Upon arrival at the studio of Chill Baskets, guests are greeted warmly by host Carrie Hill. Carrie takes guests through her workshop, where they’ll learn about sourcing materials in harmony with nature then preparing them for weaving. They’ll see a variety of show pieces, works in progress, and unique tools while Carrie shares the familial, traditional, and modern inspirations behind her creations. 

Guests will hear about the environmental challenges to this ancient artform as the destructive Emerald Ash Borer threatens the entire population of ash trees, the very species that has provided traditional basket makers with raw materials for centuries.

Carrie demonstrates splint splitting and a few weaving techniques while sharing the proud legacy of basket making in Akwesasne and among the Haudenosaunee.

Guests join Carrie around her work table and learn to weave a small token made from Black Ash splints and Sweetgrass, the two key materials of traditional Mohawk baskets. Guests enjoy Carrie’s laid-back and friendly presentation style and often leave with a sense of connection to their host and the Akwesasne culture. 

Carrie Hill is the founder of Chill Baskets. She is an Akwesasne Mohawk fancy basket weaver and cultural educator.

Chill Baskets began as a creative outlet for Carrie when she became a new mom. Eventually, her lifelong passion turned into a business. Armed with knowledge of tools and techniques passed down from her Auntie Laura, Carrie left her career as an educator to become a full-time basket maker. With an award from the New York Foundation of the Arts, Carrie was able to move her business out of her kitchen and into a studio that she constructed herself.  

Carrie builds on the traditional techniques of her family and ancestors to craft contemporary fancy baskets. Born and raised in Akwesasne Mohawk Territory, she loves exploring the natural world with her family as she gathers Sweetgrass and sources Black Ash trees. Chill Baskets has now become a multi-generational enterprise, as Carrie’s daughters help out with prep and weaving.