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lakeshore willows
Located in Wainfleet, Ontario we grow about 30 varieties of cultured willows many of which are available for purchase as dormant cuttings and rods or dried willow for basketry.
After harvest in spring dormant willow cuttings for propagation are available as well as dormant rods/whips for living willow structures such as the Living Willow Fence, huts, play tunnels etc. Living willow workshops are held at Lakeshore Willows in March and April. The season for dormant willow is over by the end of April. Willow for basketry is sorted and dried in bundles. We sell and ship dried willow all seasons and basketry workshops are frequently held at Lakeshore Willows. Handmade baskets, bird feeders and garden structures made by Lene are sold at markets etc and can be made to order for shipping or pick up at the farm. 
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Lene Rasmussen
During a visit to my native Denmark in 2005 my attention was drawn to beautiful willow fences and hedges which inspired me to start producing willow. I work to contribute to a developing interest in willow and its many uses. To be able to offer a product that is grown locally without use of any chemicals and to participate in re-introducing a very old craft is both exciting and satisfying. I have enjoyed learning from some of the finest basket makers and am continually seeking opportunities for learning new skills. As willow basketry has not yet enjoyed the renewed popularity in North America as it has in parts of Europe, I feel fortunate to have been able to connect with willow basket makers in Denmark which has enabled me to establish Lakeshore Willows. Great teachers that I have learned from include: Anne Folehave, Denmark Anne Mette Hjornholm, Denmark Steen H Madsen, Denmark Ane Lyngsgaard, Denmark Eva Seidenfaden, Denmark Katherine Lewis, Washington Jo Campbell-Amsler, Iowa Alison Fitzgerald, Ireland Joe Hogan Joan Carrigan Associations that I am a member of: Pileforeningen (Danish Willow Association) The Basketmakers' Association National Basketry Organization (NBO) Southwestern Ontario Basketry Guild |