Willow Weaving: Wall Flower Sculpture
Description
Learn core basketry skills while creating an impressive large willow flower — perfect for walls, fences, patios, or interior displays. This course is especially valuable for beginners who want to build confidence before moving into basketry. You’ll start by making a traditional slath, just as you would when beginning a basket. Into this, you’ll weave the flower’s centre, gaining essential understanding of spacing, control, and tension. From there, you’ll add petals in a style of your choice, braid a strong stem, and use a figure-of-eight weave to form expressive leaves. This workshop brings together multiple foundational weaving techniques in one rewarding project — an excellent step towards more advanced work. Chaz Friend is the willow artist behind Wayside Willow, sharing the craft of willow weaving with schools, community groups and adults across the Midlands and beyond. After 24 years as a primary teacher, Chaz followed his passion for heritage crafts and has been teaching willow weaving since 2014. Friendly, patient and endlessly enthusiastic about the possibilities of willow, Chaz brings warmth, humour and deep knowledge to every workshop. The course will take place in our Traditional Barn at Stanwick Lakes, a beautiful 750 acre nature reserve and visitor attraction in the heart of Northamptonshire’s Nene Valley.
What's included in the price?
Tools, materials and safety equipment are provided. Basic tea/coffee and biscuits are provided free of charge during the course. Sandwiches from our café are available to order on the day of the course. A menu will be circulated when you arrive if you did wish to order anything. Car parking is also free of charge on the day of your course.
Duration
6 hours
Cancellation policy
Medium - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 4 weeks before the course starts
Maker
At Stanwick Lakes, we offer a range of Arts & Crafts and Heritage Courses, from watercolour painting classes to blacksmithing and wood-carving workshops. Alongside offering craft courses, Stanwick Lakes is a unique 750 acre nature reserve and countryside attraction located in the heart of Northamptonshire’s Nene Valley.
Suitable for
- Adults
- Seniors
- Teenagers
- Wheelchair users
- Limited mobility
- Mother's Day
- Romantic
- Christmas
- Easter
- Parking provided
- Father's Day
- Suitable for beginners
FAQs
Stanwick Lakes is a unique 750 acre nature reserve and countryside attraction located in the heart of Northamptonshire’s Nene Valley.
We have extensive play areas, open spaces and paths that families, walkers, cyclists and nature lovers can explore at leisure. We also have specially considered areas dedicated to nature and its wildlife, as well as the history of the site.
Parking is free for workshop attendees - please give your registration plate details to our reception staff in the Visitor Centre on the day.
Alternatively, you can become a member for just £42.00 per year, giving you free access to all our facilities for a whole year, while supporting Rockingham Forest Trust.
