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
SOLD OUT
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 7, 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
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Half-Day Workshop: Saturday, November 7, 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 8, 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 8, 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.
Upcoming Beginners Series
Fundamentals of Willow Basketry at Bon Dimanche | Jan - Feb, 2027
A four-part series for novice willow weavers exploring the fundamental techniques of traditional English stake-and-strand basketry.
Each class introduces new skills while reinforcing techniques from earlier sessions. The series progresses from bases and simple forms to larger, more complex baskets. Classes may be taken individually, although taking them in sequence is highly recommended for students who want to build their skills over time.
All classes are held at Bon Dimanche, 32 Railroad St, Great Barrington, MA 01230 from 9:30 AM–4:30 PM.
Build the foundation for future basketry projects while learning the essential techniques used to create strong, well-formed willow bases.
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This introductory class focuses on working with willow and understanding the construction techniques that form the starting point for traditional stake-and-strand baskets. Students will make trivets, trays, and bases while developing the skills needed for the remaining classes in the Fundamentals series.
This class is recommended as the starting point for students planning to continue through the series.
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* preparing and handling willow
* basic weaving techniques
* creating round and oval bases
* establishing shape and structure
* selecting willow for different uses
* preparing bases for future basket projects
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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Wednesday, January 6, 2027
Time: 9:30 AM–4:30 PM
Location: Bon Dimanche
Cost: $195 (includes materials)
Class Size: 6 students
Designed for novice willow weavers. No previous basketry experience required.
Payment is required to reserve your spot. If plans change, you can cancel up to 14 days before the workshop date to receive a 50% refund.
Build a traditional round willow basket while continuing to develop the fundamental techniques of stake-and-strand basketry.
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Students will begin with a woven base and learn how to stake up, shape, and weave the sides of a simple round basket before completing the rim. The class reinforces the foundational skills introduced in Trivets, Trays & Bases while adding the techniques needed to turn a flat base into a finished basket.
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building from a woven base
staking up
basic pairing and randing
shaping a round basket
controlling tension
forming and finishing a border
selecting willow for stakes and weavers
You will also continue working with traditional willow basketry tools including:
Bodkin
Billy knife
Secateurs and clips
Measuring tape
Rapping irons
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Wednesday, January 13, 2027
Time: 9:30 AM–4:30 PM
Location: Bon Dimanche
Cost: $195 (includes materials)
Class Size: 6 students
Designed for novice willow weavers. No previous basketry experience required.
Payment is required to reserve your spot. If plans change, you can cancel up to 14 days before the workshop date to receive a 50% refund.
Choose from an Irish skib, wall basket, or round basket while developing the techniques introduced in the first two Fundamentals classes.
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This class gives students an opportunity to work on a basket form suited to their interests while continuing to practice shaping, structure, and stake-and-strand weaving. Heleny will guide students through their selected project while helping them strengthen the skills needed to work more independently.
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applying fundamental techniques to different basket forms
selecting willow for your chosen project
developing shape and structure
maintaining even tension
refining stake-and-strand techniques
finishing a basket cleanly and securely
You will also continue working with traditional willow basketry tools including:
Bodkin
Billy knife
Secateurs and clips
Measuring tape
Rapping irons
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Wednesday, February 10, 2027
Time: 9:30 AM–4:30 PM
Location: Bon Dimanche
Cost: $195 (includes materials)
Class Size: 6 students
Designed for novice willow weavers. No previous basketry experience required.
Payment is required to reserve your spot. If plans change, you can cancel up to 14 days before the workshop date to receive a 50% refund.
Bring together the skills developed throughout the Fundamentals series while weaving a traditional gathering basket.
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Students will create a functional willow basket designed for carrying garden produce, flowers, and other gathered materials. This final class builds on the techniques practiced throughout the series, with greater emphasis on shaping, structure, finishing, and working more independently.
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constructing a larger working basket
selecting willow for structure and flexibility
maintaining shape as the basket develops
reinforcing sides and structure
refining weaving technique and tension
completing and finishing a functional basket
You will also continue working with traditional willow basketry tools including:
Bodkin
Billy knife
Secateurs and clips
Measuring tape
Rapping irons
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Wednesday, February 24, 2027
Time: 9:30 AM–4:30 PM
Location: Bon Dimanche
Cost: $195 (includes materials)
Class Size: 6 students
Designed for novice willow weavers. No previous basketry experience required.
Payment is required to reserve your spot. If plans change, you can cancel up to 14 days before the workshop date to receive a 50% refund.
Upcoming Advanced Series
Advanced Oval Basketry Series | February - June, 2027
A four-part series for experienced willow weavers ready to move from round baskets into the more complex forms and techniques of oval basketry.
Designed for students who have completed approximately 2–4 willow baskets and are comfortable weaving a round base, the series builds progressively from the fundamentals of constructing an oval base to larger baskets requiring more advanced shaping, weaving, handles, and finishing techniques.
Each class builds on the skills developed in the previous session. Classes may be taken individually; however, taking the full series is strongly recommended. The first class, Oval Bases, is the essential foundation for the series and should not be missed by students new to oval basketry.
All classes in this series are held at Wendling Willows Studio from 9:30AM–4:30PM.
The foundation of every basket in this series begins with the oval base.
Unlike the six-stick base commonly used for round baskets, this oval base begins with nine base sticks: three 14-inch sticks threaded through six 8-inch sticks. Students will learn to use pairing and reverse pairing to create an even base and prevent warping, while developing the distinctive domed shape known as the “turtle.”
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Students will weave two or three bases during the first day, choose their strongest base, and use it to weave a finished basket on the second day. The sides will be completed using three-rod wale and a four-pair border.
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constructing a nine-stick oval base
pairing and reverse pairing
controlling tension to prevent warping
creating the domed “turtle” shape
selecting and preparing a base for weaving
staking up an oval basket
three-rod wale
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
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Dates: This course is being offered twice. It is a requirement for continuing the series.
February 13-14, 2027
March 13-14, 2027
Time: 9:30 AM–4:30 PM
Location: Wendling Willows Basketry
Cost: $390 (includes materials). Lunch is included in the cost.
Class Size: 6 students
Designed for experienced willow weavers who have completed approximately 2–4 baskets and are comfortable weaving a round base.
Payment is required to reserve your spot. If plans change, you can cancel up to 14 days before the workshop date to receive a 50% refund.
The Muffin Basket builds on the techniques introduced in Oval Bases, giving students another opportunity to strengthen their skills in constructing a nine-stick oval base, pairing, reverse pairing, and creating the domed “turtle” shape.
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Students can choose to create a straight-sided basket or a more open form, introducing greater control over shaping. After completing the bottom wale, students will work with either French or English randing before finishing the basket with four-rod wale and a four-pair border.
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reinforcing the nine-stick oval base
pairing and reverse pairing
creating and maintaining the domed base
controlling the shape of straight or open sides
bottom wale
French or English randing
four-rod wale
weaving a four-pair border
You will also continue working with traditional willow basketry tools including:
Bodkin
Billy knife
Secateurs and clips
Measuring tape
Rapping irons
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Dates: This course is being offered twice.
February 20-21, 2027
March 27-28, 2027
Time: 9:30 AM–4:30 PM
Location: Wendling Willows Basketry
Cost: $390 (includes materials). Lunch is included in the cost.
Class Size: 6 students
Designed for experienced willow weavers who have completed approximately 2–4 baskets and are comfortable weaving a round base.
Payment is required to reserve your spot. If plans change, you can cancel up to 14 days before the workshop date to receive a 50% refund.
The Market Basket advances the oval techniques developed in the first two classes while introducing a larger base, more complex shaping, and two important new skills.
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Students will continue working with pairing and reverse pairing to weave the oval slath, then stake up the basket using 36 uprights. The larger form introduces packing, a technique used to build height in the basket sides, before students complete the basket with a traditional rope handle.
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weaving a larger oval base
pairing and reverse pairing
working with 36 uprights
shaping and controlling a larger basket
packing to build height in the basket sides
constructing and finishing a rope handle
You will also continue working with traditional willow basketry tools including:
Bodkin
Billy knife
Secateurs and clips
Measuring tape
Rapping irons
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Dates: This course is being offered twice.
April 24-25, 2027
June 12-13, 2027
Time: 9:30 AM–4:30 PM
Location: Wendling Willows Basketry
Cost: $390 (includes materials). Lunch is included in the cost.
Class Size: 6 students
Designed for experienced willow weavers who have completed approximately 2–4 baskets and are comfortable weaving a round base.
Payment is required to reserve your spot. If plans change, you can cancel up to 14 days before the workshop date to receive a 50% refund.
The final workshop in the series brings together the techniques developed throughout the Oval Basketry Series in its most challenging form.
Students will construct an oval base using pairing and reverse pairing with an increased number of uprights. A four-rod bottom wale will be followed by two different side weaves, separated by three-rod wale, before the basket is finished with four-rod wale and a four-pair border.
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The primary challenge will be shaping the basket to create a straight back and rounded front. Students will complete the knapsack by fitting and attaching leather or non-leather straps.
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advanced oval-base construction
working with an increased number of uprights
four-rod bottom wale
two contrasting side weaves
three-rod wale
four-rod wale
four-pair border
shaping a straight back and rounded front
fitting and attaching straps
You will also continue working with traditional willow basketry tools including:
Bodkin
Billy knife
Secateurs and clips
Measuring tape
Rapping irons
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Dates: This course is being offered twice.
May 1-2, 2027
June 19-20, 2027
Time: 9:30 AM–4:30 PM
Location: Wendling Willows Basketry
Cost: $390 (includes materials). Lunch is included in the cost.
Class Size: 6 students
Designed for experienced willow weavers who have completed approximately 2–4 baskets and are comfortable weaving a round base.
Payment is required to reserve your spot. If plans change, you can cancel up to 14 days before the workshop date to receive a 50% refund.
Open Studio Days
Practice, practice, practice. That’s how we improve.
Open Studio days are a chance to spend the day working independently on your basketry. Bring a basket in progress, practice techniques you’ve learned in class, or start a project you’re comfortable working on on your own.
You’ll have access to the studio tools and my basketry library. Bring your own prepared willow, or order a presoaked willow packet when you register.
Open Studio is not a class and does not include formal instruction, so you should have some previous willow basketry experience and be comfortable working independently.
Independent studio time for returning basketry students to practice, work on a project, and keep weaving.
9:30 AM–4:30 PM
Independent studio time for returning basketry students to practice, work on a project, and keep weaving.
9:30 AM–4:30 PM
Independent studio time for returning basketry students to practice, work on a project, and keep weaving.
9:30 AM–4:30 PM
Independent studio time for returning basketry students to practice, work on a project, and keep weaving.
9:30 AM–4:30 PM
Independent studio time for returning basketry students to practice, work on a project, and keep weaving.
9:30 AM–4:30 PM
Independent studio time for returning basketry students to practice, work on a project, and keep weaving.
9:30 AM–4:30 PM
Independent studio time for returning basketry students to practice, work on a project, and keep weaving.
9:30 AM–4:30 PM
Independent studio time for returning basketry students to practice, work on a project, and keep weaving.
9:30 AM–4:30 PM
Independent studio time for returning basketry students to practice, work on a project, and keep weaving.
9:30 AM–4:30 PM
Independent studio time for returning basketry students to practice, work on a project, and keep weaving.
9:30 AM–4:30 PM
Independent studio time for returning basketry students to practice, work on a project, and keep weaving.
9:30 AM–4:30 PM
Independent studio time for returning basketry students to practice, work on a project, and keep weaving.
9:30 AM–4:30 PM
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