Making willow swallows is a great introduction to weaving with willow. You’ll test your hand strength, learn to manipulate the willow to limit breakage, and safely use a bodkin (provided). *A bodkin is a traditional willow tool that looks like a large awl - like this…
We’ll have time to make 2 swallows (approx. 12 x 16 inches) in the workshop giving you a chance to practice and improve your new skills. We will be using rehydrated basketry willow but this project could be done with fresh wild willow or red twig dogwood.
WORKING WITH WILLOW…
As I start to add more willow offerings, I’ll be rolling out small (6 students) or semi-private (2 student) workshops.
There are a couple of key reasons to “start small”….
1) Willow weaving is challenging. With fewer students, you are guaranteed to get more support and a deeper understanding of willow.
2) By running small workshops, I can offer you more project variety with the limited willow I have. Willow is hard to come by and expensive in the US. Every willow teacher I know grows their own willow - myself included. It’s like if you wanted to knit a sweater, you would have to become a sheep farmer!
3) We get to weave together in my little natural nest of a classroom. I want to be able to host you in a space that feels right for weaving and surrounds us in natural beauty. But, weaving with willow can take up a LOT of space. So to bring willow weaving into my petite classroom, it means fewer students.
With all that said, I can’t wait to start sharing the wonders of willow with you!
Minimum age: 14
Class max: 6 students
Class registration is NON-REFUNDABLE. However, if you want to sell or give your spot to a friend, I’m happy to welcome someone else in your place. Due to the nature of the projects and the small class sizes, I’m unable to support refunds or credits.
