8-Week Contemporary Basketry Course

MY CRAFT JOURNEYHi, I’m Elena, the artist and designer behind Vela Studio. My practice brings together contemporary art, traditional craft and design, with a focus on basketry, sculptural weaving and natural materials.My journey with craft began in 2017, when I left my career as an Art Director in Madrid to travel across Asia. During that year, I learned basketry and traditional making techniques from craftspeople in Malaysia, Cambodia, Bali, and Laos, and, more recently, explored local fibres and weaving traditions during an artist residency in Guatemala.I later studied Art & Contemporary Craft at West Dean College, West Sussex, where I developed my techniques and began exploring more sculptural and experimental forms of weaving. I’m now continuing this exploration through an MA in Textiles at the Royal College of Art.Vela Studio grew from this journey — bringing together everything I love about materials, making, experimentation and sharing that knowledge with others.MY APPROACHMy work sits between basketry, sculpture and textile art. Rattan is the material I return to most, often combining it with wool, raffia, grasses, esparto grass, rope, ceramics and other natural or unexpected materials.I’m interested in taking traditional techniques beyond their expected forms — when a basket becomes sculpture, weaving moves into space, or different materials come together to create something new.That same spirit runs through my workshops: learn the technique, understand the material, then make it your own.MY EXPERIENCEFor the past four years, I’ve taught basketry and creative workshops to complete beginners, artists and designers, as well as private groups and companies.My background spans 17+ years in art direction and design, almost a decade exploring basketry and craft through travel and study, and formal training at West Dean College. I’m currently continuing my practice through an MA in Textiles at the Royal College of Art.WHY I LOVE TEACHINGWhat I love most about teaching is seeing people move from “I don’t know how to do this” to making something completely their own.My workshops give you the foundations of a technique, alongside the freedom to experiment with materials, colour, texture and form. It’s not about making something perfect or identical to everyone else’s.It’s about slowing down, working with your hands and discovering what happens when you give yourself permission to explore.No previous experience is needed — just curiosity.