Willow courses
I offer courses from my workshop in Nunney or at other local venues in and around Frome or in Bath at the Urban Garden or just outside at Newton Farm, Newton St Loe.
Flowerfield, Nunney
For private courses at my workshop in Nunney, I work with small groups of a minimum of 3 and maximum of 5 people depending on what you want to make. These courses, for basketry particularly, are great if you want some flexibility on styles of basket you would like to make within your group. I am happy to come to a venue of your choice where larger groups can be facilitated depending on what you would like to make. If you would like 1:1 or 1:2 tuition please contact me to discuss.
All materials are included in the cost. A full day course is from £95. A half day course is from £55 or £70 for plant supports. Full payment is due on booking to confirm your place. Please read and understand my terms and conditions. See information below on dates and how to book a course.
External venues
For courses running at other venues the prices will vary depending on the venue. Please see individual courses for this information.
We start with a cuppa while I give you an introduction to the willow, how it is harvested and prepared for weaving. If you are attending a full day course at my Nunney workshop you need to bring a packed lunch. I will provide plenty of refreshments throughout the day. If you are attending at a different venue then lunch may be included in the cost, this will be stated in the course booking information.
I also run longer courses at the Cheese and Grain in Frome for Frome Community Education. We run a very popular festive weaving course and a plant support and bird feeder course in the spring. For more information on these courses visit Frome Community Education and these should be booked via the Cheese and Grain Box Office
For more details about what can be made on my courses, please see below.
Booking your course
Depending on the venue, some courses will be booked directly through me and some will be booked through the venue.
Dates for all venues are listed below with relevant booking information. This will be updated regularly with potential extra courses at my workshop in Nunney so please check back if you can't find a date to suit.
Full payment is required to confirm your booking.
Please read and understand my T&C's which you will find at the bottom of the page.
Current course dates
Ended
65 British pounds
More information on the courses on offer.....
Full day basketry course
For private workshops we can manage two different styles within a group of four although the same style is easier to teach. The asymmetric basket can be made with either the framed berry basket or the round stake and strand basket but these two cannot be done together.
.jpg)
Framed berry basket
One of the earliest styles of basket ever discovered. First we create two rings that are joined together with a gods eye. The rest of the framework is added and then you just keep on weaving! Great for foraging.
.jpg)
Asymmetric with wooden base and handle
The easiest style of basket to weave which can make the day slightly shorter. You may have any interesting pieces of wood that we can try for a handle.
Round stake and strand
A more traditional style of basket. Depending on your ability and experience you may be able to add a handle but on a first basket it can be a more fulfilling experience to go without as it can be quite intense and can make the day feel rather rushed.
Two day basketry course
Some baskets need longer than a day to weave. These will generally be run over two sessions of four to five hours depending on the style of basket. Please contact me if this is something of interest.
.jpg)
Laundry basket
Fed up with cheap plastic rubbish. Come and weave you're very own laundry basket. This basket has a wooden base and will be made over two 4 1/2 hour sessions.
Half day general weaving courses
Simple platter
This platter is a great introduction to working with willow and can be done with larger groups. Different varieties of willow can be used to vary colour and tone.
Dragonfly's, butterflies and flowers
More decorative sculptural items these make a lovely addition to any garden.
Bird feeders/houses
These can be run as a course on their own or alongside other items. Some will take longer than others.
Half day plant support courses
Tepee plant supports
This is the main plant support workshop on offer. The larger size, which is sturdier and more suitable for vegetables uses hazel or thicker willow for the uprights and willow for the weave. These can measure anything from 5 ft to 7ft. The smaller size, which is still sturdy but a bit less robust and is ideal for sweet peas and the like, can measure between 4 ft to 5 ft. This generally uses all willow but the uprights are a different, thicker variety.
Peoni support
If you are interested in making this style please let me know. Variations of this design can be achieved.
Panel or fan
These would have to be run as a separate workshop to the others. Please contact me if this is of interest