A Complete Guide to Preparing Willow Preparing willow is one of the most important and often most confusing parts of willow weaving. Many of the problems people experience don’t begin in the weaving itself, but long before that, in how the material has been prepared. If you’ve ever had rods snap mid-weave or found yourself unsure whether your willow is ready, this guide is designed to help you understand why and what to do differently. Inside, you’ll find a comprehensive, experience-led resource built from over 20 years of working with willow, bringing together the knowledge that is often difficult to pass on in a single workshop or conversation. Once purchased, the guide and accompanying video will be delivered directly to your email, ready for you to access in your own time. What’s included: A 25-page written guide covering types of willow, the growing year, essential tools, soaking and preparation techniques, alternative methods, a steaming guide, troubleshooting problems and more An accompanying video showing what properly prepared willow actually looks like, so you can recognise when your willow is properly prepared A printable soaking reference sheet for easy use in your workspace Soaking worksheets to support and track your own process Notes pages for your own observations and learning A carefully compiled supplier list, including trusted sources across the UK, Europe, USA and Canada This guide was created in response to the question we are asked more than any other: how do you prepare willow properly? My name is Joe Gregory, founder of Creative with Nature and I’ve been working with willow since 2004. What began as a simple hobby during recovery from a long illness became a lifelong practice and eventually a full-time profession. Over the years, I’ve taught students of all ages and abilities and one thing has remained consistent, preparing willow is the stage that causes the most uncertainty when people begin working on their own. In workshops, materials are often already perfectly prepared. Outside of that environment, it can be difficult to know what to look for. Preparing willow isn’t about rigid rules, it’s about learning to recognise the material in your hands. Willow behaves differently depending on how and where it has been grown. Climate, timing, storage, moisture and handling all play their part as well. Learning to read those differences is part of the craft itself. When prepared well, willow becomes a responsive and enjoyable material to work with. When it isn’t, even simple weaving can feel frustrating. This guide is designed to help you bridge that gap, so you can work with more confidence and ease. Alongside our courses and teaching, we also share free basketry resources online to help make this craft accessible to as many people as possible, with our YouTube channel offering a great place for beginners to start. This guide is intended to go further, bringing together the depth of knowledge that comes from years of practice into one place. Once purchased, you will receive immediate access to the guide and accompanying video via email, so you can begin working through the material at your own pace.
Related
Related
Related
Related