Six Month Trainee Program

Service Description

Two days a month for five months. It aims to give a comprehensive introduction into how to prepare your material, sharpen your tools and how to design an object in willow. It starts with an introduction to growing and harvesting, good workshop practise and an understanding of the build of a simple stake and strand basket. With some fundamentals behind us we move onto learning the art of a chosen technique and concludes with some personal development days with the opportunity for experimentation. It ’s intention is not just about method but to also create a deeper empathy with material and process. The goal is to give the student a clear and thorough introduction to the material and process before moving into personal development. The intention is to give some all round fundamental knowledge of willow before moving into the student program is aimed at students who would welcome an opportunity to follow a deeper and more intensive long term relationship with willow. The continuity of six months learning with one tutor aims to give a concise and thorough introduction to the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to become a passionate or professional basket maker. Schedule April 30th - Introductions. A presentation on growing for making to include tips on processing, storing, soaking and mellowing. Making a variety of hoops with fresh willow. The objective - to give some back ground knowledge of the material to help develop a deeper understanding of the link between material, object and maker. May 1st - Workshop practise. How to organise your space and care for your tools. Short presentation explaining how to design and build with willow. Selecting and grading willow for weaving. Weaving a simple platter. The objective - to give a confident foundation to running your basketmaking workshop with ease and to bring focus to the importance of material selection. June 4/5th - Weaving up pre made dry frames into simple platters or shallow frame baskets using a variety of different willows. The objective - to focus on the differences between willows and the relationship between material, pattern and construction. The simplicity of this object also means we can focus on hand movements and tension. I like to describe this as learning the willow dance. Possible to make between 2-6 pieces. Home work - to make 2/3 trays from scratch if time al