**I am fully booked for 2025** Private tuition is open to one or two individuals at a time and must be scheduled in advance. $200/day + materials for one student, $250/day + materials for two students. Private classes for 3 for may be scheduled on a case by case basis. Classes take place on our farm in The Shed (weaving studio).
Learn the ins and outs of basketry here at our farm. Folks seeking private tuition will work directly with me to weave any basket of their choosing, within their (and my!) skill level. Most baskets will take at least two days to learn, larger or more complicated baskets may even take three. Garden supports and small simple baskets like berry baskets and trays will take one day. The farm is lovely almost any time of the year and you’ll meet our chickens, dog and cats. Do remember that willow can be challenging to weave and that these tutorials will be taking place on a working farm.
Organized through Sanborn Mills Farm. More info and registration here. $280 class fee plus $80-200 materials fee. Options for meals and housing.
In this class, students will learn traditional weaving techniques while creating garden supports and focal pieces. We will use a combination of willow grown at Sanborn Mills and other northeast willow growers to weave the student’s choice of plant supports obelisks, peony crowns, and trellises, through a modern cosmopolitan combination of traditional weaves: Irish mouth wale, French randing, three-rod wale, pairing, Japanese eye knot, and god’s eye. This class is suitable for students at all levels wanting to learn a base of weaving knowledge while making impactful pieces relatively quickly. Strong hands are a must as we will be working with larger willow. Care and use of finished pieces will be discussed in class. Learn more and register here.
Organized through Jayflora Designs. More info and registration here. $125 class fee.
In this one day workshop students will work to weave a round shaped berry basket from the bottom up. Students will learn the traditional methods of stake and strand willow weaving and techniques such as pairing, waling, and French rand. You'll use a simple trac border and pegged stick handle to finish the basket. Participants can expect to finish this class with a completed berry basket, perfect for collecting summer harvests!
This course is available to all participants, no prior basket or weaving experience necessary. Willow can be a challenge to work with, and physically engaging, this class may be difficult for a person with hand issues. This class includes an lunch break. Learn more and register here.
Organized through Phillies Bridge Farm Project. More info and registration here. $80 class fee includes materials.
In this short class, beginning weavers and those interested in the wonders of willow can make a fun and easy project with many uses: the tension tray! Use it as a trivet, a drying tray, to hold your bits and bobs, to display your harvest. We'll practice making wreaths with the willow to form a hoop, then use more willow to weave through and form a shallow tray. The piece can be stabilized and decorated with an intro to the pairing weave. Industrious students may be able to make more than one during class, or take some willow home to try another there. All materials and tools will be provided. Learn more and register here.
Organized through the Saltbox Crafters. Register by emailing Mary Jo Rushlow at thesaltboxcrafters@gmail.com . $80 studio fee and $240 teaching + materials fee. Class is held outdoors, students MUST bring their own table and chair!
In this two day workshop, intermediate level willow weavers can learn oval bases and shaping through this super functional form. A classic basket with a multitude of uses. We begin with a “continental oval” split stick base, woven in reverse pairing and randing to prevent torquing. Stakes are added and as we proceed with the weaving, our focus will be on keeping our ovals oval and shaping to create a functional and ergonomic form. After the woven border we’ll add a handle. This class is intended for intermediate weavers because of the slightly shortened class time - we expect students to be comfortable with basic willow weaves like pairing/reverse pairing, waling and randing and at least familiar with woven borders. Learn more and register here.
