In-person course
in Monmouthshire Maker & location details

(4)

Weave a willow coffin

Coffin by the sea

Getting ready to lay the border in a workshop

Buff and brown willow with dogwood

Nicky and Alex working together on their coffin.

Finished coffin with plaited border, rope handles and clasps

Tithe barn at Usk Castle

Nicola laying her border

Laying the border...

A tricoloured coffin with steamed, dicky meadows and golden willow

A pair of coffins ordered for husband and wife last year

Coffins in last years course in progress

Kay with her coffin at the venue

Kay with her coffin at CAT

Kathy with her coffin- all the way from Scotland on the train so I posted it back to her!

One of mine from my workshop at home

Description

This is an opportunity to weave your own coffin. I am an established coffin maker with twenty years of experience. I will guide you through the different processes day by day beginning with the base on day one. It is an intensive course so you are welcome to bring an extra person (price for 2 people sharing is £750) to help as it's quite useful sometimes to take it in turns to rest and there are several points where you can work together. It is preferable but not essential to have woven something before and beginners are welcome - you will still make a perfectly presentable coffin. Learn how to put together this large shape with a fitted lid, handles and clasps. All made from willow

What's included in the price?

All tools and materials are provided. Lots of tea, coffee and homemade cake and a warming lunch. Fantastic accomodation can be arranged nearby at Castle Knights camping or Oak Farm, Gwehelog and there are great pubs like the Greyhound at Llantrisant within a short distance if you are not local.

Duration

4 days (9:00am to 5:00pm)

Cancellation policy

Easy - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 2 weeks before the course starts

Maker

Amanda Rayner at wyldwoodwillow

with Craft Courses since 2016

Message the tutor

I started wyldwoodwillow back in 2001 after weaving for a year or so... It helped me through a particularly difficult chapter in my life and I discovered that I had a burning desire to share the healing nature of weaving. I started teaching workshops fairly early on and weaving pretty much anything I could, currently I weave baskets, coffins, living willow,sculptures and create furniture and decorative fencing for the home and garden. My business is successful and I am a full time weaver.

Suitable for

Adults
Seniors
Hearing impaired
Intermediate level
Tutor can travel
Advanced/pro level
Accommodation offered
Suitable for all abilities
Public transport
Daytime (weekdays)
Suitable for beginners
Parking provided

What does this mean?

Message the tutor

Venue

New BARN at Usk Castle Chase burial meadow, Usk, , Monmouthshire, NP15 1QX

Reviews

All maker's reviews

20 Mar 23'

Sarah reviewed: Weave a willow coffin

"An absolutely wonderful week with a fabulous group...learning day by day...understanding more about willow as the week went by...excellent company and conversations ...delighted to have met Amanda and very appreciative of her kind, gentle, wise experience of supporting people to work with willow- I plan to book again, thank you!"

5 Oct 20'

dominic reviewed: Weave a willow coffin

"An excellent course taught by a knowledgeable tutor in a friendly atmosphere and beautiful setting. The teaching style was relaxed but thorough and patient. Students of all abilities were supported to the level needed. We all made our own beautiful coffins and went away with new skills and memories of a lovely few days."

2 Oct 19'

Katherine reviewed: Weave a willow coffin

"I really enjoyed the course. Amanda is so patient, kind and encouraging. She stepped in to help when needed but also judged well when to allow us to complete parts of the coffin weaving ourselves, as after all it’s only by doing it yourself that you can learn this kind of skill. The venue was lovely - peaceful, clean and accessible - and Amanda kept us well fed with plenty of cups of tea and treats! As mentioned already the course is quite intensive and it’s probably quite helpful - but definitely not essential - to have a bit of prior willow weaving experience. Definitely recommended!"

1 Jun 19'

Meg reviewed: Weave a willow coffin

"Would highly recommend Manda's coffin course to anyone considering it. Fab venue, delicious food and an awesome teacher, was well worth the trip down from Scotland to do it! And she can even post your coffin back home for you if you travel by train so don't let that put you off! It was quite an intense few days which I found really enjoyable and as promised I had a complete coffin by the end of it and had learnt enough to be able to repeat at home and make another couple."