skep making

SKEP MAKING

Before the days of wooden hives bees were usually kept in skeps. Nowadays skeps are more often used for collecting swarms of bees but some people also use them as decorative items. This workshop will show you how to make your own skep from a variety of natural materials such as straw, birch, nettle stems and brambles but the process can also be adapted for making baskets and for furniture making (e.g. Orkney chairs).

You probably won’t have enough time to finish a skep in the time available but the workshop gives plenty of time for hands-on practice of your new skills and you should go away with either a placemat or small basket.