UPCOMING WORKSHOPS & EVENTS

I teach beginners basketmaking courses in Sussex and regularly attend craft and makers events.

I hope to encourage people to engage with the fascinating and therapeutic qualities of willow and to enjoy the positive aspects of creating with the hands.

Close-up of a woven basket with a wooden handle, placed on a wooden surface, with a background of a lattice fence and dried vines.
Basketmaking for Two : Half Day
Jun
9
to 2 Jul
COURSE / WORKSHOP

Basketmaking for Two : Half Day

Basketmaking for Two : Half Day

£170.00

A morning or afternoon of basketry tuition for two in beautiful Knowlands Woods, near Lewes.

Currently available dates during June to July.Additional dates can be confirmed by contacting Lisa directly at lisa.m.dear@gmail.com

Time 10am-1pm or 2pm-5pm

Learn about basketry and spend the day creating your own piece to take home, discovering techniques with willow in the tranquil setting of the very special Knowlands Woods.

This an opportunity for more detailed attention from the tutor than in a group setting, allowing for a more in depth introduction to the world of weaving willow for two people.

Suitable for beginners but students that have previously made one or two baskets could also benefit from this course, as can artists or craft practitioners who wish to explore different processes and materials. This is an opportunity to reconnect with the natural world whilst experiencing the very human act of creating something of value with our hands.

Attendees can choose from a number of different projects to make willow items, e.g. plant climber, tray, willow sphere, bird feeders or small bird). This will be discussed and arranged with the tutor beforehand.

See images for possibilities and inspiration.

The price includes tuition for 2 people.

A perfect gift.

What's included in the price?

All materials, tools and refreshments are provided. Books and baskets as sources of inspiration for further study are also available to browse. Please bring your own lunch.

Please note

Suitable for beginners but good manual dexterity is needed.

There is some uneven ground in the woods.

Do ask if you have any questions.

Book
 

  • All tools, materials and refreshments provided; teas, coffee, cake, etc.

    • Adults

    • Seniors

    • Teenagers

    • UK Holiday

    • Hen dos

    • Fairs, festivals & exhibitions

    • Corporate days out & team building

    • Christmas

    • Suitable for beginners

    • Easter

    • Tutor can travel

    • Mother's Day

    • Engagement, birthdays & anniversaries

  • All materials and refreshments are included and tools provided.

  • Parking is available at the Farm and there will be a short walk into the woods.

 

Your Guide : Lisa Dear

Trained in Fine Art and making willow baskets for 15yrs, incorporating natural and woodland materials, experimenting with traditional techniques and contemporary influences, enjoying sharing the therapeutic value of basketry in the South East.

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Basketmaking for Two : Full Day
Jun
10
to 2 Jul
COURSE / WORKSHOP

Basketmaking for Two : Full Day

Basketmaking for Two : Full Day

£225.00

A full day of basketry tuition for two in beautiful Knowlands Woods, near Lewes.

Currently available dates during JUne-july

Additional dates can be confirmed by contacting Lisa directly at lisa.m.dear@gmail.com

Time 9.30 -5

Learn about basketry and spend the day creating your own piece to take home, discovering techniques with willow in the tranquil setting of the very special Knowlands Woods.

This an opportunity for more detailed attention from the tutor than in a group setting, allowing for a more in depth introduction to the world of weaving willow

Suitable for beginners but students that have previously made one or two baskets could also benefit from this course, as can artists or craft practitioners who wish to explore different processes and materials. This is an opportunity to reconnect with the natural world whilst experiencing the very human act of creating something of value with our hands.

Attendees can choose from a number of different baskets to make (or a number willow items, e.g. plant climber, tray, willow sphere, bird feeders or small bird). This will be discussed and arranged with the tutor beforehand.

See images for possibilities and inspiration.

The price includes tuition for 2 people.

A perfect gift!

What's included in the price?

All materials, tools and refreshments are provided. Books and baskets as sources of inspiration for further study are also available to browse. Please bring your own lunch.

Please note

Suitable for beginners but good manual dexterity is needed.

There is some uneven ground in the woods.

Do ask if you have any questions.

Book

  • All tools, materials and refreshments provided; teas, coffee, cake, etc.

    • Adults

    • Seniors

    • Teenagers

    • UK Holiday

    • Hen dos

    • Fairs, festivals & exhibitions

    • Corporate days out & team building

    • Christmas

    • Suitable for beginners

    • Easter

    • Tutor can travel

    • Mother's Day

    • Engagement, birthdays & anniversaries

  • All materials and refreshments are included and tools provided.

  • Parking is available at the Farm and there will be a short walk into the woods.

 

Your Guide : Lisa Dear

Trained in Fine Art and making willow baskets for 15yrs, incorporating natural and woodland materials, experimenting with traditional techniques and contemporary influences, enjoying sharing the therapeutic value of basketry in the South East.

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Weave a frame basket in a beautiful Ancient woodland
Jun
26

Weave a frame basket in a beautiful Ancient woodland

A day of basketry and ancient woodland.

I'm delighted to be joining the extremely knowledgeable and highly respected Woodswoman and Horsewoman Frankie Woodgate for a day of basketry and woodland knowledge.

We will be focusing on creating a simple rustic frame basket,ideal for foraging, using British grown willow (see image) and during the day we will also have a woodland walk during which Frankie will share some of her knowledge and experience of managing the woods in a holistic and ecologically sympathetic way with horses.

A unique opportunity!

All materials and tools provided.

This course will take place near Tenterden.

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Willow Platter weaving with The Royal Society of Sculptors
Sept
26

Willow Platter weaving with The Royal Society of Sculptors

Come along to the newly refurbished basement at Dora House to learn about willow weaving and create your own beautiful platter.

You will learn a number of different weaving techniques and learn about the sustainable,tactile qualities of coppiced willow and it's different applications.

Morning Session 10 -1

Afternoon Session 2-5

£75 pp includes all materials and use of tools

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Willow platters at the Green Scythe Fair
Jun
13

Willow platters at the Green Scythe Fair

These Catalan style willow platters are a great introduction to weaving with willow and a beautiful item to have in the home.

Come and try your hand with this versatile natural and sustainable material!

I will guide you through the process, providing all materials and tools.

The Green Scythe Fair near Langport, Somerset is one of the most magical inspiring,earthy and fun fairs in England.It is much beloved so tickets will sell out!

Booking via the Green Scythe fair website when buying your ticket for the fair www.greenfair.org.uk

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London Craft Week
May
17
FAYRE / EXHIBITION

London Craft Week

London Craft Week

Exhibition of new work with Vigour and Skills 16th & 17th May

Willow platter making workshop 17th May 1.30 - 4.30 £75pp both at:

The Museum of The Home, London, E2 8EA

Learn how to create your own beautiful and useful willow platter for the home with traditionally grown and harvested sustainable British willow.

We will cover a number of key basketry techniques whilst learning a little about the properties of willow as a renewable coppice material.

Please book through the Museum of The Home website

Book now

Contact me if you have any more questions.

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"I loved the workshop. It was so relaxing and soulful to weave round the table by the open fire. Lisa is a wonderful teacher - patient, encouraging and knowledgeable. Looking forward to the next one."

KATE : WEAVE A WOVEN PLATTER

Two women sitting at a wooden table in a forest, working on weaving baskets.
A wicker basket hanging from a wooden stick resting on a tree stump outdoors, with greenery in the background.
Two women standing outdoors under a tent, holding woven baskets and smiling.
Close-up of a woven wicker basket with a metal handle, outdoors with green foliage in the background.
Woven basket with handle on wooden surface outdoors, blurry natural background.
People sitting at wooden picnic tables under a canopy in a grassy outdoor area surrounded by trees and tents.
A round wicker basket placed on dirt ground outdoors, with a blurred grassy background.
Empty wicker basket on rocky ground in a wooded area
Two colorful vintage caravans and a white yurt set up on a grassy field, surrounded by trees under a blue sky.
A circular basket with twigs and branches protruding from it, hanging on a plain wall.
Four children sitting on grass in a forest, engaged in arts and crafts, with a young woman sitting facing them also working on arts and crafts.
Three women standing outdoors in a field, holding baskets, with trees and sunlight in the background.
A woman with short red hair kneeling on grass, assembling a wicker basket with tall, thin wooden poles outside in a wooded area.
A woman with gray hair sitting on the ground and weaving a basket using natural material. She is wearing a blue shirt and black pants, surrounded by finished woven baskets and craft supplies in a craft booth or market stall.
Wicker pumpkin-shaped wall decor hanging on wooden wall
A woven basket with a green handle resting on a fallen tree trunk outdoors, with a blurred background of trees and natural scenery.
People working on basket weaving project at a long wooden table in a bright, enclosed workspace.
People participating in a basket weaving workshop inside a greenhouse, sitting at a large table with weaving tools and baskets, with others working in the background.
People sitting around a campfire near a wooded area with leafless trees, some under a small shelter, on a sunny day.
People sitting around a large wooden table, weaving baskets with natural materials inside a room with white walls and blue doors.
A person weaving a round wicker basket using thin wooden sticks, with their hands adjusting the structures on a dark wooden table.
A woven wicker basket with a handle, sitting on gravel or dirt ground.
Two people working on a craft project outdoors at a rustic wooden table, constructing baskets with long, thin wicker or reed materials. A small shed or shelter is behind them, made of logs, with trees in the background.
Two woven baskets with leather handles sitting on gravel ground.
A smiling woman with gray hair wearing sunglasses, a teal shirt, and blue scarf, holding two small dogs, one in each arm, outdoors with green foliage and white flowering bushes in the background.
A woven wicker basket with leather straps resting on a tree stump outdoors in a park or forested area with green trees and a blue sky in the background.
A woman weaving a basket at a table with another person working in the background.
A small dog with brown and white fur looking at the camera while sitting next to a wicker basket, held by a person wearing a blue shirt, surrounded by various weaving materials and wicker baskets in a workshop.
Group of people outdoors assembling a large wicker basket, some sitting on wooden benches and others standing, surrounded by trees and rustic wooden structure.
Handwoven wicker basket with a handle, displayed on a black table, surrounded by other wicker baskets in a shop or craft store.
Two women outdoors working on wicker basket weaving at a rustic wooden table. One woman is sitting, the other is standing with a hooded jacket. They are surrounded by natural woodland.
Handmade woven wicker items, including small circular baskets, elongated decorative pieces, and a large wicker sculpture, placed on a wooden surface.
Display of woven baskets and tableware on a table inside a tent at a market or craft fair.
Four people decorating cupcakes under a large outdoor tent set up in a grassy area with tall trees in the background.
Three women standing outdoors under a wooden structure, each holding a woven basket, smiling at the camera. They are dressed warmly with jackets and knitted hats.
A person wearing a yellow jacket is tying a small wooden or metal chain onto a tree trunk with a wooden table surface in the foreground and a snowy forest scene in the background.
Two women are working at a rustic wooden outdoor workbench in a wooded area, possibly crafting or repairing items, under a shed with string lights.
A person sitting on a log outdoors, weaving a basket with thin, flexible sticks. They are wearing a gray sweatshirt, dark pants, and a striped blue and black sock. A book with artwork is partially visible on a cloth placed on the log, which is covere
A woman in outdoor clothing, including a red knit hat and a blue jacket, sitting on a tree stump near a small outdoor fire pit with firewood and sticks, surrounded by natural ground with leaves and grass.
Yellow primrose flowers growing among green and brown leaves and grass in a natural setting.
People working on making wicker baskets under a rustic wooden outdoor shelter surrounded by trees.