Wicker It

Think souvenirs have to be bought? Make one instead.

In a quiet workshop in Funchal, Madeira Island, you’ll find something far more personal than just admiring the island’s beautiful landscapes.

This is a hands-on wicker workshop where, in about 2.5 hours, you create your own piece from scratch, guided step by step using traditional Portuguese techniques.

There’s no fixed workshop calendar and no booking platform. Conversations begin through Instagram and workshops are arranged personally. It’s intended to feel less transactional and more human.

Woven with Madeira in mind

The workshop focuses on traditional Portuguese wickerwork, using exclusively Portuguese materials sourced through local suppliers. Every basket, every strand, every detail carries the story of the island’s craft heritage.

You’ll sit, weave, shape and finish your own piece. Every piece tells a story of Madeira. And when you make something in this workshop, you take part of that story home with you.

Tradition, reimagined

While grounded in age-old techniques, the work isn’t stuck in the past. Wicker is blended with ceramics and burel, creating pieces that feel modern while staying respectful to tradition.

Local materials only

By working exclusively with Portuguese materials and collaborating with local suppliers, the workshop actively supports the continuation of traditional craft networks.

Teaching visitors isn’t just about skill-sharing, it’s about keeping knowledge circulating and ensuring Madeira’s artisanal heritage remains visible and valued.

Story behind Wicker It

After a 20-year career in human resources, Catarina, a Madeira local, chose to follow her passion for wickerwork.

What began as a personal passion became a craft practice that honours Madeira’s materials, people and traditions.

Her work has since been showcased internationally, bringing Portuguese wicker techniques to a global audience.

But the heart of it remains here, in Funchal, Madeira.