In-person course
in Todmorden Maker & location details

Willow Oval Shopping Basket 2-Day Course with Joe Gregory at Creative with Nature West Yorkshire

creative with nature logo

Finished willow fruit/bread basket

Student work in progress

student oval basket

Oval shopping basket

Student finished oval shopping basket

Students finished shopping baskets

Willow oval basket

Oval Shopper

Oval Basket

Students and Oval Baskets

Description

Learn a Catalan-based oval basket technique and create your own oval shopper in a relaxed studio environment with Joe Gregory. You’ll learn 4 different weaves and have the opportunity to try at least 2 different varieties of basket willow over the 2 days. These very popular 2-day courses are designed for beginners and intermediates and taught by Joe Gregory of Creative with Nature. In our beautiful, light Georgian studio in the centre of Todmorden, West Yorkshire, spend a couple of days learning basketry techniques to weave your own strong basket. We're only a 2-minute walk from the train station in the centre of town and there are lots of lovely, locally run AirB&B's in the town. We have a great indoor and outdoor market, lots of places to eat locally, some fab independent shops and if you like walking we have some of the best walks in the UK right on our doorstep. You wouldn't believe we are only 30 minutes away by train from Manchester city centre. This is a relaxed and fun course with a skilled, friendly teacher, Joe has been teaching for over 15 years.

What's included in the price?

Tuition Tools Materials Teas and Coffees

Duration

2 days

Cancellation policy

Strict - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 8 weeks before the course starts

Maker

Creative with Nature Ltd

with Craft Courses since 2018

Message the tutor

Hi my name is Joe Gregory, I’m a willow basket maker, sculptor and teacher. I started weaving as a hobby in 2004 and by 2008, I realised I could make a living doing a craft that I loved. Starting from my kitchen table my skill grew organically alongside my growing children and my work teaching for the Workers Education Association and as a Forest School Leader. Over the years weaving with Willow has provided me with the most rewarding career whilst enabling me to keep my family safe and healthy. From 2014 I made weaving my main profession. I teach sculpture and basket making for a number of larger organisations nationally, occasionally internationally and from my own venue in West Yorkshire. I’ve worked on some amazing projects over the years and feel very lucky to have found this beautiful craft. I am comfortable teaching pretty much anybody from young children to those recovering from serious illness or injury. With the right support I believe weaving is for everyone! My classes are suitable for beginners to more advanced weavers. I’m proud to be able to say a third of my students are returning students. I’ve helped many people on their journey to become professional and serious hobbyists and I’m developing new resources all the time to open up this craft to as many people as I can.

Suitable for

Adults
Father's Day
Public transport
Mother's Day
Suitable for beginners
Christmas
Intermediate level

What does this mean?

Message the tutor

Venue

Creative with Nature Workshop & Gallery, 27 Rochdale Road, Todmorden, Yorkshire, OL14 7LA

Price:

£190.00

Duration:

2 days

Time:

10:30 - 16:30

The course doesn't currently have live dates

Message the tutor

Reviews

All maker's reviews

21 Sep 25'

Laura reviewed: 2 day Asymmetrical basket making courses - two days with Joe Gregory at Creative with Nature Todmorden Yorkshire

"Fantastic course with Joe and love my basket! Her tuition was perfect, breaking things down into easy steps, with clear demos and always being on hand to help. We had a beautiful selection of willow to work with and I enjoyed the little stories and background history to willow weaving she gave. I'm now the proud owner of a beautifully crafted basket made by my own hand thats admired by everyone who sees it. Looking forward to this becoming a new and rewarding hobby!"

Creative with Nature Ltd responded:

"Hi Laura, thanks so much for taking the time to leave me a review. Very happy you enjoyed the course and it was really nice meeting you and weaving with you. Fantastic that's you're now taking up basketry! A very rewarding hobby/passion! Joe. xx"

28 Apr 25'

Jayne Cartwright reviewed: Half day willow bird feeder/hanging basket course with Joe Gregory

"What a fun morning doing something I've never done before, plus I made a wonderful bird feeder to take home! I loved the course, the location and I had great help and support from Joe. Now I want to do it all again!"

Creative with Nature Ltd responded:

"Hi Jayne, thanks so much for the lovely review: ) really glad you enjoyed the workshop and hope to see you on another. Joe. xx"

19 Feb 25'

Marion reviewed: 2 day Asymmetrical basket making courses - two days with Joe Gregory at Creative with Nature Todmorden Yorkshire

"Excellent 2 days learning willow weaving in a professional studio, and starting to understand the culture, materials and tools. Joe is great at explaining and demonstrating, then letting you get on with it, then helping without taking over. Patterns and numbers began to make perfect sense and I am impressed with the lovely basket I produced! "

3 Feb 25'

Catherine R reviewed: Half day willow bird feeder/hanging basket course with Joe Gregory

"Another brilliant course - we were all really pleased with our finished plants/bird feeders and Joe was an excellent tutor. Thanks so much :)"

Creative with Nature Ltd responded:

"Really happy you had a good day Catherine: ) thanks for coming and enjoy your new hanging baskets. Joe Gregory. xx"

11 Nov 24'

Mal McNaught reviewed: 2 day Asymmetrical basket making courses - two days with Joe Gregory at Creative with Nature Todmorden Yorkshire

"My wife and I have just attended our first assymetrical basket making course with Joe. What a great experience. Joe's patience and skill were so good and we each left with a completed log basket. Would highly recommend Joe's course for anybody wanting to try out basket weaving for the first time."

9 Feb 22'

Joan and Bev reviewed: 2 day Asymmetrical basket making courses - two days with Joe Gregory at Creative with Nature Todmorden Yorkshire

"I went with my daughter on the two day basket course run by Joe. We found Joe to be most helpful and patient, her words of encouragement really helped us to achieve such great results with our baskets. We would highly recommend this course to anyone who has never done anything like it before. We really enjoyed it and would definitely go back to do something else."

Creative with Nature Ltd responded:

"ah thanks so much joan! really glad you enjoyed the course: ) hope to weave with you again soon. joe. xx"

25 Jun 21'

Amilee and Katie reviewed: 2 day Asymmetrical basket making courses - two days with Joe Gregory at Creative with Nature Todmorden Yorkshire

"Booked this for a Christmas and thank you present for my sister and it was fabulous. We thoroughly enjoyed the contemplative nature of weaving with willow and Joe is so knowledgeable about her craft. Todmorden and the surrounding area is so beautiful we loved it. We stayed locally and had two days of quiet, precious sister time. And made baskets we love. What could be better."

Creative with Nature Ltd responded:

"that's lovely to hear! thanks so much for the review and letting me know. joe. xxx"

7 Jun 21'

Christine Russell reviewed: 2 day Asymmetrical basket making courses - two days with Joe Gregory at Creative with Nature Todmorden Yorkshire

"Thoroughly enjoyed the workshop, in fabulous new premises. Joe is a great teacher, I'm amazed that I was able to make a basket in two days. I wish I lived closer, would love to do more."

Creative with Nature Ltd responded:

"ah that's lovely christine thanks you! you did a lovely job and a particularly nice class: ) well done a lot of work went into your basket. joe. xx"

22 Apr 21'

John reviewed: 2 day Asymmetrical basket making courses - two days with Joe Gregory at Creative with Nature Todmorden Yorkshire

"My wife booked me on my first course as a Birthday present and I've been hooked ever since! I've been on 3 so far and I have loved every single one, the teaching is brilliant and the baskets I've made are beautiful and its amazing to see how far I've come. I cant wait for the next!"

Creative with Nature Ltd responded:

"Hi John, thanks for the review: ) really happy to help you on your weaving journey. Joe. xx"

12 Nov 20'

Stephanie Beckett-Davies reviewed: 2 day Asymmetrical basket making courses - two days with Joe Gregory at Creative with Nature Todmorden Yorkshire

"A wonderful well-paced 2 day basket course. My mum and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and have beautiful baskets to show for it. Thanks Joe and the other ladies for such a great time xx"

Creative with Nature Ltd responded:

"really glad you enjoyed your time and superb baskets made. well done! joe. xx"

28 Sep 20'

Gavin Magenty reviewed: 2 day Asymmetrical basket making courses - two days with Joe Gregory at Creative with Nature Todmorden Yorkshire

"Absolutely fantastic course from an inspired and experienced teacher. The whole experience was very well thought through, with differentiation built in depending on ability/ confidence. I felt fully supported through the whole process and came out with a fantastic looking log basket and a sense of real achievement. It has inspired me to continue my learning journey in working with willow and will no doubt return for some more training at some point."

Creative with Nature Ltd responded:

"thanks for the review Gavin! Really glad you enjoyed the weekend course. You're a natural basket weaver. xx"

9 Feb 20'

Jacquie Finney reviewed: 2 day Asymmetrical basket making courses - two days with Joe Gregory at Creative with Nature Todmorden Yorkshire

"Had a great time on a two day log basket course with Joe. She was very patient and I learned a lot, came home with a great log basket and a bucketful of enthusiasm to continue. Throughly recommend."

Creative with Nature Ltd responded:

"thank you for such a lovely review! well done on a fab basket!! joe. xx"

9 Feb 20'

Andrea Tudor reviewed: 2 day Asymmetrical basket making courses - two days with Joe Gregory at Creative with Nature Todmorden Yorkshire

"I loved these two days. As a complete beginner, at the end of day one I wondered how any of us would ever come away with a basket worth having, yet by the end of day two, like magic, we each had a log basket to be really proud of! The course was well planned and paced and Joe, as well as being a lovely person, is such a good teacher. She explained everything so well and so simply, yet not in the slightest bit patronising, just encouraging, reassuring and very complimentary about all our efforts. Thank you Joe, you've certainly kindled a little fire..."

Creative with Nature Ltd responded:

"thank you andrea! so glad you enjoyed your time. superb basket!! joe. xx"

6 Feb 20'

Helen Lord reviewed: 2 day Asymmetrical basket making courses - two days with Joe Gregory at Creative with Nature Todmorden Yorkshire

"A really great course. A room of people who had never made baskets before, yet after two days we had all created something beautiful. Joe is an excellent teacher, very clear, spreading her time equally between everyone, and sharing her great depth of knowledge and enthusiasm generously. I would have considered this a bargain at twice the price."

Creative with Nature Ltd responded:

"ah thank you so much helen!! really glad you enjoyed the weekend. joe. xxx"

18 Nov 19'

Averil reviewed: 2 day Asymmetrical basket making courses - two days with Joe Gregory at Creative with Nature Todmorden Yorkshire

"Brilliant 2 day course, I had only made one basket previously, and was delighted witht the log basket I was able to make over the weekend . Joe is a great teacher, I learned loads, and it has definitely whetted my appetite for more!"

Creative with Nature Ltd responded:

"well done Averil! a great basket you made and good company too. xx"

11 Nov 19'

Clare reviewed: 2 day Asymmetrical basket making courses - two days with Joe Gregory at Creative with Nature Todmorden Yorkshire

"I loved this course! I had booked on an earlier course but was then unable to go and Joe was really accommodating about me rebooking. The course itself was great! Lovely people, great tuition and plenty of willow to weave. I came home with an asymmetric log basket which I adore and which has been widely admired by family and friends. Thanks Joe! X"