The Willow Hut
Basketry - Teaching - Commissions
About the Willow Hut
Handmade baskets crafted in Cornwall using English Willow, Cornish hands, and time-honoured tools and skills.
Each basket is subtly unique in form, function and beauty; whilst retaining uniformity in its robust nature. Using a combination of Somerset and homegrown Cornish willow, these baskets are made to last - whether you choose to fill it; hang it, or gift it: let your basket become part of your story.
The Maker:
Coming from a large family - who, by necessity, appreciated the simple things - creativity was always an essential skill. Having had a long standing interest in the art of weaving, nurturing first my love of nursing and then my five daughters, I was never quite able to find an opportunity to learn the skill. Patience, time and perseverance have assisted me, and it has been a great pleasure to discover that the craft I had a curiosity for has developed into a passion that now centres my business.
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My skills are always evolving, but at the core is a sound knowledge of willow craft, working with the same techniques and simple tools that have been used by basketmakers for hundreds of years, occasionally adding a contemporary twist.
Willow as a material is enormously versatile: provided generously by nature and grown readily in our British climate in an almost overwhelming array of tones, lengths and thicknesses; each has its unique place in a basket. No two baskets can ever be truly identical, and a means of mechanising the weaving process is yet to be discovered. With its sound credentials and sturdy nature, it is a perfect natural material for today's struggling world.
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By blending Somerset grown willow rods with those sourced from my own, ever-expanding willow beds close to the North Cornish coast, each product is one of forethought, focus and attention to detail. My aim every time being to deliver a refined basket that is tactile, draws the eye, and yet remains perfectly functional.
The Space:
Located in the stunning Cornish countryside, the Willow Hut sits at the core of our family smallholding. A collaborative project between myself and my carpenter skilled brother, we were able to breathe new life and purpose into a redundant Nissen hut, in order to transform it into the light-filled studio, that acts as the creative centre for all my willow work. With panoramic views over the wooded valley below, the studio acts as a calm and considered space, working just as well for teaching intimate groups as it does solitary focus.
My Work
These images demonstrate the varied nature of my work. Please contact me for prices, commissions and availability.
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Book a Teaching Day
This is where the world of basketry begins. Over the course of the day, students will learn how to craft a simple round basket.
Teaching Dates 2024. Each date is available for a maximum of 4 students.
Saturday 22nd June
Saturday 20th July
Saturday 24th August
Saturday 28th September
Saturday 19th October
If you are keen to book a session and the dates you require have been booked or simply don't suit then please feel free to get in touch to discuss a suitable alternative.
Gift Vouchers
Redeemable against teaching days, any of my stock baskets or to put towards a commissioned basket, these make the perfect gift to remember. Please contact me to discuss.
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Open Studio Days
My monthly open studio days give you the opportunity to see me weaving first hand in my studio, observe techniques and discuss all things willow. Each day has a weaving theme which will be revealed beforehand. Please see my Instagram account for forthcoming dates.
Teaching Days
Sign up for a day to learn the art of basketry and leave with your very own hand crafted basket
Join me for a day to immerse yourself in all things basketry. The day will begin with an informal chat over coffee and locally made biscuits while we look at the process of making a basket and break down the individual components. Over the course of the day the structure will take shape so that by the end of the day each student should have completed a simple round useful basket to take home, along with a printout "recipe" for how to repeat the process at home. During the day students will be surrounded by examples of my work and we will look at the growing, harvesting, selecting, preparation and use of willow. Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided but students are asked to bring their own packed lunch. Groups are kept small and intimate, limited to a maximum of 4 people to allow time to focus on individual needs. Individual or smaller group sessions are available on request.
If you have already had experience with willow and fancy taking on something more challenging then please get in touch.
Additionally I have the capacity to teach larger groups of up to 10 people smaller project work, again please contact me to discuss prices, availability and project options.
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Prices for the day start at £75 per person for a group of four. Please see above to book a session, or email if you have any queries.
