- Inishowen based Artist Brendan Farren
Weaving your own wee item with locally grown willow is a new offering we have here at Big Green Art. This is part of the Inishowen creative projects hosted by GoVisit Inishowen & Irish Hands.
We offer simple craft making experiences for all ages. All natural materials. Text or call to book your 2 hour workshop.
www.biggreenart.com/experience
Enquiries are welcome. Call / Text Brendan at 00353 86 2187242 or brendanrua@gmail.com
In celebration of when Brendan & I arrived in Inishowen, we are releasing these for those who love the wild nature of Inishowen. T-shirts in Maroon, forest green and Black.
Great news from BGA- I now have an online video tutorial website, and have begun to offer weaving projects for you to try.
There’s a free Willow Handbook available, just click the link to learn more. https://vimeo.com/328193575
Make a beautiful Garden Trug, a shallow basket for your garden produce.
https://vimeo.com/r/2f40/Yjh3Ui9RRU
If you like to help our garden birds, you can weave a simple Bird’s Nest.
https://vimeo.com/r/2e0K/eHBzSUt2ZG
There is also a stunning centre-piece for your table, in the form of a Catalan Platter.
https://vimeo.com/r/2eqa/dVVSZ0VBSn
You can learn to weave a bike basket with handle and straps
I’ve a tutorial on how to weave an egg-shaped shopping basket
How about a traditional oval shopper?
For a really traditional Irish potato basket called a ‘Skib’
And then, if you really are looking for a series of videos to make yourself a proficient weaver, there’s an offer of buying seven tutorials entitled ‘From Beginner to Basketmaker in Six Easy Steps’, which includes a free video of a traditional Irish Creel, follow the link below
For anyone looking for some serious weaving and potential career opportunities, I’ve a tutorial on how to weave a willow Coffin
All details and more projects can be found on biggreenweaving.com
If you would like to be kept informed, just send an email to brendanrua@gmail.com, and I will keep you posted.
I have been offering regular tuition classes in Basket Weaving for some years now.
If you are interested in online learning, I have a series of basketmaking projects for you to try on my site biggreenweaving.com
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Saturday 7th March, 2026
VENUE: Malin Head Community Centre, Co. Donegal
This is a one-day course, open to beginners and improvers who want to weave a basket with willow.
Class runs from 10am-4.30pm, refreshments and light lunch provided.
Arrive at the centre from 930 for a 10am start.
Contact Ali Farren 00353 86804 2107 for further details and to book
14th March, 2026
Greencastle Community Centre
This is a one-day course, open to beginners and improvers who want to weave a basket with willow.
Class runs from 10am-4.30pm, refreshments and light lunch provided.
COST: 80 euro
Arrive at the centre from 930 for a 10am start.
Contact me on brendanrua@gmail.com, 00353 86218 7242
Baskets by the workshop fire
Curlew flying high over workshop
