Atelier Balancê

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Portugal
Aljezur
Atelier Balancê

Traditional and applied basket weaving techniques and fiber art. Objects, workshops, custom work. Hello ! Thank you for visiting this page! Ysaline

This is Atelier Balancê, a creative project that makes stories tangible by researching local traditional basket weaving techniques that are gradually disappearing. My intention is to valorise and safeguard this intangible cultural heritage. I try to convert the value of tradition and culture into new forms and objects and choose to work exclusively with local residual flows. I graduated as an arch

itect, decided in 2019 to put my fascination for crafts into practice and traveled to the Brazilian Amazon. After an immersion in various traditional basket weaving techniques with local basket weavers, Atelier Balancê was born, an interface between craft and art. I'm currently focusing on ghost gear (abandoned, lost or discarded fishing ropes and nets that pollute the oceans) and waste materials from fishermen / ports in the Algarve, Portugal. After unraveling and washing the gathered ropes, I experiment how certain materials cooperate or counteract and can lead to surprising results. Atelier Balancê is an honouring to slowness and traditional crafts, and a call for ecological awareness. If you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them.

09/06/2026

PALMA is a hands-on 3-day basket weaving course exploring the universe of the Chamaerops humilis (Palmeira-anã), also known as the dwarf palm or Palmeira-das-vassouras.

These workshops offer an opportunity to get to know the plant and discover its many creative possibilities. Participants will learn traditional basket weaving techniques including Empreita de Palma and Malha de Palma, while also transforming leftover palm fibers into recycled paper and hand brooms. Beyond learning practical craft skills, working with the palm leaves will help to understand the landscape in which they grow, and the cultural, social and economic value they carry.

The course takes place at .algarve in Aljezur. Set within the beautiful landscape of the Costa Vicentina, it provides a peaceful and inspiring space for workshops, accommodation and relaxation. Heartwarming meals will caringly be prepared by .

I'm Ysaline, the hands behind Atelier Balancê. I'm Belgian and have a background in architecture. After spending 10 months with local basket weavers in the Amazon, I settled in Portugal in 2020 and founded Atelier Balancê. In my practice I apply basketry techniques to natural fibres and discarded ropes, and transform them into new forms and objects. Atelier Balancê is a sculptural and poetic exploration that values ancestral knowledge and respect for nature. I'm looking forward to share with you what I've learned in the past years, and to dive together into the universe of the PALMA.

Whether you’re new to basketry or a dedicated enthusiast, you’re very welcome to join me on this creative journey.

Dates: 15-18th of October 2026
Location: Soul Farm, Aljezur, Portugal
Included: 12h of workshops, 3x nights of accommodation, welcome dinner, 3x breakfast, 3x lunch, petiscos (tapas) evening
Full description on my website (link in bio).
Booking: [email protected]

02/06/2026

Pictures by ♡

24/05/2026

Design, Feito à Mão

Lisbon Design Week
Arquivo Aires Mateus
27 - 31/05

Uma exposição coletiva, no âmbito da Lisbon Design Week, que explora a intersecção entre o artesanato, a inovação e o design.
A group exhibition as part of Lisbon Design Week, exploring the intersection of craftsmanship, innovation, and design.

Curadoria de/ Curated by , Astrid Suzano e .aguas

Autores/ Authors Atelier Gárgula Gótica, Ana Rita de Arruda, André Panóias, Baptiste da Silva, Daniel Alonso, João Francisco, Jürgen Cramer, Lia Raquel Marques, Mariana Filipe, Samuel Reis, Stéphanie Branco, Tânia Grazinas Mendes, Vasco Fragoso Mendes e Ysaline Ophoff.

Com o apoio de/ Supported by , Arquivo Aires Mateus, Cosentino, Banema, Barreiros e Barreiros, Élitis, Gandia Blasco, Anita Blake e Quinta da Ferrosa.

30/04/2026

'When the bread is finished' - a collaboration with anonymous artisans. With skillful hands they carefully crafted traditional bread baskets, still present in many interiors, quietly fulfilling their purpose.

'When the bread is finished' is reimagining the traditional willow bread basket by taking it out of its domestic context and use it as base for new shapes. The black and orange ropes are discarded agricultural ropes.

Currently on view in 's studio in Lisbon, by appointment only.

20/04/2026

INTERWOVEN - a group of Belgian and Portuguese designers brought together by Omarcity and Felipa Almeida, a creative residency, a magical location, dialogue, exchange and collaboration, a encounter of materials, crafts and identities.
This all came together in our INTERWOVEN exhibition at Calipo in Vila Viçosa.

I'm very happy and grateful for the opportunity of being part of this beautiful project.

With Laure van Brempt

Curation: .world &
Location:
Pictures 1 - 6:

12/02/2026

A lampshade like a landscape. Day by day the piece grew and gently but firmly took over the space in my tiny home studio. 135 braçadas (arm lengths) of braided palm leaves turned into a lampshade of more than 2m long. We've spent many hours together, this creature and I, listening to music, podcasts, silence.

Thank you ._ for trusting me and the process!

Picture 1, 2 and 5 by

02/02/2026

Water levels are rising, and so is the importance of wetlands. Last week I joined Caro and Julie in their research about wetland ecosystems in the 'Scheldevallei' and how underrated local raw materials can be part of new models that respond to the ecological, social and economic needs of an area.

Knotting, bending, weaving, building, we explored the limits of reeds, rushes and cattail. Thank you and .be for inviting me to be part of your beautiful research !

21/11/2025

Table Tangles is back! Join us for three days of basket weaving in the beautiful landscape of the Costa Vicentina in Southwest Algarve.

This series of workshops offers a hands-on experience in traditional and contemporary basket weaving related techniques. Throughout the sessions we'll create various pieces - from table runners, to little baskets, bottle covers and handbrooms - and shape a shared table setting for our last lunch. We'll dive into the process of creating together, embracing slowness, exploring materials, shapes and colours by using our hands as main tool.

The retreat will take place at Soul Farm. This time Dafne will delight us with some heartwarming food.
Whether you're new to basket weaving or a seasoned enthusiast, you're very welcome to join us for this creative retreat!

Dates: 11-14 June 2026
Location: Soul Farm, Aljezur, Portugal
Included: 4x workshops
3x nights of accommodation
Welcome dinner
Tapas evening
3x breakfast
3x lunch

Places are limited. Find all the details on my website www.atelierbalance.net on the 'events' page or through the link in my bio. To book your spot or if you have any question: [email protected]

31/10/2025

This piece found her new home.
Thank you Kyra and Sjoerd!

24/10/2025

New piece available !

Palma WH06 - wall hanging

Technique: empreita de palma
Material: Chamaerops humilis
Dimensions: 68 x 32 x 20 cm

To be seen at

Endereço

Aljezur
Aljezur
8670-052

Website

http://www.atelierbalance.net/

Notificações

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