beginning willow basketry
Thursday 2/26 5-8 pm
Saturday 2/28 9-4 pm (with a 1 hour lunch break)
Sunday 3/1 1-4pm
Weave a simple willow basket and get to know how willow grows and moves! For people who are curious to try their hand at willow basketry for the first time, learn to weave a European stake and strand willow basket-- everyone will weave a small basket up from a simple round base. This method is centuries old, shoutout to basketmakers of all time. Students will leave class equipped with the knowledge to weave a basket, and another and another. Class will include discussions around willow harvest, materials, and tools as a group, so participants can learn what it takes to develop their own practice.
Tuition: $335 per participant
Materials Fee: $75-175 to be paid to instructor
Optional Tools to Bring: Personal Carving Knife
Age: 16+ with good hand dexterity
Ability Level: Open to beginning basket makers. Hand strength and dexterity will make this process easier. Students will be sitting for most of our time in class.
Bozena Sheidel is a willow basketweaver. She works, lives and plays in Minneapolis, MN.
What to Expect: Weaving is a dextrous practice - having solid hand strength is part of this. We will take stretch breaks, and always feel free to take your own. Most beginners take roughly 12-14 hours to weave their first willow basket, so keep that timeline in mind!
Instructor will provide all tools necessary, bit if you’re more comfortable using your own tools, please consider bringing the following: small fixed blade knife, sharp garden clippers, awl/bodkin, train spike.
Accessibility: CENTER FOR PEOPLE AND CRAFT is committed to building a diverse, inclusive learning community where people of all backgrounds feel welcome and able to participate. As we launch our first workshop series, we are dedicating space in each class for reduced-tuition scholarships to support anyone facing financial barriers. As we build a more robust scholarship program, we hope this initial launch will remove barriers and expand access to hands-on learning for all.
Anyone with financial need is encouraged to apply for a half-tuition scholarship. To be considered, please submit a brief online application. Please note that CENTER FOR PEOPLE AND CRAFT is operating with limited financial resources and an entirely volunteer staff. Therefore, we cannot guarantee a spot for every applicant. Each class has one scholarship slot available. Applicants who are not selected in this current round are welcome to reapply. Apply here
Cancellation Policy: CPC is able to provide refunds up to two weeks before the start date of the class for which the registration was submitted, though we do retain a $20 fee for return payment processing. If you need to cancel your class within the two week window, a refund is not guaranteed, but will be considered based on several factors.
If CPC needs to cancel a class due to low enrollment, teacher illness, or other factors, you will receive a full refund.