My basketmaking practice arises from a life spent living in the wilds of Britain travelling with horses and wagons.Ever since I felt the nourishing and connected feeling of being and living outside,in a holistic,elemental and natural way,I have pursued it.Along my travels I made my first willow basket sat around a fire on the chalk hills of Dorset.The potential to create a useful,meaningful vessel with natural and organic materials captivated me.Since then,to create a living in a sustainable and environmentally sound way has been integral to my life and I am always working to better my craft. The Baskets Bringing together the tactile and visually beautiful qualities of willow I weave baskets for everyday use which enhance the act of carrying or storing,collecting,foraging.I aim to create with integrity and a respect for our planet. The occupation of transforming raw natural materials into objects of beauty and purpose is an endlessly engaging aspiration.It ties in naturally with the earthy practice of living with my horses and reflects my long nurtured close relationship with the natural world.Willow is a versatile,renewable and resilient plant,qualities which I think have great significance in our rapidly changing world. I work with English (Somerset and Sussex) grown willow and other materials from the hedgerow and coppice,hazel,sycamore,chestnut,sometimes elm and oak,creating traditional and contemporary baskets for everyday use.Shoppers,log, laundry and garden /foraging baskets. I am originally self taught and spent many years learning from books but more recently I have spent some time learning from Anne-marie O'Sullivan,Catherine Beaumont and Nikki Rowling (Willow and Yoga) all of whom have generously imparted their knowledge and influenced my work. I sell at Makers/Designers markets/fairs,sometimes Lewes farmers market,and other events local to Sussex such as Bentley Wood fair,Artists open houses in Brighton ,The Makers Fairs and Charleston Makers fair.Customers can also buy directly from me. I also teach beginners basketry,one to one or small groups,at local events or at privately arranged venues.Please get in touch if you have an idea you'd like to discuss. During these workshops I hope to encourage people to engage with the fascinating and theraputic qualities of willow and to enjoy the positive aspects of creating with the hands. Currently I am based on the edge of Brighton for the winter months,migrating into the deep Sussex Weald in the summer where I live in my wagon,harvest materials and make much of my work .I have lived and continue to live the best part of my life off grid and immersed in nature,in a long conversation with the seasons and wild animals. I also work with native trees,planting,pruning,collecting their seeds and always deepening my intuitive understanding of them as our healing companions. Thank you for reading! |