Saturdays: January-April 2025 OR Sundays, September-December 2025
This is the first of three modules of my Beginners' Basketmaking Course which is designed for complete beginners, or those with a little previous experience who wish to learn how to weave independently. The course takes you methodically through all the various processes involved in making round baskets in a slow and progressive manner. Each session is a month apart to give you time to practise. You can choose between starting in January (on Saturdays) or in September (on Sundays).
Monday 23 - Friday 27 June 2025
This is a condensed version of my Beginners' Basketmaking Course for those who would rather complete a course all in one go. You will learn about how to obtain and process willow for weaving; how to make round bases; staking up the sides; various weaves and top borders; shaping and handles. No previous experience is required.
Wednesday mornings, one topic per month
6 November 2024: Catalan Platters / 4 December 2024: Christmas Trees / 15 January 2025: Bird Feeders / 5 February 2025: Catalan Platters / 5 March 2025: Wigwam Plant Support / 16 April 2025: Mini Easter Basket / 21 May 2025: Dragonflies / 18 June 2025: Sunflowers & Daisies / 24 Sept 2025: Herb Pots / 15 Oct 2025: BirdFeeders / 19 Nov 2025: Quick Gift Basket / 17 Dec 2025: Xmas Decorations
Thursday 7 November 2024
This simplified design will allow you to make at least two baskets in the day - then all you have to do is line then with festive tissue paper and fill with biscuits, confectionery, toiletries to make the perfect git. CLICK button below for more details and to book.
Wednesday 4 through to Sunday 8 December 2024
Five separate days of festive willow decorations in early December. Christmas Trees: Wed 4 / Trees, Reindeer and other decorations: Thurs 5 and Sat 7 / Festive Stars: Fri 6 and Sun 8
Thursday 16 January 2025 / Saturday 8 February 2025 / Saturday 27 September 2025
Everyone needs a bread basket, though you just as easily use it for fruit. This shallow sided basket has an undulating top which creates finger-hole handles. Very manageable in a day's workshop.
Saturday 25 January 2025 / Thursday 6 February 2025 / Saturday 5 April 2025 / Sunday 28 September 2025 / Thursday 18 December 2025
This is a simple basket that can easily be completed in a day's workshop: one type of weave, a very simple border and a plain handle. Ideal for collecting from your hens or just keeping your eggs on the countertop! CLICK button below for more details and to book.
Saturday 1 March / Thursday 13 March 2025
Willow Wigwams make excellent and attractive plant supports in your garden, or in a large pot. You can train sweet peas, French beans, clematis; whatever takes your fancy! On this full-day workshop you will easily be able to make two wigwams, possibly more. Please make sure you have a large vehicle to transport them home as they can be about 7' long and up to 2' dia. This one-day workshop is £10 more than other one-day workshops because of the extra cost of materials. NB: As an alternative to this full-day workshop, there is a half-day workshop on Wednesday 5 March, £55. CLICK button below for more details and to book.
Wednesday 29 & Thursday 30 January 2025
A large round traditional shopping basket with over-arm handle. Strong and durable.
Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 March 2025 / Wednesday 1 & Thursday 2 October 2025
Always a popular make due to its interesting top edge and unique handle, created from a 'found' branch of your choosing.
Wednesday 2 & Thursday 3 April 2025 / Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 September 2025
A large round basket, woven with a really interesting zig-zag weave and useful 'finger' handles. Great for tidying away toys, blankets and throws, knitting . . . whatever you need to store away neatly!
Last Friday of the Month
For those who have completed my Beginners' Basketmaking Course.
I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your Berry basket workshop, the Saturday before last. I know I was slow, but in the end I felt I had actually achieved something! You are a great teacher, very patient, very good at giving clear instructions & with obvious enthusiasm for you subject.
I really hope to do another workshop sometime.
Gillian
I have attended many of Louise’s workshops and thoroughly enjoyed them all. Louise has the patience of a saint and if you lack a bit of confidence, she will guide you through gently. The groups are small which allows Louise time to support you. I’ve had great fun making everything from Christmas decorations and platters to a real life basket! Louise is extremely knowledgable and professional so you won’t fail to be amazed by what you produce. I can’t recommend her workshops highly enough.
Lesley
Just had to let you know how very much I enjoyed myself on Friday,my very warmest thanks.It was a super day,loved the location and the other ladies were good fun and terribly keen.Really chuffed with my first efforts and it was so lovely working with willow. I have to say you were brilliant at coaching us along and giving us such confidence,such a calming atmosphere. Looking forward to catching up with you again and will keep an eye on your website. Again many thanks.
Tricia
It was brilliant and you are such a great teacher. I am inordinately proud of my basket! Thank you!!
Tonia
Thanks Louise for such a wonderfully absorbing weekend.I had a great time and keep having to go and look at my basket. It has been admired by my husband, brother and sister so far!
You are an excellent teacher in my opinion. Thanks again.
Joanne
Thank you so much for the wonderful work shop you gave yesterday. I could see how well planned it was and how you kept everyone going so that we were each able to complete a basket. You were very helpful and encouraging to a mixed ability group! I loved learning about, and experience, using different materials and tools. All held in such a beautiful venue. We had a lovely day.
Jane
Louise, thank you for a wonderful creative day today. The time flew by, you are a patient and inspirational teacher and I met sone lovely people. . I look forward to attending more of your workshops this year. Many thanks.
Gail
Just wanted to write to say how much I enjoyed the two-day course we just completed with you - it was such a lovely way to spend time with friends making something I think we were all rather chuffed with - your guidance, patience, and excellent tuition was superb - I knew absolutely nothing about this skill/craft but am so pleased with the result. I shall be recommending you to anyone who asks - and they will - when I show them my lovely basket! You were great company - and the time flew by - such fun! I know we all really enjoyed ourselves - thank you so much.
Fiona (private group workshop)
Hello Louise,
Sean and I just wanted to thank you again for a fab day yesterday.
We really learnt so much from you and were extremely happy with our baskets.
This was by far the best workshop we have ever attended…….thanks to you, and is something that we will do again.
Already looking forward to December!
Rebecca & Sean
You were well organised and made things very clear were encouraging supportive and amazingly energetic in trying to keep us going at a good pace. You couldn't have done more. I would recommend your courses to anyone who wouldn't normally have the opportunity to do something creative or those like self wanting to try a different discipline. I hope to do another.
Judith
A quick thank you for such a lovely weekend course. It was so interesting to learn something completely different and you were patience personified! The lovely basket I made on your course has been much admired - amazingly, the kids were really impressed and that doesn't happen often these days!
Jenny
I've had nothing but good reviews! Your teaching was very easy to understand and I think you built a lovely rapport with the group. We'll definitely look at another workshop next year.
Wendy (private group workshop)
Thank you so much for the wonderful course last Sunday. You are a phenomenal teacher - to get all of us beginners to produce such lovely baskets was, I thought, quite remarkable! I would love to continue learning with you.
Emma
Just wanted to drop you a note to say lovely to meet you and thank you for running such a great workshop and how much I’ve enjoyed the two days.
Chuffed to bits with my basket and can’t believe you got us all to produce something of that size and quality in 2 days. Your method of teaching is so clear, organised and understandable and loved the studio- great space, warm, clean and comfortable.
Look forward to joining you for another one in the not too distant future!
Helen
As I said to you, I will forever be grateful to you for having ignited the spark in me for willow and basketmaking.
Not always straight and preferably without measurements and wonky shapes, but always done with so much appreciation and from the bottom of my heart.
It makes me so happy!
Without your stand at the Weald and Down Christmas Market, the basket I bought there and your postcard about you doing Courses I would not have discovered this love for willow and with that a connection to my Grandad!
I am so much looking forward to the next Course with you - you are simply brilliant!
So well structured, organised, never ending resource of knowledge, tips and hints and the most lovely person ever!
Imke (Beginners' Basketmaking Course)
Title | Date | Day | Location | Tickets |
---|---|---|---|---|
ADVENT at Weald & Downland | 22 Nov 2024 | Friday | Weald & Downland Living Museum | |
Makers' Fair at The Grange Winery | 28 Nov 2024 | Thursday | The Grange Winery, Burges Field, Itchen Stoke, Alresford SO24 0QW |
Title | Date | Day | Location | Tickets |
---|---|---|---|---|
Crawley Charity Gift Fair | 16 Nov 2024 | Saturday | Crawley Village Hall, Crawley, nr Winchester, SO21 2PR | |
Hampshire Open Studios at Broughton Village Art Exhibition 2024 | 17 Aug 2024 | Saturday | Broughton Village Hall, High Street, Broughton, Hampshire SO20 8DX | |
Hampshire Open Studios with The Wessex Guild of Craftsmen at Upham Village Hall | 17 Aug 2024 | Saturday | Upham Village Hall, Mortimers Lane, Lower Upham, SO32 1HF | |
Wessex Guild of Craftsmen Exhibition at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Romsey | 11 Jun 2024 | Tuesday | Sir Harold Hillier Gardens & Arboretum, Braishfield, Romsey | |
Winchester 'Go LD' Garden & Craft Fair | 08 May 2024 | Wednesday | Down Farm Lane, Headbourne Worthy, Winchester SO23 7LA, UK | |
Makers Sale at The Grange Winery | 30 Nov 2023 | Thursday | The Winery, Alresford Road, Itchen Stoke, Alresford SO24 0QW | |
Goodworth Clatford Art & Craft Weekend 2023 | 03 Nov 2023 | Friday | Goodworth Clatford Village Club, Village Street, Goodworth Clatford, Hampshire SP11 7RE | |
Lewes Festival of Basketry "Over & Under" | 28 Oct 2023 | Saturday | 14 Phoenix Place, Lewes, BN7 1JX | Closed |
Hampshire Open Studios at Broughton Village Art Exhibition 2023 | 19 Aug 2023 | Saturday | Broughton Village Hall, High Street, Broughton, Hampshire SO20 8DX | |
Hampshire Open Studios at Yellow Edge Gallery in Gosport | 16 Aug 2023 | Wednesday | Yellow Edge Gallery, 107 Stoke Road, Gosport, Hampshire PO12 1LR | |
Wessex Guild of Craftsmen Exhibition at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Romsey | 22 Jun 2023 | Thursday | Sir Harold Hillier Gardens & Arboretum, Braishfield, Romsey | |
Weald & Downland Advent Christmas Experience & Market 26 & 27 November 2022 | 26 Nov 2022 | Saturday | Weald & Downland Living Museum (Open Air Museum), Town Lane, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU | |
Hampshire Open Studios | 26 Aug 2022 | Friday | Paterson Centre, Church Road, Swanmore, Southampton SO32 2PA, | |
Sir Harold Hillier Gardens & Arboretum - Pavilion Exhibition Space | 06 Jul 2022 | Wednesday | Sir Harold Hillier Gardens & Arboretum, Jermyns Lane, Romsey, Hampshire SO51 0QA | |
Weald & Downland Christmas Market - 3rd & 4th December - Copy | 03 Dec 2021 | Friday | Weald & Downland Living Museum (Open Air Museum), Town Lane, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU | |
Charity Gift Fair, Crawley | 20 Nov 2021 | Saturday | Crawley Village Hall, Crawley, Winchester SO21 2PR | |
Hampshire Open Studios (4 days only) | 27 Aug 2021 | Friday | The Paterson Centre, Church Rd, Swanmore, Southampton SO32 2PA | |
Wessex Guild of Craftsmen at Hilliers (12 days) | 04 Aug 2021 | Wednesday | Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Braishfield, Romsey, Hampshire | |
Hampshire Country & Garden Festival | 27 Jun 2021 | Sunday | Bere Mill, Whitchurch, Hampshire RG28 7NH | |
WInchester GoLD GARDEN & CRAFT FAIR | 23 Jun 2021 | Wednesday | Upper Farm, Down Farm Lane, Headbourne Worthy, Winchester SO23 7LA | Closed |
Drawn to Craft - exhibition - 21 Nov to 20 Jan | 20 Jan 2020 | Monday | Salisbury Arts Centre, Bedwin St, Salisbury SP1 3UT | |
Victorian Christmas Fair, Ropley | 28 Nov 2019 | Thursday | Parish Hall, Church St, Ropley | |
Charity Gift Fair, Crawley | 16 Nov 2019 | Saturday | Crawley Village Hall, Nr Winchester, SO21 2PR | |
Christmas Craft Fair and Coffee & Mince Pie Morning | 30 Oct 2019 | Wednesday | Chilworth Hall, Chilworth Road, Southampton SO16 7JZ | |
Real Craft at Charterhouse | 26 Oct 2019 | Saturday | Charterhouse, Godalming, Surrey GU7 2DE | |
Curdridge Country Show | 13 Jul 2019 | Saturday | Curdridge Reading Room & Recreation Ground, Reading Room Lane, Curdridge SO32 2HE | |
Hannington Country Fair | 23 Jun 2019 | Sunday | Hannington Village RG26 5TZ | |
Solent Gardeners Fayre & Craft | 02 Jun 2019 | Sunday | Southampton University Playing Fields, Wide Lane, Eastleigh SO50 5PE | |
Garden Craft Fair | 25 Apr 2019 | Thursday | Upper Farm, Down Farm Lane, Headbourne Worthy, Winchester SO23 7LA | |
Easton Village Christmas Fair | 02 Dec 2018 | Sunday | Easton Village Hall, Easton, near Winchester | |
Inner Wheel Christmas Fair, Chilworth, Southampton | 22 Nov 2018 | Thursday | Chilworth Village Hall, Chilworth, Southampton | |
Charity Gift Fair, Crawley | 17 Nov 2018 | Saturday | Crawley Village Hall, Crawley, near Winchester SO21 2PR | |
Hampshire Open Studios | 24 Aug 2018 | Friday | 14 Forest Road, Chandler's Ford SO53 1LZ | |
Curdridge Country Show | 14 Jul 2018 | Saturday | Reading Room Lane, Curdridge, Southampton SO32 2HE | |
Itchen Abbas Flower Festival | 08 Jul 2018 | Sunday | Village Hall, Itchen Abbas, Winchester, UK | |
Solent Gardeners Fayre & Craft | 03 Jun 2018 | Sunday | University of Southampton Playing Fields, Wide Lane, Eastleigh, Hampshire SO50 5PE | |
Bishop's Waltham Garden Fair | 06 May 2018 | Sunday | Winters Hill Hall, Durley, Hampshire SO32 2AL | |
Charity Plant Sale & Open Garden | 03 May 2018 | Thursday | Little Court, Crawley, Hampshire SO21 2PU |