dyed. The actual color one gets from a natural dye depends not only on the source of the dye but also on the mordant, and the item being dyed.

"Most mordant recipes also call for the addition of cream of tartar or tartaric acid. Use of this readily available spice is important because it reduces fiber stiffness that can occur because of mordanting. It can also increase brightness."

Learn more:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/ethnobotany/dyes.shtml

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/F3Dp3

#SolarPunkSunday #DIY #FiberArts #NaturalDyes #Gardening #Foraging #TraditionalArts #Ethnobotany #Dyes #Wildflowers #PlantDyes

A friend sent me a link to this video after we discussed making cordage over dinner the other day. (What else would one talk about while having dinner?!)

Traditional #Hemp #RopeMaking: Ancient Fiber Craftsmanship

""Twisting history into strength—witness the transformation of raw fibers into durable cords through timeless techniques."

"This process showcases traditional rope making methods still practiced by master craftsmen:

- Fiber Preparation - Retting and beating hemp stalks
- Hand Spinning - Creating yarn with thigh-rolling technique
- Strand Twisting - Three-ply reverse winding
- Laying Operation - Using a walking wheel
- Finishing - Beeswax coating for weatherproofing

Material Specifications:
✔ Fiber Type: Cannabis sativa hemp
✔ Stalk Length: 2-3 meters
✔ Yarn Diameter: 3-5mm
✔ Rope Diameter: 12-15mm
✔ Tensile Strength: 500kg

Tool Inventory:
- Hand carders
- Spinning hooks
- Wooden tension frame
- Pitch-coated gloves
- Hemp brake tool

Key Process Metrics:
▶ Fiber soaking: 7-10 days
▶ Daily output: 15 meters
▶ Twist rate: 8 turns per foot
▶ Drying time: 3 sunny days
▶ Shelf life: 20+ years

Structural Advantages:
- Natural mold resistance
- UV degradation protection
- Progressive failure warning
- Knot-holding capability
- Marine environment suitability

"This living heritage represents sustainable material science perfected over millennia of human ingenuity."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlJEEybSinI

#SolarPunkSunday #Hemp #SustainableFibers #Cordage #Ropemaking #TraditionalArts