About

A venture into the Northern Gulf Islands led to Cheryl discovering her passion for weaving as she sat on a beach to create her first bird-nest-like basket from the grass around her. Under the teachings of established B.C. weavers, Cheryl transformed her inquisitive explorations into an art form.

She continues to draw from Mother Nature for her materials every time she scours B.C.’s beaches for kelp or gathers tule rush at sunrise in her canoe in local lakes. The result of her adventures are hats, carrying bags and bread baskets that combine artistry with practicality. Other baskets, most notably her signature, spiral-woven kelp basket, demand more of a showcased spot light. Much of Cheryl’s work is influenced by the First Nations traditions of weaving, particularly her cedar-bark baskets. Weaving with the materials she has gathered from the lakes, oceans and forests result in intricate colours and textures woven into her work that distinguishes itself as uniquely West Coast.

Gathering

Cheryl pays as careful attention to the gathering of kelp, cedar and tule rush for her baskets as she does the weaving of her art work. Each material is selectively chosen for its colour, texture and unique imprint nature instills on each individual blade of grass, strip of bark and treasure drawn in with the tides.

All of Cheryl’s baskets are rooted in nature. Whether it is kelp, cedar or tule rush, Cheryl gathers the material, then dries and soaks it before she begins the weaving process. Cheryl pays careful attention to the selection of her natural materials, choosing each vibrant-green rush or strip of bark for its colour, texture and shape.