Steel Wire Basket Weaving Workshop
Join us for an intimate and hands-on workshop to learn how David Cho from The Heritage Baskets creates every single piece of his steel-wire woven baskets. In this workshop, you'll learn how to form the base and learn the history and basics of wire weaving, and create your own basket.
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WHAT WILL WE LEARN?
Hand Woven Steel Wire Baskets
History
We will cover the historical background and origins of traditional Chinese basktery.
Spider (笊篱 Zhaoli) base
Learn to make the base of every basket- the 笊篱 (zhaoli).
Wire twisting
Learn to twist and form the weaves of baskets with your hands and steel wire.
BASKET FORMING
Finally, form the basket and finish the basket off.
DEDICATED ART FORMS
HAND WEAVING STEEL WIRE BASKETS
This intimate workshop will have a maximum of 3 participants, who will all be guided by David Cho of the Heritage Baskets.
David began crafting wire baskets in 2019, inspired by vintage wire egg carriers made by his late father. He had picked up the skill of wire crafting from helping his father produce traditional Chinese wire strainers, or zhàolí, in the 1960s and 70s, and works with the same techniques employed for the strainers to craft his baskets.
As we continue to highlight artisans in the store, we've come to realise that many customers don't see the effort and artistry behind every unique piece.
By hosting these workshops, we hope that participants will be able to not only learn how about the history and basics of hand-weaving baskets using steel wires, but also be able to understand the effort and dedication required for this traditional art form.
- Background and knowledge on this traditional art form,
- Hands-on knowledge on the basics of weaving and weaving steel wire,
- Your very own hand woven, steel wire basket!
Unlike the finished products sold at our store from the Heritage Baskets, the baskets created by you in this workshop will not be charred.
However, as the materials are the same, it is still perfectly functional for you to use for indoor storage of your produce such as eggs, onions, potatoes, or to hold flower pots.
We hope that through this workshop, more people will be exposed to this traditional art form. We are also hoping to be able to attract individuals who could potentially be interested in continuing this art form and legacy.
THE HERITAGE BASKETS
The Heritage Baskets are a collection of fully-handcrafted steel wire baskets by David Cho Chee Min 曹志明 (born 1958, Negeri Sembilan). Having picked up the skill of wirecrafting kitchen utensils and other objects from his late father in the 1970s, David returned to the craft in 2019 to share and honour his family's creative legacy through traditional wire basketry.
His steel wire baskets, inspired by rustic egg carriers commonly found in Malaysian homes in the past, celebrate thoughtful and timeless craftsmanship, while serving as sturdy and practical organisers for the kitchen and home.
What customers ask
Frequently Asked Questions
All materials will be provided for this workshop. You are free to bring a container to mould the basket around, such as a small flower pot, vase, or jug with dimensions 7-12cm (width) and 10-15cm (height).
This workshop will include working with steel wire that may be sharp in some places, and require the use of some tools. While children are welcome to observe with their parents, we would encourage adults to do the main work of weaving and forming the basket.
Absolutely! This workshop is designed to introduce attendees to the background and basic techniques needed to weave a simple basket.
Approximately 2 hours.