Willow courses

As well as my own courses at my workshop in Froghall Wharf or at Foxt Village Hall, I teach at The Gardeners Bothy, Staunton Harold, Greenwood Days and Zantium Arts. Courses are marked as suitable for beginners or intermediates, materials, drinks and biscuits are included. Booking is essential as places are limited to 8 to ensure sufficient tuition time. Vouchers can be used on the courses that are starred.

Please bear in mind that basketmaking is very hard on the hands. If you suffer from hand, wrist, finger or shoulder problems it may not be the course for you.

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More new courses for 2024 will be added through the year.  To book onto courses, see the details below (read carefully as some are not suitable for beginners) then please head to my shop, select the right course and book on and pay. If its not on the shop yet, just ping me an email wheatcroftwillow@googlemail.com

Voucher holders please email me and I will book you on.

​See below for cancellation policy.

 

Willow basket courses 2024.

All courses are at Foxt Village Hall, ST10 2HN or in my workshop at Froghall Wharf unless otherwise stated

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Beginners and improvers basketmaking make a round shopping basket with a strong wrapped handle 2 days. Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th November £180 - Foxt Village Hall 9.30-5 ish

Make a round basket with a wrapped handle over two days. We will make round bases, add stakes and using a weave called waling, work up the sides using a variety of different weaves and colours. We will then weave a strong rod border, taking lots of time to make the border neat. We then add a strong handle and wrap to keep it in place.

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Christmas willow - Friday 15th November 10 til 4 - £70- Foxt Village Hall

You will make a selection of Christmas themed willow items, several woven stars, a Christmas tree and some little reindeer. You will be using home grown, colourful willows from my willow bed, some Somerset willow and other natural materials.

Lots of festive snacks and a lovely way to spend the day crafting for Christmas.

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Christmas willow - Saturday 23rd November 10 til 4 - £70- Foxt Village Hall

You will make a selection of Christmas themed willow items, several woven stars, a Christmas tree and some little reindeer. You will be using home grown, colourful willows from my willow bed, some Somerset willow and other natural materials.

Lots of festive snacks and a lovely way to spend the day crafting for Christmas. ​

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Underfoot bottom log basket - More suitable for makers with some previous experience and good physical agility and strength.

Friday 7th and Saturday 8th February 9.30 - 5 both days.

Underfoot techniques are a lovely traditional way of making. It’s a physical process requiring the ability to bend over and work with the base of the basket upside down held under one or both feet. It can be done sitting or at a push on a table using heavy weights but the purists will want to work underfoot!

The baskets are strong and incorporate lots of time saving techniques. They were originally used as agricultural baskets and were the original weights and measures for fruit and veg, bushels and pecks.

On the course we will make one or two round underfoot bases, choose one and fill the base in with slewing and then a pair. We will then stake up, discussing different ways of staking up. We will then add a 4 rod wale, dropping down to a 3 rod, then slew the basket up the sides. Wale again and then turn down a chunky 5 rod border. To finish it off we will practice cranking and then make beautiful roped handles.

This course will be held at my workshop ST10 2HJ 9.30- 5 ish and costs £220. Numbers are very limited. To book contact Rachel wheatcroftwillow@googlemail.com

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Progressive teaching programme

If you want to take your basketmaking further then more structured learning can be arranged with me in my workshop. We can cover materials preparation and selection and well as the techniques to make whatever baskets style you wish, working progressively towards set goals and building on your skills.

One to one tuition £200 per day in my workshop plus materials

up to 3 people in the workshop. £100 per person plus materials

Contact me to book

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​Course cancellation policy

If you are unable to attend, please let us know as soon as possible.

If you cancel more than 4 weeks before the course, your fee can be refunded minus a £25 cancellation fee.

Less than 4 weeks and I cannot offer a refund, although if I can fill your place, you may transfer your course to another course of similar value later in the year.

Less than 7 days and unfortunately I cannot offer refunds. Course fees are non-refundable. No refunds can be made to those who fail to attend a course in full or in part.

You may send someone in your place, in which case we will need their contact details in advance

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