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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 @ Harlem Valley Homestead, Wingdale NY

  • March 2 @ Gardiner Library, Gardiner NY

  • March 22 & 23 @ Waterford Heritage Craft School, Waterford VA

  • April 5 & 6 @ Fall Kill Creative Works, Poughkeepsie NY

  • April 25 - 27 @ Northeast Basketmakers Guild Gathering, Enfield CT

  • May 1 & 2, May 3 & 4 @ Wind and the Willow, Grafton ON Canada

  • May 13 & 14, May 16 & 17 @ Stowe Basketry Festival, Stowe VT

  • May 26 @ Salt Box Crafters, Suffield CT

  • May 27 @ Salt Box Crafters, Suffield CT

  • May 31 & June 1 @ Black & Wild, Petersburgh NY (BIPOC focused)

  • June 14 & 15 @ West Kortright Center, East Meredith NY

  • June 26 & 27 @ Sanborn Mills Farm, Loudon NH

  • June 29 @ Jayflora Designs, Fonda NY

  • July 10 &11, July 12 &13 @ The Branch Ranch, Warkworth ON Canada

  • July 19 @ Fall Kill Creative Works, Poughkeepsie NY

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

  • August 19 - 21 @ Black & Wild, Petersburgh NY (BIPOC focused)

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

  • September 6 & 7 @ Fall Kill Creative Works, Poughkeepsie NY

  • September 10 - 14 @ Sanborn Mills Farm, Loudon NH

  • September 24 @ The Met Cloisters, NYC NY

  • September 27 & 28 @ Stacy Zink, Bethlehem PA

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

  • October 18 & 18 @ Black & Wild, Petersburgh NY (BIPOC focused)

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


Weavings

Find my baskets at:

Stockists

Big Rock Community Farms Market, Stanfordville, NY
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.