Table of Contents
What can I make out of willow?
We use willow baskets today and traditional baskets are often seen as shopping baskets, picnic hampers and laundry baskets. More unusual ‘baskets’ include willow coffins and hot air balloon baskets. Willow is still used make functional items but it is also used to produce sculptures and structures.
Can you weave with fresh willow?
If you make something with freshly cut willow be aware that the weaving will loosen as it dries and shrinks, potentially, leaving gaps in the weaving. Ideally, you should wait, say, 6 weeks from cutting before using it to allow dry a little, whilst still being flexible.
Which willow is best for weaving?
Black Maul is a very forgiving supple willow. You can do virtually anything with it! Dry it with the bark on and use as brown willow, boil it, steam it or strip it (to use as white willow). This willow is held in high regard by weavers and is one of the best types of willow to use in beginners basketry.
How do you make a garden orb?
Concrete mix can be picked up at any hardware or big box store. Step 1: Prepare the Glass Globes. Step 2: Mix the Concrete. Step 3: Fill the Globes with Concrete. Step 4: Allow the Concrete Orbs to Dry. Step 5: Crack & Remove the Glass Globes from the Concrete Orbs.
How do you make a living willow structure?
To make a living willow wigwam, plant long sturdy willow whips about 30cm apart in a large circle. Leaning in alternate diagonals, with the strongest whips either side of your doorway. Then fill in the gaps with smaller willow whips, depending on how thick you want the walls to be.
How long do willow sculptures last?
A willow sculpture will typically last about 3 – 5 years if treated annually with a general wood preservative and can enhance any garden or outdoor area.
Can you over soak willow?
Over time, you will begin to recognize the signs that your willow is soaked correctly. Under-soaked willow will have wrinkled bark, kink easily and crack when you bend it. If your willow is over-soaked the bark will be soft and damage easily.
How do you make driftwood balls?
Fill in empty areas with thick and wide driftwood pieces, continue until you no longer see any foam. Add small thin driftwood pieces to fill in narrow areas of the foam ball. Display your orb and that’s it! Enjoy!.
How do you glue twigs together?
The best glue for twigs to wood, paper, or card is PVA glue. It’s safe to use and completely non-toxic so it’s great for kids too. For interior projects – the best option is Elmer’s School Glue or Elmer’s Wood Glue. Both are chemically similar, and both will form a strong bond with wood and twigs.
How do you stop twigs from breaking?
Salix twigs will maintain their flexibility and colour for a long time after harvesting if they are stored correctly in a cool root cellar. They require a humid environment to keep them from drying out too much, so either store them in a cellar or basement with a dirt floor or cover them in damp burlap.
What are vine balls made of?
Each ball has been made from many pieces of vine woven into a sphere.
How do you dry fresh willow?
Place the bundle(s) on a shelf, rack or up on a pallet in a dry location. Ideally, you want air to be able to circulate around the willow rods. Do not place in direct sunlight. Yellower varieties, such as Flanders Red and Dicky Meadows tend to dry differently to Black Maul (where the skin is one colour).
What is the difference between wicker and willow?
The first question that is often asked is the difference between willow and wicker. Essentially, they are the same thing, willow is the raw material that is used to make a willow, or wicker basket! Willow grows in strands from the ground, it is very fast growing and well suited to growth in many parts of the world.
How long does willow take to grow?
How fast does willow grow? If the weather is kind, you can almost watch your willow grow! Once a willow is established (we can usually start harvesting after 3 years) you can expect feet of growth throughout the summer. We grow varieties here which can grow 8 feet in just a couple of months.
Is growing willow profitable?
Although willow can be a very profitable cash crop for growers, don’t overlook the dozens of other valuable woodies that are available. Planting a diverse mix of species is a sensible form of insurance for most growers.
Do it yourself garden concrete balls?
Recipes for our DIY Concrete Garden Globes: Recipe 1 – Hypertufa. 2 parts cement. 3 parts peat moss. 3 parts perlite. Recipe 2 – (This is what we used!) 1 part cement. 1 part peat moss. Water. Recipe 3. 1 part cement. 1 part potting soil. Water. Recipe 4. Pure Portland cement. Water.
How do you make concrete spheres?
Materials and Tools: three glass globes, from any hardware store. quick mix concrete. Instructions: Mix concrete with water in a large bucket until it forms a cake batter consistency. Pour into the glass globes and allow time to dry. Place globes in a large garbage bag, and break glass using a hammer.
How do you weave rattan balls?
Tie the end of one skein of rattan, jute or yarn in a small knot to form a center piece. Wrap the fiber around the knot ball in the same direction until the knots are covered with a layer of fiber. Rotate the covered knot ball 90 degrees and wrap the fiber around this ball again until every piece is covered.
Is Willow hedging invasive?
Willow roots can be very invasive and you should not plant close to foundations or drains (the roots can be a major problem if they get into your drains). Although willow is often seen in damp areas there are varieties which will grow very well in a wide range of soils.
