homegrown willow, woven
Stanfordville, NY / Lenapehoking / Mahicannituck
A person, their plants and the earth.
Jesica Clark (they/them) is Willow Vale Farm. After 13 years of farming, in 2015 I finally got a farm to call my own. Located on 5 acres of undulating, rocky, Dutchess-Cardigan soil, at Willow Vale I grow and weave with willow, raise vegetables and fruits for our home, and listen to too many podcasts. I am available for teaching classes, private commissioned work, and wholesale orders.
Willow
Growing
I grow willow on the farm as a windbreak, a soil-erosion-preventer and as an agricultural product. Seriously, this is one of the most versatile and useful plants around. I mainly grow Salix purpurea because it is hardy and mostly pest resistant, but lately I have been gathering local wild willows to grow out and select for weaving. I currently do not offer dried willow or live cuttings for sale, but I can direct you to some places that do.
Weaving
All baskets, and garden supports are woven with a combination of mostly home-grown and some bought-in willow, as well as locally harvested birch and hazel in partnership with the NY DEC. Find me on Instagram to keep up with my latest weaving projects. If you are interested in learning how to grow or weave with willow, see Workshops. If you’re interested in purchasing a basket, see Weavings. And if you have a question about my baskets, see the FAQs or contact me.
Workshops
2027 Group Class Schedule
All class group class registrations are directly through the hosts. Please go to their website to sign up for the class. Sometimes workshops sell out before I have time to make an event for them on my page. I recommend looking at the host site first for registration/notification for classes!!!!
January 30-31 Intro to Round Baskets @ Tatter, Brooklyn, NY
March 13-14 Intro to Round Baskets @ Fall Kill Creative Works, Poughkeepsie, NY (registration opens the season before class date)
May 13-14 Intermediate Level Underfoot Base Shopper Baskets @ Inch by Inch Willows, Biglerville, PA
May 15-16 Intermediate Level Catalan Base Tote Baskets @ Waterford Craft School, Waterford, VA
June 9-10 Intro to Round Baskets @ Mill River Folk School, Mill River, MA (registration not yet open)
June 12-13 All Levels Rope Wale Baskets @ Sanborn Mills Farm, Loudon, NH (registration opens December 1)
July 9 Advanced Beginner “Burkina Weave” Baskets @ Fall Kill Creative Works, Poughkeepsie, NY (registration opens the season before class date)
August 7-8 TBD @ Cloudwater Farm, Warren, VT (registration not yet open)
September 10-12 Intermediate Level Scallomed Tote Baskets @ Windsor Farmworks, Windsor, CT (email Marlene Pouliot to register)
September 29-October 3 All Levels Skills Week @ Sanborn Mills Farm, Loudon, NH (registration opens December 1)
October 16-17 Intermediate Level Catalan Base Tote Baskets @ Fall Kill Creative Works, Poughkeepsie, NY (registration opens the season before class date)
November 20-21 All Levels Willow Harvest @ Sanborn Mills Farm, Loudon, NH (registration opens December 1)
Featured
Weavings
Find my baskets at:
Stockists
The Smithy Market, New Preston, CT
Glynwood Farm Store, Cold Spring, NY
100 Main, Falls Village, CT
or contact me directly for custom baskets
You may also occasionally find my work at a few other shops in the Hudson Valley and surrounding area.
Custom Orders
I am currently taking custom orders at a 10-12 week lead time. Please contact me to discuss order details.
I take on all kinds of projects, big and small, for loved ones or for the public.
Some basket examples for inspiration:
Contact
Start a custom order. Find out about my willow varieties. Ask a smart question. Ask a dumb question.
Whatever it is, you can use the contact form below.
You can also call or text: 845-380-9183.
