Willow weaving... 27 November 2020 at 11:57PM in Greenfingered MoneySaving 12 replies 201 views

berries

After a horrible few months of trying to deal with the lost of my spaniel and my horse within 2 days apart.  I've have taken to trying willow weaving well attempting at it.

So far I've made a heart with initials of a B and a N . It looks good much better than I thought it would.  A dragonfly too.  

I'm hoping that once lockdown is lifted again maybe there will be a course for beginning etc. 
Does anyone here do it who could pass on some tips for me? Would be much appreciated. 

Using dogwood ?? Can that be used as the same as willow? Will it last etc? I've painted onto the heart one a wood sealer as it's very special meaning to me.

Got to keep chipping away at things even the low moods need pushing aside...easier said than done at times. 

Not looking forward to xmas first time in nearly 19 years of not having my boy to spoil. Our little xmas ride then his xmas presents etc. 

Thanks for reading 😀

Apodemus

Sorry,  I know less than nothing about willow weaving.  But I feel for you in coming to terms with such a loss.

Farway

Likewise, know nothing about it but I assume You Tube has lots?

Ted_Head

Sorry for your losses. It's hard losing animals especially at this time of year. I have made a living sculpture out of dogwood in the past so I would think you could use it for smaller weaving. I think you could find something on YTube. It's good for that sort of thing. Books? 
I used to live near someone who was a willow weaver & they did classes - their stuff was amazing - more like works of art.
Worth googling to get some leads on it. Nice natural hobby. I grow willow but haven't done anything with it so I'd be interested in what you come up with.

twopenny

Congratulations on making something with no training. You just never know till you try.

Yes there are classes but it depends on your neighbourhood

Willow is especially tough, you can buy bundles of it easily enough and delivered. It can be stored dry then soaked before use to make it more pliable where I'm thinking dogwood would eventually dry out and become brittle.

The Somerset Levels is where a lot of willow is grown and all sorts made. An unusual area below sea level with lots of wildfowl.

It might even be an idea to look at residential courses once the virus is in retreat. A holiday and a skill. This is one in my area

https://!!!!!!.com/y6mo54k7 There's an online tutorial on there too

Some from around the country https://www.craftcourses.com/categories/willow-basketry/willow-weaving

My search was "course in willow weaving"

Tough times a lot of us are going through without the social support to help. I'm making a sort of sun shelter with wood and willow trellis and next challenge is steps on a grassy slope. Only a vague idea of what I'm doing thanks to YouTube but hoping common sense will see me through ...... otherwise next lockdown will be digging it all up again

DiggerUK

Hi berries, dog and horse owners one and all  at Digger Mansions, best of fortunes going forwards..._

shinytop

The thread title caught my attention; I thought is said something else for a minute. 
Sorry for your loss though. 

berries

Ted_Head said:

Sorry for your losses. It's hard losing animals especially at this time of year. I have made a living sculpture out of dogwood in the past so I would think you could use it for smaller weaving. I think you could find something on YTube. It's good for that sort of thing. Books? 
I used to live near someone who was a willow weaver & they did classes - their stuff was amazing - more like works of art.
Worth googling to get some leads on it. Nice natural hobby. I grow willow but haven't done anything with it so I'd be interested in what you come up with.

Thanks Ted head. I've enjoyed attempting to make things more like hearts and butterflies etc. Dont think I be able to make a basket.  It would prop collapse lol!! 

I enjoy gardening and always have loved willow scrupture and artwork. I've been looking on tube too. I find it better to watch someone doing it than reading how to do it. If that makes sense.

berries

DiggerUK said:

Hi berries, dog and horse owners one and all  at Digger Mansions, best of fortunes going forwards..._

Thanks. I do miss having a horse not sure if I ever will get another one though. No other horse is going to be the same as my old boy.

theoretica

You made me think of these sculptures, especially the willow horse.  I hope you like it rather than finding it painful. https://skipton.woodlandtrust.org.uk/things-to-see-and-do/art-in-the-woods/

berries

twopenny said:

Congratulations on making something with no training. You just never know till you try.

Yes there are classes but it depends on your neighbourhood

Willow is especially tough, you can buy bundles of it easily enough and delivered. It can be stored dry then soaked before use to make it more pliable where I'm thinking dogwood would eventually dry out and become brittle.

The Somerset Levels is where a lot of willow is grown and all sorts made. An unusual area below sea level with lots of wildfowl.

It might even be an idea to look at residential courses once the virus is in retreat. A holiday and a skill. This is one in my area

https://!!!!!!.com/y6mo54k7 There's an online tutorial on there too

Some from around the country https://www.craftcourses.com/categories/willow-basketry/willow-weaving

My search was "course in willow weaving"

Tough times a lot of us are going through without the social support to help. I'm making a sort of sun shelter with wood and willow trellis and next challenge is steps on a grassy slope. Only a vague idea of what I'm doing thanks to YouTube but hoping common sense will see me through ...... otherwise next lockdown will be digging it all up again

twopenny said:

Congratulations on making something with no training. You just never know till you try.

Yes there are classes but it depends on your neighbourhood

Willow is especially tough, you can buy bundles of it easily enough and delivered. It can be stored dry then soaked before use to make it more pliable where I'm thinking dogwood would eventually dry out and become brittle.

The Somerset Levels is where a lot of willow is grown and all sorts made. An unusual area below sea level with lots of wildfowl.

It might even be an idea to look at residential courses once the virus is in retreat. A holiday and a skill. This is one in my area

https://!!!!!!.com/y6mo54k7 There's an online tutorial on there too

Some from around the country https://www.craftcourses.com/categories/willow-basketry/willow-weaving

My search was "course in willow weaving"

Tough times a lot of us are going through without the social support to help. I'm making a sort of sun shelter with wood and willow trellis and next challenge is steps on a grassy slope. Only a vague idea of what I'm doing thanks to YouTube but hoping common sense will see me through ...... otherwise next lockdown will be digging it all up again

Thanks two penny will have a look at them soon.  I do watch a lot of ytube as still doing DIY in.my garden . I have learnt so much since moving into my house. The garden was so overgrown and in a mess.  Slowly I'm getting there. 

Ah steps down ... I've attempt at that 🤣🤣 they're still in place ...maybe not in a staight line !! Well the last one isnt and I run out of energy to sort it out! I had a slope down into the back part and kept sillping down and done the steps down only 3 . That was enough!! Anything that I've made wouldn't pass a professional eye it's good enough for me. 

Good luck with your next project too.