Mary Butcher, Jenny Crisp and Joe Hogan are all very talented weavers and writers. You will find a small selection of books on this website.
A round willow basket base is a good starting point. This ‘base’ can be adapted to make a flower.
Brown (dry) Black Maul is a good choice. It is easy to soak and work with. Buff willow is another good option.
Secateurs, a weight (could be a brick or pebble roughly the weight of a bag of sugar) a rapping iron (alternatively use a hammer and a stick) a rubber band, a peg, a bodkin (or use a screwdriver) and some tallow. A pair of pliers can be handy. For further information, take a look at our tools video.
A maintained living willow structure does not have the root structure of a mature willow tree. It is safe to grow a tepee, arbour, tunnel or fedge close to an outbuilding.
The main considerations are adequate sunlight, keeping the area weed/grass free and regular watering. Do not plant a living willow structure close to a wall or drain.
It is worth gently weaving in the growing rods. This helps to prevent the structure from becoming top heavy. Weaving in new growth also provides additional cover. As the structure matures, new growth can be trimmed.
Materials will vary depending on the size and shape of the lantern. (It may be easier to purchase one of our lantern kits!)
As a rough guide, to make a pyramid lantern requires 8 willow rods, masking tape, (to secure the rods in place) wet strength tissue paper, (4-5 sheets) a sheet or two of coloured run resistant tissue, PVA glue and a soaking bag (to soak and mellow the willow in). If you wish to hang the lantern from a pole, you will also need a bamboo pole and some floristry wire. LED lights could be inserted inside the lantern.
You may also wish to decorate your lantern with paint, foil and/or glitter.
5ft or 6ft lantern willow or 5ft and 6ft buff willow rods are ideal for making a lantern. A 1kg of our 5ft buff willow contains around 145. That’s a lot of lanterns!
Probably less than you think! Our lantern willow kit contains 20 sheets of white wet strength tissue and 5 coloured run resistant sheets. This is enough to cover 4 good size lanterns.
Although our coloured run resistant tissue is strong, it does need to be handled a lot more carefully than the white wet strength tissue. The run resistant tissue should always be laid over either white wet strength tissue or cling film. Coloured tissue can be aplied to a damp or dry lantern. Tear off strips or cut out shapes from the coloured tissue, lay on the lantern and genty brush or sponge over with a little glue mixture.
There are two different ways of applying wet strength tissue to make a lantern;
It is often easier to tear or cut the tissue sheets in half (or in small strips for small lanterns) BEFORE wetting them. This can make the tissue easier to handle.
Pull the tissue tightly over the frame, wrapping it around the rods and back on itself. Overlap the tissue so it can be stuck tissue to tissue. Use two layers of wet strength tissue to make the lantern strong. The tissue will dry tight like a drum. Add additional decoration when fully dry.
Our wet strength tissue is the highest quality available in the UK. It is designed to be used to create lanterns large and small. Professional crafts people use our wet strength tissue paper.
When making a lantern or similar structure, run resistant tissue should be used on top of wet strength tissue paper. It should not be solely used to make a lantern. If run resistant tissue is soaked in glue it will disintegrate. Wet strength tissue will not.
Don’t worry if you have some willow left over. The kits always contain surplus rods to cater for any weaving mishaps! These can be used to create additional cover in your structure or make something else with them.
Living willow structures can be trimmed at any time of year. It can be easier to see what you are doing after the leaves drop in late autumn/early winter.
February and March are usually the best months for planting. Willow should not ‘sit’ in cold ground. Living willow should be planted by early to mid April.
Living willow kits are seasonal. They are usually available from early January to late March.
White wet strength tissue paper is available in various pack sizes – from 10 to 500 sheets.
The coloured run resistant tissue is also sold in different pack sizes – from 25 to 500 sheets.
Yes. Up to 20 different colours are usually in stock and these can all be bought separately. The minimum order size is 25 sheets.
Red PVA glue can be washed out of clothing when dry. It has very strong bonding properties and is ideal for lantern making. Red PVA glue is particularly harmful if ingested, so young children should be carefully supervised when using this product.
Black PVA glue provides extra durability on flexible surfaces and can be used in advanced art techniques. It provides a stronger bond than Red PVA glue and is safer for young children to use. However, black PVA glue is non-water soluble, so it will NOT wash out of clothing. Mixed 50/50 with water and the glue will dry clear and provide a waterproof barrier.
Yes. Musgrove Willows is happy to fulfil large trade orders. Please contact us to discuss your specific requirements.
Yes. Our artist charcoal is usually available in a range of sizes; from thin (3-4 mm thick) to jumbo (20+ mm thick).
The willow artist charcoal has been made and graded on our Somerset farm – all with willow grown in our fields. The Musgrove family has been burning charcoal for many decades.
Non-living willow sculptures benefit from an annual treatment of boiled linseed oil and turpentine. This should be a 50/50 mix and can be applied by brush or with a spray bottle.
Green, brown or steamed willow are ideal choices as these all still have their bark on (giving protection against the elements). Non-living willow outdoor sculptures and fencing should be treated annually with a 50/50 mix of boiled linseed oil and turpentine.
Buff willow is perfect for these projects. (Musgrove Willows also sell lantern willow and DIY lantern kits.) Tissue paper and masking tape should stick easily to smooth, buff willow rods. A buff rod is lightweight, flexible and strong, so fairly large-scale structures and sculptures can be constructed with it.
