Explore our willow basketry, soapmaking, mending, herbalism classes, and more.
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.
Local Workshops – Ohio
Making A Home Apothecary: Herbalism as a Community Skill
April 25-26
Agraria Center for Regenerative Practice, Yellow Springs, Ohio.
$250, Register here
The two-day workshop will cover:
-Identifying and foraging common local herbs
– Understanding harvesting ethics and safety
-Making teas, tisanes, decoctions, syrups, oxymels, tinctures, and salves
– Working with different menstruums (water, vinegar, honey, alcohol, glycerin, oil)
-Basic plant science for herbalists
-Building a home apothecary
-Community health and herbal first-aid applications
-Food-as-medicine practices tied to the growing seasons Traditional Medicine, food as medicine, community-supported herbalism.
Willow Basket Workshop
May 30-31, Gracious Farm in Goshen, Ohio
$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.
Regional Workshops – Michigan, Pennsylvania
Willow Backpack
April 17-19, Green Door Folk School in Cedar, Michigan.
Tiered pricing $356 to $534, Register here
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 Foraging Bag
June 6-7. Tillers International in Scotts, Michigan.
$280, SOLD OUT.
Contact tillers@tillersinternational.org to be placed on wait list.
In this course, you will learn to work with willow, making a stake and strand foraging bag that you can use for many years. 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 at the National Apple Museum in Biglerville, PA
$327, SOLD OUT
Contact inchbyinchwillows@gmail.com to join wait list
We will weave an asymmetrical basket with the instructor Beth Bridgeman. This will hold the space 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. A fifty dollar registration fee will be rolled into the final cost. This registration fee is fully refundable up to 14 days prior to the class date.
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 to three individuals at a time in Beth’s home studio in Yellow Springs, Ohio. A private lesson for one person is $200 per day. A private lesson for two to three people is $175 per person per day.
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. Private lessons offer an opportunity for you to make a basket of your own choosing.
Group lessons for 4 to 8 people can be booked at your location. Group lessons at your location are $150 per person per day. Depending on distance, there may be an additional fee for mileage.
Contact Beth at bbridgeman1@gmail.com to schedule private or group lessons.
One Full Day Private Lesson
One full day private basketry lesson, 9am to 3pm in my home studio in Yellow Springs, Ohio. I can accommodate one to eight people. A lesson must be purchased for each person in the group. The fee includes the cost of materials. Contact me at bbridgeman1@gmail.com about dates and times that will work for both of us. Please include information about what kind of basket you would like to make. Please note: some baskets take multiple days to complete.