Many of the courses Sara offers are in willow sculpture. They follow Sara’s unique, self taught style of willow sculpture developed over many years. You will learn the basics for developing layers of shape & form through a combination of binding, stitching and weaving processes. 

Warning! While most people find this to be mindful and relaxing artform it can be quite tiring. It is physical and a little hard on your hands. Please understand that I condense the very basics of willow sculpture into a one or two day course.  With support, you will create a beautiful finished piece. For more advanced tuition and to gain a deeper understanding of willow sculpture as an artform please feel free to contact me about one-to-one courses. 

One, two and half day courses run throughout the year which are suitable for complete beginners as well as experienced artists and crafters.

An informal and relaxed atmosphere in a picturesque setting, students can spend an enjoyable time creating their very own willow sculpture. Each workshop is carefully designed for small exclusive groups to ensure maximum individual attention.

Armatures and materials are prepared and supplied.  Plenty of teas/coffees and refreshments are included as well as a vegetarian lunch for full day and two day courses.

If you would like to organise a bespoke workshop for a group or event please get in touch.

Boutique ‘Free Choice’ Willow Sculpture Course

Level: Beginners & Intermediate

Duration: 1 day

Time: 9-5pm

Lunch: A light vegetarian lunch is included in the price + plenty of tea, coffee & biscuits

Venue: Weavers Wood, Pirbright, Surrey – outdoor/undercover venue (unless weather is too severe

Parking: Onsite, and nearby offsite parking

Toilets: Compost toilet

Tutor: Sara Holmes

Cost: Full cost £210 – £100 booking fee is required to secure your place

About the course:

This carefully designed course is for small exclusive groups. It is directed towards people with a serious interest in willow sculpture but not necessarily any experience. It is limited to 4 spaces, to ensure optimal attention from your tutor.

This is a course in willow sculpture where you will learn how to create layers of shape and form, as Sara teaches you her unique and specialised techniques of additive sculpture using stitches and weave.

With lots of support, student’s personalized ideas and designs, will be sculpted onto a basic armature of mild steel or hazel, constructed beforehand. Please look at the photos of mine and our previous students creations for ideas of what is possible. You will be guided in your choice by Sara.

All materials are prepared and supplied for the day.

Warm layers of clothing and suitable footwear is advisable during colder months. If the weather is too severe I will advise of the alternative local venue.

Despite the relaxing nature of this artform it is quite a tiring day. If you suffer with pain in your hands, for example severe arthritis you may find this challenging. I try to make work stations as ergonomic as possible to allow seated and standing work positions.

I have to enforce a strict cancellation policy which i urge you to read before booking.  Last minute cancellations on small courses can potentially cause a whole course to be cancelled, risking the loss of everyone’s bookings, prepared willow, armatures, venue hire and food preparation.

RUNNING HARE WILLOW SCULPTURE COURSE

Level: Beginners & Intermediate

Duration: 1 day

Time: 9-5pm

Lunch: A light vegetarian lunch is included in the price + plenty of tea, coffee & biscuits

Venue: Weavers Wood, Pirbright, Surrey – outdoor/undercover venue (unless weather is too severe

Parking: Onsite, and nearby offsite parking

Toilets: Compost toilet

Tutor: Sara Holmes

Cost: Full cost £185 – £85 booking fee is required to secure your place

About the course:

Running hares have been such a popular choice for students over the years for 2027 i will be devoting an entire workshop to them.

Hares are a wonderful and achievable project to learn the basic principals of willow sculpture. You will learn many willow sculpting techniques to move on to other larger or more complex shapes and form in the future.

Come and immerse yourself in the rewarding and mindful art of willow sculpture and weave yourself a piece of art for your garden with expert guidance from Sara Holmes, who is a pioneer of this artform.

A light vegetarian lunch + refreshments throughout the day are included in the price

Full cost – £185

(A £85 booking fee is required to secure your place)

Please read our cancellation policy HERE before booking a place.

9.30-4.30pm

OWL or BIRD OF PREY WILLOW SCULPTURE COURSE

Level: Beginners & Intermediate

Duration: 1 day

Time: 9-5pm

Lunch: A light vegetarian lunch is included in the price + plenty of tea, coffee & biscuits

Venue: Weavers Wood, Pirbright, Surrey – outdoor/undercover venue (unless weather is too severe

Parking: Onsite, and nearby offsite parking

Toilets: Compost toilet

Tutor: Sara Holmes

Cost: Full cost £185 – £85 booking fee is required to secure your place

About the course:

Birds of prey, especially Owls have been such a popular choice for students over the years, for 2027 I will be devoting an entire workshop to them.

Owls are a wonderful and achievable project to learn the basic principals of willow sculpture. You will learn many willow sculpting techniques to move on to other larger or more complex shapes and form in the future.

Come and immerse yourself in the rewarding and mindful art of willow sculpture and weave yourself a piece of art for your garden with expert guidance from Sara Holmes, who is a pioneer of this artform.

A light vegetarian lunch + refreshments throughout the day are included in the price

Full cost – £185

(A £85 booking fee is required to secure your place)

Please read our cancellation policy HERE before booking a place.

9.30-4.30pm

 HERON – WILLOW SCULPTURE COURSE

Level: Beginners & Intermediate

Duration: 1 day

Time: 9-5pm

Lunch: A light vegetarian lunch is included in the price + plenty of tea, coffee & biscuits

Venue: Weavers Wood, Pirbright, Surrey – outdoor/undercover venue (unless weather is too severe

Parking: Onsite, and nearby offsite parking

Toilets: Compost toilet

Tutor: Sara Holmes

Cost: Full cost £185 – £85 booking fee is required to secure your place

About the course:

Herons have been such a popular choice for students over the years, for 2027 I will be devoting an entire workshop to them.

Herons are a wonderful and achievable project to learn the basic principals of willow sculpture. You will learn many willow sculpting techniques to move on to other larger or more complex shapes and form in the future.

Come and immerse yourself in the rewarding and mindful art of willow sculpture and weave yourself a piece of art for your garden with expert guidance from Sara Holmes, who is a pioneer of this artform.

A light vegetarian lunch + refreshments throughout the day are included in the price

Full cost – £185

(A £85 booking fee is required to secure your place)

Please read our cancellation policy HERE before booking a place.

9.30-4.30pm

Willow Plant Supports – Obelisk and Cloche

Level: Beginners & Intermediate

Duration: Half-day

Time: 9-12.30pm

Refreshments: Tea, coffee & biscuits

Venue: Weavers Wood, Pirbright, Surrey – outdoor/undercover venue (unless weather is too severe

Parking: Onsite, and nearby offsite parking

Toilets: Compost toilet

Tutor: Sara Holmes

Cost: Full cost £85

About the course:

Looking forward to Spring in the garden?  Join us for a morning’s craft making your very own Willow Obelisk and Peony Cloche.

These natural supports will add a handmade, rustic charm to your garden, growing area.

This mini course is a great introduction to working with willow. You will get a feel for the strength and versatility of willow as a material for craft and sculpture.

The venue is at our woodland, Weavers Wood in Pirbright, Surrey, unless the weather is too severe in which case it will be held nearby in the pretty village church.

Tea/coffee & light refreshments provided

If you have severe arthritis or mobility issues you may find this workshop challenging as we will be working with some thick willow stems.

 

 

 

Willow Border Edging

Level: Beginners & Intermediate

Duration: Half-day

Time: 2-4pm

Refreshments: Tea, coffee & biscuits

Venue: Weavers Wood, Pirbright, Surrey – outdoor/undercover venue (unless weather is too severe

Parking: Onsite, and nearby offsite parking

Toilets: Compost toilet

Tutor: Sara Holmes

Cost: Full cost £65

About the course:

Come and learn how to weave a willow border for your garden or vegetable plot.

This short course is a great introduction to working with willow. You will get a feel for the strength and versatility of willow as a material for other crafts, and sculpture, if you would like to take things further.

They make a wonderful handmade gift and are a lovely, green alternative to other flower borders.

This course will be outside in our woodland at Weavers Wood, so you’ll need to wear warm outdoor clothes in Winter We have a fire pit for colder days and warm refreshments.

If you have severe arthritis or mobility issues you may find this workshop challenging as we will be working with some thick willow stems.

Group bookings welcome. this course is only viable if at least 8 people attend.

Course includes: half day expert tuition; all prepared materials; tools and light refreshments.