About

This class has been postponed.

Learn how to prepare the raw Western red cedar inner bark into natural strips to make into 2-ply cordage, which will later be made into 3-ply rope. Students will combine these 2 techniques to make a stylish and strong dog leash with a Pacific Northwest flair. 

Sue will teach students how to back splice for the clip and handle. If your dog is a chewer, this type of leash is not for you, however, you can still learn how to make different ropes out of cedar bark to use for any of your specific purposes. Many carvers use cedar bark rope as a part of their masks or bent wood boxes. If the dog leash isn’t exactly what you need, Sue will help you create the rope you need for your project. 

MATERIALS FEE:  $75, payable at the class by cash or check made out to BARN

SKILL LEVEL: All skill levels welcome.

Age Requirement: Open to ages 14 and older.

INSTRUCTOR: On a trip to southern England, as a landscape designer gathering inspiration, Sue Skelly was impressed by the miles of wattle-brush fencing along the farms and lanes.  After returning from her trip in 1989, her relationship with Western Red Cedar began when she purchased piece of land with a beautiful mature natural forest.  This environment gave her the idea of building her own wattle fence using the abundant and renewable resource of cedar limbs.  Through trial and error she built her first woven cedar fence, and her passion for working with cedar was born. 

Over the years, Sue has developed many styles and forms of art using cedar branches; some functional and some purely sculptural.  She loves the process; being in the comfort of the woods with her dogs; harvesting and preparing just the right branches for each project.  Sue is a member of the NW Basket Weavers Guild, where she has learned many weaving techniques with all parts of the Western Red Cedar tree from a community of teachers.  Sue’s Fine Art Degree and passion for making is manifested in her original Cedar art; a line of beautiful button jewelry; and in her Cedar fencing and trellis work.  Sue has been a featured artist in Martha Stewart Living  magazine, as well as in other books and publications, and her woven vedar works are in public and private collections.