Birding Man Drop-in Sessions
I’ll be honest. I don’t yet know how I will be slated into this event. But I am hoping to offer a few drop-in sessions during which folks can stop by my space in the tent and whip up a few very basic willow projects. On tap will likely be a cool spinner to hang from your porch or deck or in your garden, maybe a snail friend, a little willow bark star. Each will be done during different drop in sessions.
The good news is that you needn’t do anything to sign up. Come to Ox Bow’s Birding Man event at the Lost Bridge Beverage Company and stop by my tent. Suggested donation on-site of $5 per session.
Weave with me, but stick around for bird fun, live music, and the big bonfire at the end of the evening!
Christmas in October—Weave Willow Ornaments at ARI
We’ll be weaving willow stars, trees, and snails. We'll have differently sized willow for different sizes of stars. Chunkier willow makes a pretty 3-D star that you could fit over an electric votive candle for a center piece. Slimmer willow makes a star easier to hang in a tree.
In the 65willows household, there's no Christmas/winter holiday decorating permitted until all of the dishes from Thanksgiving are clean and put away. But there's no rule about when the decorations can actually be made. They don't just appear out of nowhere.
We taught a wreath making class at ARI last year and it was delightful. Wonderful and curious company who really gave it their all and supported one another while learning new craft techniques. We expect the same loveliness this time around to. Please join us! We promise a fun time for all!
Organic Fruit Basket
Learning to weave with willow often asks that you focus on 10 things at once—listening to the willow, hand positioning, basket form and structure, tightness of weave, proper rod selection, and so on. I think it’s worthwhile if you’re thinking about working with willow on the regular to start with a more forgiving project than the typical European traditional basket. Get a feel for willow first and what it can do while weaving a basket in good company that will choose its own form based on the shape of the base branches used as its outer frame.
Join us for a fun low-pressure challenge in building a center piece worthy organic fruit basket!
Willow Farming Class
Do you want to learn how to plant basket willow of your own?
Come join Amy of 65willows for a two-phase class. The first hour will be spent indoors discussing the basics of planting, care, and harvest of basket willows. The next few hours we’ll head outdoors doing hands-on harvest and planting of willows in one of 65willows’ beds. After, we’ll head back in doors to handle any remaining questions you may have.
And the class will happen rain or shine—cancelled only if we have a snowstorm or temps below 25 degrees. Dress accordingly and we’ll fill your thermos with hot coffee or tea before heading out to the fields.
If you’d like to purchase cuttings to start your own willow beds, you can do so during this class for a 20% discount.
Purchase tickets here.
Brigid’s Cross Course
Our second annual Brigid’s Cross Weaving class. Join us at Lost Bridge Beverage Company’s tasting room in North Bend, Ohio, to learn about the history and tradition of Brigid/St. Brigid crosses and then weave one (or more!) of your own to hang in your rafters (or on your front door) well in time for the traditional February 1st. Good company and light snacks and an excuse to get out of your house and beat the cabin fever from setting in after the holidays!
Tickets available here.
Weaving Willow Wreaths
Come weave willow wreaths with us—hosted by the Archaeological Research Institute in Lawrenceburg, Indiana.
