Berkshire Botanical Gardens is holding a special hands-on workshop Saturday, February 6, from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm with Nancy Moore Bess, master basket maker.  Using handmade papers for packaging has a long tradition in Asia, especially in Japan. Pyramid packages hold snacks, juice, bath salts or Macadamia nuts. Textured paper is tied with raffia to hold three erasers or five black stones. Handmade paper is folded into a boat form and stitched with Japanese mizuhiki to hold a floral arrangement. Participants will duplicate these projects and many more inspired by the instructor’s collection. Participants should bring small items they might want to wrap – handmade soaps, potpourri from their gardens, small books, dried flowers, etc.

Ms. Bess exhibits her baskets worldwide.  She has championed Japanese basketry in the west and is the author of Bamboo in Japan.  The cost for this workshop is $50 for BBG members, $60 for nonmembers, plus, in each instance, a $15 materials fee paid directly to the instructor at the class.  For more information and directions, log on to www.berkshirebotanical.org.  These popular workshops always sell out, so register as soon as possible.