LUNA LOVES WILLOW WORKSHOPS

Luna Loves Willow workshops have been specially designed for people of all ages and abilities. Whilst Zoe draws on her educational training and creative expertise, Luna Loves Willow workshop’s ethos is about having fun, in a relaxed, safe and creative environment.

Many of the workshops are held at Westonbirt Arboretum - a beautiful place to spend a day alongside some very special tree species! We have our own space to work with willow and lunch can be enjoyed in the cafe or under the shade of a nearby oak!

Smaller group sessions can be enjoyed in my studio near Stroud - I’ve called it The Create Escape because I want it to be a safe space for time out and creativity.

“THE WORKSHOP WAS BRILLIANT, I LEARNT SO MUCH AND BROUGHT HOME MY VERY OWN SCULPTURE.”

— VICTORIA, WORKSHOP ATTENDEE

Zoe has been working as Community Artist and Project Worker for over 10 years. Her creative education started in 1999 at Plymouth College of Art and Design where she gained an HND in Photography and Electronic Imaging. With a passion for learning Zoe added to her skill set when in 2010 she gained her ‘Certificate in Education’ as post graduate, in the lifelong learning sector.

Her impressive CV includes working for Longfield Hospice Care, NHS 2gether Trust, Gloucestershire College, Maggies, Cotswold Communities First CIC and many more.

Zoe’s art based therapy sessions have enabled her to work with people from different backgrounds, different ages and abilities, originally specializing with people with learning difficulties, physical disabilities, and people with mental health problems, now working with all

Her caring nature coupled with creative flare has enabled her to work on fantastic community art-based projects with her work being featured at events and Galleries.

Zoe’s creative skills range from natural weaving, painting and drawing, jewellery, photography, ceramics, felting, sewing, to many other crafts. With her main passion of course being Willow weaving.

How did you discover that you could create beautiful objects out of willow?

I love sketching, and I found willow after working on community projects about fifteen years ago. I needed a material that was safe and easy to work with for people of all abilities and ages. I love that with willow I can create a sketch in 3D. I’m drawing with sticks, building up the image as I progress a piece.

Have you had any formal training? How do you learn new techniques?

I trained as an artist at Plymouth art college but specialised in photography and my early work was always inspired by movement. Dancers, motion, light abstractions and anything that made you look twice. I’ve been on a few courses, much like the ones I run, to learn new techniques and also find that a good way to learn is to experiment and work things out in a structural manner.

Do you have a willow mentor?

I love the work of Bob Johnson, the way he draws the details on his sculptures is just amazing. I find hashing out ideas with other creatives really useful, no matter what their discipline. It helps the sparks to fly on project ideas!

What kind of willow do you like to work with?

The willow I use is a mixture of types. there are so many great names: Black Maul,Whizzender,Flanders Red, Britteny Green, to name a few. But I love to combine other types too, there are so many. I love to use freshly cut green willow as it has a bright colour to it and you can work with it more spontaneously as it doesn’t need soaking for days! The best thing is to go for a walk and forage some weaveable materials, dogwood is particularly good as it has such a beautiful red hue. Hazel works well too - if you can wrap it around your wrist, you can weave with it!

What is your dream commission?

I love to work on projects where there is a two way creative process with a client. Being given a brief or concept to interpret and imagine is really exciting.

You have a background in education ~ what do you enjoy about teaching?

I love that moment when a person gets that spark of excitement from creating something, the connection between brain and hands. My main pleasure in teaching is helping people feel confident in themselves and lift their mood and self confidence. That’s why I love working at the hospice and have worked on numerous community projects.

What is your long term goal for Luna Loves Willow?

The long term goal is that Luna Loves Willow becomes a sustainable business that allows me to create more sculptures and one off pieces. I love teaching the workshops too and sharing my love of craft with others.

Team building

Luna Loves Willow run team building days for groups of up to twenty five people.

It’s an opportunity to come together, away from your usual work space, form bonds and get to know one another in a different environment. Building a garden pod is a simple and enjoyable way to create a reminder of a purposeful day.

Half day sessions (4 hours) cost £550 and a full day (up to 8 hours) costs £700.

Get in touch with Zoe to find out more and book your team building day.