Hands on History
Inspiring creativity through historic crafts
Interested in coming to a basket class?
Swan Bay Folk Art Center & Farm
in Port Republic, NJ
Nestled in the Pine Barrens of southern New Jersey is Swan Bay Folk Art Center, a place where people can come to learn skills from days gone by in order to create pieces of their own history. For 32 years, Niki Giberson and her husband Gary have run Swan Bay Folk Art Center out of their home, a sheep, chicken and one donkey farm settled on land that has been in Gary's family since 1637.
We currently do not have "open house" hours for farm tours. Please follow us on Facebook for information on upcoming events at the farm.
Due to COVID Lamb Celebration Days are Cancelled. This makes all of us so sad but is the only safe solution at this time. I know it is not the same, but you can follow us on Facebook (Swan Bay Folk Art Center) for birth announcements and pictures.
Hello Friends
I hope you have all enjoyed your quarantine in the best way possible. I am so glad to finally be able to write this. I am teaching basket and felting classes again. The schedule will be every Tuesday at 7pm and every Friday at 10:00am. The classes will be limited to 5 people so we can still be socially distanced. At this point masks will be required and of course please do not come if you have a fever or are sick. I look forward to seeing you again.
Farm News
We have a new addition to our farm. Her name is Scarlet and she is expecting a baby micro mini donkey sometime this fall.
Update.......Scarlet had her baby on October 25th. His name is Thor. (our theme this year for baby names is Marvel comics)
Basket Classes
Basket classes are held every Tuesday night, one Thursday night a month at 7pm and one Saturday a month at 10am.
Check the calendar for available dates. Go to the basket description tab to choose your basket. I also teach friendship classes upon request.
Friday Night Friendship Classes
Sign up with 5 friends altogether and come for an evening of basketweaving . Please see calendar for available open dates. To see a picture description of baskets you and your friends can make, click here.
To celebrate our 32nd year here at Swan Bay Folk Art Center, for every friendship class completed this year, we will be providing a needy family with a dozen baby chicks. They will grow up to lay hundreds of eggs every month, blessing a family with a rich source of protein, a steady source of income, and daily reminders of God’s faithfulness through Samaritans Purse.
BASKET CLASSES OFFERED EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT AT 7PM AND ONE THURSDAY NIGHT A MONTH AT 7PM
See what classes are being offered by going to the calendar
Featured on CNN's Parts Unknown
Wool Felted Nativity Sets
can be made during basket classes. It takes for classes to complete all 17 pieces. The cost is $25 per class ($100 for the entire set)
New to Swan Bay Folk Art Center Needle/water felted pictures.
This process is like paint by number except instead of paint we use wool from our sheep farm. We have kits available, or needle felt a VanGogh or Monet or any picture of your choice. Each picture will take two classes. Classes start on Monday nights at 7pm starting on September 14th. The cost for the two classes and all supplies for your masterpiece is $65.00.
To sign up, you can call me at
609 652-0366 or PM me or email me from this site
