Upcoming Workshops
Explore our willow basketry, soapmaking, mending and herbalism classes and more.
We have been busy organizing our class offerings for 2026. We think that reskilling and community connection are important, gratifying and truly provide both a reconnection and a way forward. This year, we are happy to offer courses in willow basketry, soapmaking, visible mending, folk herbalism and more. We invite you to join us in relearning these ancestral skills.
2026 Courses & Registration
For Basket Workshops
Willow Garden Basket
January 24-25-Biglerville, PA.
SOLD OUT
We will weave a basic garden basket with roped handles with Beth Bridgeman. Location will be at the National Apple Museum in Biglerville, PA 17307. The full cost is $249. This registration fee will be rolled into the final cost. This registration fee is fully refundable up to 14 days prior to the class date.
Willow Asymmetrical Basket
February 28-March 1, Green Door Folk School, Cedar, Michigan.
Register here.
In this two-day workshop, you will make your own beautiful, unique, asymmetrical basket. Suitable for willing beginners and also for those who have made a basket before. Green Door Folk School has tiered pricing: $260.00 – $390.00.
You’ll walk away with a beautiful, handwoven basket you made yourself, the skills to make an additional basket on your own at home, hands-on experience with creating bases, twining, waling and French randing, and the confidence to try again!
Moderate hand strength is recommended for this workshop. You’re encouraged to bring a piece of driftwood, bamboo, tree branch or other suitable material for a handle.
Willow Suet Feeder
March 12, 6-8 pm, Glen Helen Vernay Building, Yellow Springs, Ohio.
Members $30, non-members $40.
Registration coming soon at https://glenhelen.org/programs-and-events/
Willow Backpack
Aprl 17-19, Green Door Folk School, Cedar, Michigan.
Registration coming soon at https://greendoorfolkschool.com/classes/
Practice the craft of willow basketry while creating the perfect vessel for hiking in the woods or toting things around town. In this three-day workshop, you will learn to make a willow backpack with straps. We’ll begin by making an oval base and inserting stakes. Then we’ll weave the upsett, and begin weaving the sides, using the French rand method. On the second day, you will continue by weaving to the top of the backpack, ready for the border. On the third day, you will weave the border, add a footer if you choose, cut the straps to size, make the straps, add the buckles, and insert the straps onto your backpack. Experience the gratification of having an heirloom backpack that you’ve made yourself!
While beginners are always welcome, this class is most suitable for those who have made at least one willow basket before. Moderate hand strength is recommended for this workshop. Arrive with a willingness to learn, a sense of humor, and patience with yourself and others. We will be working steadily and have a lot to get through!
***Students may bring their own leather or web strapping for backpacks, if desired. Five straps are needed. One strap will go around the top of the backpack. The next two straps will be riveted to the top strap on the back, travel down the outside, through the bottom and out the bottom on the inside. The last two straps will be riveted to the top strap on the inside. This one will go around your arms, so needs to have plenty of length. They will secure to the bottom straps with a buckle. Three buckles are needed to fit the strapping as well.
Alternatively, instructor can provide all strapping, rivets and buckles for an additional $30 materials fee.
Willow Basket Workshop
2 days 1 hr|$325Date & Time
May 30-31, Gracious Farm, Goshen, Ohio Cost: $325
Register here
Learn to make a stake and strand willow basket to use as a gathering basket, in the garden, or at the farmer’s market. In this two-day workshop, you will learn the basic willow basketry techniques of creating a base, twining, waling, randing, and making a border and handle. At the end of the two-day workshop, you will take home a sturdy heirloom basket that will last for many years, along with the confidence to make your own future basket on your own. Location: includes materials, lunch (GF & Vegan options available), and switchel. Instructor will provide all tools needed, including knives, shears, bodkins, rapping irons, and trimmers. Itinerary:
Day 1: We’ll weave the base of your basket, cut and place the spokes, weave the bottom waling, and begin randing.
Day 2: On the second day, we’ll finish the randing, do another round of waling, weave the border, cut the handle to size and secure onto the basket. We’ll close with trim work for completion.
Willow Foraging Bag
June 6-7. Tillers International, Scotts, Michigan.
Register here.
In this course, you will learn to work with willow, making a stake and strand foraging bag that you can use for many years. Cost: $280.
On the first day, you will learn how to make an oval base, insert stakes, weave the upsett, and begin weaving the sides, using the French rand method. On the second day, you will continue the weaving, weaving to the top of the bag, complete the border and add a carrying strap. You’ll Walk Away With:
- A beautiful, handwoven bag you made yourself and that will last for decades
- The skills to make an additional bag on your own at home
- Hands-on experience with creating bases, twining, waling, French randing and borders
- Confidence to try again!
Moderate hand strength is recommended for this workshop. Arrive with a willingness to learn, a sense of humor, and patience with yourself and others. We will be working steadily and have a lot to get through!
Willow Asymmetrical Basket
September 19-20 National Apple Museum, Biglerville, PA
Register here
We will weave an asymmetrical basket with the instructor Beth Bridgeman. This will hold the space open for you for the 2-day class in September. More information to follow. Location will be at the National Apple Museum in Biglerville, PA 17307. The full cost is $327. This registration fee will be rolled into the final cost. This registration fee is fully refundable up to 14 days prior to the class date.
Local (Yellow Springs, Ohio) Workshops
Note: I will be adding several local workshops soon. Check back here.
Private Lessons and Workshops
Have you been thinking about taking a workshop to learn how to weave a willow basket?
Private basketry lessons are offered for one or two individuals at a time in my home studio in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Individual lessons are $200 per day plus materials for one student, $175 per day each plus materials for two students.
Group lessons can be booked at your location for a minimum of four students (maximum eight). Group lessons at your location are $150 per day plus materials, per student, for groups of 4-8, plus mileage.
Contact me about dates and times that will work for both of us.
Some baskets can be made in a day, but most classes require two days. Some, such as backpacks, often require three.
I offer workshops in specific baskets, such as asymmetrical, round and oval shoppers, garden baskets, backpacks, foraging totes and purses, lipped trays, charcuterie boards, bird feeders, etc. You can also make a basket of your own choosing.
To book a private class for one to two people, or a group class of 4-8, please send an email to bethbridgeman1@gmail.com.
Upcoming Reskilling Workshops
Land-based Crafting Series: Visible Mending Workshop
March 9, 6-8 pm. Centerville-Washington Park District, Grant Park, Kennard Nature Nook, 6588 McEwen Rd. Centerville, Ohio. Registration coming soon at https://cwpd.recdesk.com/Community/Program Registration Deadline: Wednesday, February 25
Fee: $ TBD residents, $30 nonresidents.
Join Beth Bridgeman, a full-time maker and weaver from Yellow Springs, Ohio. What if worn fabric, rips, tears and other damage to clothing was an opportunity rather than a problem? Mending is a skill that teaches not only a form of fiber art but also contradicts our culture of use-and-waste. In this workshop, Beth will teach participants how to take worn clothing that may otherwise be discarded and create beautiful art that not only fixes, but fortifies. Bring your clothing in need of repair, or simply try out the skill on provided scrap fabric. All materials will be provided.
Additional Notes:
– Enrollment Minimum: 3 Participants
– Enrollment Maximum: 10 Participants
– Age Minimum: 18 years old
– Participants will check a box stating that they understand that they can either bring their own clothing to mend, or they may use provided scrap fabric.
Land-based Crafting Series: Cold Process Soap
April 11, 9-12, 9 am to 1 pm. Centerville-Washington Park District, Bill Yeck Park, Smith House2230 E. Centerville Station Rd. Centerville, Ohio.
Fee:: $75 residents, $95 nonresidents
Registration coming soon at https://cwpd.recdesk.com/Community/Program
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, April 1
Join Beth Bridgeman, a full-time maker from Yellow Springs, Ohio. We will learn to make soap through cold processing, using lye and fat to build our bars as well as essential oils and natural colorants. Participants will walk away with 8-10 bars of gentle, natural and handmade soap along with information, history, and the confidence to make your own soap at home. All materials are included. Light refreshments will be provided.
Additional Notes:
Ages 18+
Enrollment Minimum: 3 Participants
Enrollment Maximum: 6 Participants
Age Minimum: 18 years old
CWPD will provide refreshments
Herbalism Folk School
April 25-26. Agraria Center for Regenerative Practice, Yellow Springs, Ohio.
Registration coming soon. Traditional Medicine, food as medicine, community-supported herbalism.