Brush up on your palm work....

Already signed up for Weaving by the Sea 2018 -then don't miss the chance to visit the village of Mas de Barberans in southern Catalonia on your free day between the two sets of workshops -
the 1st October 2018. Famous for its excellent palm basketry museum - the Museu de la Pauma and the annual festival of vegetable fibres in early August, this village is one of our favourite spots and the day offers a real chance to see some Catalan countryside.

Following the success of last years palm workshop with basketmakers from the village we have decided to repeat the day out with two workshop options - weaving a braided pot stand or a special palm brush using a special twining technique - see below:

Doesn't everyone collect beautiful hand made brushes!? Looking at a few from my collection below it's fascinating to see how they are made around the world in such a variety of techniques. The excellent book 'Brush' by Daniel Rozensztroch and Shiri Slavin pictured below is an excellent introduction to the diversity for the truly obsessed!

Join us for a great day out including a special tour of the Museu de la Pauma,  a palm basketry workshop and a special lunch in one of the village restaurants. If your already signed up then look out for an email shortly from Mai with bookings details of the day out. See you in Mas de Barberans!

Twining by the Sea

Wow! - that was quick, booking for Weaving by the Sea 2018  has been swift this year - perhaps the winter weather that has swept over Europe has quickened our thoughts for a break in the warmer climes of Vilanova I La Geltru next autumn. 

Springtime is definately with us now with Vilanova's vineyards full of Wild Rocket flowers (above) and early flowering Eucalyptus and Grevillea making a good show in Barcelona Botanic Garden (below). 

Most of our Weaving by the Sea 2018 courses are sold out with waiting lists but please be in touch if you would like to be kept informed of any places that may become available.

We still have a couple of places free on Tim's Twining in World Traditions course that proved so enjoyable last year. As usual Tim will bring along many twined baskets from his wide ranging collection from around the world, this is always a great inspiration and source for understanding technique variations and the possibilities offered by combining different materials. 

What will you discover?  Which basket will you take home?

New for 2018 - Free Yoga Sessions

New for Weaving by the Sea 2018 we are offering two free yoga sessions, lead by our good friend and professional yoga tutor Sara of the Yoga Studio in Vilanova i La Geltru, the sessions will be before breakfast and the basketmaking classes on Saturday 29th September and Wednesday 3rd October.

Keep those fingers nimble, shoulders relaxed and mind, body and spirit in good shape to make the most of your Weaving by the Sea learning experience! 

Weaving by the Sea 2018 - open for booking!

We are delighted to open the booking for Weaving by the Sea 2018 - Monica, Mai and Tim offer six residential courses combining traditional and contemporary basketmaking in Vilanova I La Geltru, Catalonia, Spain between the 28th September and 4th October 2018 - just before the International Basketmaker's Fair in Salt near Girona.

This years selection includes new courses including Contemporary Netting and Knotting, Openwork Oval Baskets and Lidded Baskets in the Catalan Rural Tradition alongside our ever popular courses in Mediterranean Nansa Fish Trap Technique, Catalan with a Twist and Twining in World Traditions.

All the course details can be found on our bookings page here: Workshops and Booking 2018


See you at Weaving by the Sea! 

Winter Light and dates for your diary..

As we reflect back on Weaving by the Sea 2017 and make our plans for 2018 it's nice to enjoy some of the winter light here in Vilanova I La Geltru, Catalonia, Spain. Although our winters don't seem to be as quiet as they used to be, it's still a good time for gathering thoughts and inspirations. With all kinds of winter weather I've been studying the lines and light of the seashore - constantly changing and elusive when trying to capture it's nature in an image - how the pictures will infuse my work I'm not sure but It's a pleasure to follow my instinct even with cold soggy feet!

Our workshop details will be announced shortly - in the meantime hold the dates in your diary - Weaving by the Sea 2018 teaching dates will be Friday - Sunday 28th -30th September and Tuesday -Thursday 2nd - 4th October followed by Salt Basket Fair on Saturday and Sunday 6th and 7th October. More details soon!