 SATURDAY 23RD JANUARY |
IRISH SKIBS OR KINDLING BASKETS |
|
|
|
| These beautiful baskets were originally used in Ireland to strain boiled potatoes, families would then use the basket as a plate. They would have been made in hedgerow materials and looked like large round trays. The diameter of this basket is about 15”, and the sides are shallow. We will be using a variety of coloured willows. You can use the basket for bread or as a decorative wall hanging, as the colours and weave are so attractive. The workshop is suitable for beginners. |
|
| SUNDAY 31ST JANUARY |
CATALONIA TRAY OR SCALLOMED TRAY |
|
|
|
| The Catalonia tray is great for beginners, willow rods are held under tension in-between two ribs and a hoop. Rods are then secured by fitching. The scallomed tray is oval and made with fine willow rods, slightly more challenging good for intermediates wanting to learn how to make scalloms. You can expect to make two trays in a day. |
|
| SATURDAY 6TH FEBURARY |
ROUND AND OVAL BASKETS |
|
|
|
| For oval baskets we will be covering the following basketry techniques; continental split oval base, pull down wale, French randing, three rod wale , four behind two border, finger hole handles. We will be working on lap boards. Suitable for those who have already made a few round baskets.
Beginners can make a simple stake and strand round basket using willow from Somerset and King’s Cliffe. A good starter basket, or if you’re wishing to improve skills try a different side weave or add a handle. Measures ; 6”-8” base, 6”-7” high with a 4 behind 2 border. |
|
| SATURDAY 20TH FEBURARY |
FRAME BASKETS |
|
|
|
| A traditional gypsy basket, the frame (or ribbed) basket is an easy alternative to the stake and strand basket. We will be using some freshly cut willow, grown in King’s Cliffe to add colour and texture to the basic weave. Suitable for complete beginners. |
|
| SUNDAY 28TH MARCH |
EGG BASKETS |
|
|
|
Weave a small round basket with a handle, suitable for a child or adult for collecting eggs. Alternatively the basket could contain chocolate eggs for Easter, or be used later in the year for collecting soft fruit. This class is suitable for complete beginners.
|
|
| SAT 24TH AND SUN 25TH APRIL |
GARDEN STRUCTURES |
|
|
|
| A popular workshop. Attend the whole weekend or just one day. You can create a lot with a few basic skills. Over the weekend we will be making a variety of plant climbers, large fan trellis and border hurdles. Or you may have your own design which I could help you to build. Take home 2-3 structures a day. Suitable for beginners. Children over 12yrs welcome. |
|
| SUNDAY 23RD MAY |
DRAGONFLIES |
|
|
|
You can expect to make two dragonflies in a day. Suitable for complete beginners and children over the age of 10 years. The large dragonfly is made on a 4’ + hazel stick and looks great in a garden border.
|
|
| SUNDAY 30TH MAY |
TRUGS |
|
|
|
| Not to be confused with the Sussex trug! This is a square base, curved , with a cross handle added and decorated with a rose tie. Use a variety of coloured willows to create stripes. Good for beginners. Used in the garden for cut flowers, herbs and veggies. |
|
| SUNDAY 6TH JUNE |
BIRD SCULPTURES |
|
|
|
| A fun day for beginners. It is possible to make two small birds in a day. Using the basic random weave technique, you can create birds with lots of character! When attached to their hazel stick, they stand around 18” high and look great in the garden. Children over 12 years welcome. |
|
| SUNDAY 27TH JUNE |
RUSH MATS AND SQUARE WILLOW TRAYS |
|
|
|
| You can expect to make at least 2 items, (depending on their size!) throughout the day. The willow trays can be either square or rectangular and have hazel handles at each end attached using a twisted rod of willow. Rush mats can be made oval or round. Rush is soft and easy to handle so is great for people who find willow tricky to use. This class is suitable for beginners. |
|
| SATURDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER |
BERRY PICKERS |
|
|
|
| This basket can be used for collecting blackberries, sloes or mushrooms whilst out walking. The base of the basket is slotted onto the top of the walking stick where it is attached, then completed with a side weave and track border. Various coloured willows can be added to the sides using a French randing weave. Suitable for beginners and improvers |
|
| SATURDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER |
RUSH BASKETS |
|
|
|
| Make a small basic rush basket, using locally harvested rushes. This little round basket is made over a mould using the following techniques; check weave plaiting, pairing, three rod wale and a roll border. If you’ve made rush mats you will find this workshop follows on nicely . Suitable for beginners and improvers. |
|
| SUNDAY 24TH OCTOBER |
ROUND AND OVAL BASKETS |
|
|
|
| We will be covering the following basketry techniques; continental split oval base, pull down wale, French randing, waling , four behind two border, finger hole handles. We will be working on lap boards.. Suitable for those who have already made a few round baskets.
Beginners can make a simple stake and strand round basket using willow from Somerset and King’s Cliffe. A good starter basket, or if you’re wishing to improve skills try a different side weave or add a handle. Measures ; 6”-8” base, 6”-7” high with a 4 behind 2 border. |
|
| SUNDAY 21ST NOVEMBER |
SPHERES AND GEESE |
|
|
|
| Make a large goose for your house or garden, they stand between 18” and 2’ high, or make a set of randomly woven willow balls,(largest size 12” diameter). Both begin with the same techniques are fun to make and are also suitable for beginners and children over 12 years. |
|
| SUNDAY 28TH NOVEMBER |
SMALL CHRISTMAS TREE DECORATIONS |
|
|
|
| This family workshop (children from 10yrs and above welcome), is designed for beginners. Throughout the day you can make several small decorations in willow and rush. Such as rush reindeer, mice, frogs, snowflakes, angels and little willow stars and balls. You can learn the following techniques, cordage, plaiting with eight elements and check weave . |
|
| SUNDAY 5TH DECEMBER |
STARS,TREES AND WREATHS |
|
|
|
| These large willow decorations can be hung on doors and walls. They can be draped with lights or covered with evergreen foliage . Made using a variety of coloured willows. This workshop is suitable for complete beginners and children over 12 years. |
