BIRCH BARK VESSELS.

Ever since I was a child growing up in Minnesota, I have been fascinated by birch bark. I spent endless hours exploring birch forests and learning in a rudimentary and childish way about these mystical trees. I would peel away micro-thin layers of it to examine the texture and qualities of the bark fibers.

Having lived outside of the boreal forest region of the country my entire adult life, it was not until recently that I was able to acquire real hands-on knowledge of this unique material that I now find utterly surprising and beautiful in its diversity and strength. In reality, its nature has turned out to be totally unexpected and more exquisite than I had hoped or imagined.

The bark I am currently using has been responsibly and sustainably resourced from northern Alaska by families living off-grid or instructors who teach others how to properly harvest, gather and create with birch bark and other natural materials such as split roots and reeds.

I feel utterly privileged to now have the knowledge and resources to work with this amazing material and hope that you will enjoy handling the objects I have created and sensing the qualities that the bark imparts to each piece.