If you think willow baskets are old fashioned, you are wrong. Come and learn how to make a contemporary oval shopper. You can make the base using a traditional oval, or use an oval hoop. The side weaves are very textural and individual, making your shopper quite unique. You will be using willow that we have grown here on the farm and harvested by hand. There will be a strong emphasis on shape and form so that your finished work sits nicely to your side. Once you have laid down the border, you will be adding handles.

During this workshop, you will:

• How to make an oval base of your choice
• Stake up and upset your oval basket
• Side weaving such as variations of French Randing, English Randing or the Irish Open Weave
• To lay down a border
• Add a fabric or leather handles to your contemporary shoppe

At the end of the workshop, you will take home your completed willow shopper.

The Rural Skills Centre will provide:

• All materials and equipment to make your contemporary willow shopper;
• Tea, coffee and lots of homemade cake;
• A light lunch (please let us know if you have any specific dietary requirements;
• Parking; and
• Accessible facilities

This workshop is suitable for those with some experience of basketry. For example, they will have already made a Berry Basket and/or a fruit basket.

The basketmaking element of this workshop is taught by Gill Jones.