Suitable for: Adult Beginners
Refreshments: Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available throughout the day. We also have a fantastic on-site cafe, Embers, run by local chef Shropshire Lad.
What to wear: Clothes that you can get messy
What to bring: Materials will be provided, but please feel free to bring any additional decorations you'd like to incorporate in your wreath- such as some ribbon
Start / finish times: 10am- 12pm
The course:
You will learn how to weave a wreath base from willow, and then decorate it with foliage and natural decorations. You will go home with your own festive wreath ready to be hung on your door for Christmas time. You will then be able to reuse your willow wreath base every year!
Tutor: Daisy Askins
Daisy Askins first learnt basketmaking over six years ago and has completed a City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Basketry. She is a recipient of Arts Council England funding, and a member of the Heritage Crafts Association and the Basketmakers’ Association. Her pieces are regularly exhibited as part of the Shropshire-based artist-maker collective Weave Only A Trace.
Daisy makes decorative and functional homeware from UK-grown willow in her garden studio in Ironbridge. Her handcrafted pieces are contemporary in form, yet firmly rooted in the heritage craft of basketmaking. Her designs are inspired by Shropshire’s landscapes and flora, and celebrate the natural beauty, textures and colours of willow.
She enjoys sharing the creative and wellbeing benefits of basketmaking through facilitating workshops and community-led projects in and around Shropshire. Daisy has delivered willow workshops and commissions for various third sector and public organisations, including English Heritage, the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Small Woods Association, Telford & Wrekin Council, RHS Tatton Park Flower Show, Designs in Mind, Birmingham City University, Walsall Leather Museum and the Severn Gorge Countryside Trust.
Drawing on her previous experience as a landscape architect, environmental educator, therapeutic teacher and multi-stakeholder project facilitator, Daisy brings a thoughtful, inclusive approach to her community-based work.
