Zarzo Willow Basket Making Course
Basket Making Course Description
Sadly we have had to cancel October’s course due to problems of social distancing. We hope to reschedule as soon as we feel it is safe to do so.
The willow basket making course is suitable for complete beginners or those with some experience. If you have never made a basket before you will be introduced to the basics of basket making whilst making a zarzo basket.
The Zarzo basket is a design which is based on a traditional Spanish tray which was used to drain cheese. Danish basket maker Ulla Misser took the basic design and experimented with making deeper baskets which are extremely striking in appearance and very popular. The design is very versatile and can be adapted to make a huge variety of functional baskets and trays. During this 2-day course you will thoroughly explore the technique and learn the round and square version of the basket and at least one tray. You will also be able to experiment with embellishments which can be applied to other baskets in the future.
Approx. Size: Sizes will vary according to students wishes within a range.
Weaving Level: All Levels
For those who already have some experience you will be able to discuss your weaving ideas with Clare before the course and she will do her best to tailor the course to your requirements. You will be able to weave one or more baskets depending on the style and size you choose.
Course Tutor
Clare Revera is a fully qualified basketmaker and teacher specialising in making traditional and contemporary welsh baskets and other items inspired by the colours and materials of the landscape around her. She is passionate about working with natural, sustainable materials found in the local countryside hazel, willow and birch in particular. She also grows her own materials in her garden, on her field in Pembrokeshire and in local community spaces.
She is a Maker’s Guild in Wales selected member illustrating that the high standard of her craft skills have been recognised nationally in Wales with work permanently exhibited at Crafts in the Bay in Cardiff. She has a wealth of basketry teaching experience including teaching accredited basket making courses and has also taught at a National level for the UK Basketmaker’s Association. Recent commissions include the introductory piece for the National Museum of Wales, new Gweithdy Gallery. She considers sharing skills with others through high quality teaching an extremely important aspect of her work. For further details about Clare visit www.welshbaskets.co.uk and www.outtolearnwillow.co.uk and follow her on Instagram @welshbaskets
Basket Making Course Dates
The willow basket making course will run during the weekend of the 10th to 11th October 2020 with arrival on the Friday evening or Saturday morning and ending on the Sunday afternoon.
Participants
The course is open for between 6 – 8 people, course participants can also bring a friend or partner to share their room.
Itinerary for Zarzo Basket Making Course
The itinerary below is for residential participants. The price for non-residential students includes all tuition, materials and the midday meal. Non-residential students course times are 9:30 – 4:30 on Saturday and 9:30 – 4:00 on the Sunday.
Friday 9th October 2020
Guests are invited to arrive from 4:00pm onward.
On Friday evening there will be a short talk on willow basket making between 7.30-8.00pm and also the chance to meet Clare and the other students.
Saturday 10th October 2020
Course: 9.30am until 12.30pm with short break for coffee.
Lunch: 12:30 until 1:30pm.
Course: 1:30pm until 4:30pm with short break for tea.
Sunday 11th October
Course: 9.30am until 12.30pm with short break for coffee.
Lunch will be between 12:30 until 1:30pm.
Course resumes: 1.30pm until 3pm.
3pm the course ends/ vacate rooms.
Costs
Residential Willow Basket Making Course
The costs below are for the course tuition and include all materials, use of tools, two nights stay and also lunch / tea& coffee:
Room | Cost/ Student | Guest* |
Double/ en suite | £260- | £75- |
Twin/ en suite | £260- | £75- |
*Cost : non course participant (based on sharing a room with friend or partner and also includes lunch)
We provide all bedding and also towels, all our linen and towels are organic cotton.
Non Residential Willow Basket Making Course
This course is also open to non-residential students. The price for non-residential students is £160 for the Saturday and Sunday sessions. It includes tuition, lunch and all materials.
Catering
Please let us know in advance if you have any special dietary requirements and we will of course do our best to cater for your needs. We can cater for food intolerances but if you have an allergy we would need to discuss the catering arrangements with you as all the food will be prepared in the same room.
The catering is vegan/ vegetarian only.
Health & safety
Please let us know if you have any disabilities because the double rooms in Harmony and Sunset are up alternate tread stairs. Harmony especially is steep and unsuitable for someone with mobility difficulties. The double room in The Workshop is accessed by a regular staircase and all the downstairs twin rooms also have large wet room/ shower rooms which are on the same level.
Payment
We require a deposit of £100 to book your place with the remainder to be paid 6 weeks before the course starts.
Opportunities to explore & stay on
If you would like to extend your stay and explore the area you are most welcome. However this would be on a self catered basis and the cost would be an additional £50 per bedroom per night. Rooms will need to be vacated by 10am on the Monday or Tuesday, of course if you would like to book for longer you are more than welcome please contact us for more information.