After our visit to Bishop’s Palace, last week, we were really keen to try our hand at some willow weaving. Being realistic, we decided to start small, rather than attempting a willow dog or elephant.
Or a willow peacock, for that matter. (not ours)
Instead we chose an unloved area of the garden, for a bit of a make over.
This is just outside the back door. Ignored, as everyone goes straight ahead, up the steps. The bumblee bees and toads make homes between the stones, as it’s quiet.
Our willow tree sent up masses of whips this year, after last years pollarding. Plenty of natural material from our own back garden. We thought we would weave a willow fence.
The children worked as a team. Doing most of the work. Moving stone and weeds. Cutting and preparing the willow for weaving.
Once the bumble bees have gone, we’ll do the rest of the area. Maybe. For the moment, this is fine.
This is an experiment. It may root, it may not. Either way it doesn’t matter and we will have learnt something. At the moment, it’s helping to protect freshly planted herbs and make this corner a little more cared for. Maybe it will grow into a shelter. Time will tell.
As we were enjoying our back garden crafting so much, we couldn’t resist adding our own willow art/sculptures.
Twisting and turning. Weaving and making. A dragonfly, a butterfly and a fish. Now hanging on the wall by the willow bed. We enjoyed our willow weaving afternoon.
I love willow weaving and used to make willow arbours and tunnels with school children when I was back in the UK. Your willow animals are fabulous too – I think I may have to have a go at making some of these too.
We loved making them. Very inspired. I’ve promised myself that one day I will learn how to do it properly. 🙂
Just beautiful… love how you brought this project home!!!
Oh, how lovely! The fence looks wonderful and I absolutely love the wall hangings. I bet you stop and look at this little corner now 🙂
Everything looks beautiful. What a fun way to craft with natural materials.
Absolutely lovely! The wall decorations are brilliant especially as they’re handmade and I hope the willow roots for you, I’m always amazed by the little things especially from nature 🙂 #countrykids
I think this is a gardener experiment that might just flourish. What a wonderful way to protect your herbs and give them their own garden space, I wonder if it will be turned into a had kids then by next year. How inspirational are those giant crafts And I love your own willow crafts two the fish is really clever. Thank you for joining me for Country Kids and please do pop it on Trash2Treasure too.
Great fun, love willow weaving
Can’t wait to see how it takes off
Happy weekend x
These are amazing! What a fab activity. I love the elephants inparticular.
Fellow linker from Coo,be mill
What a lovely way to spend some time, looks so effective and must be very therapeutic too. I love Wells and popped in the other day – I’m now eagerly hunting through Rightmove trying to find a new home closer that way! 🙂
These are great. So nice to have it come from your garden too.
what lovely creations you have made. My son did a course on willow crafting at college and we have a few of his crafts around the house.
Whoo these are beautiful, I would love to see them 🙂
Oh I just love these they have made me smile
I love them. It’s such a great idea to use woven willow around the garden bed, very natural and fresh-looking.
Your willow weaving is fantastic. I love how the children did all the work, they obviously enjoyed the process. They should be proud of what they have achieved x
Wow that peacock sculpture is lovely! The ones that you made is amazing too! Willow is so nice to use. So pliable and yet sturdy =) #countrykids
Wow, you did a brilliant job of that weaving. Those sculptures are fantastic!