Birch Bark Containers

[nephilim]

So I am going to start making some of these. I managed to peel a LARGE volume of birch bark from a fallen live tree, so I figured I would start making something out of it rather than reducing it to tar.

Any suggestions? So far I have a tote bag type of thing in mind.

 

[Tipi]

depends how big bits you got, you can make traditional gathering baskets and things from it. for the smaller bits how about some box's, match box? butter box? pen pot for work?

you could push the boat out and make a miniature canoe, or how about a brimmed hat. do you do archery? howabout a quiver?

any left over scraps can be used for a stacked knife handle

http://youtu.be/BrLRo8VuTcM

 

[nephilim]

Well I have a fair few bits - I have a few metres worth, I have cut some into strips and plan to weave a basket or small cups

 

[Toddy]

Look for birch bark coffee …..there were some excellent tutorials a few years ago on making these coffee canister shaped pots. Beautiful work in them

M

 

[nephilim]

http://img.loveitsomuch.com/uploads...- array1 home storage organization-f08224.jpg

Something like the above is what I am aiming for with the woven things. I wouldn't need to gum it if it is tight enough.

 

[Toddy]

error 101 on that link I'm afraid.

I've woven birch bark, it's lovely stuff, but it's blooming hard to get it tight/tight, iimmc. It's naturally curved, so even though it can be pressed flat, it doesn't really want to be flat. Thin layers are more easily shaped, and they ply up very well too. It's a bit of a juggle to work around the lenticles at times though.

Interested to see what you make from your bounty

M

 

[Joe tahkahikew]

Your birch is different from our Paper Bark Birch.

To improve flexibility of barks try soaking in hot water or longer for cold - maybe two or three days. Should bend like good leather then.

 

[Toddy]

Canadian birch bark is beautiful It's almost like leather. Ours is inclined to be full of fissures and it splits. We don't get the deep long cold that thickens the bark the same way that continents do.

M

 

[nephilim]

Well the bark is reasonably thin, its like flimsy leather as it is. I've peeled off the outer bark which has left me with a bark a few mm's thick. Took me the better part of Sunday afternoon to strip it down. I've woven willow baskets before, so I am hoping that its similar in process, just that it will be a bit more pliable.

 

[nephilim]

So weaving it is no issue...did a few place mats with a rattan edge. So now I know I can weave it ok I'll be making a start on some pots and the like.

 

[Robson Valley]

I have a gift copy of Ellsworth Jaeger's "Wildwood Wisdom." (1945) ISBN-13: 978-0-936070-12-4
Mine is the 1992 reprint from Shelter Publications.

Chapter 13 is 21 pages of diagrams and instructions for spoons, cups, bowls, haversack, even a kettle!
You might inquire at your local library for an interlibrary loan.

Joe's suggestion to soak the bark in hot water is a good one. Much easier to work with, even if the bark
isn't quite like that from our Paper Birch. Might try something if spring ever comes.

 

[nephilim]

Well the bark I have is about 2mm thick. Isn't massive but it's plyable. I was able to knock up 4 place mats in about 2 hours, getting quicker with each one. I ended up using clothes pegs to hold things in place but hey it works. I

I may have a few circular shapes made so I can weave some cups or holders and go from there. It's good material when stripped properly.

 

[bobnewboy]

Robson Valley said:

I have a gift copy of Ellsworth Jaeger's "Wildwood Wisdom." (1945) ISBN-13: 978-0-936070-12-4

+1 on this. Its a great fun book to dip into time and again. The paperback is well worth it. I got it as an xmas present having heard about it on here.

 

[Toddy]

+2
It's a very interesting book to dip into, always something else catches my attention.

M

 

[Baelfore]

+2
It's a very interesting book to dip into, always something else catches my attention.

M

+3! And that is an apt description of what happens when i open the bòok

Ste