In this two-day willow basketry workshop, running from 10am to 4pm on August 31st through September 1st, students will each make a round-base basket, otherwise known as stake-and-strand, traditional to much of Europe.
Learn to make the slath, two-rod twining, staking up, three-rod waling, French randing, a waled border, and handles of your choice. Take home a round-base basket to use for the rest of your life and the skills to make more. *This workshop requires a fair amount of hand strength, patience, and sitting for many hours. Please take into consideration. Beginners are welcome.
Taught by Mary Lauren Fraser, willow casket weaver and basketry teacher in the Connecticut river valley in western Massachusetts. She apprenticed to Karen Collins in northern Scotland in 2014 and has since been weaving and teaching throughout New England.
Cost:
The workshop costs $250 for two full days of instruction and lunches from the farm. There is additional $50 in materials fees, for a total workshop cost of $300. Two scholarship slots are available on a first-come first-serve basis for $125. BIPOC community members are encouraged to apply. Please email joe@cloudwaterfarm.com if you are interested in a scholarship slot.
A $50 deposit is required to reserve your spot. You will be charged $50 through this website for the deposit. The balance needs to be paid directly to Mary Fraser via cash, check or Venmo @Mary-Fraser-38
If you end up being unable to attend, two weeks notice is required to receive a full refund.
What to bring:
A pair of clippers, or hand shears.
Lunches, snacks and water.
A notebook, camera.
Meals:
A plant-based lunch will be provided by the farm. Please email joe@cloudwaterfarm.com if you have any allergies we should be aware of.
Please bring your own snacks and be prepared to take care of your own breakfast and dinner needs. There are a number of great local options.
Overnight Accommodations:Camping and composting toilets are available on-site at the farm, but please coordinate with us in advance if you intend to camp.
There are numerous AirBnbs in the area, inns, bed and breakfasts, and even a funky hostele just a mile up the road. You should be able to find something to fit your tastes and budgets, but the sooner you book your accommodations the better. The Mad River Valley has a lot of tourists visiting throughout the summer and places fill up quickly.
Willow Basketry Workshop with Mary Fraser
Student Cancellations:
Cancellations by students must be made at least two weeks prior to the start date of a workshop in order to receive a refund.Host Cancellations:
Each workshop must have a minimum number of students to be held. If Cloud Water Farm finds it necessary to cancel a workshop, we will notify students two weeks prior to the scheduled workshop start date.
A full refund will be provided to registered students. Refunds for a workshop purchased as a gift will be made to the purchaser only. Cloud Water Farm cannot be held responsible for any refunds for travel expenses or for off-site housing expenses incurred as the result of a cancellation of any kind.