You have it, I have it, your neighbors have it…it’s everywhere. ENGLISH IVY!!!! So why not try making something fun with it.
Lets do a Bring (most of) Your Own Ivy (BYOI) workshop!
Since ivy is everywhere and is an invasive (and aggressive) grower, many of us have access or could get access to ivy. Much of the time/energy and therefore cost of my workshops are the hours and hours I spend collecting, drying, and preparing materials.
So let’s put our efforts together…you bring the ivy, I’ll bring the knowledge (and tools & space) and we’ll have a fun lower cost workshop!
DISCLAIMER: Not all ivy is created equal. Just because you have ivy doesn’t mean it will have good weavers. Read the harvesting guidelines below, check your ivy, and then sign up.
By signing up for this workshop, you are committing to following these guidelines to the best of your ability and arriving with a minimum of 20 - 5 ft non-branching, non-rooting, pencil thick vines.
I will be providing the 8 thick ivy spokes for your basket as their quality/size/length will be critical to your weaving success (64 spokes for the class). I will also have natural fiber rope available for handles.
Ivy Harvesting Guidelines
WHEN TO HARVEST: Harvest your ivy no more than 48 hours before the workshop and store the ivy outside in the shade - the day before is ideal. Inside our homes and out is the sun is way too dry/hot. We want the ivy to have some time to “relax” but also not dry out. It’s okay if it gets rained on.
HOW MUCH IVY: YOU MUST BRING A MINIMUM OF 20 - 5 foot lengths. Longer than 5 ft is acceptable but the longer the vine the more challenging it is to weave with so we might cut longer vines into two weavers, etc. The material you bring determines YOUR basket.
WHAT MAKES GOOD IVY FOR WEAVERS: You want long, unrooted, non-branching vines. Usually I find these reaching out over other plants, running across the ground but NOT rooting, climbing over previous year’s growth, or cascading down over walls.
DO NOT GATHER ivy that is growing up the trunks of trees with roots. It will be very brittle and unweavable. (It is always good to remove ivy growing on trees but it is not good for weaving.)
WHAT SIZE IVY:
This is the tricky part. Your 20 weavers should as close to the thickness of a pencil as you can find. A little thinner is okay but the thinner the weaver the smaller the basket you will be able to make. See photo below as a guide.
Why does weaver size matter?
Your weavers are going to shrink due to water loss, if you bring weavers that are too thin, 1) your basket will be smaller AND 2) when the weavers dry they my be too fragile.
HOW TO PREPARE THE IVY:
Stripe the leaves and roll each vine into a its own hoop - like pictured. You can tie bundles with twine you use the ivy itself to bundle it like a wreath. This will make it much easy to transport and keep organized in the classroom. Seriously - please do this.
You can strip the leave by running your fingers/hand down the length of the vine from the growing tip towards the base - the leaves will strip off and any leaves or stems missed you can easily pick off. You are trying to remove any stubble. If you find a few small roots, it’s okay - you can leave them on or snip them off.
Class size maximum: 8 students*
*If a class registration of 6 is not met by June 18th, the workshop may be cancelled. All students will be notified and receive a full refund.
Minimum age: 14 years old
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. I’m unable to support refunds or credits.
DISCLAIMER: Not all ivy is created equal. Just because you have ivy doesn’t mean it will have good weavers. Read the harvesting guidelines above, check your ivy, and then sign up.
By signing up for this workshop, you are committing to following these guidelines to the best of your ability and arriving with a minimum of 20 - 5 ft non-branching, non-rooting, pencil thick vines.
I will be providing the 8 thick ivy spokes for your basket as their quality/size/length will be critical to your weaving success. I will also have natural fiber rope available for handles.