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From the studio

The Journal.

Short reads on the work — where the reed comes from, what makes a good handle, the occasional long-winter mudroom story. A new entry every few weeks.

September '26 Free Pattern
Editor's pick

September '26 Free Pattern

Meet your new fall favorite - The Cottage Market Basket

By Jesse & KateSep 2, 2026
Read the essay
Recent entries

More from the studio.

Three Shops, Two States
Studio

Three Shops, Two States

The reed is in Minnesota and Wisconsin. How the shop works with three weavers in three places.

A Basket for Everyone on Your List
Studio

A Basket for Everyone on Your List

More than 50 pieces in the shop, sorted by who you're buying for, with the order dates for Christmas delivery at the bottom.

Weave Your First Basket
Weaving Lessons

Weave Your First Basket

Every tutorial in the journal, in the order you'll actually need them - from laying out a base to the last coat of finish.

Weaving the Locking Row
Weaving Lessons

Weaving the Locking Row

Learn how to weave the locking row.

Laying out a Filled Base
Weaving Lessons

Laying out a Filled Base

Learn how to lay out a filled base.

Single Lashing
Weaving Lessons

Single Lashing

Learn how to rim and single lash, the final step in finishing your basket.

July '26 Free Pattern
Monthly Free Pattern

July '26 Free Pattern

If you have an open staircase in your home, then this is the basket you have been looking for.

Laying Out an Unfilled Base
Weaving Lessons

Laying Out an Unfilled Base

Before your basket can have sides, it needs a solid foundation. This step-by-step guide walks you through laying out an unfilled base - weaving horizontal and vertical stakes together, adding a locking row to hold your measurements, and upsetting the stakes to bring your basket to life. Works for baskets with or without a handle.

Staining Tutorial - With or Without Leather
Weaving Lessons

Staining Tutorial - With or Without Leather

We’ve talked about whether to stain a finished basket or not. It’s amazing how staining a basket can completely change the look of your finished project! It also protects the r...

Weaving with a Wooden-Bottom Base Tutorial
Weaving Lessons

Weaving with a Wooden-Bottom Base Tutorial

There are only a handful of different techniques used to construct the base of a basket. The wooden-bottom base combines the technique of a plaited base with a little carpentry. In this tutorial, I’m...

Wire and Bale Handles
Weaving Lessons

Wire and Bale Handles

Hello, Weaving Friends! As the spring months fight for recognition here in northern Minnesota, we are beginning to look forward to more time spent outside. It will be summer before you know it! When we...

Weaving with Leather Handles
Weaving Lessons

Weaving with Leather Handles

Over the past 26 years of weaving, Joanna’s Collections baskets have developed a certain style. One of my favorite characteristics that we incorporated into our baskets is the use of leather handles....

Letters from the studio

A quiet note, once a month.

New entries, custom-order openings, and a short letter from the bench. No spam, no urgency — just what we've been making.