Welcome to the North Georgia Basketry Guild
North Georgia Basketry
Welcome to the North Georgia Basketry Guild. Our organization provides weaving events for the Forsyth, Dawsonville, Dahlonega, and Hall communities in North Georgia. Whether you’re a seasoned Georgia basket maker or simply curious about the craft, you’ll find a warm, creative space here.
We host regular meetings for open weave and basket making events, all centered around enjoyment, learning, and connection. These gatherings are a wonderful way to bring the community together — offering the perfect chance to share techniques, pick up new skills, and enjoy the art of weaving alongside fellow enthusiasts.
Upcoming events in the next 180 days
Guilders Weave 2026 – Tidewater Basketry Guild Basketry ConventionAbout Guilders Weave Guilders Weave (often called GW26 for 2026) is an adult basketry convention hosted by the Tidewater Basketry Guild of Virginia. The event runs from Thursday evening through...
Texas Basket Weavers Association 14th Annual “With Our Hands” Conference!Texas Basket Weavers Association 14th Annual “With Our Hands” Conference! 📅 January 22–25, 2026📍 DoubleTree by Hilton Dallas Near the Galleria – Dallas/Farmers Branch, TX texasbasketweavers.com+1 Four days of basketry...
Upper South Carolina Basketmakers Guild🧺 Upper South Carolina Basketmakers Guild – Key Events 📅 Monthly Guild Meetings When: Second Saturday of each month (February–December). Time: 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM Where: Lutheran Church of...
🧺 Woven Together in Western Kentucky Spring Retreat March 5–7 – Rough River State Resort Park, KentuckyJoin the Woven Together in Western Kentucky Basket Guild for their 31st Annual Spring Weaver’s Retreat, a warm and welcoming weekend of weaving, learning, and friendship on the shores of...
North Carolina Basketry Convention – 40 Years of Woven FriendshipsNorth Carolina Basketmakers Association 2026 ConventionTheme: 40 Years of Woven FriendshipsDates: March 12–15, 2026Location: Sheraton Imperial Convention Center by Marriott, Durham, North Carolina Celebrate four decades of woven friendships at...
Spring Fling 2026 Land of Lincoln Basketweavers AssociationWelcome to Spring Fling 2026, a lively Illinois basket weaving event hosted by the Land of Lincoln Basketweavers Association. This popular Midwest basket weaving weekend brings together makers of all...
Northeast Basketmakers Guild – Spring Gathering 2026Join the Northeast Basketmakers Guild (NBG) for the 2026 Spring Gathering, a three-day basketry weekend filled with classes, exhibits, marketplace shopping, and time with weaving friends from across New England...
Stowe Basketry Festival 2026 – Stowe, VermontJoin basketmakers from across the country for the 2026 Stowe Basketry Festival, held May 12–16, 2026 in Stowe, Vermont. Recognized as one of the nation’s leading basket-weaving festivals for nearly...
Northwest Basket Weavers – Spring Retreat 2026Join the Northwest Basket Weavers (NWBW) for their Spring Retreat 2026, a five-day basketry getaway at Seabeck Conference Center on the scenic Hood Canal near Silverdale, Washington. This annual retreat...
Historical Context:
19th Century Weaving Traditions
From Loom to Basket: How Rural Georgia Women Shaped the Legacy of the Georgia Basket Maker Through Weaving, Dyeing, and Spinning.
These skills were essential for creating cloth and other textiles used in everyday life.
Basketry is one of the oldest known crafts, with a rich history dating back thousands of years.
Weaving is not just a craft; it’s a way to connect, foster relationships, preserve traditions, and promote well-being. In North Georgia, the North Georgia Basketry Guild exemplifies this communal spirit, uniting weavers and honoring the region’s rich basketry heritage.
Join the North Georgia Basketry Guild – A Home for Every Georgia Basket Maker to Weave Tradition and Creativity Together
Colonial and Early American Basketry
Practical Use
During the colonial period, basket weaving was a vital skill for settlers. Baskets were used for a variety of practical purposes, including carrying goods, storing food, and even as furniture2.
Materials
Early American baskets were often made from locally available materials such as willow, oak, and ash.
Revival and Modern Basketry
20th Century Decline and Revival: The rise of synthetic materials in the 20th century led to a decline in traditional basket weaving.
However, the craft saw a revival during the countercultural movement of the 1960s and ’70s, as people sought to reconnect with traditional crafts and sustainable practices.
Contemporary Practice
Today, basket weaving is both a functional craft and an art form. Many artisans and guilds across the country continue to preserve and innovate within this tradition, creating both traditional and contemporary designs
Cultural Significance
Art and Heritage
Basket weaving remains an important cultural practice, reflecting the diverse heritage of the United States. It is celebrated in museums, cultural centers, and through various craft fairs and workshops3.
