Classes in January, February, and March will be held at Aspen Ridge Green houses off highway 21 , south of Sherwood Park.
Please click below to be notified when new classes are planned.
Couples Laundry Basket Jan 22 - 23, 2022 10 am - 5 pm each day
Together with a friend, you will weave ONE Large Basket. It will teach us oval bases, heavy duty foot, and handles as well as the upset, side weaves, and borders that are standard basket fare. We will use fresh willows, sourced locally and sustainably coppiced.
Location: Aspen Ridge Greenhouses
Register here
Location: Aspen Ridge Greenhouses
Register here
Square Willow Basket on wood base Feb 9 5:30 - 9:00 pm
Using a pre-made base to focus on the side weaves, we will make a shallow, square tray-like basket. Please bring lengths of leather or straps or soft rope to add handles if you'd like that. The willows and base are provided. Bring pruning shears and a knife, both sharp and useful . Also snacks and water bottle. Max 8 Min 5 Cost:$ 55.00 or PWYC .
Please begin registration here, and complete with your etransfer payment
Location Aspen Ridge Greenhouses
Please begin registration here, and complete with your etransfer payment
Location Aspen Ridge Greenhouses
Willow Garden Trug Feb 23 evening 5:30 - 9:00 pm
We will learn to weave a square base for a basket, but then we will bend up the edges and add a handle to turn it into a Garden Trug. All willows will be provided. Please bring sharp Pruning shears and a sharp knife. Covid protocols will be in place (masks, QR codes, or negative teat results) Begin your registration HERE .Cost $55 or PWYC paid by email transfer to goodnotecommunityfarm@gmail.com to complete your registration. Please confirm with an email to Maryann at borchfam@hotmail.com Location Aspen Ridge Greenhouses.
Oval Bicycle Basket Feb. 25 evening, 26 all day Location TBA
Learn a basic Oval Base weave . Some weaving experience would be a benefit but not required. Please let me know if you'd like to help with the willow collection for this class. We will be using all native, locally sourced willows. Please bring pruning shears and a sharp knife, snacks, lunch and drinks.
1 evening from 6 to 9 and 1 day 11 - 5 pm . Both days are required for this bigger basket $120 or PWYC
Please begin the registration by filling out this Form
1 evening from 6 to 9 and 1 day 11 - 5 pm . Both days are required for this bigger basket $120 or PWYC
Please begin the registration by filling out this Form
Willow Melon Basket Mar 11 (evening) and 12 ( all day)
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We will learn the basics of a traditional ribbed willow basket called a Melon Basket. Friday evening (5 - 8:30) we will set up the frame. Saturday ( 11:00 - 5:00 pm) we will learn the weave. All materials are provided and those who want to help cut and source the willows may learn the day before (Likely Thursday, weather permitting) with a daytime cutting expedition.
Registration Form Please register here then send me an email for payment instructions to confirm your spot. borchfam@hotmail.com Refunds: Available up to one week before class or upon finding a surrogate. Max students 8, Min 5 Cost #120.00 |
Willow Backpack TBA
We will learn two main weaves, as well as the wale that separates them, to get some height onto this oval base. I consider this one of my more "fun" baskets! The colours will come as the willows allow. If you have a stash of dogwoods, straight with NO (zero) branches, please consider bringing them to the class for interest in the weaves.
2 days
All classes have a minimum of 5 students and a maximum of 8. Please register a week before the class. Refunds available until then or if class cancels due to low enrollment. If the Class is not yet full, but there is room, last minute registration is possible up to 8 students. Covid protocols include vaccination, masks, and distancing. Please bring your own snacks and drinks. Some day soon we shall potluck again!
Online:
Maryann is hosting an online community of Basket makers called Alberta Natural Baskets ( on facebook). Last winter, there were weekly Sunday Live Sessions where bundles of materials were ordered ahead and delivered to a central Edmonton location ( to be emailed to registrants) , The live videos are still available for viewing in the Past event set up for each session. Please refer to the facebook events, past events section, in that group and read all the details there to benefit from those sessions.
This was the schedule :
Jan. 10 Spiral weave
Jan. 17 Twining in Cattail
Jan. 24 Twining in Dandelions
Jan. 31 Waling Willow on a predrilled wood base, then finishing with a 3 by 2 border (big day!!)
Feb. 7 Round 3 x 3 Base
Feb. 14 Willow Bird feeder
Feb. 21 Willow Plant Trellis
Feb. 28 Scaloming uprights on a tray-type base
Mar. 7 English and French Randing
Mar. 14 Oval Bases
The following will soon resume, assuming Covid numbers continue to decline:
Open Weave sessions. First Saturday of Each Month 10:00 - 3:00 pm. Bring your own weaving materials or seek help from Maryann ahead of time on sourcing local ditch willows, or soaking cattails from here. This is a chance for everyone to hone their skill or perhaps gain a nuance that hasn't been attempted yet. I can show a few things but it is also a time for me to weave with you and not be just the teacher. You may learn by watching as well! We will be gathering around an outdoor fire as long as we can. Email ahead if you are coming. borchfam@hotmail.com Bring your own tools, water bottles and/or thermos with tea/coffee, snacks for yourself ( I can't wait till we can share food again...) And three pairs of wool socks! (cant weave with cold toes, its a known fact :)
Maryann is hosting an online community of Basket makers called Alberta Natural Baskets ( on facebook). Last winter, there were weekly Sunday Live Sessions where bundles of materials were ordered ahead and delivered to a central Edmonton location ( to be emailed to registrants) , The live videos are still available for viewing in the Past event set up for each session. Please refer to the facebook events, past events section, in that group and read all the details there to benefit from those sessions.
This was the schedule :
Jan. 10 Spiral weave
Jan. 17 Twining in Cattail
Jan. 24 Twining in Dandelions
Jan. 31 Waling Willow on a predrilled wood base, then finishing with a 3 by 2 border (big day!!)
Feb. 7 Round 3 x 3 Base
Feb. 14 Willow Bird feeder
Feb. 21 Willow Plant Trellis
Feb. 28 Scaloming uprights on a tray-type base
Mar. 7 English and French Randing
Mar. 14 Oval Bases
The following will soon resume, assuming Covid numbers continue to decline:
Open Weave sessions. First Saturday of Each Month 10:00 - 3:00 pm. Bring your own weaving materials or seek help from Maryann ahead of time on sourcing local ditch willows, or soaking cattails from here. This is a chance for everyone to hone their skill or perhaps gain a nuance that hasn't been attempted yet. I can show a few things but it is also a time for me to weave with you and not be just the teacher. You may learn by watching as well! We will be gathering around an outdoor fire as long as we can. Email ahead if you are coming. borchfam@hotmail.com Bring your own tools, water bottles and/or thermos with tea/coffee, snacks for yourself ( I can't wait till we can share food again...) And three pairs of wool socks! (cant weave with cold toes, its a known fact :)
