our story

madame twig I, II & III

The Branch Ranch was founded by two women with backgrounds in Horticulture and Art, blending nature and creativity by combining a sustainable, natural medium and an ancient craft. They were inspired by the beauty of the plants and materials cultivated on this special willow farm.

In 2021 Madame Twig III – Jess, and her husband Chris moved all things willow to their quaint farm just minutes from the original Branch Ranch. Jess’ interest in willow began with the love of living willow trees and structures. Jess is inspired by the diversity of willow craft and The Branch Ranch allows her to combine her love of the outdoors, crafting and teaching. Jess loves that weaving allows her to be both a student, continuously learning new things and a teacher, sharing all that she has learned with those who come to weave at the farm.

The Branch Ranch is a member of both The Basketmakers Association and The National Basketry Association.

The Branch Ranch has quickly become a family affair, Chris keeps everything running smoothly and takes care of the building and fixing, the kids enjoy watering and learning small willow crafts and the Grandparents are happy to help fill in the gaps whenever a hand is needed while Jess looks after planning and teaching workshops!

speaker + educator

Madame Twig III is available for presentations and weaving demonstrations to horticultural societies, probus groups and more!

Watch for collaborations with other local businesses and organizations! Madame Twig III and the Twig Team love to support local and bring you new and exciting opportunities!

features

  • Voted one of the best hands-on experiences in Canada! (Expedia Travel Blog - August 2018)

  • Inside Belleville - April 28, 2016

  • Watershed Magazine - Winter 2012, Winter 2013, Winter 2014

  • Featured on CityLine, CityTV - November 2013

Madame Twig III was recently interviewed by Northumberland 89.7 FM - “In The Garden”

Madame Twig I + II worked on an amazing project with Patrick Dougherty in June 2017. Read More.

  • fantastic basket weaving workshop

    “SO FUN, JESSICA WAS PATIENT, ENCOURAGING AND PROVIDED A GREAT SPACE TO WEAVE IN, AND VERY DOABLE SKILLS TO CREATE A SUPER SATISFYING END PRODUCT. DEFINITELY WILL BE BACK! THANK YOU! ” - STACEY H.

  • I will definitely be back and everyone else stated they would be, too.

    “I ATTENDED THE BRANCH RANCH WITH MY MOM & SISTERS TO DO OUR FIRST WILLOW WORKSHOP - THE OBELISK. THE WORKSHOP SPACE IS BRIGHT, CLEAN, AND WELL-ORGANIZED. JESS/MISS TWIG3 WELCOMED US WARMLY AND LED OUR GROUP OF 7 EXPERTLY. SHE WAS ABLE TO CLEARLY DESCRIBE THE STEPS INVOLVED AND PROVIDED SUPPORT IN A FRIENDLY AND ENCOURAGING MANNER. SHE MADE OUR DAY ENJOYABLE AND EVERYONE MADE A BEAUTIFUL OBELISK! A CLEAN RESTROOM AND COMPLIMENTARY HOT BEVERAGES WERE THE ICING ON THE CAKE. I WILL DEFINITELY BE BACK AND EVERYONE ELSE STATED THEY WOULD BE, TOO. THE BRANCH RANCH OFFERS AN EXTREMELY WELL RUN, FUN WORKSHOP THAT ANYONE CAN COMPLETE WITH PRIDE. A GREAT ACTIVITY! ” - LYNNE F.

  • thank you so much jess!

    “THANK YOU SO MUCH JESS! I WAS SO EXCITED TO TAKE THIS WORKSHOP AND IT REALLY BLEW MY HIGH EXPECTATIONS OUT OF THE WATER. YOUR SKILLFUL INSTRUCTION AND BEAUTIFUL MATERIALS/TOOLS MADE BASKET WEAVING FUN AND TOTALLY SUCCESSFUL. I’LL DEFINITELY BE RECOMMENDING YOUR WORKSHOPS AND CAN’T WAIT TO TAKE ANOTHER!”

  • a perfect day!!!

    “I SPENT A FABULOUS DAY WITH JESS AND LEARNED A NEW SKILL. BROUGHT HOME A BEAUTIFUL BASKET THAT I COULD USE RIGHT AWAY AND BE PROUD OF MAKING. CLASSES WERE SMALL WITH LOTS OF INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION GIVEN. I MADE NEW FRIENDS TOO! A PERFECT DAY!!!”

  • I love the basket I created and look forward to taking another class.

    “I HAD A WONDERFUL TIME WEAVING WILLOW AT THE BRANCH RANCH. JESSICA TOOK THE TIME TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTOOD THE DIRECTIONS AND OFFERED SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE PROCESS. I LOVE THE BASKET I CREATED AND LOOK FORWARD TO TAKING ANOTHER CLASS.”

  • "my heart literally skips a beat when I see a branch ranch newsletter come in 💓"

  • thank you for such a rewarding day

    “THANK YOU FOR SUCH A REWARDING DAY. I ADMIRE YOUR VISION AND DRIVE. IN A FEW SHORT YEARS YOU HAVE BUILT AN AMAZINGLY LOYAL GROUP OF WEAVERS WHO LOVE WHAT YOU BOTH HAVE TO OFFER. YOUR CLASSES ARE FUN, RELAXED AND PROFESSIONAL. EVERY TIME I COME AWAY IMPRESSED WITH YOUR PATIENCE AND YOUR GOOD HUMOURED GUIDANCE.” - COLLEEN

  • It's all thanks to you guys! I couldn't do it without you and I love learning in the class.

serial weavers club

Are you a serial weaver? Take this quiz to find out!

  1. Do you dream about ‘tips’ and ‘butts’?

  2. Do you find yourself grouping things in 24’s and 32’s?

  3. Is your house full of woven willow objects?

  4. Are the homes of all your friends and family full of woven willow objects?

  5. Have you counted the number of workshops you have taken at The Branch Ranch?

If you answered ‘10’ to question #4 and ‘MOST LIKELY’ to all the rest…Congratulations!

you qualify for our ten twigs level discount!

Send us your list of 10 Madame Twig Workshops (excluding workshops not related to willow and classes taught by guest instructors) and we will send you a discount code for 10% off and some other perks.

  • When you reach 20 workshops we will give you another code for 20% off - for life!

  • When you reach 30 workshops you earn a free one day private workshop with us!