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New Year Willow Newsletter |
Hello Willower’s, you are receiving this newsletter either because you have attended a workshop with me or signed up for updates, if you have done none of those things then please disregard this newsletter or take a peek anyway !
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Happy New Year 🎉
I hope you’ve stepped into 2026 feeling rested, hopeful, and maybe just a little bit excited for what’s ahead. There’s something about the turn of the year that feels perfect for starting a new craft — slow hands, fresh ideas, and the joy of making something beautiful from natural materials. I’m so grateful to have such a warm, creative community around this little willow-filled corner of the world 💚
In this newsletter, you’ll find updates on workshops that are coming up over the next few months (and filling fast!!!). Whether you’re keen to get hands-on inperson or simply want to enjoy the beauty of willow sculpture with my online lessons this season, there’s plenty to look forward to.
So, make yourself a cosy cup of tea, settle in, and enjoy a little new year craft inspiration.
Warm Wishes, Rachel |
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Learn something new in 2026.
I was absolutely thrilled to appear in the February edition of Country Living magazine as part of their Rural Activities feature on crafts to learn in 2026. It felt incredibly special to see willow weaving included alongside so many wonderful traditional skills, and I’m so grateful to Country Living for shining a light on the joy of working with natural materials. What a lovely way to start the year! Learning a new craft skill in 2026 feels like a gentle, nourishing way to set intentions for the months ahead. Willow weaving invites you to slow down, work with your hands, and reconnect with nature — whether that’s shaping something practical for the garden or simply enjoying the calm that comes from making. If you’ve been thinking about trying something new this year, I can’t recommend it enough — there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of creating something beautiful from willow. |
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It still amazes me how popular willow has become as a craft to learn but I suppose the ease of access to materials, minimal tools required and the popularity of sustainable materials is keeping it in the limelight.
It feels that people are planning much further ahead than usual so I have had to release dates right through this year, so if your thinking of joining me I urge you to start looking at dates now, I’m finding this is the same for a lot of my creative friends that teach too ! I will be also making several trips down to Devon to teach through 2026. So if you are around the East Devon area this year take a look at Sidmouth Craft Hub for my workshops
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Willow Poppy Seed Head Afternoon Workshop |
Sunday 8th March Willow Poppy Head Afternoon Workshop at Warwickshire Artisans, Henley in Arden. |
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Willow Bird House Morning Workshop |
Saturday 14th March Morning Willow Bird House Workshop at Sidmouth Craft Hub, Sidmouth, East Devon
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Sunday 14th June at Pebworth Village Hall, Stratford upon Avon
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Click the button below to view all available workshops for 2026. Places are limited, so book early :)
Walk away with a handmade treasure, a newfound appreciation for willow, and a heart full of creative joy! |
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Not forgetting my popular range of kits which make great gifts for crafters, gardeners and creative tinkerers ! Each kit includes everything you need, along with a detailed instruction booklet and as the willow is already dry for you, you can store and make at anytime. The range consists of Swallows, Bee, Butterfly, Birdhouses, Dragonfly, Hearts, Poppy Seed Heads, Chickens, Hares, Moon Gazing Hares and of course the Deer. |
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Willow Moon Gazing Hare Kit |
Make your very own moon gazing hare with one of our willow kits! If you cannot get to a class or you prefer to work at home and at your own pace then these kits are perfect for you. |
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Create a fabulous willow Heart for Valentines.
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Make your very own beautiful willow butterflywith one of our fantastic willow kits
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So this has been a joy to create and to see how creative everyone who signed up and shared there makes all over the world.
In these wonderful online willow weaving workshops you will learn to make fantastic sculptures for your home or garden. Guided with the expert tuition from me, you will be able to create your own library of online willow workshop videos to which you will get lifetime access.
You can sign up to a free tutorial to see if it something you could enjoy making and then from there you can purchase one or all of the 4 online workshops. Courses available are, Hare, Deer, Bumble Bee and the Pinecone Star with more to
All courses are suitable for adult beginners. I’ve really enjoyed getting these online workshops together so I hope you enjoy them too. |
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Click on the button to see my available online courses...
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Due to a popular turn out last year the 'Craftathons' will be back again. Starting off with the....
🌼Spring Craftathon🌼
Saturday 18th April
Spend the day working alongside 3 expert tutors - Louise Whiteley, Ros Ingram & myself, Rachel Harwood.
You'll create 3 unique crafts in wood, ceramic & willow.
Click on the button below for more information and booking |
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I have been taking time to enjoy my other love of painting and currently in a competition to win a years representation with the British Contemporary Art.
My submission is one of my charcoal drawings of a hare which you can see below, if you’d like to join in the voting you can do so by clicking on the button, many thanks... |
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