Joy Parker Route 2 Box 46 Clearbrook MN 56634 (218) 776-3564 Work Samples Images: (select to enlarge)

Joy Parker Scandinavian birch bark basketry I was introduced to Finnish double-woven basket making over 20 years ago by a Finnish gentleman in his 70s. This is a very old craft, which is not limited to baskets but includes vases, waterproof jugs, bowls, knife holders, Finnish sauna shoes, boots, and other items which were common in the daily life of Finnish people. Being of Scandinavian heritage myself, I developed a very special interest in this art. I have cherished this bit of legacy that has been passed on to me, so that I may preserve it and pass it on to others. After more than 20 years of making Finnish baskets, my enthusiasm remains high, and I am continually interested in learning more about the art of making Finnish baskets as well as other types of basketry. Available: Times and days of the week I am available for demonstrations or exhibitions vary. Call for availability. Space: Space needed for exhibits is a 3 by 8 ft. table Fee: Exhibition and demonstration fees are negotiable.

Additional Information:
Joy is a lifelong artist. She had been a painter, photographer, rosemaler, flower arranger, and potter. However, in the nineteen-seventies, when she was introduced to Finnish double-woven basket making by an older Finnish Gentleman, she had found her passion. Joy began turning out vases, waterproof jugs, bowls, knife holders, sauna shoes, boots, hats, lampshades, back packs, among other things. Scandinavian birch bark basketry is a woven tradition, always done with strips of bark. If woven tightly, birch bark is waterproof. Both in Finland and Minnesota, birch bark is plentiful, and has proven to be suitable for creating many everyday items.

Joy's basket shop, Joy of Birch, is located on her farm in Clearbrook, and her farm is her source of birch bark. She has a homemade machine that spiral cuts strips of bark from harvested birch logs. Then she separates each strip of birch bark into three or four layers. Different layers of birch are used for different types of baskets.

Part of the fascination with birch bark is that each piece of bark is unique. Birch bark differs according to time of year, and whether it was harvested in lowland or highland. These small differences call upon a weaver to be a bit of a designer herself, in order to fit the bark into the designs one is using. For example, if it is difficult to separate the layers of bark, she has to use the bark for a rustic basket, always woven of thick strips. Joy says that the strongest part of the bark is not the whithish outside, but the brownish bark next to the tree, and makes for a strong, woven object. One makes shoes of this bark layer, too.

Joy's baskets have been exhibited at Norsk Høstfest in Minot, ND, the Swedish Institute in Minneapolis, the University of Minnesota Arboretum in Chanhassen, the Hjemkomst Festival in Moorhead and the Minnesota Historical Society. Joy has taught many classes in Minnesota, Pheonix and Faribault and has taught in adult education situations.