Join basketry artist Tess Wakeling and spend a relaxing weekend immersed in willow weaving as you design and make your own unique willow lampshade, exploring how pattern and texture can transform light and create beautiful shadows.

You'll begin by looking at a range of examples for inspiration and considering whether you'd like to create a lampshade for a pendant light or a lamp. You'll sketch out your ideas and talk through your design with your tutor, thinking about shape, pattern and how you want light to move through your finished piece.

Working with a beautiful selection of white, buff and naturally barked willows, you'll begin to bring your design to life. Choose between a more open structure or a solid weave and explore different weaving patterns, discovering how the spacing, texture and colour of the willow can change the way your lampshade filters light and casts shadows.

As your lampshade takes shape, you'll learn traditional basketry techniques and explore how they can be used in a contemporary and innovative way. You'll be shown different methods for attaching the lampshade frame and learn border weaves to neatly finish the top and bottom of your design.

You'll be guided throughout the process, but with plenty of freedom to experiment and make creative decisions as you work. Each lampshade will be completely individual, shaped by your choice of willow, weave and pattern.

By the end of the weekend, you'll have explored pattern, texture and lighting design, developed your willow weaving skills and created your own handmade lampshade to use and enjoy at home.

This weekend is suitable for all abilities. Beginners are very welcome, while those with previous basket-making experience will have the opportunity to develop their skills and explore using willow in new, contemporary ways.

Tutor: Tess Wakeling
Date & Time: Friday 13th and Saturday 14th November, 10am - 4pm
Venue: Brush Studio, New Brewery Arts
Price: £180 (£0.00 VAT)

You are welcome to bring a lidded bottle of water with you but we kindly ask that you do not bring food into the studio.

Refreshments are available at our on-site café Blend until 4pm.

For more information:
Visit our FAQ page

Who is this workshop for?
This weekend is suitable for all abilities. Beginners are very welcome, while those with previous basket-making experience will have the opportunity to develop their skills and explore using willow in new, contemporary ways.

Please note that this workshop is for those aged 18 and over.

What you will need:
Please bring an apron or wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.

Please remove jewellery and tie hair back.

All materials and equipment are included.

Meet Your Tutor - tess wakeling

Tess began working with willow over 10 years ago. Her basketry work encompasses contemporary lighting, woven bags, sculpture and installation projects.

During her studies on a City and Guilds qualification she became hooked in exploring the endless ways that pattern and texture can be achieved using woven materials . She now works mainly in willow, which connects her to the land and to a craft that is functional as well as beautiful.

Starting out with a degree in Fine Art Sculpture, Tess spent many years working with lighting and paper, making and selling geometric patterned lampshades. She has been inspired by Japanese aesthetics during a trip to research craft, and aims to carry these qualities into her current willow work - bringing calming, natural texture into the home whilst finding a relevant place for basketry in our modern lives.

Alongside her studio practise she teaches basketmaking, both to the public and as a therapeutic craft for young people at Ruskin Mill College. She loves to pass on this ancient skill to others. To witness the healing potential of working with natural materials, and the joy that making your own basket can bring.