Workshop in which weaver Alexander makes a traditional willow wreath from basketry willow and herbalist Leasha guides participants in adorning it with locally foraged plants.
Alexander and Leasha are running a willow wreath workshop at The Duncairn on Monday 7 December, from 3:00pm to 7:00pm. It's a four-hour session split into two distinct stages, and you'll walk away with a finished wreath you've made from scratch.
The first half is led by weaver Alexander (@basketcasebelfast), who brings freshly harvested basketry willow from the Strangford Lough shoreline. He'll guide you through the traditional process of working the willow into a natural wreath, so you're building the base yourself rather than starting with something pre-made. Once the structure is set, herbalist Leasha (@grafiantaherbal) takes over, showing you how to adorn it with locally foraged plants and hand-made decorations. The two halves work together: one focused on the craft of weaving, the other on the foraging and decorating.
They've framed the workshop as a way to resist 'landfill-core' this festive season, and the focus on foraged plants and natural willow fits that. It's a slow, hands-on way to make something for the winter months that comes from the landscape around us rather than a shop shelf.
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The Duncairn is an arts centre, concert venue, theatre space and art gallery in North Belfast that's been putting arts at the heart of the area since 2014, with a particular focus on live folk, acoustic and traditional Irish music. Alongside the music and theatre, they run a wide range of classes and workshops across the arts and crafts, the free 'Super Sunday' family day, the 'Seed It Union' seed-saving initiative and a Duncairn Seed Library. The workshop runs from 3:00pm to 7:00pm on Monday 7 December, and costs £60 with materials included.
