May 30 @ 9:00 am – May 31 @ 5:00 pm
Weave a willow market basket with Ridgefield artist Robin Brady
In this 2-day class you’ll make a round, handled basket in the traditional European stake and strand style — a great foundation for your future explorations in basketry.
We’ll weave with a combination of cultivated and wild willows grown right here in Ridgefield and throughout the region. We’ll spend two full days weaving our baskets, and as time allows we’ll discuss everything from harvesting willow to prepping your materials for weaving. This is a great class for beginners, or any weavers looking to strengthen their basic stake and strand skills. You’ll come away with your own hand-woven willow basket great for going to market, gathering, storage, and everyday household use.
Note – Weaving with willow is hard work! Expect to spend 7 focused weaving hours per class day, and to use your hand and upper body strength throughout the class.
Ticket price includes an $80 materials fee for the willow.
Participants should provide:
- A fixed blade or locking knife
- Your favorite sharp pruners if you have them (or you may use the instructor provided ones)
- Any additional seating cushion, back support, or special chair you need to be comfortable
- Layers for sun/weather if you wish to work or have lunch outside
- Lunch and a water bottle
Coffee, tea, water and light snacks will be provided. Please bring sack lunch, a water bottle, and any special snacks you need (you will have access to fridge, stove and microwave if needed).
Accessibility Note: This workshop takes place in an historic farmhouse that is not currently wheelchair accessible. We will work to accommodate access however we can, but please email arts@pnfarm.com to confirm that the space will work for you before you commit to the workshop!
Scholarships are available on an as-needed basis. Please email arts@pnfarm.com for more info.
About our teacher
Robin Brady (she/they) is a queer craftsperson, basket weaver and willow devotee.
They tend a cultivated willow patch at their home and gather wild willow along nearby waterways. They live on Chinook & Cowlitz land in Ridgefield, Washington, under passing sandhill crane migration. They come to basketry via long time devotion to crafts and skill sets that keep them a student in the practice of direct and reciprocal relationship to the living world.
As a weaver of mixed European settler descent, they focus primarily on styles of willow basketry with roots in countries their ancestors once wove in, while being in awe of the many brilliant weaving traditions belonging to cultures near and far. Robin was first introduced to basketry by Margaret Mathewson and other weavers in her watershed lineage and is honored to continue the tradition of passing along this love of working with willow.
See more at www.windfallcraftandbasketry.com
