Catalonian style basket-making weekender
with Tim Palmer
Friendly and informal 2 day workshop where you Tim will teach you how to make an oval basket.
10am – 4pm Saturday 4th October & 10am – 4pm Sunday 5th October.
Tea, coffee and biscuits provided. Please bring pack lunch.
Cost - materials are included:
£50 for Coigach Resident
£90 for non resident
Places are limited, to book phone Julie on 07766673374 or email hello@coigachhall.org
These workshops are supported by funding from Coigach Community Development Company.
The Spanish Style
exploring Spanish techniques
Spain is country with very different influences from Britain and northern Europe. Hotter, dryer, conquered by Arabs, conquerers of central and south America, their baskets are very different. The most like norther European baskets are those from the Basque country, where the climate is cooler, wetter, the vegetation more like France and further north, and they speak a different language. Catalonia also represents a transition zone, both culturally and in their basketmaking techniques.
Southern and central Spain uses palm leaves and esparto grass, and Catalonia willow and a form of hollow cane. The Basque country use split hazel, sweet chestnut and oak. The Catalans use a particularly versatile form of base for their stake and strand baskets, often finished with a rope- like border that is continuous with the handle. Zarzo platters and baskets are also of Catalonian origin and take willow and interweave techniques to produce a platter that can be turned into a small shopping/egg basket.
None of the Catalonian techniques need be time-consuming. The workshop will revise the Catalonian base – otherwise known as a tension tray or platter! – and explore the possibilities. Zarzo platters are also quick to make, and turning them into a carrying basket rather than a tray is simple, albeit requiring some strength and control.
All materials will be supplied and only basic tools - sharp sturdy knives and sharp secateurs – will be needed.
Clockwise from top left:
Zarzo platters
Zarzo basket
Catalan platter
Oval tray/shallow basket on a Catalan base
Berry basket on a Catalan base with rope handle and border.