8 Basketry courses

christiane gunzi basketry

Based in East Sussex, I handcraft traditional and contemporary basketry using willow, rush and other natural materials. My training was at the City Lit in London (2011-2013), and I have a City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Creative Techniques in Textiles (Basketry). Influenced by the patterns, textures and tones that occur in nature, I enjoy exploring non-functional basketry with natural materials foraged near my home. As well as making baskets, I run basketweaving classes for beginners and improvers. I love passing on my passion for this ancient craft. My work has been exhibited in London, Surrey and Sussex.

karen lawrence basketry

Some of my friends from the Basketry Collective and I were fortunate enough to have a class with Francois Desplanches last week. I am delighted with the fitched shopper I made. It was wonderful to see Francois at work and to learn his methods. For example, creating scalloms for both stakes and bi stakes at the same time from one rod.

sue kirk willow baskets

My husband Kirk and I have been working with willow since 1998 originally inspired by the sustainability of the craft and the benefits which willow brings to the environment. Kirk grows several varieties of basket willows on two plots located in King’s Cliffe. We both weave just a mile away from the willow beds at our workshop, The Old Brewery Studios. Here the home grown willows are woven into bespoke traditional and contemporary baskets for homes and gardens. Sue also teaches basketry from the workshop. We advise you to make an appointment if you would like to visit the workshop. Sorry, The workshop is closed to visitors whilst a class is taking place.

green spiral willow

dragon willow

started willow weaving as a hobby through Medieval Re-enactment around 2000, the first items I made were life sized willow bee skeps, eel traps, quivers, chicken cages and many other medieval items. Surprisingly I didn’t make a basket in the first year of willow weaving. As time moved on, I moved away from the medieval scene and started to make more everyday products including baskets and decorations. Due to the amount of people who asked me, I then started to run workshops in basketry and garden items. I also started to learn how to make greenwood spoons and bowls using traditional hand tools.

weaving wild

I am a basket maker living and working in Mid Wales. Inspired by the landscape, I gather wild materials including willowbark, grasses, bramble, ivy, nettles, roots and moss to create baskets using ancient technologies and innovative techniques. I hope my work nudges others to relate, understand and protect the natural environment.

biteabout arts

After graduating with a BA(Hons) Fine Art at Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts, London in 1988, I returned home to Northumberland to work as a photographic artist and silversmith. In 1994 I trained to teach whilst continuing on my own creative journey. I started experimenting with the many processes in the making of felt in 2005. I fell in love with its versatility, being able to paint with a varied palette of dyed wools, create something delicate and ephemeral using fine wools and silks, or use more sculptural techniques to form vessels. In 2008 I was introduced to the many varieties of coloured willows grown locally for basketry and the traditional techniques used to work with them. It excited me and I started using these to create vessels and sculptural forms. In 2011 I set up Biteabout Arts with the intention of creating unique items for sale and delivering a variety of art and craft workshops. We have been renovating the buildings at our smallholding to provide a working environment and somewhere to deliver workshops. Biteabout Farm is a North Northumbrian smallholding consisting of over 7 acres of permanent pasture. It was formally known as Coalshank (sited near to Biteabout Colliery) and also The Red Lion Inn ...'a troublesome little pub' until the 1940s. Badly neglected in more recent years, we took it on in 2002 and started its transformation. With far more work needed than initially anticipated, renovation is still ongoing, but nearing completion. I am now working in my studio and have a program of workshops on offer here. Sculptures are made to commission. Drawing on their creative expertise of materials, processes, 3D form and design, a working partnership between Anna Turnbull and Richard Charters. Working together, they explore the creative possibilities of your idea. The creative process takes time. It starts with collaboration through drawing, discussion and exploration of materials. An animated armature is created in mild steel by Richard, the bones. Anna weaves the flesh, emphasising its muscles and flow, its movement. It is the dialogue between them that brings the creations to life. Each sculpture is unique due to its individually made metal armature and the natural material of willow. Past pieces can be recreated, but each will have its own stance, character, life.

special branch baskets

Hi my name is Jane Wilkinson. I was originally drawn to working with willow out of a love for trees and woodlands and also from a desire to do something sustainable. Basketry was the perfect solution. I now grow and harvest an increasing proportion of my own willow, and then have the pleasure of weaving it into a basket or sculptural piece. I have been weaving for 17 years and am constantly learning new techniques which have been used to make a range of traditional baskets. During this time I have travelled in Scotland, Ireland, England, and New Zealand, where I have worked with the local crafts people and discovered a great diversity of style and approach. In my current work I feel challenged to preserve, continue and develop the traditional techniques which I have mastered, whilst being inspired to incorporate them into new and innovative designs. I often work on community art projects, which draw on the inspirations, skills and input of local residents, school children and other community groups

judith needham

Hello. Welcome to my website. I am a basket maker and willow weaver based in Farnham, Surrey - England's Craft Town. I specialise in woven willow playhouses but I also make baskets which I sell at craft fairs and in the New Ashgate Gallery in Farnham. I am happy to consider commissions for baskets or garden structures including living willow. I love passing on my skills through teaching workshops to adults and children at various venues across Surrey and Hampshire. I can also deliver workshops in schools and to community groups. I live with my teenage daughter who is a keen potter and my husband who is possibly the only electrician in Surrey with a Masters degree in Electronic Engineering! His business is Circitas.

creative with nature

Willow weaving and craft workshops for all abilities held in a Covid safe, spacious Georgian Building in Todmorden. Small class sizes