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Date: March 21, 2026, 9:00 am – March 22, 2026, 4:00 pm

Instructor: Jeff Wagner

Location: Paonia, CO (Old River Road Trading Post – See Map)

Level: Beginner (No experience needed)

Join us for a weekend of exploring the foundations of willow basket weaving! This two-day class covers the foundations of European-style willow weaving. Perfect for beginners or for intermediate weavers looking to improve on their skills, this series is focused on techniques that build a basketmaking repertoire. At the end of the series, you’ll have all the skills to weave your own simple baskets and begin to explore more advanced willow weaving techniques.

By the end of the weekend, you will have woven 2 round baskets: a small 8″ tray, and a slightly larger basket with a hoop handle.

• Saturday morning: Simple willow basket bases
• Saturday afternoon: Weaving sides onto baskets with basic weaves and simple borders. Complete your 8″ willow tray with low sides.
• Sunday morning: Return to bases: a more advanced technique (chasing weaves)
• Sunday afternoon: Reinforcing (waling) bands and simple randing weaves. Complete your larger basket. Add a hoop handle.

Meals: Tuition includes a farm-based lunch on both workshop days.

Lodging: Participants may arrive the evening before the workshop, or arrive for class at 9am on our first morning. If you are coming from out of town, there are three options for lodging:

1. Camping in a vehicle or tent is included in tuition. Campers have access to an indoor kitchen, a communal space, and bathrooms.
2. Rooms are available for rent in our farm intern housing space, upstairs from the weaving classroom.
3. There are various inns and airbnbs available in Paonia.

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