Craftsman weaving a straw skep on a sunny day

Craft workshop · straw and willow

Slow Design Workshop

Weave with straw. Slow down. Make something with your own hands.

Step away from the screen and discover the pleasure of calm work with natural materials. In this small-group workshop you'll learn the traditional technique of weaving with straw and willow, and make your own object from start to finish.

No experience needed. You'll learn everything step by step.

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About the workshop

A few hours outside the everyday rush

Most days we touch screens, keyboards and finished products. This workshop is different.

You'll take straw and willow into your hands. You'll get to know their structure, scent and natural qualities. You'll see how a simple material slowly becomes a durable, useful object through patience and handwork.

We work without hurry, in a small group and a friendly atmosphere. It's time for focus, conversation, experimenting and a rest from the digital world.

Workshop participants weaving straw in a wooden barn — A small group workshop — weaving straw together.

Why you'll love it

This workshop is for you if:

you're interested in design, handcraft or traditional trades,
you value natural, local and biodegradable materials,
you want a break from screens and the city rush,
you like learning by doing,
you're looking for a creative way to spend your free time,
you want to make an object with a story of its own,
you'd like to meet people with similar interests.

You don't need to consider yourself especially creative or good with your hands. I'll guide you through every stage of the work.

Handwork

Stalk by stalk, stitch by stitch — without hurry.

Finished straw basket filled with a bundle of straw — An example of work made with the straw weaving technique.

What you'll make

Make an object you'll take home

During the workshop you'll make, among other things, a straw tray, bowl, mat or a small basket with your own hands.

Every piece turns out a little different. The natural material, the way you guide the coil and your own choices make each object unique — functional, durable and made without plastic.

You'll take your finished work home with you.

What you'll learn

What will you learn during the workshop?

you'll get to know straw and willow and their properties,
you'll learn how to prepare the materials for work,
you'll get to know the basic craft tools,
you'll master the basic stitch and weaving technique,
you'll do most of the work yourself, with my support,
you'll learn how to finish and protect the object,
you'll discover where this technique can take you next.

You can later use these skills to make bowls, trays, baskets, mats, boxes, containers and even traditional straw skeps for bees.

Tools and material

Awls, straw and willow — everything you need is waiting on site.

A living tradition

Traditional craft in contemporary design

Straw weaving is a rare skill today, though for centuries straw was an important everyday material.

It was used for household objects, decorations and skeps — traditional homes for bees. During our meeting I'll tell you about the history of the technique and show how it can be used in contemporary slow design.

It isn't about copying old objects. It's about rediscovering simple materials and making things that answer our needs today.

What you'll take away

an object made with your own hands,
a working knowledge of the weaving technique,
experience with straw and willow,
inspiration to keep making,
a few hours of focus and rest from screens,
the satisfaction of finishing something from start to end.

Michał Wołczak holding a round hand-woven straw mat

About me

Meet your host

My name is Michał Wołczak. I've kept bees for six years and have been making traditional straw skeps for two.

I'm drawn to natural materials, old craft techniques and their place in the modern world. In my work I combine tradition with slow design and natural beekeeping.

During the workshop I want to teach you not only a specific technique, but also to show that plain straw can become something beautiful, lasting and useful.

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