Spring Foraging Frame Basket workshop ideal for basket making beginners
Red Lodge Millennium Centre Sunday 29th March 1-4pm
Early spring is a great time to work with freshly cut willow. Fresh willow has vibrant colour and is smooth and supple, and great to work with. I encourage everyone to forage for other materials such as dogwood and climber stems to add colour to their baskets too.
We will make a small frame basket using fresh willow and other materials.
These baskets were traditionally made by country people who were not trained basket makers. They are simple to design and make, and an ideal introduction to more advanced basketry. They are great for foraging and garden produce gathering.
Your basket can be completely made of willow, but it is also possible to incorporate other fresh materials to add colour and variety. The handles will be made for you beforehand and left to dry, ready for assembling and weaving with willow and any other materials you would like to bring.
Suggested materials for foraging:
Ivy, contorted willow, dogwood, lime runners, hazel, eucalyptus, bramble (thornless or strip the thorns with gloves!) various climbers, vines.
We are teaming this workshop up with a morning fresh willow workshop too, making growing Harlequin Trees and living hearts. These will continue to grow and can be kept in a pot or planted in the garden
There is a discount for booking both workshops, and time to have lunch in between.
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
Coffee/tea and biscuits throughout the workshop are included.
The centre address is Red Lodge Millennium Centre, Lavender Close, Red Lodge, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP28 8TT
