Freyja Ulveland

I’m Freyja Ulveland, a basketry teacher and founding member of the Alberta Basketry Guild. I find joy in exploring the connections between craft, community, and the natural world, and in the mindful practice of creating something with my hands using natural materials.

In a past life, I ran a small business selling handmade leather accessories in the early heyday of Etsy and flourishing community art markets in Calgary. My specialty was vegetable-tanned leather and natural dyes made from flowers and plants I foraged or grew in my garden. I self-studied a variety of techniques for forming, tooling, and producing leather goods, drawing on methods from my Norwegian ancestry and other historical practices. My work could be found in shops and galleries across Canada and the US.

The past few years brought a handful of lifestyle changes—no surprise. I’m also adjusting to life as a new mother, which is incompatible with keeping bubbling vats of dye in my living room. Thus, basketry is a way to make something with my hands that feels in continuity with my past work but better fits who I am today.

I’ve found my place in a long-running community of weavers in my area and helped them start Alberta’s first basketry guild. We’re growing our community with workshops, retreats, and open weaves for all ages and skill levels.

During my workshops, I share what I’ve been learning about materials like cattail, bulrush, and willow, creating spaces where people can experience the grounding rhythm of weaving that I’ve come to enjoy myself. It’s an honour to guide others as they discover the humble beauty of basketry.