Basketry Skills Week

This one-day course explores a more unusual and ancient form of basketry, using willow bark alone rather than willow rods. The bark is carefully removed from the willow and worked while fresh, creating a basket that is light, flexible, and full of natural character.

You’ll learn how to prepare and handle willow bark, form a simple structure, and weave the bark into a small, functional basket. The finished piece has a wonderfully organic feel, with soft lines and subtle variations in colour and texture that reflect the living material it’s made from.

This course is ideal for beginners, gardeners, and anyone curious about plant-based crafts, offering a rare opportunity to work directly with willow in one of its most elemental forms.

This two-day course offers the chance to explore a more expressive, sculptural form. An asymmetrical basket allows the maker to respond to the material, creating a piece that feels organic, individual, and full of movement.

Over the two days, you can choose to keep things simple with strong, straightforward weaves, or incorporate more refined techniques such as borders, texture changes, and decorative details. The course is structured to suit a range of abilities, with plenty of guidance to help you find the right balance between ambition and enjoyment.

This is a deeply satisfying course for those who want to develop confidence, creativity, and a stronger relationship with the material.

Designed for real, everyday use, this sturdy willow log basket is built to carry weight and stand up to hard work. It’s the kind of basket you’ll reach for again and again — by the fire, in the wood store, or out in the garden.

During the course, you’ll focus on strength and structure: making a robust base, using thick willow for stakes and ribs, weaving tightly for durability, and finishing with a solid handle and border. Along the way, you’ll learn why certain techniques are used and how to adapt them for other heavy-duty baskets.

This course is ideal for those who want to make something practical, long-lasting, and deeply satisfying to use.