• Saturday 23 May: 10am-3.30pm

Construct a small round frame-style basket using natural materials you may have growing in your own garden. This simple European technique has been used for centuries to make strong, practical baskets from a variety of materials. In this workshop, we’ll work with a mix of locally gathered willow, ivy, tī kōuka, and others depending on seasonal availability. We’ll discuss how to select, gather, and prepare materials, and once you’ve learned the basic weaving technique, you’ll be able to experiment confidently with other plants at home. You’ll leave with a beautiful handmade basket and the skills to keep weaving with what your local environment provides.

Please note

• All materials and tools will be provided
• Gloves – Please bring close-fitting garden grip type gloves, as they help with grip and protection. Loose or baggy gloves can be a hazard.
• Footwear – Closed-in footwear is essential.
• Optional – Please bring secateurs if you have them.
• Food & Drink – Bring a water bottle to keep hydrated, and any food or snacks you may need over the course of the workshop. To observe tikanga, we ask that no food or hot drinks are consumed in the work space, a separate area will be available for breaks.
• This workshop is for adults aged 18 and over who can work safely without direct supervision with very sharp hand tools, or for young people aged 16–17 who can meet the same safety requirements and attend with a supervising adult. Please note that if a young person attends, two workshop places must be purchased (one for the young person and one for the accompanying adult).

Optional materials you may like to bring

(Entirely optional — all necessary materials will be supplied)

• Some people develop a mild rash when working with ivy; gloves help minimise this, and we remove most leaves before use.
• If you have access to fallen tī kōuka leaves, you may like to bring a small bundle that has been soaking in water for a couple of days.
• You’re welcome to gather some ivy for weaving: look for flexible, trailing pieces (unattached, at least arm-length, and no thicker than a pencil). Strip the leaves by pulling them through your closed fist and coil them. Either bring them fresh, or let them dry and then soak overnight.
• Any other long, thin, flexible vines from your garden that you’d like to experiment with are also welcome.

Cancellation

Bookings are non-refundable. If for any reason (this includes illness, travel delays, and injuries) you need to cancel your workshop, you will receive a refund minus a $30 administration fee. This is provided you contact us at least 14 full days before your booking.

Please see our Cancellation Policy for more details.

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We are grateful to be able to offer this workshop because of support from Creative New Zealand.