Full Day Boxing Hare Sculpture Workshop with willow artist Toni Cross.

Handweave your own boxing hare, and maybe even build a pair with a partner......

This workshop takes place in an activity room attached to our Brandon studio

In this workshop we will build a large boxing hare sculpture which can live indoors or outside.

This workshop is slightly different from our normal animal sculpture workshops, because you will be building one boxing hare, to make up a pair if you wish.

You have three options for building a full set of hares:

• Build with a partner-great as a couple's project, build a hare each. Also ideal for two family members, you just need to agree on whos garden they are living in!
• Make one hare and come back on a future workshop to make the other-we are planning to schedule another for late autumn.
• If you are a confident willow worker and have a bit of experience, build one hare in the workshop and start on a framework to make another. You can book and purchase additional materials at a cost of £20, including some ready made and dried hoops, and make your other hare at home. Toni will give you lots of help to get started, and we are hoping to make a tutorial video too. 

To create our hares we start by making a willow framework, then weave in more willow to fill in the sculpture. Pieces usually measure about 70cm. As there is a lot to complete in one day, some hoops and other structural sections will be prepared for you. Hares are woven with the back legs made up partly of long bamboo poles. These will be much longer than the legs and can be cut to suit when you install your hare.

Hares are woven with brown willow which lasts well outside and a mixture of brown and dried white willow for the framework. They can also be varnished or painted with linseed oil to preserve them. 

There is no age limit but children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent.

Willow is a lovely medium to work with and most people find weaving relaxing and therapeutic. However, it can be quite hard on the fingers. We can find ways to alleviate this for most people, but if you have arthritis or other mobility issues you might want to discuss this with Toni first to see what help we can offer.

Tools will be provided, but if you have them please bring:

Sharp secateurs or garden scissors (many people prefer using ones they are used to)

A pruning knife if you have one

Workshops include tea/coffee and cake. Please bring a sandwich for lunchtime.