An invitation to Weave by the sea...October 2013

We would like to invite you to a special opportunity to combine learning basketmaking skills with a holiday in Spain enjoying Catalan culture, delicious food and warm weather followed by a visit to one of Spain's largest and longest running basket fairs - The International Basketmakers Fair in Salt.

We have prepared a choice of three courses as follows and fully described in a following blog post: 

Catalan Basketmaking with Monica Guilera

Catalan Basket with a Twist with Mai Hvid Jorgensen

Exploring Mediterranean Plant Materials with Tim Johnson

Course Information:

Where: Vilanova I la Geltru, a seaside town located 50km south from Barcelona within easy reach of Barcelona El Prat Airport.

When: 30th September, 1st and 2nd October 2013, (the arrival date should be Sunday 29^th September)

Workshop times: 9 to 14:30 hours each day.

Cost:The price of the courses is 175€ including materials and a mid-morning meal.
Basketmaking tools will be provided so you won't need to bring these on the plane.

Accommodation: We will be able to provide cheap accommodation at the seaside workshop venue and also send you information about the wide variety of other accommodation available in the town.
Please do not book any accommodation until we can provide you with this information.

Daily Routine:There is a big choice of things to do in Vilanova I la Geltru after the course finishes each day with nice beaches for swimming, lovely tapas bars and restaurants, a fishing museum with many baskets, a vibrant fish and vegetable market, old town visits and plenty of shopping opportunities.

Barcelona and International Basketmakers Fair in Salt
We suggest you might like to visit Barcelona on Thursday or Friday (it is at 40 minute train from Vilanova I la Geltru) and  also travel on to the International Basketmakers Fair in Salt, near Girona, just 1 hour north of Barcelona by train. (more information about the fair www.firadelcistell.cat). We are happy to answer your enquiries about travel to Barcelona and Salt but you will be responsible for your own arrangements.

Bookings:

If you would like to make a booking for the course of your choice please contact Mai via email (Mai Hvid Jorgensen:  mai@skovflet.dk) to make a reservation payment (half the course fee which constitutes a non-returnable deposit should you cancel your attendance).
  

See you there!

Workshop Descriptions

Exploring Mediterranean Plant Materials with Tim Johnson

 

Learn how to identify, gather and prepare a variety of distinctive Mediterranean plant materials and learn about their uses in the Spanish and Catalan basketmaking traditions. Participants will make a range of samples exploring the variations in colours, textures and properties of these materials and go on to make their own bag or basket inspired by traditional objects from Tim’s collection.

Tim Johnson is an artist, sculptor and basketmaker with many years of making and teaching experience, he combines a creative approach with great respect for traditional crafts and his fascination and extensive knowledge of the natural world. 

Tim’s work may be seen here: www.timjohnsonartist.com

Language of the course will be English.

Beginners and more advanced basketmakers welcome

 

 

 

 

 

Catalan Basket with a Twist with Mai Hvid Jorgensen

On this course we will take a starting point in the Catalan base and design our own shapes and surfaces. Combining unusual weaving techniques and a variety of local plant materials including Palm leaves, Rush and European Cane in combination with Danish Willow we will explore the creation of texture and pattern in our basketmaking.

Mai Hvid  Jorgensen is a Danish Basketmaker with many years experience as a maker and teacher, she has taken part in markets and fairs throughout Europe. Mai enjoys making functional baskets for contemporary homes and everyday needs.

Mai’s work may be seen here: www.skovflet.dk

Languages of the course will be Danish, Norwegian or English.

Beginners and more advanced basketmakers welcome

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Catalan Basketmaking with Monica Guilera

Catalan Basketmaking is a distinctive craft tradition with a great variety of baskets that have fulfilled the everyday needs of the Catalan people for centuries.Using a unique base design and combining Willow with European Cane (Arundo donax) these baskets are both elegant and strong. During this course you will make Catalan baskets exploring variations in forms, borders and handles and learn how to combine Willow and European Cane.

Monica Guilera is a Catalan basketmaker with many years experience,she makes her living making baskets, teaching and demonstrating and has taken part in many exhibitions both in Spain and internationally. 

Languages of the course will be English, Spanish or French.

Some basketmaking experience is required for this course.