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homegrown willow, woven

Stanfordville, NY / Lenapehoking / Mahicannituck

 

A person, their plants and the earth.

 
Non-binary person in a flower crown looking off in the distance and holding a large willow basket in front of them. The basket opening is facing forward, showing you the inside of it.

Jesica Clark (they/them) is Willow Vale Farm. After 13 years of farming, in 2015 I finally got a farm to call my own. Located on 5 acres of undulating, rocky, Dutchess-Cardigan soil, at Willow Vale I grow and weave with willow, raise vegetables and fruits for our home, and listen to too many podcasts. I am available for teaching classes, private commissioned work, and wholesale orders.

 

Willow

Growing

I grow willow on the farm as a windbreak, a soil-erosion-preventer and as an agricultural product. Seriously, this is one of the most versatile and useful plants around. I mainly grow Salix purpurea because it is hardy and mostly pest resistant, but lately I have been gathering local wild willows to grow out and select for weaving. I currently do not offer dried willow or live cuttings for sale, but I can direct you to some places that do.

Weaving

All baskets, and garden supports are woven with a combination of mostly home-grown and some bought-in willow, as well as locally harvested birch and hazel in partnership with the NY DEC. Find me on Instagram to keep up with my latest weaving projects. If you are interested in learning how to grow or weave with willow, see Workshops. If you’re interested in purchasing a basket, see Weavings. And if you have a question about my baskets, see the FAQs or contact me.

 

 Workshops

2025 Group Class Schedule

Save the date! Get on top of registration! I will post classes here as they open up for registration, but I usually give the host about a week to reach out to their own community.

  • February 1 & 2 Beginners Baskets @ Harlem Valley Homestead, Wingdale NY (sold out, waitlist available)

  • March 9 Tatzca @ Gardiner Library, Gardiner NY (sold out, waitlist available)

  • March 22 & 23 Roundy Rounds @ Waterford Heritage Craft School, Waterford VA (sold out, waitlist available)

  • April 5 & 6 Backpacks @ Fall Kill Creative Works, Poughkeepsie NY (sold out, waitlist available)

  • April 25 - 27 Creels @ Northeast Basketmakers Guild Gathering, Enfield CT (new spots opened up!)

  • May 13 & 14 Stanislav Asymmetrical, May 16 & 17 Keepsake Box @ Stowe Basketry Festival, Stowe VT (sold out, waitlist available)

  • May 26 Obelisks @ Salt Box Crafters, Suffield CT (sold out)

  • May 27 Leaf Trays @ Salt Box Crafters, Suffield CT

  • May 31 & June 1 Campout @ Black & Wild, Petersburgh NY (BIPOC focused) (sold out, waitlist available)

  • June 14 & 15 Beginners Baskets @ West Kortright Center, East Meredith NY (sold out, waitlist available)

  • June 26 & 27 Garden Structures@ Sanborn Mills Farm, Loudon NH (sold out, waitlist available)

  • June 29 Berry Baskets @ Jayflora Designs, Fonda NY (sold out, waitlist available)

  • July 5 &6 Fitching @ Wind and the Willow, Grafton ON Canada

  • July 10 &11 Organic Slouchy @ The Branch Ranch, Warkworth ON Canada

  • July 12 &13 Roundy Round @ The Branch Ranch, Warkworth ON Canada

  • July 15 Tension Trays @Phillies Bridge Farm Project, Gardiner NY

  • July 19 Berry Baskets @ Fall Kill Creative Works, Poughkeepsie NY (sold out, waitlist available)

  • July 28 - August 3 @ Eric Cannizzaro, Charlotte VT (this is a combined chair-making and basket-weaving class) (sold out, waitlist available)

  • August 19 - 20 Campout @ Black & Wild, Petersburgh NY (BIPOC focused)

  • August 27 - 29 Beginners Baskets @ Oak Spring Garden Foundation, Upperville VA

  • September 10 - 14 Skills Week@ Sanborn Mills Farm, Loudon NH (sold out, waitlist available)

  • September 24 Peony Crown @ The Met Cloisters, NYC NY

  • September 27 & 28 Beginners Baskets@ Stacy Zink, Bethlehem PA

  • October 4 &5 Beginners Baskets @ Fall Kill Creative Works, Poughkeepsie NY

  • October 9 & 10 Harvest Oval @ Salt Box Crafters, Suffield CT

  • October 17 & 18 Campout @ Black & Wild, Petersburgh NY (BIPOC focused) (sold out, waitlist available)

  • November 1 & 2 Creels @ Fall Kill Creative Works, Poughkeepsie NY

Featured
FULL FOR 2025!! Private Tuition at Willow Vale
Jan 1
FULL FOR 2025!! Private Tuition at Willow Vale

**I am fully booked for 2025** Private tuition is open to one or two individuals at a time and must be scheduled in advance. $200/day + materials for one student, $250/day + materials for two students. Private classes for 3 for may be scheduled on a case by case basis. Classes take place on our farm in The Shed (weaving studio).

Learn the ins and outs of basketry here at our farm. Folks seeking private tuition will work directly with me to weave any basket of their choosing, within their (and my!) skill level. Most baskets will take at least two days to learn, larger or more complicated baskets may even take three. Garden supports and small simple baskets like berry baskets and trays will take one day. The farm is lovely almost any time of the year and you’ll meet our chickens, dog and cats. Do remember that willow can be challenging to weave and that these tutorials will be taking place on a working farm.

Tension Trays at Phillies Bridge Farm Project
Jul 15
Phillies Bridge Farm Project, Gardiner NY
Tension Trays at Phillies Bridge Farm Project
Phillies Bridge Farm Project, Gardiner NY

Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 4:00-7:00pm each day0

Organized through Phillies Bridge Farm Project. More info and registration here. $80 class fee includes materials.

In this short class, beginning weavers and those interested in the wonders of willow can make a fun and easy project with many uses: the tension tray! Use it as a trivet, a drying tray, to hold your bits and bobs, to display your harvest. We'll practice making wreaths with the willow to form a hoop, then use more willow to weave through and form a shallow tray. The piece can be stabilized and decorated with an intro to the pairing weave. Industrious students may be able to make more than one during class, or take some willow home to try another there. All materials and tools will be provided. Learn more and register here.

Phillies Bridge Farm Project, Gardiner NY
Oval Harvest Basket Workshop (intermediate level) at Saltbox Crafters
Oct 9
The Saltbox Crafters, Suffield CT
Oval Harvest Basket Workshop (intermediate level) at Saltbox Crafters
The Saltbox Crafters, Suffield CT

Thursday & Friday, October 9 & 10, 2025, 9:30am-5:00pm

Organized through the Saltbox Crafters. Register by emailing Mary Jo Rushlow at thesaltboxcrafters@gmail.com . $80 studio fee and $240 teaching + materials fee. Class is held outdoors, students MUST bring their own table and chair!

In this two day workshop, intermediate level willow weavers can learn oval bases and shaping through this super functional form. A classic basket with a multitude of uses. We begin with a “continental oval” split stick base, woven in reverse pairing and randing to prevent torquing. Stakes are added and as we proceed with the weaving, our focus will be on keeping our ovals oval and shaping to create a functional and ergonomic form. After the woven border we’ll add a handle. This class is intended for intermediate weavers because of the slightly shortened class time - we expect students to be comfortable with basic willow weaves like pairing/reverse pairing, waling and randing and at least familiar with woven borders. Learn more and register here.

The Saltbox Crafters, Suffield CT

Weavings

Find my baskets at:

Stockists

100 Main, Falls Village, CT
or contact me directly for custom baskets

You may also occasionally find my work at a few other shops in the Hudson Valley and surrounding area.

Holiday Shows and Seasonal Markets

After a long think, I’ve decided to no longer do crafts shows/artisan markets at this time. Please see the list of stockists above or contact me directly for a custom order below! Currently my online shop is closed, but I may open again as I make stock.

Custom Orders

I am currently taking custom orders at a 10-12 week lead time. Please contact me to discuss order details.
I take on all kinds of projects, big and small, for loved ones or for the public.

Some basket examples for inspiration:

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Contact

Start a custom order. Find out about my willow varieties. Ask a smart question. Ask a dumb question.
Whatever it is, you can use the contact form below.
You can also call or text: 845-380-9183.

 
 
View fullsize *for donation* I've got some baskets here that I would like to donate to you if you've got upcoming auctions/raffles/fundraisers for mutual aid. They've been woven over the past few months while I've been preparing for classes, teaching, or otherwise
View fullsize Along with a lot of folks here, I've been battling with how to interact with social media these days. I think I'll keep this account open, occasionally posting things I'm proud of, or a little scene that captures my eye (or in this case, both). But j
View fullsize Coming out of IG hiatus at probably the worst time, but here goes - I'm contemplating finally doing a year-long workshop series aimed towards teaching willow basketry from beginning to advanced work - probably 6-8 sessions over the year. I'd love to
View fullsize Didn't go to Tear Up, but did make this basket for farm mentors from my early years who guided me as a person, a farmer, a teacher. Still on IG break for the most part, but wanted to share this one. #willowweaving #willowbasket #tearup2026anyone?
View fullsize Things I've been proud of this spring/summer: I'm heading up to @sanbornmillsfarm today to teach a 5-day class after having just taught a 5-day class at @touchstonecenterforcrafts (pic 1) and later this summer I'll be at @blackandwildllc teaching my
View fullsize Ok! That's a wrap! I can't believe how much the garden has transformed in the time that I've been here, the gardeners at the @metcloisters have really outdone themselves. And you know what, I'm proud of what I've contributed. Come by and see the will
View fullsize End of day three - a little tour, me speed weaving at the start 😂, and the obligatory selfie. The museum is closed on Wednesdays and it felt super special to weave a good long day in the relatively quiet cloister. Today is chilly and rainy, so I'm o
View fullsize
View fullsize An actual dream come true - weaving garden edging and trellising for The Cloisters. On site - I got sticks, coffee and yes, a shave horse. Let's go. You might know I've been pretty off IG lately - and that might continue. But this I've gotta document
View fullsize It's bright and cold at home, but I'm back. What an amazing journey through France with @isabelmcgarva - I'm still buzzing. So. So. So many thanks to @valerie.testuvannerie for her interlacing (entrelac) weaving knowledge and chestnut infused hospita
View fullsize Long time no post. In reverse order - when you immediately use your class basket on your way to Paris, London at night, Jenny's patch, Eddie absolutely knackered after we ate all his biscuits, sunset after class, sunrise before class (while running!)
View fullsize I've spent a good portion of this summer making sizable orders of "little stuff" - bread baskets, tension trays, woven mats, etc. It's not as flashy as larger intricate baskets, but finally after a couple hundred of these with a couple hund

Located in Beautiful, Downtown, Stanfordville, New York
Past and future home of the Lenape and Mohican tribes
Fave podcast since last update: Midst

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