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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

2026 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 13 Small Stanislav Asymmetrical @ Fall Kill Creative Works, Poughkeepsie NY

  • March 21 & 22 TBD @ Harlem Valley Homestead, Wingdale NY

  • May 2 & 3 Deep Round Gathering Baskets @ Fall Kill Creative Works, Poughkeepsie NY

  • May 14 & 15 Round Harvest Baskets @ Sanborn Mills, Loudon NH

  • June 5 - 7 TBD (most likely round baskets) @ Penn-Jersey Basketry Guild Annual Meeting

  • June 13 & 14 Intro to Round Willow Baskets @ Waterford Craft School, Waterford VA

  • June 16 - 18 TBD (Most likely garden structures) @ Oak Spring Garden Foundation, Upperville VA

  • July 31 - August 2 Side Weaves Intensive @ Sanborn Mills Farm, Loudon NH

  • October 19 - 23 Five Day Intensive @ Oak Spring Garden Foundation, Upperville VA

  • November 21 & 22 How to Harvest Willow @ Sanborn Mills Farm, Loudon NH

  • December 5 & 6 Lyngsgaard Asymmetrical Baskets @ Fall Kill Creative Works, Poughkeepsie NY

Featured
Private Tuition at Willow Vale 2026
Jan 1
Willow Vale Farm
Private Tuition at Willow Vale 2026
Willow Vale Farm

Now Booking for 2026! Private tuition is open to one or two individuals at a time and must be scheduled in advance. $225/day + materials for one student, $300/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. Schedule your class here!

Willow Vale Farm
View workshop policies

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.

Contact me for a custom order

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 I don't often work in peeled willow, and I don't often get to make things for my home, and I don't often post here. So. A laundry basket made in good company (@steenhedegaard @ @deborahneedleman ) and a greenwood chair made under the tuition of @eric
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!)

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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