This year has turned into a year of new creative adventures.
In January, my friend Julia and I went to Toft to learn to crochet.
Hubby, Dave, and I have been having dates to go and learn to make things in clay.
And today I attended a willow hare making workshop run by Joe of Creative with Nature at Cedar Farm in Mawdesley.
I’ve just got to say that I’ve never done anything like this before, but love willow sculpture and love stargazy hares. So when Ma gave me some cash for Christmas, with the instruction to buy myself something I truly wanted, this course was it! A day to myself, exploring a new creative outlet, with something (hopefully) lovely at the end of it.
I really appreciated the way this workshop was structured. Joe took us step by step through the process, working with each person individually to make sure they were clear about what was required.
Slowly, slowly…step by step, the hare came into shape.
Weaving with willow is an entirely immersive and tactile experience. It’s just you and the lengths of willow creating the shapes. You bend and weave, unpick, and weave again.
There’s lots of tea. And cake, of course.
And the magic happens without you even realising.
Until you step back at the end of the day, and TahDah!
A stargazy hare of your own.
If you ever get the chance to do a workshop with Joe, I’d highly recommend it. I’m already contemplating which one to do next. I have a thing for baskets, so maybe some bread baskets.
The hare is sat on my kitchen windowsill as I type. I’m inordinately proud of him, and astonished how much fun I’m having stepping outside my comfort zone creatively this year. It’s like a breath of fresh air.
Are you trying anything new this year?
Thank you Evie! So happy you enjoyed the day and you did a wonderful job. Xxx
I had a great teacher! And so much fun.
So lovely! It’s sculpture and craft!
Thank you. I’m so pleased with him!
Your hare is beautiful! I think the closest I’ll get to weaving willow will be on the allotment, as fences! I’d love to make something pretty. Looking forward to seeing you other creative adventures!
The first thought I had was “where do you find the time to have an allotment”????? I’m impressed.
Wow! Your hare is fabulous – and it would be nice to be able to see a bit more of your black and white crochet creation ?.
Thank you!
The crochet is coming soon. It’s an Easter gift for a small person, who continuously watches over my shoulder when I’m online! I’ve been crocheting in secret, so don’t want to spoil the surprise. 😉
Lovely hare – it’s good to move out of your comfort zone occasionally. I’m considering a stained glass workshop weekend but not sure I should take on yet another craft with all the accompanying ‘supplies’.
You tease me with your Toft 🙂
Do it! You don’t have to take it up as a permanent addition to the hobby roster. But it’s good to shake it up and it might spark your mojo in the things you already do.
I’m really enjoying it, and enjoying the stuff I do already even more.
The pug is coming soon. I wanted to move in to Toft! The house is stunning. The shop is just a perfect workspace. The coffee and cake is wonderful. And there’s Alpaca’s. If you’re ever coming over and going there and fancy company, give me a shout. I’d happily go back and do another workshop!
Will do!
😀
He’s beautiful…sounds like a wonderful day!
It was bliss! 😀
What an absolutely beautiful hare and just perfect for Easter. That workshop sounded like a huge amount of fun. I would love to learn to crochet. It is the one craft that has escaped me so far. I did a workshop once but there were too many people on it to really learn anything. I am looking forward to seeing what you have made. Xx
It was lovely.
So much so that Dave and I are going to make bread baskets in May.
I can highly recommend the Toft workshops if you get the chance. There were 8 of us around a table with tea and cakes and everyone got the help they needed.