Willow basket making classes scheduled for fall 2014

Want to make your very own willow basket for the first time, learn a new technique, practice what you know or focus on the finer details of a certain basket?

Here is your chance if you live  in - or travel to - Niagara, Ontario, more specifically here at Lakeshore Willows in Wainfleet.

We have scheduled several classes for the next couple of months and we still have a few spots open for each class. Check our website for details here.
The focus for each class is a specific basket, but if you are looking for something else, let me know and we can possibly fit that in too.




September 25-26, 2014 the class focus is on making a bird feeder.















September 27-28 and November 19-20, 2014
the class focus is on making oval baskets and purses on a Catalan base.








October 18, 2014 making Tatza baskets, garden globes or obelisks.














October 29-30, 2014 we're making either bird feeders or round baskets



















November 28-30 and December 12, 2014  one day Christmas/Winter workshops. We will make stars, wreaths cones, angels, small and large Christmas trees and much more. More images to come.


To sign up for any of the classes and workshops, please fill in a contact form on my website and I will get back to you.






Words and photos by Lene Rasmussen,Willows.

My willow story

A month ago I was contacted by Jennifer Elliotson. She is the one many people know as the woman behind the HandMade Market here in Niagara which she produces along with her husband.
Or you may know her from her very successful years as a florist, owning Mimosa Flower Studio.
Jennifer contacted me because she - along with photographer Nataschia Wielink - has started "The Abstract Project" interviewing and photographing artists and wondered if I would participate. 
Of course. I was thrilled that they found my story interesting and one day in May they both came to Lakeshore Willows to talk and take some photos.
The first of two articles can be seen at Cherries in the Sun .
After Jennifer's first visit to Lakeshore Willows, she decided that she wanted to make a willow basket and she turned out to be a natural when she was here last week for a workshop.

Jennifer with her very first basket

She really loved my big log basket!

It was wonderful and very inspirational to get to know Jennifer. In Cherries in the Sun you get inspiration from this very (multi) talented, energetic and curious life-loving person.

Thank you Jennifer.

Words and photos by Lene Rasmussen,Willows.

Willow weaving classes in Wainfleet, Ontario

The event of willow weaving classes here at Lakeshore Willows, Wainfleet, Ontario last week with Danish basket maker Anne Mette Hjornholm was - once again - a great success.
With students coming from Canada's East coast to USA's West coast and many places in between it is without doubt that there is an interest for learning willow basketry from some of the World's most talented weavers.

Paying attention to Anne Mette's introduction

We worked in the barn most of the time with a few of us migrating outside when the sun finally decided to chase away the clouds. 

This year we had 4 days of classes arranged as two 2 day classes so that students could choose to take one or both of the classes.

Those who chose to be here for all 4 days had a wonderful opportunity to start and finish different projects during the course of the 4 days and some brought home 2 and others 3 baskets.       
 As each two-day class didn't have a specific basket to be taught, you could work on your projects at your own pace without having to take home half finished baskets or idle for half a day as is sometimes the case when you have to "follow" the class.


We had planned the classes over the theme of round and oval bases being the foundation to master when making baskets.
Each student could choose which basket to make guided by Anne Mette and paying attention to her level of experience and many beautiful baskets were created.
There was a lot to be learned for both beginners and experienced weavers alike and we were all so very inspired by Anne Mette, her talent and workmanship. 
I know that I am not the only one looking forward to next time!
In the meantime I am looking forward to Danish basket makers Ane Lyngsgaard and Eva Seidenfaden visiting to teach here in just over 3 weeks. Check it out here at the Willows blog in my last post and on Lakeshore Willows' website.

Words and photos by Lene Rasmussen,Willows.

Willow Basketry Classes in Ontario with Renowned Danish Basket Makers

If you haven’t signed up yet for classes with the Danish basket makers visiting in June, now is the time to do it.

In June Ane Lyngsgaard and Eva Seidenfaden will be teaching for 3 days on the 17, 18 and 19th.
We have a couple of spots left for each class… (Class description when you click on the highlighted name above)


These professional, experienced Danish basket makers are known internationally for their skill, incorporating and transforming traditional techniques into new designs.


In addition to the previously announced program for Eva's 2-day class, you will have the opportunity to work on a more traditional round or oval willow basket with a woven base  - learning new techniques or adding new details to techniques that you already know. Take a look at the Gallery at Eva's website to see some of her amazing work and for inspiration.

Baskets made during Eva's 2-day class will be of many different sizes, shapes, weaving techniques, handles, borders etc as participants choose what they want to make/learn guided by Eva, paying attention to the individual's prior experience.

Send me a mail at lakeshorewillows@gmail.com or via the contact form at my website Lakeshore Willows if you need more information about the classes before you sign up.

Words and photos by Lene Rasmussen,Willows.

Danish basket makers visiting Lakeshore Willows. Wainfleet, Ontario for exciting willow basketry classes 2014

2014 will see some extraordinary Danish basket makers teaching at Lakeshore Willows. Anne Mette Hjornholm, Ane Lyngsgaard and Eva Seidenfaden are all some of Denmark's most accomplished, talented, internationally known willow artists. They are all members of the Danish willow artist group Baskets4Life.

I am so excited to be able to share some of their abundance of knowledge and experience with people interested in learning willow basketry in Canada and the US. In addition to mastering all the fundamentals they each have their personal preferences and styles. Visit their websites (click on their names above) for inspiration to decide on which classes to take this summer.

Anne Mette Hjornholm 's third annual visit with two 2-day classes in May will focus on round and oval bases as a fundamental part of a basket.
You can choose to participate in one of the classes or both classes where you over the 4 days work continuously on your projects. Baskets made during these classes will be of many different sizes, shapes, weaving techniques, handles, borders etc as participants choose what they want to make/learn guided by Anne Mette paying attention to the individual's prior experience.

To register for Anne Mette's classes visit my website here.

Ane Lyngsgaard will be teaching one 1-day class and one 2-day class. One of Ane's passions is working with bark and other natural materials which will be the topic of the one-day class. 



























She will teach her petticoat basket and purses on a Catalan base on her 2-day class.
To register for Ane's classes visit my website here.

Eva Seidenfaden, who has visited British Columbia many times to teach willow basketry, will be teaching a 1-day class as well as a 2-day class.
Eva will teach the Polish breadbasket - Tatzca basket - on the one day class

 For her 2-day class Eva has brought some unique wooden bases for you to make your very special basket on. You decide how the beautiful wood slices will play along with the willow to create baskets, containers of different sizes, shapes and styles. 

 To register for Eva's classes visit my website here.

Don't miss out - classes WILL fill up fast!
Words and photos by Lene Rasmussen,Willows.