SOLD OUT!! Thursday and Friday, October 5 & 6, 2023, 9:00am-5:00pm each day.

Organized through Sanborn Mills Farm. More info and registration here. $220 class fee plus $50 materials fee. Options for meals and housing.

This is an advanced beginner/intermediate level class! Students need to have woven a few willow baskets previously. In this class, students learn and practice traditional weaving techniques while creating a contemporary and organically shaped functional basket. We will use an innately colorful selection of willows and learn about the cultivation and processing of this historically important natural material. Our baskets will be built from a round base with weaves mostly in the European tradition, including pairing, waling, randing and woven borders. This particular basket was designed by Danish weaver Ane Lyngsgaard. A supplied sturdy branch or driftwood handle will finish off this unusual basket, or students may bring their own special piece of driftwood to incorporate into the piece. This class is suitable for intermediate beginning weavers: those who have woven at least a few willow baskets under instruction, who want to learn some modified versions of the basic weaves to create this piece, and also to learn about creativity in the construction of a new basket form. Willow is a stronger more tension-y material than many other basketry materials, strong hands are recommended for this course. Care and use of finished pieces will be discussed in class. *special note - Sandra Kehoe will also be teaching a willow class on the weekend after!