Description
The Wickerworks Shop is situated near the banks of one of the Crystal Streams, where willow trees grow in abundance and moisture keeps the working materials pliable. The building itself is a charming rounded structure with walls made from tightly woven wicker panels that have been treated with natural resins to resist weather while still allowing air to circulate freely. The peaked roof is thatched with reeds harvested from the stream banks, and the entire structure seems to breathe with the forest around it. Large windows on all sides can be opened wide to take advantage of natural light and the cooling breeze from the water.
The interior is organized into distinct work zones, each dedicated to a different stage of the wickerwork process. Near the entrance, a soaking area features long shallow troughs carved from stone, filled with stream water where freshly harvested willow withes, reeds, and other flexible materials are submerged to maintain their suppleness. The water is changed daily, keeping it fresh and preventing rot. Bundles of dried materials hang from the rafters above, organized by type, thickness, and color, creating a natural canopy of earthy tones that filters the light entering from above.
The main crafting area occupies the center of the shop, featuring multiple sturdy frames and forms in various shapes and sizes. These wooden templates allow weavers to create consistent pieces, from small baskets to large furniture items like chairs, tables, and cradles. Several weavers can work simultaneously, their practiced hands moving with rhythmic precision as they weave wet willow over and under, creating the distinctive patterns that make each piece both beautiful and incredibly strong. The sound of their work is surprisingly musical, a soft creaking and rustling that blends with the burble of the nearby stream.
Along one wall, a finishing station houses tools for trimming excess material, smoothing rough edges, and applying protective treatments. Natural oils and waxes are used to seal and preserve completed pieces, enhancing their durability without masking the natural beauty of the woven patterns. A collection of natural dyes made from bark, berries, and minerals allows for subtle color variations, though most pieces are left in their natural warm brown and cream tones. The shop also maintains a small forge area where metal fittings and reinforcements are crafted when needed for larger furniture pieces.
The back of the shop opens onto a covered outdoor workspace where larger items can be assembled and where the framework for substantial pieces like screens and arbors is constructed. A display area near the front showcases the range of available products: intricate baskets of every size and purpose, elegant furniture with flowing organic lines, decorative room dividers, plant containers that seem to grow from the earth, fishing creels perfectly sized for stream use, and even woven cradles that rock gently with the slightest touch. The Wickerworks Shop produces pieces that are not only functional but also works of art, each one bearing the individual touch of its creator while maintaining the high standards expected from Elderwood Grove craftwork.
Benefits
The Wickerworks Shop produces high-quality woven goods that are both practical and beautiful. The workshop generates 200 gold worth of wicker items each month. Additionally, any basket or container crafted here has double the normal carrying capacity due to superior weaving techniques (within reason for the size of the container). This upgrade generates 2 Prestige.