Don Cochrane and Anne Roberts, accomplished designers and builders of rustic willow structures, are branching out. During a recent visit to England, the couple met fellow artisan Clare Wilks, who uses fresh cuttings of woods such as willow, bamboo and poplar to create unique sculptures (among them pergolas, playhouses, and seats) that are then planted and left to flourish naturally.
Intrigued by her work, Cochrane and Roberts invited Wilks to lead a seminar at Feir Mill, their home and workshop in southern Ontario. We enlisted photographer Christopher Dew to try his hand at building this charming, easy-to-make willow garden seat.
General Notes
• Given its flexibility and availability, bog willow, or pussy willow, is recommended for this project. Before harvesting, ensure that you have the permission of property owners.
• " Plant" your garden seat in the springtime. In no time, it will take root and sprout catkins. Willow does well in damp soil and can tolerate partial shade.
• As you assemble your garden seat, don't be afraid to push and pull it into the desired shape. Do not trim stems unless absolutely necessary; after completing your seat, weave stray offshoots into the framework.
• It's easy to transform your garden seat into a flower basket — just plant a variety of flowers.
• For more twig furniture projects, see Making Twig Garden Furniture by Abby Ruoff (Hartley & Marks Publishers Inc., 1997).
Instructions
1. Using pruning shears or small bow saw, harvest stems and upshots. (Tip: When pruning, be careful not to pull or cut roots. Stems can be kept in a bucket of water until you are ready to use them.) Using X-acto knife, cut piece from cardboard circle to create 18-inch-long straight edge (front of seat). Determine desired location of garden seat; position template accordingly.
2. Using spade, make 10-inch-deep cut around template. Insert short stakes into cut at equally spaced intervals, along straight edge of template. In same, manner, insert long stakes into cut along curved edge of template (Photo A). Weave 2 or 3 willow shoots in and out around stakes at ground level to anchor and stabilize (Photo B). In same manner, weave shoots around stakes at height of 30 inches to ensure that stakes remain evenly spaced. Remove template.
3. Using 2 or 3 willow shoots at a time and working in rows, weave shoots in and out around stakes to height of 14 inches at front and 16 inches at back to create basket shape (Photo C). (Weaving tips: Alternate rows: if shoots pass in front of a stake in one row, they should pass behind it in next. Leave 2 to 3 inches free at shoot ends to increase strength of weave and aid appearance. As you complete each row, push it down firmly to ensure tight weave. After completing last row, tuck in any stray ends and, using pruning shears, trim short stakes.)
4. Bring together tops of long stakes flanking row of short stakes to create arch of desired height (Photo D); twist together, fastening with twine if necessary. In same manner and moving toward back of garden seat, create 4 more arches to complete "roof' Six long stakes remain.
5. Cross over the 2 long stakes standing side-by-side at middle back of garden seat; weave through arches. Weave remaining stakes through arches to complete latticework pattern (Photo E). Fill basket with soil; plant as desired.
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