This evening workshop is for anyone looking to experience the joys of weaving with natural willow. You will create your own unique rustic willow bird feeders for your garden or to give away as a gift. This workshop is suitable for all and no experience of willow-weaving is required. Those with previous experience are also very welcome to attend.
Please note that a certain amount of manual dexterity is required for manipulating the willow.
On this workshop, you will be introduced to simple weaving to become accustomed to willow weaving techniques. Part of the joy of the garden is sharing it with our feathered garden friends. The skills you learn on this workshop will enable you to dispense with ugly plastic or wire bird-feeders and make some natural willow birdfeeders to enhance your garden and keep your garden birds happy during the winter months.
You will cover:
As with all craftwork, basketry skills take some time to acquire and students should not be upset if they do not achieve perfection first time around!
No previous knowledge is necessary. A certain amount of manual strength and dexterity is required when working with willow; however, the projects covered in this workshop have been selected for their relative simplicity and suitability for beginners.
Throughout the workshop, students may occasionally use specialist basketry tools, most of which are either sharp or pointed, so a sensible and common-sense approach to safety is essential.
Material costs for willow required for the classroom activities have been included in the course fee. It may be possible to purchase additional willow from the tutor to take home with you. Please discuss this with the tutor. Any costs for additional willow will be payable to the tutor on the day. The tutor provides all specialist tools required for the workshop, for use in the classroom.
Please wear practical clothing and bring a work apron – damp willow can be a bit dirty.
Learners may wish to attend further willow-weaving workshops. There is a lot to learn on this topic and students may wish to consolidate their learning from with another one or two-day project.