Still reveling in the wonder of weaving baskets from natural willow. We had the pleasure of hosting an amazing group at the farm all weekend for our annual basket weaving course with Jes Clark. What a beautiful way to kick off spring!
I usually think of myself as one of the few people who do custom willow work in my country, but is that true? Are you someone who takes on custom/made to measure willow weaving (bonus points if you do square work)? Please do let me know as I sometimes have to turn down jobs/put orders on pause to catch up and I would rather have folks I can refer people to! This really is just for custom willow work in the US - please spread the word though!
Okay pic of me and 1 out of my current order of 5 pony saddles....this could be you 😂🙃!
Shoutout to Katherine Lewis who reminded me that we're at a loss for who does this stuff!
#willowweaving
FLIER UPDATE!
Registrations are now open for our 2026 BIPOC Basket Camp with @willowvalefarm !
This gathering is for those who identify as Black, Indigenous, or as aPerson of Color/ the Global Majority.
Join us for this relaxed and crafty overnight campout and learn to weave a functional basket out of willow that can be used for foraging or holding precious items at home.
No experience is necessary!
Strong hands are a must!
Materials are provided!
Jes is a wonderful teacher that is humorous, patient, and very skilled!
We can’t wait to laugh around the fire and weave with you!
Jes is deep in harvest mode! Swipe to see the willow this time of year!
#basketcamp #willowvalefarm #blackandwild #bipocbasketcamp
Slowly but surely I've been getting back into soft fibers and spinning and I've begun the dream journey of learning to weave on a loom. Cannot wait until some loom bits come in so I can weave this 20 yr old wool into something lovely. Also some recent-ish baskets.
No music bc I actually don't care about my reach - if you're seeing this regardless, love you, stay warm.
#weaving #willowweaving #willowbasket #handspun
In our fields and ditches, willow quietly thrives—offering its branches to a tradition as old as agriculture itself. Today, farmers like Jes Clark of Willow Vale Farm (@willowvalefarm ) and Sandra Kehoe (@sandra.kehoe.5 ) of Willowbrook Basket Farm (@willowbrookbasketfarm ) are reviving the ancient art of willow weaving. By growing their own materials and teaching others to see this humble shrub as a source of beauty and resilience, they form a deeper connection to the land.
Click the link in our bio the learn more.
Story by @biscuitwoodfarmny
Photography by Daniel Clark (Jes Clark), Sandra Kehoe (cutting and willow), and Jes Clark (basket)
I don't often work in peeled willow, and I don't often get to make things for my home, and I don't often post here. So.
A laundry basket made in good company (@steenhedegaard @ @deborahneedleman ) and a greenwood chair made under the tuition of @eric.cannizzaro in a combined chair + basket class (with me teaching the basket part)
#willowweaving #willowbasket #wowinstagramisastrangeone
(boost this silent post pls)
(on another note, maybe a little bird told you I was running a yearlong class next year....it's true! a call for applications went out on my email list first, and the response was so strong that I kept it at that. i feel so grateful to my students and potential students, thank you so so much. let's hope the class goes well and it becomes a regular thing)
*for donation* I've got some baskets here that I would like to donate to you if you've got upcoming auctions/raffles/fundraisers for mutual aid. They've been woven over the past few months while I've been preparing for classes, teaching, or otherwise just thinking about our world. Please DO NOT DM me here - send me an email or contact me through the website. You don't have to be in the HV/Catskills, but it helps. I've only got these five for now, but as this spring goes on I'll have more for the summer rounds. *I imagine I'll have a lot of response to this...if I don't get back to you, please know I did receive your message and I have you in mind, I super duper promise.*
Along with a lot of folks here, I've been battling with how to interact with social media these days. I think I'll keep this account open, occasionally posting things I'm proud of, or a little scene that captures my eye (or in this case, both). But just know that I really, really appreciate the weaving community I've found through here, and as I go through the days, it's the thought of all you willowers out there that keep me going. I hope to see you face to face sometime soon.
Coming out of IG hiatus at probably the worst time, but here goes - I'm contemplating finally doing a year-long workshop series aimed towards teaching willow basketry from beginning to advanced work - probably 6-8 sessions over the year. I'd love to do it either at one or a few locations local to me in the hudson valley. This would be for 2026. Hosts would need to have indoor space, parking, availability, etc. I have some organizations/people/places in mind, but also putting feelers out there - do you want to host? *Don't DM me here*, email me/contact through the website.
And what are these pictures? I have some pieces going to an exhibition: Our Fragile Moment at Hudson Guild Gallery in Chelsea, NYC, February 13 thru April 22. If you're around, come see them. Ok. I'm gone again. #willowweaving #willowbasket
Get ready for an unbe-weaveable short course this summer at Oak Spring, Willow Baskets in the Round: An Intro to Willow Weaving. 🧺
Join Jes Clark from @willowvalefarm as they teach us the ancient art of willow basketry. Working with an innately colorful selection of willow varieties, we will create our own unique forms starting with weaving a round base. All of their willow is grown without pesticides using regenerative practices and with loving care. 🌱
Participants can expect to learn the fundamentals of willow weaving: techniques such as pairing, waling, randing and woven borders, the anatomy of a basket, as well as concepts of shaping and working with such an interesting and strong natural material.
This class is suitable for beginners wanting to learn a base of weaving knowledge or intermediate weavers looking to improve skills and control. As willow is a stronger more tension-y material than many other basketry materials, strong hands are recommended for this course. 💪
🗓️Date: May 5, 2025
📍Location: Oak Spring Garden Foundation
👩🏽💻Deadline to apply: May 5, 2025
Head to the link in our bio for more information.
#basketweaving #handmade #willowbaskets #craftclass #willowweaving #artisan #oakspringgarden
Didn't go to Tear Up, but did make this basket for farm mentors from my early years who guided me as a person, a farmer, a teacher.
Still on IG break for the most part, but wanted to share this one.
#willowweaving #willowbasket #tearup2026anyone?
