| Basketry & Pottery with Native Hands |
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Basketry and Wild Pottery with Native Hands
  See Gallery for lots of pictures of these workshops
Ruby teaches ancient crafts and technologies to all ages, mostly outdoors. She is inspired by her ongoing training in basketry and has a special interest in using natural, gathered materials. Originally trained in 3-dimensional design and subsequently in art therapy, Ruby is also a qualified teacher of art and design. Her approach is influenced by a longstanding interest in contemplative practice and extended periods of silent retreat close to nature. She is currently involved in Jon Young’s teachings of nature awareness. About Native Hands:
Our passion is in providing a space in which participants have the opportunity to connect to the natural world and to explore this relationship through creative activity. By spending time around a fire in the woods with a smallish group of like-minded people, working with gathered plant materials in various ways, we can find connection to ourselves as well as to the natural world around us. Taking time out of our normal daily lives in this way allows space for reflection and gives us the possibility of deep nourishment, appreciation and an opportunity to touch into a sense of the interconnectedness of life; we also create beautiful, useful objects and develop valuable, practical skills. We are inspired by traditional wisdom and knowledge in the ways we work with nature and natural materials. We harvest what we need with respect and sensitivity.
"Thank you Native Hands for my thoroughly enjoyable day making a willow bark container. I came home with a beautiful container and new knowledge and skills ....all in the beautiful surroundings at Wowo. A fabulous day." Lucy H, Lewes "Ruby - I wanted to thank you again for the lovely...basket workshop. It was so relaxed yet focussed, clear modelling with space to crack on and explore with your supportive skills and knowledge on tap". Richard.S. from London Workshops with Native Hands at Wowo Campsite 2012
All workshops are priced at £45 per person, per day. Maximum 8 participants per day. Courses suitable for 16yrs plus. Under 18yrs to be accompanied by a participating adult. To book please visit our website here: http://www.wowo.co.uk/index.php/courses 'Wild' pottery: Saturday 17th & 24th March
10.30am - 4.30pm  Two-day course over consecutive Saturdays.
Make hand built pottery in beautiful woodland using locally dug 'raw' Sussex clay, and try out using clay that we'll dig on the day. Experiment with making and adding inclusions which will strengthen our pots enough for them to be fired in an open fire on the second day. On day two, we'll fire the pots in an open fire, foraging some of the fuel from the woods. It's an exciting process to take part in and magical to witness clay being transformed by fire. In the afternoon, we'll have a go at fire-making using percussive and friction methods while we keep an eye on our pots and wait for them to cool enough so they can be taken home at the end of the day. You never know exactly how your pots will turn out so it's always a thrill. We'll also have time set aside for connecting to the beautiful surroundings, making the day a nourishing as well as a learning experience. Suitable for all levels, including beginners. Max 8 participants. Please bring/wear wellies and wear warm clothes that are okay to get dirty in. Other things you'll need are a packed lunch, bottle of water (and a notebook and pen if you wish). Hedgerow basketry- bark containers: Saturday May 19th
10.30am - 4.30pm  Learn how to harvest and process tree bark in a number of ways to make it into a container. We'll use willow bark which we'll harvest on the day from the land at Wowo. Using stitching and weaving techniques you'll make a sturdy and long-lasting container to take home with you.
We'll also have time set aside for connecting to the beautiful surroundings, making the day a nourishing as well as a learning experience. Suitable for all levels, including beginners. Max 8 participants. Please bring a sharp pocket knife/bushcraft knife with either a fixed blade or a lockable blade. Please wear sturdy footwear and suitable outdoor clothing. Other things you'll need are a packed lunch, bottle of water (and a notebook and pen if you wish). Hedgerow basketry- bramble baskets. Saturday June 16th:
10.30am - 4.30pm  Learn how to harvest and process bramble, which we'll cut from the hedgerow on the day. Make a small (non-prickly) basket to take home with you, which will be a perfect size for keeping eggs and similar-sized objects in. It'll make you see those pesky brambles in a whole new light!
We'll also have time set aside for connecting to the beautiful surroundings, making the day a nourishing as well as a learning experience. Suitable for all levels, including beginners. Max 8 participants. Please wear sturdy footwear and warm clothes that are okay to get scratched a bit by brambles. Bring thick garden gloves to protect your hands and a pair of secateurs (sharp ones). Other things you'll need are a packed lunch, bottle of water (and a notebook and pen if you wish). Hedgerow basketry- coiled grass and leaves: Saturday June 30th
10.30am - 4.30pm  Make a small stitched coiled basket from grass and leaves, some of which we'll gather on the day, and learn about harvesting the materials for yourself. We'll stitch with twined hemp, to make a basket that's sturdy and perfect for storing eggs or other similar-sized objects.
We'll also have time set aside for connecting to the beautiful surroundings, making the day a nourishing as well as a learning experience. Suitable for all levels, including beginners. Max 8 participants. Please bring a pair of sharp scissors or a sharp pocket knife/bushcraft knife (with either a lockable blade or a fixed blade) and wear suitable outdoor clothing. Other things you'll need are a packed lunch, bottle of water (and a notebook and pen if you wish). 'Wild' pottery: Saturday 21st & 28th July
10.30am - 4.30pm
 Two-day course over consecutive Saturdays.
Make hand built pottery in beautiful woodland using locally dug 'raw' Sussex clay, and try out using clay that we'll dig on the day. Experiment with making and adding inclusions which will strengthen our pots enough for them to be fired in an open fire on the second day. On day two, we'll fire the pots in an open fire, foraging some of the fuel from the woods. It's an exciting process to take part in and magical to witness clay being transformed by fire. In the afternoon, we'll have a go at fire-making using percussive and friction methods while we keep an eye on our pots and wait for them to cool enough so they can be taken home at the end of the day. You never know exactly how your pots will turn out so it's always a thrill. We'll also have time set aside for connecting to the beautiful surroundings, making the day a nourishing as well as a learning experience. Suitable for all levels, including beginners. Max 8 participants. Please bring/wear wellies and wear warm clothes that are okay to get dirty in. Other things you'll need are a packed lunch, bottle of water (and a notebook and pen if you wish). Hedgerow basketry- reed mace ('bulrush'): Saturday Sept 22nd
10.30am - 4.30pm  Learn how to harvest and process reed mace (sometimes called bulrush) which we've cut from the land at Wowo. Weave a small basket or pouch to take home with you, using the twining technique. You'll also learn how to make cordage from the material for a handle or simple strap.
We'll also have time set aside for connecting to the beautiful surroundings, making the day a nourishing as well as a learning experience. Suitable for all levels, including beginners. Max 8 participants. Please bring a sharp pair of scissors and a plant-sprayer thing (if you have one) Please also wear suitable, warm outdoor clothing. Other things you'll need are a packed lunch, bottle of water (and a notebook and pen if you wish). Hedgerow basketry- bramble frame baskets. Sunday Oct 14th:
10.30am - 4.30pm  Suitable for beginners, and will also be of interest to you if you've attended the June bramble baskets workshop, as a development of your skills. Learn how to harvest and process bramble, which we'll cut from the hedgerow on the day. Make a small (non-prickly) frame basket to take home with you, similar to the one pictured. It'll make you see those pesky brambles in a whole new light!
We'll also have time set aside for connecting to the beautiful surroundings, making the day a nourishing as well as a learning experience. Suitable for all levels, including beginners. Max 8 participants. Please wear sturdy footwear and warm clothes that are okay to get scratched a bit by brambles. Bring thick garden gloves to protect your hands and a pair of secateurs (sharp ones). Other things you'll need are a packed lunch, bottle of water (and a notebook and pen if you wish).
Office: 01825 723 414 or
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