Wayside Willow
Chaz Friend
Whole Day Willow Craft Courses
Short Willow Craft Courses
Garden Willow Day course (£80)
April 20th 10:00 - 3:00 @ Saints, Newdegate St, Nuneaton CV11 4ED In this garden course you will begin by making a small obelisk ( plant climber). Then you can choose to repeat that and make a second or move on to learning how to adapt the method to make plant cages. Alternatively you can build on the morning’s learning and I can teach you how to make a hanging bird feeder, or scale down to make a hanging kitchen storage receptacle for the kitchen. There are very similar techniques used with each of these items. In this concentrated day of learning you will be able to refine and develop these skills.
The Venue: Saints nuneaton
Together for Change is a charity , in partnership with a collection of Nuneaton Churches and Christian Organisations who are passionate about bringing community transformation to the heart of Nuneaton. They run the Saints project and cafe.
Small Shoulder Bag Course (£85)
SaturdayJune 1st 2024 9:30-3:30 @ Saints, Newdegate St, Nuneaton. CV114ED
In this new willow weaving basket course you will use a small pre-made hoop, to create a base, and add in the side-stakes, before adjusting the side stake angle to create the desired aperture for the mouth of the basket, as you weave up and adding links, prior to closing the border and adding a strap.
Click on the big green button below to access more information about these in-person courses and book a place.
Flowers and Flying Birds course £75
August 10th 2024: 10:00 - 3:00.
Saints, Newdegate St, Nuneaton. CV114ED
In this course you will make a large flower (4 ft in height - but can be scaled down) that can be attached to a wall or a fence as a garden decoration (though would look great in your lounge too) with accompanying flying birds to complete the scene.
(A cluster of 3 birds and a sunflower)
Once you have been taught how to make both of these, you can choose how you allocate your time in balancing the quantities of items you make in the time that remains.
You will have different varieties of basket grade willow to choose from.
Online Courses:
I also have some online courses through Udemy.
Buy once - access anytime. these courses are mainly short videos that take you through all the stages you need to to make these willow items and acquire these skills. There are numerous variations and tips for teaching others in some of this content.
1/ Beginning with willow:
Learn to make a number of simple items from willow. A great place to start for anyone keen to discover willow weaving. (Tips for teaching to groups ( children, scouts etc)
2/ Living Willow:
Learn how to install and maintain living willow structures. (Domes, tunnels and arbours)
3/ Garden Obelisks and plant cages.
Learn the craft - tame the garden. Great skill acquisition for the seasoned gardener.
Sculptural Hare Course: 10:00 - 3:00
Saints, Newdegate St, Nuneaton. CV114ED
In this new course you will make a hare by creating hoops and building willow around them to create a ridged structure to adorn your garden or house.
As the central structure is established, you will be able to direct the willow to create a desired pose, though running, or hares on 2 legs, will not be strong enough with willow alone and you will have to create some kind of supports when you get home.
Christmas Items Willow Weaving Course. Saturday November 9th 2024 10:00-3:00 @ Saints, Newdegate St, Nuneaton. CV114ED
On this popular Christmas Willow Weaving course you will make a large 60cm high angel (or a smaller one if you prefer) during the morning. In the afternoon you will learn how to make reindeer and Christmas trees. As soon as you have learned these items your time can be allocated to working on those items that you most wish to invest your time in.
( There are also other regular items that I make for Christmas that I can show you on an individual basis during the course of the day when I am not addressing the rest of the group - simple stars, spiral decorations etc)
All materials and tools will be provided, but bring a big bag to take away your treasures.
You can bring your own lunch, but food can be purchased from Saints.
Swedish stars £45 Course:14/12/24 9:30 - 12:00
Saints, Newdegate St, Nuneaton. CV114ED
Saturday December 14th 2023 9:30 - 12:00 @ Saints, Nuneaton, CV114ED
In this course you will learn how to make the Swedish star that has become very popular on social media over the last couple of years. This is a 60cm wide star that will make a fabulous focus on a prominent wall, or in a large window. The star can be displayed inside or out and is particularly partial to a generous covering of fairy lights, especially when positioned outside.
All materials and tools will be provided, along with some seasonal refreshments.
Bird Feeder Course (£40)
Saturday 4th May 10:00 - 12:00 @ Saints Community cafe, Newdegate St, Nuneaton CV114ED
In this bird-feeder Course, you will use a jig to create a spirally woven bird feeder for holding fat ball in the garden. This type of feeder works particularly well for the small birds, such as robin, sparrow and blue tit. These can also be used for nesting materials for birds in the spring, at the same time they hold the fat balls for food. (its a great way of making use of some of that excessive dog hair)
Alternatively, these bird feeders can be used as kitchen containers for items such as garlic or small oranges, looking particularly attractive on the kitchen wall. (Often for kitchen use, they will be scaled down a little.)
Wind spinner (£40)
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Saturday May 4th 2023 1:00 - 3:00 pm @ Saints, Newdegate St, Nuneaton CV114ED
Learn to weave these plaited sculptural decorations for house or garden. Because of their spiral nature they will spin in the wind creating an active kinaesthetic sculpture. There will be willow of different sizes to explore and the chance to group these onto a stout central rod to create a more substantial piece.
Willow Dragonfly Course
Saturday June 29th 2024 10:00 - 12:00 pm @ Saints, Newdegate St, Nuneaton CV114ED
Learn to make, and take home with you, a willow dragonfly, made with several different colours of willow.
You will make the body and the wings separately, before combining them and weaving detail into the wings to finish this popular garden sculpture.
This dragonfly can be attached to fences, walls or trees or suspended to enhance your garden, courtyard, or an interior space.
NB there is some tight wrapping used in the making of this item that may render the activity unsuitable to those who experience joint or wrist pain.
Wreath Core Course:05/10/24 10:00 - 12:00
Saints, Newdegate St, Nuneaton. CV114ED
In this course you will prepare and weave 8 ft sticks to create your desired wreath size, before continuing to weave with smaller sticks. Once established, you will introduce willow sticks of different varieties to establish a robust, strong wreath.
There are a number of weaving options to choose from that will establish the style and finished appearance of this wreath.
Many wreath cores are fully covered with greenery, but the beauty of this core often lends itself to a partial covering so that the beauty of this wreath remains on show.
Please note, we will just be creating the wreath cores here and not adding foliage or decorations.
Angel course Course:14/12/24 1:00 - 3:00
Saints, Newdegate St, Nuneaton. CV114ED
In this course you will make an angel that stands at least 2 feet tall to the halo. You will weave a basket style base as a foundation before creating the wings by wrapping them around in a curve, adding a round hoop as a head and giving it a halo.
These can be placed inside or make great guardian angels on your doorstep, but wherever they go, they will appreciate some twinkling lights.
They can be turned into very attractive lanterns by the adding of wet-strength tissue (but you will have to pursue that yourself, as there's no time to do that on this course.
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Wayside Willow Courses 2024