Willow Backpack
Workshop Fee: $432.00
Celebrate heritage craft and learn from the highly sought after willow instructor, Maria Bullock. Hailing from Orcas Island in Washington state and originally from Poland, this is a rare opportunity to experience Maria’s teaching in person on the East Coast.
In this workshop, students will start by constructing an oval Catalan base and then continue on with 4 rod wale. They will have a choice of a variety of randing and a 4-rod or 5-rod border. Students who have enough time will have a chance to work on a woven lid.
We will touch on willow cultivation, propagation, and preparing willow for weaving.
This class is for intermediate students. We will focus on shaping, creating the desired size and lines for your basket. Strong hands required.
Skills and Techniques:
- Oval Catalan Base
- 4 rod wale
- French randing
- Zigzag randing
- Decorative wale
- 4 rod border
- D-shape lid
- Shaping
Materials Fee: $247 total. Breakdown is as follows: $60 for leather straps and hardware paid directly to the instructor + $187 paid to SMF for willow at the time of check-in. Depending on the size of the class, there may be extra willow kits to purchase and take home.
Special Tools or Equipment to bring: Snips, Owl, Wrapping Iron if you have them.
Workshop and Cancellation Policies: Please be sure to read our 2026 policies before you register for a workshop: https://www.sanbornmills.org/workshop-policies/
Housing for this workshop is limited. Please email karen@sanbornmills.org for more information
