Wendling Workshops
A Few Notes Before You Book
Workshops are intentionally small—typically 5–6 students—so each participant receives individual guidance.
For full-day classes, lunch is served at Heleny’s home next to the studio. It is simple and homemade—usually soup, salad, and fresh bread—and is included in the workshop fee.
You’ll receive an email from Heleny 2–3 days before your workshop with details on what to expect, what to bring, and what’s planned for lunch.
Beginner and returning students are welcome.
Cancellation + Access
Payment is required to reserve your spot. If plans change, you may cancel up to 14 days before the workshop for a 50% refund.
Workshops require a minimum of 3 students. If a class does not meet this minimum, it may be canceled and all participants will receive a full refund.
Private Group Workshops
Gather a group of friends, family members, coworkers, or fellow makers for a private willow weaving workshop.
Private workshops can be scheduled as half-day or full-day sessions and may be held at Heleny’s studio in Williamstown or at a location of your choosing. Projects are selected based on the group’s interests and available time and may include bird feeders, trivets, small baskets, seasonal decorations, and other beginner-friendly willow forms.
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, gathering with friends, or looking for a unique group activity, a private willow weaving workshop offers a memorable day of creativity, conversation, and making something by hand.
Group Size: Up to 10 participants. Minimum 6 participants.
Available Formats:
Half-Day Workshop
Full-Day Workshop
Studio or Off-Site Location
Please get in touch to discuss dates, project options, and pricing.
Upcoming Workshops
Weave a traditional Irish willow basket perfect for serving and gathering.
It was originally used to drain and serve potatoes, the skib is defined by its shallow form and the natural variation of willow in the base.
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Today, it works just as well as a serving tray, a shallow dish for fruit or vegetables, or for everyday use in the home. An enjoyable and approachable basket for both beginners or advanced students.
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Traditional skib construction
Working with different willow tones in the base
Shaping shallow forms
Tools will be provided:
Bodkin
Knife
Secateurs and clips
Measuring tape
Rapping irons
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1-Day Workshop: Wednesday, July 22, 2026
9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Vegetarian lunch included.
Cost: $170 (includes materials and a lunch served at Heleny’s home next to the studio)
Class Size: 6 students
Payment is required to reserve your spot. If plans change, you can cancel up to 14 days before the workshop start to receive a 50% refund.
Weave a traditional Irish willow basket perfect for serving and gathering.
It was originally used to drain and serve potatoes, the skib is defined by its shallow form and the natural variation of willow in the base.
-
Today, it works just as well as a serving tray, a shallow dish for fruit or vegetables, or for everyday use in the home. An enjoyable and approachable basket for both beginners or advanced students.
-
Traditional skib construction
Working with different willow tones in the base
Shaping shallow forms
Tools will be provided:
Bodkin
Knife
Secateurs and clips
Measuring tape
Rapping irons
-
1-Day Workshop: Wednesday, July 22, 2026
9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Vegetarian lunch included.
Cost: $170 (includes materials and a lunch served at Heleny’s home next to the studio)
Class Size: 6 students
Payment is required to reserve your spot. If plans change, you can cancel up to 14 days before the workshop start to receive a 50% refund.
Weave a hanging willow basket with a shaped back and open front for everyday storage.
Hang it for plants, gather fruit and vegetables, or keep gloves and mittens by the door.
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This is an excellent class for beginners, and for those who want to strengthen their base-making skills. There is always room to refine the slath.
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Setting a strong base
Twining
Three-rod wale
Packing
Track border
Tools will be provided:
Bodkin
Knife
Secateurs and clips
Measuring tape
Rapping irons
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1-Day Workshop: Thursday, August, 20, 2026
9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Lunch included.
Cost: $170 (includes materials and a vegetarian lunch served at Heleny’s home next to the studio)
Class Size: 6 students
No experience needed. This is a good place to start and we love working with beginners.
Payment is required to reserve your spot. If plans change, you can cancel up to 14 days before the workshop start to receive a 50% refund.
Weave a hanging willow basket with a shaped back and open front for everyday storage.
Hang it for plants, gather fruit and vegetables, or keep gloves and mittens by the door.
-
This is an excellent class for beginners, and for those who want to strengthen their base-making skills. There is always room to refine the slath.
-
Setting a strong base
Twining
Three-rod wale
Packing
Track border
Tools will be provided:
Bodkin
Knife
Secateurs and clips
Measuring tape
Rapping irons
-
1-Day Workshop: Saturday, August, 29 2026
9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Vegetarian lunch included.
Cost: $170 (includes materials and lunch served at Heleny’s home next to the studio)
Class Size: 6 students
No experience needed. This is a good place to start and we love working with beginners.
Payment is required to reserve your spot. If plans change, you can cancel up to 14 days before the workshop start to receive a 50% refund.
Weave a traditional round basket from locally grown willow at Red Shirt Farm.
Spend a day learning the fundamentals of stake-and-strand basketry while creating a beautiful basket to take home.
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Along the way, you’ll learn about growing willow, its history in the Berkshires, and where it can still be found growing in the wild.
Heleny Cook of Wendling Willows Basketry is a basketmaker, willow grower, and teacher based in Williamstown. She has taught at Berkshire Botanical Garden, Hancock Shaker Village, Eastfield Village, and in her own studio.
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Setting a strong base
Twining
Three-rod wale
Packing
Track border
Tools will be provided:
Bodkin
Knife
Secateurs and clips
Measuring tape
Rapping irons
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1-Day Workshop: Saturday, September 12, 2026 at Red Shirt Farm.
9:00 AM–4:30 PM
Lunch may be purchased from the Red Shirt Farm Store.
Space is limited to 8 students..
No experience needed. This is a good place to start and we love working with beginners.
Payment is required to reserve your spot. If plans change, you can cancel up to 14 days before the workshop start to receive a 50% refund.
Weave a willow gathering basket sized for herbs, lettuces, flowers, and everyday collecting. This is the largest basket that can be woven in a single day workshop.
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This workshop is suited for beginners and intermediate weavers interested in building a practical handled basket while learning strong foundational techniques.
You’ll weave a slightly domed base around six base sticks, shape the sides, and finish the basket with your choice of traditional border and side weave.
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laying out and weaving a round base
staking up and shaping the basket walls
maintaining even tension while weaving larger forms
attaching and shaping a fixed handle
weaving and finishing a traditional willow border
Tools will be provided:
Bodkin
Knife
Secateurs and clips
Measuring tape
Rapping irons
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1-Day Workshop: Thursday, September 17, 2026
9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Lunch included.
Cost: $170 (includes materials and a vegetarian lunch served at Heleny’s home next to the studio)
Class Size: 6 students
Suitable for beginner and intermediate students.
Payment is required to reserve your spot. If plans change, you can cancel up to 14 days before the workshop start to receive a 50% refund.
Weave a willow gathering basket sized for herbs, lettuces, flowers, and everyday collecting. This is the largest basket that can be woven in a single day workshop.
-
This workshop is suited for beginners and intermediate weavers interested in building a practical handled basket while learning strong foundational techniques.
You’ll weave a slightly domed base around six base sticks, shape the sides, and finish the basket with your choice of traditional border and side weave.
-
laying out and weaving a round base
staking up and shaping the basket walls
maintaining even tension while weaving larger forms
attaching and shaping a fixed handle
weaving and finishing a traditional willow border
Tools will be provided:
Bodkin
Knife
Secateurs and clips
Measuring tape
Rapping irons
-
1-Day Workshop: Saturday, September 19, 2026
9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Vegetarian lunch included.
Cost: $170 (includes materials and a lunch served at Heleny’s home next to the studio)
Class Size: 6 students
Suitable for beginner and intermediate students.
Payment is required to reserve your spot. If plans change, you can cancel up to 14 days before the workshop start to receive a 50% refund.
Weave a strong willow apple basket designed for carrying apples, potatoes, and other harvest yields.
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Over two days, students will build a larger working basket in the traditional stake-and-strand style using six-foot stakes and five-foot strands. Willow for the workshop comes from both the Wendling willow patch and Lakeshore Willows in Ontario.
This class is intended for students who have already woven several willow baskets and are ready for a more advanced project focused on shaping, structure, and finishing techniques.
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pairing
double French randing
shaping a larger working basket
weaving with longer stakes and strands
forming and fitting internal handles
weaving a four- or five-pair border
weaving three-rod and four-rod wale
selecting willow suited to larger basket forms
You will also learn how to work with traditional willow basketry tools including:
Bodkin
Billy knife
Secateurs and clips
Measuring tape
Rapping irons
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2-Day Workshop: Saturday–Sunday, October 17–18, 2026
9:30 AM – 4:30 PM each day
Lunch included both days.
Cost: $340(includes materials and vegetarian lunches served at Heleny’s home next to the studio)
Class Size: 6 students
Recommended for students who have previously woven 3–4 willow baskets.
Payment is required to reserve your spot. If plans change, you can cancel up to 14 days before the workshop start date to receive a 50% refund.
Weave a traditional willow jardinière designed to hold herbs, houseplants, and seasonal flowers.
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Developed by renowned English basketmaker Jenny Crisp, the jardinière is both practical and decorative. It provides an attractive alternative to plastic nursery pots and is perfect for displaying herbs on a kitchen windowsill or bringing summer plants indoors for the colder months.
Over two days, students will weave a jardinière and have the option on the second day to create a second jardinière or weave a custom basket around a plant brought from home. This workshop is suitable for both beginner and intermediate weavers.
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weaving a modified Catalan base in the style of Jenny Crisp
conditioning and preparing willow for weaving
weaving around a template
three-rod wale
English randing with optional interior or exterior ends
shaping and finishing a jardinière form
weaving a four-pair border
You will also learn how to work with traditional willow basketry tools including:
Bodkin
Billy knife
Secateurs and clips
Measuring tape
Rapping irons
weaving a four- or five-pair border
weaving three-rod and four-rod wale
selecting willow suited to larger basket forms
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2-Day Workshop: Saturday–Sunday, October 31–November 1, 2026
9:30 AM – 4:30 PM each day
Lunch included both days.
Cost: $340 (includes materials and lunches served at Heleny’s home next to the studio)
Class Size: 6 students
Recommended for: Beginner and intermediate students.
Payment is required to reserve your spot. If plans change, you can cancel up to 14 days before the workshop start date to receive a 50% refund.
Create a collection of handwoven willow ornaments and holiday decorations.
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Join Heleny in the studio for a festive session of weaving willow Christmas trees, reindeer, small decorative wreaths, hanging ornaments, and other seasonal forms. These small projects are enjoyable to make, perfect for beginners, and a wonderful introduction to working with willow.
Students will have the opportunity to make several pieces during the session and are encouraged to add their own creative touches. Finished ornaments can be used to decorate a tree, adorn a holiday table, or become handmade gifts for friends and family.
Reserve a session for yourself, or gather a few friends and spend a day getting ready for the holidays together.
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selecting and preparing willow for small projects
basic weaving and shaping techniques
creating simple holiday forms
working with natural materials on a small scale
finishing ornaments for hanging or display
You will also learn how to work with traditional willow basketry tools including:
Bodkin
Secateurs and clips
Small measuring tools
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Half-Day Workshop: Saturday, November 14, 2026
Morning: 9 AM – 12 PM
Students may register for a single session or reserve both morning and afternoon sessions for a full day of holiday weaving.
Cost: $85 (includes materials)
Class Size: 6 students
Recommended for: Beginner and intermediate students.
Payment is required to reserve your spot. If plans change, you can cancel up to 14 days before the workshop start date to receive a 50% refund.
Create a collection of handwoven willow ornaments and holiday decorations.
-
Join Heleny in the studio for a festive session of weaving willow Christmas trees, reindeer, small decorative wreaths, hanging ornaments, and other seasonal forms. These small projects are enjoyable to make, perfect for beginners, and a wonderful introduction to working with willow.
Students will have the opportunity to make several pieces during the session and are encouraged to add their own creative touches. Finished ornaments can be used to decorate a tree, adorn a holiday table, or become handmade gifts for friends and family.
Reserve a session for yourself, or gather a few friends and spend a day getting ready for the holidays together.
-
selecting and preparing willow for small projects
basic weaving and shaping techniques
creating simple holiday forms
working with natural materials on a small scale
finishing ornaments for hanging or display
You will also learn how to work with traditional willow basketry tools including:
Bodkin
Secateurs and clips
Small measuring tools
-
Half-Day Workshop: Saturday, November 14, 2026
Saturday Afternoon: 1 PM – 4 PM
Students may register for a single session or reserve both morning and afternoon sessions for a full day of holiday weaving.
Cost: $85 (includes materials)
Class Size: 6 students
Recommended for: Beginner and intermediate students.
Payment is required to reserve your spot. If plans change, you can cancel up to 14 days before the workshop start date to receive a 50% refund.
Create a collection of handwoven willow ornaments and holiday decorations.
-
Join Heleny in the studio for a festive session of weaving willow Christmas trees, reindeer, small decorative wreaths, hanging ornaments, and other seasonal forms. These small projects are enjoyable to make, perfect for beginners, and a wonderful introduction to working with willow.
Students will have the opportunity to make several pieces during the session and are encouraged to add their own creative touches. Finished ornaments can be used to decorate a tree, adorn a holiday table, or become handmade gifts for friends and family.
Reserve a session for yourself, or gather a few friends and spend a day getting ready for the holidays together.
-
selecting and preparing willow for small projects
basic weaving and shaping techniques
creating simple holiday forms
working with natural materials on a small scale
finishing ornaments for hanging or display
You will also learn how to work with traditional willow basketry tools including:
Bodkin
Secateurs and clips
Small measuring tools
-
Half-Day Workshop: Sunday, November 15, 2026
Sunday Morning: 9 AM – 12 PM
Students may register for a single session or reserve both morning and afternoon sessions for a full day of holiday weaving.
Cost: $85 (includes materials)
Class Size: 6 students
Recommended for: Beginner and intermediate students.
Payment is required to reserve your spot. If plans change, you can cancel up to 14 days before the workshop start date to receive a 50% refund.
Create a collection of handwoven willow ornaments and holiday decorations.
-
Join Heleny in the studio for a festive session of weaving willow Christmas trees, reindeer, small decorative wreaths, hanging ornaments, and other seasonal forms. These small projects are enjoyable to make, perfect for beginners, and a wonderful introduction to working with willow.
Students will have the opportunity to make several pieces during the session and are encouraged to add their own creative touches. Finished ornaments can be used to decorate a tree, adorn a holiday table, or become handmade gifts for friends and family.
Reserve a session for yourself, or gather a few friends and spend a day getting ready for the holidays together.
-
selecting and preparing willow for small projects
basic weaving and shaping techniques
creating simple holiday forms
working with natural materials on a small scale
finishing ornaments for hanging or display
You will also learn how to work with traditional willow basketry tools including:
Bodkin
Secateurs and clips
Small measuring tools
-
Half-Day Workshop: Sunday, November 15, 2026
Sunday Afternoon: 1 PM – 4 PM
Students may register for a single session or reserve both morning and afternoon sessions for a full day of holiday weaving.
Cost: $85 (includes materials)
Class Size: 6 students
Recommended for: Beginner and intermediate students.
Payment is required to reserve your spot. If plans change, you can cancel up to 14 days before the workshop start date to receive a 50% refund.
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