Willow Angel Making Workshop

Get into the festive spirit at Queen’s Hall this Christmas and create your very own Willow Angel! 

Join artist and willow worker Liz Beech for a hands-on, creative workshop. Spend a lovely day learning at least four different willow weaving techniques—twisting, weaving, and shaping—to craft your unique Christmas Angel. 

Willow weaving expert Liz will guide you step by step, helping you transform natural willow into a beautiful, sparkling angel. Add twinkling lights to give your creation an extra festive touch! 

Once Christmas is over, your Willow Angel will make a charming addition to your home all year round, lasting for many years to come. 

No previous experience is necessary, and all materials will be provided.

Please note that under 16 year olds need to be accompanied by an adult. 

About Liz Beech 

Liz's initial training was Fine Art at Goldsmiths College, London. However, her practice in working life has been Environmental Education in the outdoors. For 21 years, Liz worked for Gateshead MBC, during that time she gained much experience in designing, organising and leading educational group visits in woodlands and garden sites and running a community farm specialising in Rare Breeds. 

For a further 10 years, she worked for the National Trust at Gibside delivering outdoor education with the education team. This all came to an end after COVID when the team was disbanded.  

Liz gathered a wide experience of both creative and environmental skills and now shares these skills via her work. Liz leads a regular gardening group at a local community garden. During school holidays, she also leads children’s outdoor activities as well as running basic basket making workshops...the list could go on!  

To digress, but not really, her father was a basket maker and she inherited all his tools. So, Liz set about learning what these tools can do, joined the Northumbria Basket Makers and has been learning ever since. 

Working with willow touches all the areas that interest Liz. From the willow plot to the basket, you are in nature, growing a live plant that is harvested, processed and then woven into something that is attractive, practical, a heritage skill and environmentally sustainable.