Wayside Willow
Chaz Friend
Willow Craft Courses 2026
Garden Obelisk course (£50 /100)
March 21st 10:00 - 3:00 @ Saints, Newdegate St, Nuneaton CV11 4ED
Make a robust 6 ft obelisk using 8ft sticks. Choose to do this as a half day or a full day course.
This course is suitable for beginners.
Bird Feeder Course (£45)
Saturday 28th February 10:00 - 12:30 @ Saints Community cafe, Newdegate St, Nuneaton CV11 4ED
In this willow weaving bird-feeder Course, you will create a spirally woven bird feeder for holding fat balls which works particularly well for the small birds.
This course is suitable for absolute beginners.
Course Description:
Here are short descriptions of my courses, but for more information, images and to book, you need to go to my SumUP shop, where you will find more information and the point of sale.
Earth Day Spheres (£95)
Saturday 28th April 9:30 - 3:30 @ Saints Community cafe, Newdegate St, Nuneaton CV11 4ED
Show your commitment to nature and our beautiful planet by making these spheres for Earth Day and displaying in your garden. Beautiful sculptural forms loaded with meaning and significance.
The Venue: Saints nuneaton
Saints: Together for Change is a charity , in partnership with a collection of Nuneaton Churches and Christian Organisations who are passionate about bringing community transformation to the heart of Nuneaton. They run the Saints project and cafe.
Dragonflies (£45)
Saturday 23rd May 9:30 - 3:30 @ Saints Community cafe, Newdegate St, Nuneaton CV11 4ED
Dragonflies are always a popular course and one of the few half day courses done this year.
The course is suitable for beginners but due to tension needed might prove too much for anyone with painful hands.
Birds and the Bees (£85)
Saturday 20th June 9:30 - 3:30 @ Saints Community cafe, Newdegate St, Nuneaton CV11 4ED
This course gives you the opportunity to experience 2D and 3D willow weaving in one course , making these elegant swallows in flight, followed by the making of sculptural Bees.(bee pictures to come shortly)
Sculptural Cat course (£120)
Saturday September 19th 9:30-3:30 @ Saints, Newdegate St, Nuneaton. CV114ED
(New Course)
You start with a pre-bent and welded metal armature, onto which you attach a skeletal willow structure made from hoop, before weaving a skin of willow over this to create your cat sculpture.
You will have a choice of varieties of willow to use in order to create your own personal and uniquely feline friend.
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I always alert the members of my email list about new courses, so they have the opportunity to buy the courses before they become available publicly. They even get this information before I put it on my website.
As well as course information I also include insights into the creative processes of my craft. If you are interested in joining my email list, just sign up in the box on the home page. It would be great to have you on board.
Shoulder Bag (£100)
Saturday 11th July 9:30 - 3:30 @ Saints Community cafe, Newdegate St, Nuneaton CV11 4ED
There are very useful basketry skills learned in this course, starting with a Catalan base and 3 different weaving styles, yet still a course suitable for beginners, or those looking to develop their basketry skills.
Berry Basket course (£120)
Saturday October 24th 9:30-3:30 @ Saints, Newdegate St, Nuneaton. CV114ED
A very useful sized basket for more than just gathering berries and mushrooms. You begin with a slath, complete the base and create the sides ,before closing with a simple border and adding a handle.This course is suitable for beginners and improvers in basketry,
Online Courses:
I also have some online courses through Udemy.
Buy once - access anytime. these courses are mainly short videos that take you through all the stages you need to to make these willow items and acquire these skills. There are numerous variations and tips for teaching others in some of this content.
1/ Beginning with willow:
Learn to make a number of simple items from willow. A great place to start for anyone keen to discover willow weaving. (Tips for teaching to groups ( children, scouts etc)
2/ Living Willow:
Learn how to install and maintain living willow structures. (Domes, tunnels and arbours)
3/ Garden Obelisks and plant cages.
Learn the craft - tame the garden. Great skill acquisition for the seasoned gardener.
Click on the big green button below to access more information about these in-person courses and book a place.
Sculptural Hares (£95)
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Saturday August 22nd 9:30- 3:30pm @ Saints, Newdegate St, Nuneaton CV114ED
Explore sculptural forms with weaving up one of these cute willow hares to adorn your garden. a skeletal structure is created from hoops before a willow skin dresses the hare and bringing it to life. (suitable for beginners)
Sculptural Deer course (£120)
Saturday November 21st 9:30-3:30 @ Saints, Newdegate St, Nuneaton. CV114ED
(New Course)
Using a simple welded armature you will create a willow skeletal frame using hoops, before weaving over the body and adding antlers to create your own willow deer. Just add lights. (photo is of a sheep armature - but this will be a more simple armature. Pictures will be added soon after a bit of experimentation - need to get the sizing right for completion in a day. Most deer workshops span two)
Christmas Course (£90)
Saturday December 19th 10:00-3:00 @ Saints, Newdegate St, Nuneaton. CV114ED
Every a favourite, I am keeping the same format for the course this year:
angels, reindeer, trees, stars and mini wreaths. (of course with lots of chocolate and Christmas cheer)
