In-person course
in ORMSKIRK Maker & location details

Two-day traditional round and oval log or shopper basket willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

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Willow weaving taster workshop at Haworth Art Gallery

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Willow bird feeder workshop

Willow basket making workshop at Prospects Environment Centre

Living willow arbour and selection of round and oval baskets

Selection of round and oval baskets

Eel trap, square and frame baskets from HCA/NADFAS funded training

Round and oval baskets from HCA/NADFAS funded training

Willow platter workshop at Cronkshaw Fold Farm

Willow bee sculpture for Park View 4U in Lytham

Woven bird workshop for Lancashire Wildlife Trust

Traditional basket workshop for Lancashire Willdlife Trust

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Willow obelisk workshop for Prospects Foundation

Willow deer sculpture

Willow arch at Haworth Art Gallery Wedding Fair

Willow Woven Garden Border

Dragonfly workshop

Willow woven flowers

Potted living willow woven "trees" and obelisk

Simple Heart

Heron workshop

Garden Borders

Obelisk workshop

Two day basket workshop

Deer workshop

Oval shopper

Square basket with side holes for handles made using traditional English techniques

Rectangular Trug made using Catalan frame technique

Round shopper

Description

Pip Cottage offers basketry workshops including traditional basket making, living willow, and sculpture. The workshop on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th September 2025 is a two-day course, and you will be making a round basket with or without handle/s, using traditional English techniques to use a log or shopping basket. Working over two days, rather than one, gives you opportunity to experiment and immerse yourself in the processes. The venue is the lovely Cedar Farm in Mawdesley. Other two day courses include the Oval Shopping basket workshop on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th October at Cedar Farm. Please use the 'message the tutor' button for more information and to find out more about what kind of basketry you can make on the date you are interested in. I demonstrate how to make the objects step-by-step and the workshops are suitable for beginners or the more experienced. Class numbers are small and relaxed so that everyone gains the skills to successfully make their own handcrafted woven objects. I have been teaching natural gardening and crafts for over 15 years and basketry and living willow since 2012 for various environmental organisations and more recently for my own business Pip Cottage. I was lucky enough to win a Heritage Crafts Association/NADFAS Award in 2016 to study traditional English basket-making and will be passing these skills on at the workshops.

What's included in the price?

All workshops are fully risk assessed with tools and materials provided for each individual participant and tables/chairs spaced at least 1m apart. Please bring your own food and drink or buy from the site catering facilities where available. Please note, weaving with willow requires some manual dexterity and hand strength, if you are unsure the workshop you are interested in is suitable please contact Julie for a chat and more information.

Duration

2 days

Cancellation policy

Medium - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 4 weeks before the course starts

Maker

Pip Cottage

with Craft Courses since 2017

Message the tutor

I have been teaching natural gardening and crafts for over 13 years and basketry and living willow since 2012 for various environmental organisations and more recently for my own business Pip Cottage. I was lucky enough to win a Heritage Crafts Association/NADFAS Award in 2016 to study traditional English Basket-making and look forward to passing these skills on at the workshops.

Suitable for

Adults
Suitable for beginners
Intermediate level

What does this mean?

Message the tutor

Venue

Cedar Farm Barn, Back Lane, Mawdesley, ORMSKIRK, Lancashire, L40 3SY

Reviews

All maker's reviews

19 Oct 22'

Betty reviewed: Half-day traditional basketry willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

" A fantastic day . A very informative and relaxing day. Thank you for a wonderful experience"

Pip Cottage responded:

"Hello Betty, thanks for your great review. So glad you enjoyed the mini sculpture workshop in Lytham last weekend and it was a pleasure to meet you"

16 Oct 22'

Yvette Clements reviewed: Half-day traditional basketry willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

"I had a wonderful time on the 15th of October 2022 making a bee and a butterfly at the mini sculpture class that Julie took. Julie was very patient with me, because at first, I found it hard to get going and Julie sorted out my bee for me and then got me restarted a few times. By my second sculpture I had got it and did it all by myself. I cannot wait to do it all again. "

Pip Cottage responded:

"Very glad you enjoyed the workshop Yvette, your sculptures were great, and I look forward to meeting you again soon. Thanks, Julie"

18 Jul 22'

Jilly Greig reviewed: Half-day traditional basketry willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

"Really enjoyed this 2 day workshop with Julie. I learnt new techniques, and got to practice old ones. Julie was so patient and caring, and has extensive knowledge which she is keen to pass on. Would highly recommend! Thank you Julie! "

Pip Cottage responded:

"Glad you enjoyed the workshop Jilly, your basket was fab, well proportioned and strong. It was a pleasure to meet you and good luck with your basketry journey."

22 May 22'

Jan Eggleton reviewed: Full-day traditional basketry willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

"Attended one of Julie’s day courses at Be a Garden Maker on Friday and had a brilliant, informative time. Julie is an excellent teacher and we all completed our sculptures in the allotted timescale. My garden now has a lovely woven heron. Julie also provided extra rods to give the kegs extra stability. It was lovely to meet Julie and the other attendees. We all learned new skills and were extremely enthused to carry on. I would totally recommend the experience. Thank you Julie."

Pip Cottage responded:

"Hello Jan, thanks for your lovely review, it was good to meet you and I'm glad you enjoyed the workshop. It would be great to see a picture of your fab heron in the garden! Thanks, Julie"

22 May 22'

Tracy Saunders reviewed: Full-day traditional basketry willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

"Attended the bird/bee sculpture course at Be a Gardener Maker Julie was great. Her style is relaxed, calm with an eye on the clock to make sure we got refreshment breaks (the food was excellent). She brought examples of sculptures at various stages of completion so that we could see how ours might develop, although flexible enough to invite us to create our own versions from books or sketches. Providing all the essential tools and explaining the varieties of willow available, helpful at the key stages but hands off to allow you to be creative. Really enjoyable experience, everyone completed their chosen sculpture and also left with a bundle of willow to continue to fill out or make a wreath. Great value thanks Julie."

Pip Cottage responded:

"Thanks Tracy for your lovely feedback, it was good to meet you and glad you enjoyed the workshop. Your bee sculpture is very good and it would be great to see a photo of the bee in situ. Thanks, Julie"

22 May 22'

Sherri Highley Hammond reviewed: Full-day traditional basketry willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

"Superb Willow Weaving course. Really enjoyed my day and feel I have come away with a new skill. I enjoyed it so much I went home and made my own wreath from the extra canes I was given. If you want a marvellous day out, with good food, good company then choose this one. My giant bee now has a new home"

Pip Cottage responded:

"Hello Sherri, thanks for your great review and glad you enjoyed the day, it was good to meet you. Your bee sculpture was excellent and very well woven. Thanks, Julie"

21 May 22'

Sharon reviewed: Full-day traditional basketry willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

"Fantastic willow weaving course yesterday. Absolutely loved it and will definitely doing more with you. The Course was well organised, samples to view and books/sketches for ideas. Great ideas, clear instructions and help whenever needed. I’m now the proud owner of Henry the Heron who’s proudly standing in my garden. Thanks Julie for a great day, so relaxing - I got lost in time. Will definitely be booking with you again"

Pip Cottage responded:

"Hello Sharon, glad you enjoyed the willow workshop and Henry the Heron is fabulous, a pleasure to work with you and look forward to weaving with you in the future. Thanks, Julie "

17 May 22'

CCH reviewed: Half-day traditional basketry willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

"Hi, I had a fabulous afternoon attending the half day workshop making a garden Obelisk. The setting at Haworth Art Gallery was very inspirational, Julie was so welcoming, knowledgeable and skilled. I had expert hands on tuition whilst enjoying a relaxed and friendly afternoon. It was something I have wanted to do since pre-covid and it did not disappoint. Julie's guidance and patience made a very enjoyable afternoon. Hope to do more of Julie's courses in the near future. Thank you."

Pip Cottage responded:

"Thanks for your great feedback, it was a pleasure to work with you and your obelisk was well woven and fab. Look forward to weaving with you again. Thanks, Julie "

3 May 21'

Michele Sappa reviewed: Half-day traditional basketry willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

"My sister and I had a lovely afternoon, making a small willow hurdle. There was just the two of us, so we had plenty of attention. The experience , made us want to learn more. Highly recommend the course and tutor."

Pip Cottage responded:

"Hello Michele, glad you both enjoyed the workshop, your hurdles were very well woven and I really liked the choice of colours, look forward to seeing you at another workshop. Thanks, Julie"

9 Mar 20'

Karen reviewed: Half-day traditional basketry willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

"I recently attended a two day basketry course and made a log basket which I am very pleased with. The course was excellent.I learnt about willow, it's preparation and various basketry techniques. Julie is a great teacher and I highly recommend her courses. A few days later I went to the living willow workshop. This was extremely informative and we made a great willow wigwam in the field. I bought some rods and intend to build a living structure myself."

Pip Cottage responded:

"Hello Karen, Glad you enjoyed the workshops, your log basket was very good, a lovely shape and the weaving was great. I would be very interested to see a photo of the living willow structure you build. Thanks, Julie"

23 Feb 20'

valerie mellor reviewed: Half-day traditional basketry willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

"The day was fabulous, enjoyable, interesting and well worth the money I would recommend to anyone. Julie was a great teacher."

Pip Cottage responded:

"Hello Val, Thanks for your great review, glad you enjoyed the day, it was good to work with everyone at the workshop and help them make their lovely sculptures. Thanks, Julie"

23 Feb 20'

Alison cartwright reviewed: Half-day traditional basketry willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

"Really lovely day, with a fabulous willow deer to take home at the end of it. Really welcoming atmosphere and a lovely group of people. Julie gave great information and guidance on the whole process and on tools needed and where to source willow for future projects. And she has great taste in biscuits. Hoping to do a basket course with her in the near future."

Pip Cottage responded:

"Glad you enjoyed the day Alison, some great company and lovely sculptures made on the day. Look forward to meeting you again in the future. Thanks, Julie"

18 Feb 20'

Liz Webley reviewed: Half-day traditional basketry willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

"I have been to several of Julie’s workshops now and have thoroughly enjoyed all of them. Julie is an incredibly talented and experienced willow worker and is also very patient and kind! She is very approachable and helpful and I’ve always come away feeling really pleased and proud of what I’ve made. Would definitely recommend! :)"

Pip Cottage responded:

"Hello Liz, Thank you very much for your great review, glad that you have enjoyed the willow workshops, its a pleasure to work with you and you have made some lovely willow baskets and sculptures. It's enjoyable passing on skills to others and seeing their finished products and I'm looking forward to the next workshop. Thanks, Julie"

2 Sep 19'

Julie Williams reviewed: Half-day traditional basketry willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

"Hi there, I attended the oval basket course at Lytham - ecopod on Sunday 1st September, 2019. It was an amazing experience and Julie was an excellent teacher. Julie is very knowledgeable about all the different aspects of basket making and made it a fun and interesting day. It was my first basket weaving adventure and would certainly recommend it to others who are thinking about signing up for a workshop. I was so happy with my basket and can't believe how professional it looks. Great day!"

Pip Cottage responded:

"Thanks for your great response and glad that you enjoyed the day. Your basket was very good, especially for a first basket, I really like the flow and shape. Enjoy your basket and thanks again, Julie (Pip Cottage)."

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Two-day traditional round and oval log or shopper basket willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

Description

What's included in the price?

Duration

Cancellation policy

Maker

Pip Cottage

Suitable for

Venue

Price:

Duration:

Time:

Next available date:

Reviews

Betty reviewed: Half-day traditional basketry willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

Pip Cottage responded:

Yvette Clements reviewed: Half-day traditional basketry willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

Pip Cottage responded:

Jilly Greig reviewed: Half-day traditional basketry willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

Pip Cottage responded:

Jan Eggleton reviewed: Full-day traditional basketry willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

Pip Cottage responded:

Tracy Saunders reviewed: Full-day traditional basketry willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

Pip Cottage responded:

Sherri Highley Hammond reviewed: Full-day traditional basketry willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

Pip Cottage responded:

Sharon reviewed: Full-day traditional basketry willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

Pip Cottage responded:

CCH reviewed: Half-day traditional basketry willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

Pip Cottage responded:

Michele Sappa reviewed: Half-day traditional basketry willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

Pip Cottage responded:

Karen reviewed: Half-day traditional basketry willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

Pip Cottage responded:

valerie mellor reviewed: Half-day traditional basketry willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

Pip Cottage responded:

Alison cartwright reviewed: Half-day traditional basketry willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

Pip Cottage responded:

Liz Webley reviewed: Half-day traditional basketry willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

Pip Cottage responded:

Julie Williams reviewed: Half-day traditional basketry willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

Pip Cottage responded:

Have you done this course?

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