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Willow Tray Making - Rachel Bower


  • Ellekers Wood 54.134686, -1.297639 (map)

Date 14-15 June 2025 (2 Days)

Price £220

Maximum number of places 8

Book Contact Rachel to book on this course by email, hello@rachelbowerbaskets.co.uk or Instagram, @rachelbowerbaskets

Course Details

The basketmaking course is run in a covered workshop in a woodland setting over two days.  Campers are welcome to arrive from Friday evening and spend time around the fire, ready for a Saturday morning start.

Two-Day Willow Tray Making Course 

This two-day course is ideal for both beginners and experienced weavers, offering a fantastic introduction to frame basketry techniques. Whether you’re new to willow weaving or looking to expand your skills, this workshop will guide you through the process of weaving beautiful, functional trays.

What we will learn: 

 • Split Willow Frames and Ribs 

Learn to make split willow frames and ribs using traditional tools such as a froe and draw knife. This hands-on approach will provide a strong foundation for understanding the structure and stability of frame basketry. 

 • Frame Basketry Weaving Techniques 

Learn weaving techniques specific to frame basketry, including “packing,” a method used to build up the weave where needed to fill and complete the frame effectively. 

Throughout the course, you’ll gain insight into material selection, and the nuances of working with willow to create a versatile and elegant tray that’s perfect for practical or decorative use.

 All tools and materials are provided. 

Catering:

For all courses, a hearty, healthy lunch is provided (please let your tutor know of any dietary requirements when booking), along with tea, coffee and water. Breakfast and evening meal is self-catered, with firewood and charcoal-based cooking available.

We also provide firewood, brew-kit, washing up and cooking facilities, crockery and cutlery. 

Guests should bring; barbecue food or pans for cooking on a fire for breakfast and evening meals.

Facilities:

Facilities include covered workshop spaces, an undercover outdoor cooking set-up, comfortable compost toilet, plenty of loo roll, and handwashing.  A good stone track leads to the wood where there is space to park, please keep speed under 10mph.

Tutor Bio

Rachel is a highly reputable willow basketmaker from Angus, NE Scotland making strong and functional baskets for everyday use.  She has been working with willow for over 20 years with a three-year basketry diploma from Westhope College. The course used a progressive approach to learning which changed the way she looked at her own making.

Rachel aims to use a similar approach in her own style of teaching, looking at ways to break a design down into simpler steps so that it can be fully understood before moving onto the next level.

Colour and lines are leading features in Rachel’s work. Inspired by the meaning and memories that objects can hold within them, at the heart of her practice is a desire to make beautiful and distinctive pieces that will last for the next generation and collect their own stories over time. 

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14 June

Axe Hafting and Sheath Making - Peter Kovacs