Go Wild With Weaving 2025
GO WILD!   Be Creative!  Have Fun!   Find your Tribe!
Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th April 2025

2025 is the twelth Go Wild With Weaving event, held in beautiful Collingwood, Golden Bay, New Zealand.

If you are new to New Zealand, Golden Bay is a delight.  We have many golden beaches, fantastically clear spring water, atmospheric forest walks, links to two of the Great Walks ( The Abel Tasman, and The Heaphy Track) and of course you can swim, kayak, fish, and shop in the quirky towns of Collingwood and Takaka. The venue for our event is the Collingwood Area School which is a brand new school opened in January 2024.  There is plenty of accommodation in walking distance of the event - motels, hotels, air bnb, motor camps, backpackers and upmarket lodges.

For 2025, our line-up is 7 x 2-day workshops which cater for varying levels of weaving expertise. Each workshop features different techniques or different natural materials, such as willow, reed, cabbage tree leaves (ti kouka) , pine needles, flax (NZ harakeke), copper and natural wild fibres ....plus whatever you want to bring! .  You will learn how to weave your own creations, meet loads of new people and have some great fun for yourself.

Places are booked on a first come first served basis, and have filled very quickly in the past, so email me at nicola.basham@xtra.co.nz to register your interest in a particular course and get payment instructions

Also, whilst the courses are full, email me your interest and I will contact you should a space become free, as there are often unexpected cancellations.…or sign up for another course and expand your skills.

GW1. Go Stitching

Using techniques from the pine needle basket tradition, learn the ancient craft of coiling and stitching and experiment with a range of natural materials, such as Cabbage Tree Leaves, Corn Leaves, Pine Needles and then decorate with feathers or beads or whatever else you fancy.

Tutor: Deb Price, celebrated artist and experienced basketry tutor.

Experience Level:  for beginners up to experienced level.

 

GW2. Go Flax

Make stunning sculptural baskets from NZ Flax using random-weave and neolithic weave techniques. Learn how to attach feathers and how to make string from NZ flax for hanging or decorating the basket.

Tutor: Zimmi Forest, international weaving tutor and artist

Experience Level: all levels.

Instagram: weaving_nature

GW3. Go Copper 

Make and weave some beautiful artifacts - bowls, feathers, leaves - for indoor or outdoor display 

Tutor: Jasmine Clark,  weaving tutor and celebrated artist

Experience Level: beginner and intermediate.

Instagram: @jasmineclarkartist

Facebook: @jasmineclarkartist

 

GW4.  Go Reed

Weave a sturdy and colourful egg basket using reed.

Tutor: Tamar Guse,  weaving tutor and artist

Experience Level: beginner and intermediate.

Website: https://www.tamargusefibreart.com/

Instagram: @tamargusefibreart 

GW5. Go Driftwood

Create stunning random weave baskets with cane and driftwood rims.  Additional embellishments such as feathers or buttons or other weaving materials are all welcome.

Tutor: Gabrielle Edmonds,  weaving tutor and artist

Experience Level: beginner and intermediate.

GW6. Go Twining

Make this large, strong and beautiful basket from NZ flax/harakeke using dyeing, weaving. plaiting and twining techniques. 

You will be able to make one or two baskets, with or without handles or lids.

Tutor: Sarah Hornibrooke, professional craft tutor and experienced weaver.

Experience Level:  Beginners up to Intermediate

 

 

 

GW7. Go Willow

Make one big functional traditional willow basket.  You can chose to make either a shopper-style basket with a handle or a utility log-style basket. Learn willow care and techniques.

Tutor: Nicola Basham, experienced basketmaker and tutor.

Experience Level: beginner and intermediate.

Prices

*All Course Fees: $380
Includes 2 days tuition, materials, most tools and 2 lunches.

*$100 non-refundable deposit.


*Earlybird deal – $350 if paid by 31/12/24.

*All fees to be paid by 28/02/25.
*No Refunds are available after 28/02/25.
*Unforeseen circumstances may result in changes to courses. See website for details.

Registration

Contact me, nicola.basham@xtra.co.nz,  to register, pay or to ask for additional information


OTHER STUFF YOU NEED TO KNOW

Venue and How to Get to Collingwood

Venue is Collingwood Area School, Lewis Street, Collingwood, Golden Bay, South Island, NZ.

This is information on how to get to Collingwood, for students travelling in nationally or internationally. 

go-wild-2025/how-to-get-to-collingwood

Accommodation

If you come from afar, I can help you with your accommodation as I have a long list of possible places to stay at all budget levels in the Collingwood area.  Here are the accommodation possibilities  

go-wild-2025/local-accommodation

Golden Bay

Golden Bay is a beautiful, artistic community on the North West coast of the South Island of New Zealand.  It is famous for the crystal clear waters of the Waikoropupu Springs, the extraordinary Farewell Spit, the beautiful beaches and the fabulous Heaphy Track.  For information about how to get to Golden Bay, accommodation options and other adventurous or arty activities go to the website  

http://www.goldenbaynz.co.nz

Make the Most of Your Stay!  

Make sure you have enough time to enjoy some of the Golden Bay delights....tramping, horse riding, kayaking, mountain biking...or maybe checking out the artist trail or enjoying the tasty restaurants.  There are also lots of things to see and do around Collingwood. /go-wild-2025/what-to-do-in-and-around-collingwood

Meals

Lunches will be a buffet lunch at the school.  We will cater for gluten free, vegetarian and vegans.  Please speak to me about other requirements.

This year we plan to organise an evening meal in Takaka for the Saturday 12th April.  The details are still to be finalised.  As everybody eats such different food, drink and quantities, this meal is to be paid for individually.

Timetable

On Saturday, arrive at 8.50am ready for registration, the classes run from 9.30-4.30, with an hour for lunch. 

On Sunday, arrive at 9am for registration, the classes run from 9.15 -4.15 with an hour for lunch.

The School Principal has asked us to sign in via the register.

If you are feeling poorly, please stay at home, and let our admin organiser know.

What are Students Required to Bring

Students will only need to bring a few tools or other embellishments, as most tools and materials are provided.  Requirements for each course will be sent out closer to the date.

go-wild-2025/what-to-bring-with-you

Payment and Contact

Contact me, nicola.basham@xtra.co.nz, to get in touch with me to register, pay or to ask for additional information.

Sponsors

Teri Dyes are sponsoring the Go Wild With Weaving event, and supply the fibre dyes for the courses. 

See the complete range at http://www.teri-dyes.co.nz