This is a five week course on:
Thursdays, April 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th
10am – 1pm
Discover one of the world’s oldest and most ubiquitous crafts: basketry. This beginner‑friendly willow weaving course guides you through 4-5 individual projects designed to build the core skills you need to begin weaving independently.
For centuries, baskets were essential tools of daily life. They were used for storing, carrying, fishing, and countless practical tasks. Basketry appears in almost every culture across the globe. Britain was renowned for skilled basketry across Europe. The importance of basketry was so great that nearly every village had its own basket weavers.
Throughout the course, you will start with small projects and build up to making your own basket. You’ll begin by making a tension tray, a practical platter that introduces how willow behaves while leaving space for creativity. You’ll also create flat decorative shapes (a star and a swallow) developing precision and control with a material that can be both beautiful and stubborn. As your skills grow, you’ll move on to larger items. You will make a garden trellis just in time for Spring. The course concludes with a round fruit basket made using traditional English basketry techniques. By the end you’ll have a strong foundation in willow work and a beautiful set of handmade items.
Important Note: Maja’s priority is to provide a space where everyone can learn. Please get in touch if you require support to participate. Willow weaving is physically demanding, and you need a good degree of manual dexterity (the ability bend sticks for long periods of time) whilst working. This may prove difficult for people with arthritis or manual dexterity/strength issues. However, some projects/techniques are easier than others. If you think you may struggle with this, please contact our course coordinator at admin@newcastle-arts-centre.co.uk, and we can figure out how we can best support you in the class.
All abilities welcome.
All materials provided.
Included in this course: 10% discount card for art materials bought from Details Art Shop
Need to cancel your booking? You must inform us at least one week before the course’s start date to guarantee a refund.
