Traditional Straw plaiting – Love Tokens

Love tokens or Harvest knots were made to celebrate the end of harvest. They were often made by young farm boys as they walked in the fields at harvest time with their sweethearts. They would be trimmed with flowers and seed heads found in the hedgerows and given as a
token of love.

This half day workshop is a wonderful way to learn an ancient craft from an expert teacher and to create a loving gift just in time for Valentines!

At the end of this workshop, participants will have:
1. An understanding of the history and cultural significance of traditional straw work
2. A knowledge of preparation of wheat for plaiting and basic plaiting techniques
3. Produced a number of traditional love tokens/harvest knots to take home

All materials included. This workshop will be held in our indoor workshop room.

About Elizabeth Woodroofe

Elizabeth grew up in a small village in Herefordshire, UK. During her childhood she learnt the art of corn dolly making by watching and helping her mother as she demonstrated the craft at country shows and festivals. After graduating from university Elizabeth spent many years living and working overseas before settling in Australia and raising a family. She now lives in a gold rush era farm property in Central Victoria.

Elizabeth continues the craft using wheat and other cereals grown locally and is passionate about the passing on her knowledge as straw working is now on the Heritage Craft Association (https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/) red list of endangered crafts. Elizabeth can be found demonstrating at the Lost Trades Fair (https://www.losttradesfair.com.au/) in Bendigo each year and is also working with the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades (https://sovereignhill.com.au/raretradescentre) at Sovereign Hill in Ballarat.

Elizabeth is a member of the Guild of Straw Craftsmen. See more of her work on Instagram @corn_dollies