Flax weaving workshops

In my workshops you will learn to weave a small 2 or 4 cornered basket, or kete, using traditional weaving techniques, similar to the smaller baskets in the front of the first image on this page. This is a versatile basic technique which can be used for a number of different projects. Alternatively, you can learn how to weave a large container, or waikawa, similar to the larger basket in the second image on this page, using a different weaving technique that uses the whole flax leaf. This style has become popular as a shopping basket instead of using plastic bags. Some people manage to weave both the smaller kete and the larger one! There is also the opportunity to learn to weave a couple of the simpler flax flowers.
For more experienced weavers: An opportunity for more experienced weavers to weave a backpack, with some preparation to be completed before the workshop. Contact me if you are interested and I'll provide more details.

To secure your place in the workshop, please contact me by email or phone and I'll advise the bank account to put your workshop fee into. The price is $80 per person for the one-day workshop. I'll confirm your place on receipt of the payment. Contact me by email or phone if you have any queries. There is a limit of 10 people per workshop.

Bring your own lunch and a cushion to sit on, paper and pen to take notes and some cash if you'd like to purchase my books.

Examples of some of the workshops I’ve run

Between 2016 and 2019, the majority of the workshops I held were on behalf of Tutoring for Charity Trust, raising funds for KidsCan, and Catapult Employment Services Trust. From 2020 I make a donation directly to charity from each workshop.

Examples of other workshops I’ve held:
• Charity workshop at Sefton Hall 2016 held to raise funds for my 92 year-old stepmother's only grand-daughter to return to New Zealand from the UK and spend some time with her grandmother. We raised over $1,000
• 2-day workshop for children at Camp Quality 2015
• Weekend workshop on Waikawa Marae 2012
• 2-day workshop in Hanmer for the Amuri Autumn School
• 2 short presentations on flax basket-weaving for the 2012 Creative Fibre Festival
• 1-day workshops in Waikuku for Waikuku Artists Inc
• A series of workshops in Norfolk Island for the Norfolk Island Community Arts Society
• 2-day workshop in Methven for the Methven Summer School
• 2-day workshop in Mount Somers at the Minerals to Art Festival
• 2-day workshop in Queenstown for the Queenstown Art Society
• 2-day weekend workshops in the Christchurch Arts Centre
• A team-building workshop for an insurance company
• 1-day workshop for a Floral Art Group
• A series of creativity workshops in a primary school for an art/craft module
• Short workshops in the Christchurch City Council’s Kidsfest holiday programmes
• Children’s workshops in holiday programmes for OSCAR and primary schools
• A co-operative flax weaving project for the delegates at the national OSCAR conference

© Ali Brown 2006. Last updated April 2021.