Hands on Traditional skills and where to learn them

Willow sculpting

What is it?Willow sculpting began to flourish as a craft in the 1980s. Derived from the traditional skill of basketweaving, it involves manipulating withies – or shoots of willow – into furniture or art, including sculpture and garden pieces. You can also use living willow, training it over time into the shape you want.

How is it done?Knowing your material is an important part of the art of sculpting willow. Many sculptors grow their own. Often they will use several varieties of the tree, depending on the strengths and colours of wood they need. A piece of sculpture or furniture will generally start out as a sketch; then the sculptor selects materials. A chair, for example, begins with a frame made from a larger piece of willow; then the body is filled in with lighter varieties. The piece is created using a range of weaves, such as a rand or wattle pattern. The tools you use are quite basic, such as a basketweaver's knife, a strong scissors and a bodkin – a blunt needle that you use to make holes and space in the pattern.

How long does it take? A complete novice could make a willow chair at a two-day workshop. For commissioned pieces of art, it depends on the size, shape and techniques required – and living-willow sculptures can take many months to take shape. Beth Murphy of Willow Wonder, in Co Kildare, says, “I could probably make a chair in a day. It helps if you have a grounding in basketweaving skills, but in my experience it is much easier than basketweaving. Willow sculpting is an art form that requires a lot of imagination and creativity.”

Where do I sign up? Willow Wonder (087-6462528, willowwonder.net) organises regular workshops at its studio near Kildare town. The next public courses are on October 8th and 9th; the subjects will include creative willow basketry and living-willow sculpting. The course costs €85 per day or €150 for two days, including materials and lunch. Murphy and her partner at Willow Wonder, Paul Finch, will also demonstrate their skills at Electric Picnic next weekend.

Terry Dunne, aka Terry the Weaver (051-563100, terrytheweaver.ie), is a tapestry artist well known for his work with willow. He grows more than 1,000 willow trees on his land and teaches living-willow structure and sculpture courses during the winter, for all abilities. You could learn to make a fedge – a cross between a fence and hedge – or a willow shelter. One-day weekend workshops, mainly in the Wexford area, cost €75.