Nearly time to pack your bags!

Welcome to Weaving by the Sea 2016!
Our teaching spaces are swept and tidy, willow and rushes are being gathered and prepared, the weather is looking promising and we look forward to meeting you all in Vilanova I la Geltru. Don't forget the excellent basketmakers fair in Salt near Girona on the 1st and 2nd October just before our event - an excellent event to learn all about the diverse Spanish basket making traditions in willow, palm, esparto, rush, straw and much else besides. 

If you have booked and secured a place for this years event then expect an email over the next couple of days with final arrangements and details of bus and train connections to Barcelona airport.

If you haven't booked a place and are feeling a little left out (!!!) then you have a last chance opportunity to to book - two places are now available on Tim's 'Invisible Stitch' course due to last minute cancellations.

 

See you soon at Weaving by the Sea 2016!

2016 courses - all sold out!

We have been enjoying some beautiful spring weather here in Vilanova I la Geltru - the spring flowers are in bloom, the almond blossom is already over and fresh green nuts are already ripening, swallows and swifts are passing through on the way to northern europe. 

We are happy to announce that all our Weaving by the Sea 2016 courses are now all sold out and we look forward to welcoming you all in October. If you have left it too late and missed a place this year then please be in touch and we will add you to our waiting list in case of any spaces becoming available. We will also add you to our mailing list for our next Weaving by the Sea event - we are already making plans for 2017! Best wishes from Mai, Tim & Monica.

Weaving by the Sea 2016

Yes the time has come to run for your diary and book in some creative and relaxing time in sunny Spain! Weaving by the Sea 2016 will be held on the 4th, 5th and 6th October in Vilanova I la Geltru, Catalonia, Spain, just after the the excellent basketmakers fair in Salt, Girona.

See you soon!

Looking back to Weaving by the Sea 2015

Already several months have passed since our 3rd annual Weaving by the Sea event in Vilanova I la Geltru, Catalonia. It's such a pleasure to look back on another great year and think ahead for our 2016 plans - watch this space dates and details shortly.....more photos and details of the 2015 workshops here: 2015

News from your tutors.....

2015 has been a busy year already for your Weaving by the Sea tutors! Mai, Monica and Tim are looking forward to our gathering in September and are working hard to make all the arrangements to make sure everyone has a great time in Vilanova i la Geltru. Places are booking up fast for the six courses - so don't delay if you would like to join us! 

 

Monica has been demonstrating at several markets in Catalonia this month including the excellent specialist craft market last weekend in Asco - here she is finishing the border on a large traditional basket called a 'Cove' used for a variety of agricultural jobs and today still in demand for both domestic storage and use outdoors. Made with split willow and european Arundo cane on a traditional Catalan base the basket is both strong and light.

Mai is always busy combining her making for markets, exhibitions and commissions with teaching in Denmark and Norway. At the moment Mai is preparing baskets for a special exhibition curated by Danish basketmaker Jette Mellgren themed around fruit baskets at the Frilandmuseet in Maribo on the Danish island of Lolland. This renowned museum is part of the National Museum of Denmark and is located in an area associated with fruit growing. Above three of Mai's special blue baskets using her own home grown willow varieties with a lovely plum like bloom.

Tim is just off the plane from a six week teaching and research trip to Australia having been hosted by groups such as Basketry NSW and the Basketmakers of Victoria plus the excellent gallery in Newcastle Timeless Textiles. Full of inspiration from downunder - including the stunning dancing ground of the Satin Bowerbird - above - at Harriet Goodall's place he is now developing a new body of work in his new studio in Vilanova i la Geltru - just two floors up from Monica's!

A collection of Tim's pieces (detail below) has just been on show in the exhibition Influence and Evolution: Fiber Sculpture…then and now at Browngrotta Art in Connecticut, USA alongside some of the leading exponents of the contemporary basketry and fibre arts movement.

So.....catching our breath....we look forward to greeting you with a nice chilled glass of local white wine at Weaving by the Sea 2015! See you there.....

Weaving by the Sea 2015 - open for business!

Hi folks!
In the midst of a chilly winter its nice to be planning for the warmth and friendliness of our next gathering - Weaving by the Sea 2015. We are delighted to be entering our 3rd year and hope that you enjoy our new programme of courses.

Tim has been busily gathering photographs and rearranging this site to make it easier to use - so enjoy the pictures, think about which courses might tempt you to warmer climes next September and in the meantime if you have any questions please do get in touch by leaving a message at the bottom of this blog entry or join our dedicated 'Weaving by the Sea' facebook page. 

See you soon! Mai, Tim & Monica xx

Sea, sunshine and parrots!

Today we said goodbye to some of our basketmakers as they packed and parcelled their creations in readyness for onward travels. Many more however have earnt a day off enjoying the sea and sunshine of Vilanova i la Geltru, resting hands and concentration before our second set of workshops beginning on Sunday. Welcome to tomorrows new arrivals!

Rush weavers expertly working on the multiple variations of five, seven and nine strand braids in Tim Johnson's workshop 'Exploring Mediterranean Materials - Braid and Stitch'.

Beautiful Olive wood base from Mai Hvid Jørgensen's 'Wood & Weaving - exploring handles & bases' workshop.

 

A well earnt second breakfast by the sea!

Setting the stakes up in Monica Guileras's 'Catalan Basketmaking' workshop

 

A new braided basket takes shape.

Drift ashore....

Come and join us in the Catalan Basket course with Mònica Guilera in Vilanova i la Geltru. Weave in front of the sea using local materials such as Arundo donax cane, olive branches, date palm and locally grown willow. More workshop details on our workshop description page.

Booking booking .....gone!

A couple of our courses have already sold out and spaces are going quickly on the remaining courses - all details on our workshop page so if you are keen to book a place on one of the remaining four courses don't delay!

Places still available on the following:

    

Catalan Basketmaking with Mònica Guilera

Exploring Mediterranean Materials - Braid & Stitch with Tim Johnson

 

Catalan Basket with a Twist with Mai Hvid Jørgensen

Finding Freedom - Contemporary Basketmaking with Mediterranean Materials

with Tim Johnson

Weaving by the Sea 2013 - new picture gallery

As you will see we have a few pictures highlighting the great times we had at Weaving by the Sea 2013 on this blog: Photos 2013.

If you would like to see a few more Tim has posted a full gallery on his website here: Weaving by the Sea, Vilanova I la Geltru, Catalonia 2013