“I knew I needed to take a break and get creative,” Baker said. “Three weeks after leaving my job, I broke my foot. I honestly consider it divine intervention. I thought, ‘I can’t walk. Now I have to spend time with my hands.’” 

During that time, his wife, Christina, was consulting for a vintage furniture store that wanted to expand its online presence. While browsing the store’s inventory, Baker saw potential. “Their storage units had a lot of rattan and wicker furniture. So much of it was damaged, and they were struggling to work through it. There was a clear need, and that piqued my interest.” 

One book and two practice chairs later, he taught himself how to cane. “I can sit down and get into a zone. I enter a meditative state, which is vital for this work. It helps me feel present and connected in a way I haven’t felt before.”  

In November 2022, the couple launched Point by Point Studio, specializing in repair and restoration of woven furniture.  

Through his new venture, Baker joined The Furniture Society and received one of their Educational Grants. The grant led him to the Folk School in May 2024 where, alongside nine other students, he explored rib structured baskets under the guidance of Mary Doornbos and Gina Myers. His experience with chairs helped him see basketry as an adjacent craft.  

Ghermayn Baker with his finished baskets

Ghermayn Baker working on his baskets in class 

“When I’m working on chairs, I’m often reproducing something specific,” he said. “With baskets, I’m starting with nothing and creating a form.” 

Traveling from southern California to western North Carolina was a welcome opportunity to spend a week with people who share his interest. And though Baker was familiar with the basics of basketry, he wasn’t familiar with the process of foraging his own supplies.  

“A lot of material I work with is purchased and already processed. There’s something powerful about resourcing it yourself. You’re connected to the people who were there before.”  

Connection is one place where Baker sees diversity in craft.  

“Being in a space with people who want to make things transcends any other kind of natural identity barrier. I enjoy meeting people who are intergenerational, from different parts of the county, with different backgrounds.”  

He also recognizes the difference between pursuing craft as an interest and pursuing it as a vocation. “It (craft) can be seen as a hobby versus something that can be an economic provider for a family. That wasn’t the case historically. There are many people who have sustained their lives from craft.”  

Because his career moved from corporate to craft as a young professional, Baker understands the need to expand to larger audiences. “Focusing on instruction and instructors who can provide different perspectives is a key element to increasing the diversity of people who want to invest. I see it in the work study students at the Folk School. There’s a cultural shift and it isn’t about running away from something but running toward something. When I did it, I was just leaving the corporate world. Now I’m building a new world.” 

When it was time to return to California, Baker did so with his new hen basket in hand. For the flight home, it was also his carry-on.  

“People were asking me about it, and I got to talk about the class and the school.”  

That’s just one way life looks different now. 

“I wove a chair because I thought it would be fun,” he said, “and it unlocked all this possibility. Committing to craft and being able to use my hands and build my own business has absolutely changed me.” 

Ghermayn Baker will return to the Folk School the week of Nov. 16-21, 2025, to teach his first class, Weave Your Own Chair Seat.   

Click here to learn more about or apply for a Folk School scholarship. If you are interested in providing financial assistance for students like Ghermayn Baker visit Scholarship Support.  

Ghermayn & classmates working on their baskets 

Finished Baskets