Beginners’ Basketmaking Course 1

This is a course of four days’ tuition, each session held three weeks apart, October to December 2022. It is the first of three “Beginners’ Basketmaking” modules that I teach, and this will be the fifth group to undertake the course.

Beginners’ Basketmaking 1 deals with the skills of basketmaking in much more depth than a single one-day workshop and will appeal to those who want a thorough introduction to the basic elements of basketry on a progressive basis, with follow-on courses after completion. The spacing of the sessions allows students time to practice and consolidate what they have learned. Note: This course takes place on Sundays: 2 October, 23 October, 13 November, 4 December.

A Saturday course will be starting in January 2023 – contact me if interested.

Fee: £275

You will learn all about willow, willow preparation, use of tools, controlling willow in weaving, culminating in the ability to independently make a small round basket with a simple handle.

During the Course expect to make and take home

• set of fish decorations/platters
• sunflower garden decorations
• kitchen herb pot planters
• egg basket
• berry basket
• plus all the items you make and practise at home

Practise between sessions – after each session you will be required to practise at home to ensure you have fully understood and can undertake the techniques independently. You will be expected to prepare items for use in the following session. Allow for at least 10 hours of home practise between sessions.

Willow – the course fee includes all the willow required during the sessions and to finish items off at home, but for additional practise you will have to source and prepare your own willow (this will be taught as part of the first session)

If you would like more detail of the individual sessions, please contact me and I will email you a Course Overview.

This course is designed for absolute beginners, but please bear in mind that a certain amount of manual strength and dexterity is required when working with willow.  Throughout the course participants will need to use specialist basketry tools, many of which are either sharp or pointed, so a sensible approach to personal safety is essential!

Maximum class size is 10.