Craft Retreat | Basket Weaving in Sweden
Creating in Nature: Basket + Fiber Weaving with Tim Johnson
+ Emma Dahlqvist
Stockholm Archipelago, Sweden | May 29 - June 5, 2026
Sweden is a country known for it modern Scandinavian design and deep historical roots connected to craft, in particular basket weaving. Basket weaving is one of the oldest known crafts in the world and in Sweden, the earliest archaeological evidence of basketry is a 7,500-year-old woven eel trap. Historically, baskets have played an essential role in farming, forestry, mining, fishing, and everyday household activities. During the 19th century, basket-making guilds were established in urban centers and throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the demand for baskets was high, and basketry became a significant source of income. While this industry is much smaller in the present day and baskets in general don’t play the same central role they once used to, the craft of weaving is still revered among artists and collectors alike and thrives within the folk craft communities.
Join us on this immersive basket weaving adventure in the Swedish countryside as we discover techniques used in various forms of basket + fiber weaving with artists Tim Johnson + Emma Dahlqvist. We’ll begin in Stockholm, a stunning city on the water that blends history, design, nature, and innovation exploring a variety of art + craft focused shops, galleries and spaces.
Leaving the city behind, we travel through the Stockholm archipelago before arriving at our home nestled on a hill above the waters edge. Here, Tim Johnson will be leading an in-depth basket weaving workshop sharing his design process, material knowledge, and technical approaches to contemporary basket weaving. You will learn while exploring with a variety of plant materials such as rattan cane, jute and esparto grass as well as locally gathered material that may include Soft Rush, Crowberry, Purple Moor Grass, Bog Myrtle and Juniper.
We will also be joined by Emma Dahlqvist, a Swedish designer and artist who works to combine traditional craftsmanship with new technology. Emma specializes in using birch bark in her work, often creating large-scale woven sculptures. You’ll learn about the properties of the material, how to process and prepare it for weaving and how to use birch bark in a diagonal weaving technique.
This Ace Camps Travel trip is open to all skill levels. Trip Itinerary, Details and Important Notes below.
DATES
May 29 - June 5, 2026
8 Days + 7 Nights
PRICING
Small Private Room Room - $5,895 USD
Standard Private Room Room - $6,095 USD
Superior Private Room Room - $6,495 USD
Full Rooming + Pricing Details Below
BASKET WEAVING RETREAT HIGHLIGHTS
Multi Day Basket + Fiber Weaving Workshop with Tim Johnson with a focus on
Wild Harvest
Lattice Twining
Bundles + Bindings
Birch Bark Weaving Workshop with Emma Dahlqvist
Art + Craft focused Guided Stockholm Walking tour
Guided Tour of Artipelag Contemporary Art Space - Where art meets nature
Stockholm Boutique Hotel Accommodation
Swedish Countryside Retreat Accommodation
Transportation during included meals and activities
Dedicated Ace Camps Travel Host, with you throughout your trip
Trip Prep call to meet fellow travelers and talk through schedules, recommendations, and questions
Travel + Learn with:
Emma Dahlqvist
Photo: Clara Bodén | Emma Dahlqvist is a designer and artist who works with combining traditional craftsmanship with new technology. She is interested in mixing conventional methods, often deeply rooted in a craft tradition, with digital technology in order to broaden the experience of and qualities of a material. She lives and works in Östersund.
Emma has a master's degree in textile design from the Swedish School of Textiles in Borås. Her work in birch bark has been exhibited nationally and internationally and has received prizes and awards.
Emma is the author of the books Fläta (Natur&Kultur, 2022) and Näver (Natur&Kultur, 2019), in which she has taken on a more traditional birch bark craft and basket weaving in her own way. Follow along and learn more about Emma’s work here.
Tim Johnson
Over the past 25 years artist and basketmaker Tim Johnson has explored the relationships of material, place, nature and culture. His diverse creative practice encompasses basketmaking and performance, photography and painting, sculpture and installation, textiles and costume, his work has been exhibited internationally.
He combines a deep respect for traditional basketmaking with his own innovations and enjoys using a wide variety of materials and techniques gleaned from his travels, research and his own creative practice. Originally from Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, Tim has lived in various parts of England and Ireland and is currently based in the north east of Spain just outside Barcelona.
Tim is an experienced tutor and has been awarded the prestigious Marsh Award for Excellence in Gallery Education and several awards for his baskets in Spain and Poland. Follow along and learn more about Tim’s work here.
Day by Day Itinerary
Nota Bene: This is a prospective itinerary. It is subject to modest modifications, dependent on local weather, partner schedules, unexpected opportunities and the desires of the group.
Day 1
Friday, May 29
Welcome to Sweden!
Arrive in Stockholm, Sweden + make your own way to our city center hotel. Have a rest, walk the city, head for a beverage, or explore the neighbourhood. Please plan to arrive at our Stockholm hotel no later that 4:30pm so you have time to settle in before dinner.
This evening we have a meet + greet welcome dinner with your group.
Meals included: Dinner
Day 2
Saturday, May 30
Let’s explore Stockholm together! This city seamlessly blends the traditional with the modern, from time-honoured crafts and medieval architecture to globally recognized cuisine and contemporary Swedish arts.
Through a guided tour, we’ll explore a variety of art + craft focused shops, galleries and spaces. Deepen your understanding of Nordic culture, enjoy a traditional fika break at a design forward cafe and get to know this charming city by foot.
Dinner this evening is on your own to explore the local flavours of Stockholm.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3
Sunday, May 31
This morning we leave the city and begin our journey towards our retreat property set on a plateau above the Stockholm archipelago. On our way, we will visit a contemporary art space called Artipelag for a guided tour. The name Artipelag combines ‘Art and Archipelago’ and here you will find art, culture, design, and delicious food, located among the pine trees of Värmdö. You’ll have some time to explore the property on your own after the tour.
Enjoy a special lunch, where resident chefs and pastry artisans prepare each dish from scratch, drawing inspiration from the surrounding nature and working with the finest seasonal ingredients.
This afternoon we’ll arrive at our retreat property. You’ll have time to settle in and explore the grounds before we have a group dinner together.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4
Monday, June 1
Contemporary Birch Bark
Today you have a full day workshop with Emma with a focus on the incredible art of birch bark weaving. Emma specializes in using birch bark in her work, often creating large-scale woven sculptures.
This morning Emma will introduce you to her work and to birch bark and its fantastic possibilities. You’ll learn about the properties of the material, how to process it and prepare it for weaving.
In the afternoon you’ll learn to work with one of the basic techniques in bark weaving, diagonal weaving, to weave your own small basket or box using only birch bark. Throughout the day, Emma will explain and explore the historical usage of birch bark and showcase more contemporary examples of how the material can be used in design, crafts, and architecture.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
Tuesday, June 2
Explore, Gather, Create
On our first full day workshop with Tim we will take the opportunity to explore the natural surroundings of the retreat property, learning with Tim how to find, select and identify a wide variety of natural materials from forest, meadow and shoreline.
Drawing on Tim’s extensive knowledge of basketmaking materials and techniques and his lifelong interest in nature we will discover how to experiment and improvise with available materials. Binding, wrapping, knotting, combing, beating, all these processes can help us to explore and understand our natural surroundings and create personal responses rooted in a sense of place. Tim will show you how to combine these materials in ways that feature their natural properties, textures and colours to make organic wall pieces, fibre art and small baskets. What will we find? Perhaps Soft Rush and Crowberry, Hair Moss and Purple Moor Grass, Bog Myrtle and Juniper, northern plants, each distinctive and rich with tradition and association.
We will make as we wander returning occasionally to our workspace in the garden of the hotel, to reflect on our observations, and to focus our gathering skills.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6
Wednesday, June 3
Twining Traditions
This workshop day focuses on the creation of beautiful patterns and textures while learning a special weaving technique. Inspired by ancient twining traditions and the natural beauty and colours of our surroundings we will make pockets and pouches combining carefully dyed rattan cane with a variety of strings, threads and cords of linen, hemp, jute and esparto grass.
Tim will prepare a broad colour palette in advance combining natural and man made dyes to give a vibrant and exciting colour selection for you to select your own personal colourway. Dyeing the cane several times in different dye baths gives unique and subtle variations that in combination with the weaving elements offers a multitude of possibilities to explore.
Your pockets and pouches may be used as storage containers for your treasures, as wall decoration with the addition of small woven handles or as functional shoulder bags with the addition of leather straps provided.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7
Thursday, June 4
Tradition and Innovation
Building on our first two workshop days focussed on experimentation and technique, Tim will guide you to develop baskets and fibre art pieces of your own design combining the skills that you have learnt. Observing details of the local environment, colours, textures and forms can lead us in different directions that you will explore creating unique responses to your time in Sweden.
We will have plenty of time to finish off details, handles and straps of our twined bags and pouches from yesterday’s makings, we may also decide to make new variations combining a different colour palette or a change in scale and proportions.
During the day we will also return to materials that we gathered on the first workshop day, after they have had time to dry after splitting, beating and combing. These materials may then be used for making bindings, wrappings, cordage, braids or twining fibres. The creative process is unpredictable, exciting and addictive! What will you discover?
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8
Friday, June 5
This morning we pack our bags, say our farewells, and transfer back to Stockholm for your onward journey.
Thank you for joining us on this incredible and often unexpected journey to the Stockholm Archipelago!
Meals included: Breakfast
Photo | Lennart Weibull
Where We’re Staying
Stockholm: Our centrally located boutique hotel is perfectly situated in Stockholm's Östermalm district, known for its French-inspired design and intimate atmosphere.
Archipelago: Our retreat property is a unique waterfront hotel on Värmdö Island, rooms are located in the 18th-century officers' residences of a former Swedish fortress. It offers a tranquil, historic atmosphere with modern amenities, peaceful rustic gardens, onsite restaurant, and stunning sea views of the Stockholm Archipelago.
Rooming Options
Please read below carefully and make your rooming selection on the Booking Request form.
The style and layout of every room is unique and may not be exactly as pictured.
Note: If you are two guests traveling together and would like to share a room, please contact us for details about a shared room option.
Group Size: Minimum 10 guests, Maximum 12 guests.
All prices are in USD.
OPTION 1 - SMALL PRIVATE ROOM
with ensuite bathroom
$5,895 per person, paid in two separate installments.
Rooming Details:
In Stockholm you’ll have a Standard room with a double bed and ensuite bathroom. At our retreat property you’ll have a small sized private room with small double size bed, garden view and ensuite bathroom with shower. Room Access: Rooms are located on the second floor of a walk up building (no elevator).
Initial Payment due immediately: $2,495
Final Payment due December 1, 2025: $3,400
OPTION 2 - STANDARD PRIVATE ROOM
with ensuite bathroom
$6,095 per person, paid in two separate installments.
Rooming Details:
In Stockholm you’ll have a Standard room with a double bed and ensuite bathroom. At our retreat property you’ll have a private room with queen size bed, ensuite bathroom with shower. Sea or Garden view. Room Access: Most rooms are located on the second and third floor of a walk up building (no elevator). Some rooms are located on the attic level and have a sloped ceiling similar to the white bedroom photo above. Bed Note: in Europe larger beds are often made up of two beds joined together.
Initial Payment due immediately: $2,495
Final Payment due December 1, 2025: $3,600
OPTION 3 - SUPERIOR PRIVATE ROOM
with ensuite bathroom
$6,495 per person, paid in two separate installments.
Rooming Details:
In Stockholm you’ll have a Superior room with ensuite bathroom. At our retreat property you’ll have a spacious room with king size bed, ensuite bathroom with shower and archipelago sea and garden views. Room Access: Most rooms are located on the second floor of a walk up building (no elevator). Bed Note: in Europe larger beds are often made up of two beds joined together.
Initial Payment due immediately: $2,495
Final Payment due December 1, 2025: $4,000
Important Trip Details
Culinary Notes
While we will try our best to manage allergies, we are unable to accommodate vegan, gluten-free, dairy- free and egg-free requirements, as well as some specific allergies.
Please contact us in advance of booking if you have any dietary restrictions to ensure we can accommodate them.
If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, you will need to submit those on your booking request form. We cannot accommodate any allergies or dietary restrictions if you do not advise us when you submit your initial booking request.
This trip is best suited for those open and eager to enjoy and experience a variety of regional ingredients and flavors.
Accessibility
Please note this trip includes several walking tours where the ground may be uneven such as cobblestones, trails, hills, and stairs. You may be on your feet for several of hours at a time and should be comfortable walking 2 - 5kms. Our property and workshop space have several sets of stairs and no elevator. Note: Most rooms are located up one or two flights of stairs.
Who is this Trip for?
This trip is for the open minded and patient traveler. You should be eager to learn and work hands-on during your workshop session and be curious about regional culture and cuisine.
This is an immersive adventure and best suited for those who enjoy traveling as a part of a small group.
Travel Health
We recommend consulting a doctor, nurse, health care provider, or travel health clinic once we confirm your booking on this Ace Camps Travel trip so you know what may be required based on your individual circumstances and based on the locations you’ll be traveling to. If you have any health concerns, contact your health care provider for advice prior to booking this Ace Camps Travel trip.
Trip Start + End Locations
This trip starts and finishes in Stockholm, Sweden. Stockholm Arlanda Airport is the main international airport serving Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. It is located in Sigtuna Municipality, 37 km north of Stockholm. The Arlanda Express journey from Stockholm-Arlanda Airport to Stockholm Central Station takes just 18 minutes. This high-speed train is the fastest and most direct way to travel between the two points, with no stops between the airport and the city's central hub.
Weather
In early June, Stockholm typically experiences pleasant, warm weather, with average daytime temperatures around 15-20°C (59-68°F) and lows around 10-12°C (50-54°F), though it can feel warmer with plenty of sunshine. You can expect long daylight hours, with the sun rising very early and setting late. While generally a dry month, be prepared for occasional rain showers, making layers advisable for clothing.
Included in this Trip
Multi Day Basket Weaving Workshop with Tim Johnson with a focus on
Wild Harvest
Lattice Twining
Bundles + Bindings
Birch Bark Weaving Workshop with Emma Dalhqvist
Art + Craft focused Guided Stockholm Walking tour
Guided Tour of Artipelag Contemporary Art Space - Where art meets nature
2 nights accommodation at a Stockholm Boutique Hotel
5 nights accommodation at a Swedish Countryside Retreat
Transportation during included meals and activities
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners
Dedicated Ace Camps Travel Host, with you throughout your trip
Trip Prep call to meet fellow travelers and talk through schedules, recommendations, and questions
Ace Camps Travel Host
An Ace Camps Travel Host will be with you through your trip, dedicated to ensuring you have the best possible experience. Your Host is there for any questions or concerns, to look out for the health and safety of the group and to help resolve any issues that might arise. This Host is not a local guide but will work with our local partners to insure the right combination of pace, information, and duration. Our local partners are deeply knowledgable in the culture and customs of the area and will be there to share their knowledge and passion with the group.
Not Included in this Trip
International roundtrip airfare; required Travel Insurance; alcoholic drinks; activities and food and beverages not included in the trip itinerary; hotel incidentals including but not limited to room service, laundry service and hotel bar tabs; and all expenses during free time.
Travel Arrangements
Ace Camps Travel will send you detailed Trip Planning information when it’s time to make your travel arrangements. We usually send this information once we’ve reached the minimum number of guests required to run the trip. We’ll also send you an Ace Camps Travel “Preparing for your Journey” document prior to your trip, which will include arrival and departure information, a suggested packing list, useful country information, and more.
Supplies
Most supplies for your workshops will be provided but you’ll need to bring a few personal items. Closer to your departure date, we’ll send more information about supplies you’ll want to bring with you.
Travel Insurance
As stated in our Terms and Conditions, we require all guests to have Travel Insurance that at minimum covers both medical emergencies and trip cancellations. Cancellations 180 days or fewer prior to the trip start date will incur a cancellation fee equal to 100% of the price for the trip. There are no exceptions to this cancellation policy which is one of the many reasons we require all guests to have Travel Insurance.
For full details on our Travel Insurance requirements, visit our FAQ’s and review our Terms and Conditions.
Health + Safety
Our goal is for each of our guests to enjoy the amazing trip we’ve put together. To ensure that happens, we put the health and safety of the group as our top priority. Individual guests are responsible for ensuring they meet all destination and layover country requirements and laws, including any Covid-19 related requirements, providing proof of vaccination, testing before or after entry, masking, etc.
During the trip, if you feel unwell, exhibit signs of, or test positive for an illness, you should be prepared to follow the advice of local health authorities as well as the Ace Camps Travel Host to ensure the health and safety of the entire group. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and/or viral nature of your illness the Ace Camps Travel Host may determine you need to mask, distance, self isolate, or depart the trip early. You are responsible for any expenses incurred from an illness, injury, or early departure including testing, treatment, isolation, accommodation, transportation, etc. and you will not be issued a refund for any unused portion of the trip. This is one of the many reasons we require all guests to have Travel Insurance, as outlined in our Terms and Conditions.
For full details on our Health and Safety Policies, visit our FAQ’s and review our Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation Policy
If you choose to cancel your trip for any reason, you must do so via email to hello@acecampstravel.com. If we receive written notice 181 or more days prior to the Trip start date, we will refund your initial payment, less a $1,000 cancellation fee. If we receive written notice 180 days or fewer prior to the Trip start date you will incur a cancellation fee equal to 100% of the price for the Trip. There are no exceptions to this cancellation policy, including for reasons related to weather, terrorism, civil strife, pandemics, illness, personal, family or medical emergencies, or any other circumstances beyond our control. For this and other reasons, we require you to purchase Travel Insurance.
Be sure to read our Terms and Conditions for full details on Booking and Payment, Cancellation by You and Trip Changes and Cancellations.
Questions + FAQs
If you have any questions about this Ace Camps travel Trip, please feel free to contact us.
You can also read our FAQs here.
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