Spend a weekend in Casa dos Artesans with friends or family and learn the fascinating craft of basketry in a 8 hour course. No previous experience necessary

Split the course up over two days or choose to complete the course in a single day. Spend your free time exploring the Ribeira Sacra.

Basketry Course (Beginners) (8 hours)
Every participant makes a willow basket

Basketry Courses Intermediate (8 hours)
Ideal for those with some experience.

Cost:
499€ for up to 4 people

Includes:

* 2 nights cottage rental for 4 people
* Coffee and croissants for breakfast
* 8 hour basketry course for up to 4 people including materials

Reservations: Contact Casa dos Artesans with possible dates.

Times / Dates:
By arrangement in advance

Age Limit: 12 years upwards (when accompanied by an adult).

Taster Sessions for Beginners (1 day)

Try your hand at hand-weaving cloth for the first time. In the 1-day taster session you can enjoy weaving on a loom already set up for you.

Cost:
One-to-one - 90€
Group of 2 – 160€

Introduction to Weaving (4 days)

Learn how to set up a Louet Kombo 4-shaft table loom and weave your own cloth samples. No previous experience necessary.

Cost:
One-to-one - 360€ for one person
Group of 2 – 620€

Materials:
Taster Session – Free materials
Introduction to Weaving – 25€ per person

Times / Dates:
By arrangement in advance.

Age Limit: 12 years upwards

Basketry Tuition One-to-One and Small Groups

For those interested in specific forms, materials or techniques or in getting the most out of a basketry course.

Specialist Courses for Larger Groups

Lluis teaches internationally and teaches Spanish bsketry techniques to larger groups right up to advanced / professional level. Courses available in English, French, Spanish and Catalan. Please contact him at least 6 months in advance.

Choose your subject from this list –

Spanish Wood Strip Basketry – Wide Strip Technique or Narrow Strip Technique (some basketry experience is preferable).

Catalan basketry forms and techniques including the Catalan twisted border (advanced level), Catalan “sparrow hop” base (all levels), and specific forms e.g. lidded rabbit baskets, double “pela patatas” basket (advanced), shopping basket (advanced), mushroom basket (advanced).

Galician “Celtic” Willow Basketry (beginners upwards)

Spanish Gypsy Basketry (beginners upwards)

Willow Table Mats (improvers - intermediate)

Willow Basketry (all levels) including rectangular / lidded baskets

Costs:

Basketry Tuition at Casa dos Artesans
One-to-one - 90€ per day
Group of 2 - 160€ per day
Group of 3 - 210€
Group of 4 - 240€

Specialist Courses for Larger Groups – by arrangement. Max. group 8

Times / Dates:
By arrangement in advance. Prices of courses / tuition at Casa dos Artesans exclude cottage rental.

Cost of Materials: approximately 3€ per willow basket, 7€ per split wood basket depending on size.

Left to right: Galician Split Wood Basketry, Catalan Twisted Border

Anyone who has basic 4-shaft weaving can learn this ancient, unusual and attractive pile weaving technique which was used by folk weavers in Galicia to weave heirloom coverlets for centuries.

Galician Felpa “Taster” Session     1 day
Learn the basics and weave your first sample on a loom already prepared. Basic weaving experience only required.

Cost (excludes cottage rental):
One-to-one – 85€ (free materials)
Group of 2 – 150€ (free materials)

Intensive Galician Felpa Course     4 days
Learn the basics through sampling and then design and weave your own cushion cover or wall-piece using Anna´s natural-dyed wools.
Experience level: Intermediate (course requires basic experience in setting up a 4-shaft table loom)

Cost (excludes cottage rental)::
1 person – 330€ (+ 25€ natural-dyed yarns)
Group of 2 – 580€ (+ 25€ 2 25€ to cover cost of natural-dyed yarns)

Times / Dates:
By arrangement in advance.

A 3 week initiation into willow or split wood basketry, working alongside Lluis. Choose to learn either willow basketry or Spanish split wood basketry. During 5 hours each day you help Lluis in the basketry workshop and for 3 hours you follow a programme of one-to-one learning under Lluis´ expert guidance.

Note: The assistantship is designed for beginners in either willow or split wood basketry with a serious interest in learning one of these techniques. If you already have experiences why not consider a holiday with friends or family at Casa dos Artesans with specialist basketry or textile weaving tuition?

Learning Programme:

OPTION A     Willow
Willow – characteristics, preparation
Tools – Knowledge, usage
Different Forms and Shapes
Range of Weave Structures and Borders

OPTION B     Split Wood
Materials – characteristics
Splitting and planing
Different forms, shapes and finishes

Assistance Work may include:

Collection, cultivation or preparation of basketry materials
Assistance in the assembly of simple pieces or their respective elements.

Cost: 1065€ includes self-catering accommodation in Casa dos Artesans.

2008 Dates:
Friday 28 March – Friday 18 April Friday 24 October – Friday 14 November

Reservations: Please contact Lluis in writing to express your interest in the assistantship and mention any basketry interests or experience you may have.

Payment:
Deposit (35%) 350€ or 241 pounds is payable at the time of booking.
Balance – (65%) 649€ is payable in euros at the start of the course.

Materials: Commercial material used by assistants for their own projects is costed by weight. Example: Willow basket – approx. 3€, split wood basket – 7€.

No. of Places: 1 spring / 1 autumn place

Cancellations:
If you cancel and we are able to fill your place we return your deposit minus a 40€ administration fee. In the event of the assistantship being cancelled payment will be refunded in full.

A low-cost, intensive 3 week assistantship which consists of assisting Anna in her studio and learning to weave (on Louet Kombo 4 shaft table looms) and use natural dyes.

Monday - Friday mornings assistants help Anna in the studio. For 3 hours in the afternoons they follow Anna´s structured learning programme which includes theory and practice sessions plus final project work.

NOTE: The assistantship is designed as a special opportunity for complete or near beginners with a serious interest in learning to weave and use natural dyes. If you already have weaving experience why not consider combining a holiday at Casa dos Artesans with felpa weaving (pile fabric weaving) or basketry tuition?

Assistants’ Learning Programme includes:
Yarn preparation and Natural dyeing
4-shaft loom preparation and weaving
Cloth sampling and record keeping
Textile analysis and pattern drafting
Final project work

Participation in Anna´s work may include:
Fibre preparation (skein making and ball winding)
Natural Dyeing
Loom preparation
Cloth finishing and packaging
Sample Weaving
Yarn Calculations

Cost: 1065€ includes self-catering accommodation in Casa dos Artesans.

Materials: Yarns used in assistants´ own weaving projects are costed by weight.

Dates 2008: Friday 28 March – Friday 18 April
Friday 24 October – Friday 14 November

Reservations: Please write to Anna about your interest in the assistantship, mentioning any other craft interests or experience you may have.

Payment: Deposit - 35% of the value of the assistantship (350€ or 241 pounds) is payable at the time of booking. Balance – 65% - 649€ is payable at the start of the assistantship in euros.

No. of Places: 2 places in the spring and 2 in the autumn.

Cancellations: If you cancel and we are able to fill your place we return your deposit minus a 40€ administration fee. In the event of the assistantship being cancelled payment will be refunded in full.

Anna harvesting Dyer´s Chamomile and weld grown locally in the Ribeira Sacra

Enjoy a colourful introduction to the ancient art of natural dyeing during this special weekend offer at Casa dos Artesans. No previous experience necessary!

Natural Dyeing Course (4 + 4 hours)

Afternoons are free to explore the Ribeira Sacra.

Cost: 480€ for groups of up to 4 people

Includes: * 2 nights cottage rental * Coffee and croissants for breakfast * Natural Dyeing course 4 + 4 hours * Yarns, dyes and other materials worth over 60€!

Reservations: Contact Casa dos Artesans with suggestions for dates.

Times / Dates: By arrangement in advance

A ge Limit: 12years upwards (accompanied by an adult)

This is our new, inclusive craft week which is ideal for independent travellers (as opposed to groups renting the cottage) who like the idea of trying out the different crafts on offer at Casa dos Artesans before opting for a longer or more specific course.

The craft taster week includes courses in natural dyeing, weaving and basketry, with the opportunity to weave with your own dyed yarns and take the fabric back home with you in your own Spanish willow basket.

The craft taster week also includes extras, included in the price, designed to make it easier for independent travellers coming by public transport instead of hiring a car.

A family member, partner or friend is welcome to come without participating in the courses (see separate tariff). The ideal chance to unwind, go walking or study!

Course Programme includes:
Introduction to Natural Dyes (2 mornings)
Introduction to Weaving (1 day)
Introduction to Willow Basketry: The Galician “Muros” basket. (1 day)

The fee includes:
* 3 craft courses (natural dyes, basketry and weaving)
* Accommodation in Casa dos Artesans in shared or individual room (see tariff)
* Travel between Ourense station and Casa dos Artesans at the beginning and end of the course.
* Suppers
* Provision of simple ingredients for breakfasts and light lunches in Casa dos Artesans self-catering kitchen.
* 1 night´s accommodation in Santiago de Compostela in a shared room.

Cost
Craft Taster Week (5 nights in own room in Casa dos Artesans) – 799€
Craft Taster Week (5 nights in shared room in Casa dos Artesans)– 699€
Accommodation only in shared room (for partners or friends) – includes suppers, transfer to / from Ourense and provision of breakfast and lunch ingredients – 342€

Dates

Arrival Date: 22 September 2008
Departure Date: 29 September 2008

Basketry - 23 / 24 September (1/2 days)
Natural Dyes - 24 / 25 September (1/2 days)
Introduction to Weave - 27 September
Free Days - 26 September / 25 September (afternoon only) / 23 September (morning only)
Half day in Santiago de Compostela - 28 September

Ask us for full course schedule

Reservations lluisyanna@terra.es

Payment
Deposit - 35% of fee is payable at the time of booking to confirm your place.
Balance – 65% is payable at the start of the week in euros.

No. of Places
5

Cancellations
If you cancel and we are able to fill your place we return your deposit minus a 40€ administration fee. If we are forced to cancel we provide a full refund.

2009 CALENDAR
Courses & Events

      MARCH / APRIL    

29th March – 3 April
Basketmakers´ Association Spring School in York, England.
Lluis teaches split wood basketry forms from north Spain.
Contact: h.dawe@btopenworld.com

Casa dos Artesans available for rent (with optional craft tuition)

Lluis teaches Catalan willow and cane basketmaking in Denmark
(course in English. April Dates t.b.c )
Contact: jettemellgren@mail.dk

      MAY / JUNE    

28 May – 3 June
3-CRAFT TASTER WEEK
Our inclusive, residential craft week at Casa dos Artesans with three craft courses and a chance to explore the area.

Casa dos Artesans available for rent (with optional craft tuition)

23 June – 30 June
FLEXI WEEK     NEW
Best value and flexibility for those wishing to come and spend a week with us in the craft workshops at Casa dos Artesans.
(with optional craft tuition)

      JULY / AUGUST      

Casa dos Artesans available for rent (with optional craft tuition)

1 – 31 August (Tuesday – Sunday)
Summer Exhibition + Open Workshops at Casa dos Artesans Craft Workshops

  SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER / NOVEMBER  

Casa dos Artesans available for rent
(with optional craft tuition)

7 – 14 September
FLEXI WEEK     NEW
Best value and flexibility for those wishing to come and spend a week with us in the craft workshops at Casa dos Artesans.
(with optional craft tuition)

3-4 October (tbc)
International Baskery Fair, Salt (Catalunya)
Fly to Girona or take a train from Barcelona to enjoy this major basketry event where you can see and buy Lluis´ baskets. t.b.c.

31 October – 21 November
TEXTILE ASSISTANTSHIP at Casa dos Artesans
The popular, unique, low-cost, 3-week opportunity to combine learning-on-the-job in the textile studio individual tuition.
For those with a serious interest in learning to weave. 2 places (apply in writing)

ABOUT YOUR BASKETRY TUTOR - LLUIS GRAU

Lluis is an experienced professional basket maker with over 20 years experience.

He specialises in traditional Catalan basketry and Spanish split wood basketry which he makes for sale and to commission.

As well as offering specialist tuition at Casa dos Artesans Lluis teaches internationally at all levels, most recently at Bamboozle (International Basketry Event), Cornwall, UK 2007 and in Ireland (Irish Basketmakers´ Association), 2007.

www.lluisgrau.com

ABOUT YOUR WEAVING AND DYEING TUTOR - ANNA CHAMPENEY

Anna set up her own professional weaving studio in 2006 in Galicia, Spain.

She specialises in making hand-made Galician pile fabric (felpa) – from cushions to innovative wall pieces.

Anna designs and weaves a range of own label textiles including linen scarves and towels. In her work she unites her love of both contemporary and traditional Spanish textiles.

Anna is also a textile researcher and freelance writer and was tutor at the Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers, UK, in 2007.

www.annachampeney.com