Welcome to the wonderful world of willow! Willow basket weaving is a traditional craft historically practiced throughout much of the world. Archeological evidence shows Native American pack baskets dating back to 900 BC, while they also tout themselves as one of the most common crafts throughout all of Europe. Willow is incredibly strong, beautiful, and rich in ethnobotanical relationship to human history that can still be touched today.
In this three-day willow basket immersion, instructor Tyler Lavenburg will show you how to weave up a mighty-fine carry-all basket, using the “stake and strand” method. By the end of this class, you’ll walk away with your very own beautiful and functional messenger bag style baskets with shoulder straps or handles of your choosing. These baskets can be used for just about anything, from harvesting food to carrying your computer!
Class Schedule Overview:
Tyler will teach a variety of basket weaves, explore propagation and harvesting of willow for basketry, and celebrate the rich history of weaving this amazing plant into our lives.
This class requires a good bit of hand strength and determination; be prepared to stay focused and work long hours. Please bring a sharp knife, a pair of garden pruners, and a blanket or chair to sit on.
This 3 day basket weaving workshop will be held outdoors in a covered space from Friday, February 10 to Sunday, February 12 2023 in Weaverville, NC.
All levels of skill welcome. It is super helpful if you have woven even one basket before, but not necessary. Willow does require significant hand strength. Minimum age is 16.
Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday : 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Plan on arriving between 8:30 am and 9 am on Friday. Please don’t arrive earlier than designated times.
This is a special class offering that will be held at Shelterwood Cove in Weaverville, NC–which is the home of lead instructor, Tyler Lavenburg, and several others. He and his partner own 45 acres of beautiful mountain land, abounding with lush forest, clean springs, and abundant gardens.
Some students choose to rent a nearby airbnb, rent a hotel room, or commute if they are local. You are also welcome to camp on-site for a small fee. All campsites are within a few minutes walking distance of where you will park. More details about lodging options will be provided in your registration confirmation email.
Food is not provided as part of the class. Everyone is responsible for their own meals throughout the weekend. We also strongly recommend that you bring snacks since we’ll be working hard. Students will have access to an outdoor kitchen with propane stoves. Please bring your own cook pots, pan, and utensils.
Tyler and his family align their life with the cycles of the seasons and the bounty of the wild. They harvest and utilize as much as they can from the gardens and forests around them.
Tyler first fell in love with Southern Appalachian ecology as a student at Warren Wilson College, where he received a degree in Environmental Education. The children’s novel My Side of the Mountain sparked Tyler’s passion for traditional skills and wild foods. Since then, he’s been blessed with teachers and mentors who continue to draw his attention into deeper layers of mystery and the possibilities around crafting a handmade, wild life.
Over the years, Tyler has studied, apprenticed and taught at many traditional skills schools and events, including Wild Abundance, The Roots School, Living Earth School, Earthskills Rendezvous, The Firefly Gathering, Florida Earthskills, Whippoorwill, and others. He’s worked with hundreds of children and adults through public and private schools, homeschool cooperatives, and special events.
Tyler has experience in many traditional crafts and skills, with a special passion for willow basketry. He tends around 30 species of European basket willow and plans to provide basket material and live cuttings to the Asheville community in the near future.