I’ve been working on paper baskets made from photographs. This one is called ‘shadow of my former self’. It’s an oldish photo of my shadow on a grassy path that runs between two fields. The path runs over a hill between my village and the next.

It’s a beautiful walk with views I never tire of. I printed the photo onto paper, then soften it up by scrunching it up multiple times. Then I bonded it to canvas before cutting and plaiting. The border is a simple sandwich and sew and the whole thing is cradled in an overlay of willow bark.

Another basket finished yesterday. I finally feel as though I have some pieces I’m happy to take to the Worshipful Company trade fair in less than two weeks.

A frame basket using a mixture of materials. The top hoop and handle hoop are made of oak. Bought in America several years ago they have been waiting for me to take an interest for a while. The gods eyes are white willow skeins, the ribs are cane and the weavers sea grass.

More Burkina Faso plaiting. This time with sea grass. These baskets have stones in them, so could be used as paper weights. The idea was that they would look very plant like when I finished unravelling all the ends!

I’ve been making lots of little samples using the Burkina Faso plaiting technique over the last few weeks. It’s been fun experimenting with the technique and different materials. The above phots shows pieces made with paper string, nutscene twine and wire.

This round shape worked well with the zigzag weave on this shopping basket. It’s one of a number of pieces I’m making for the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers trade fair in a few weeks.

Just finished this log basket commission. White waling and brown double French randing. All the willow used was black maul. It was a pleasure to make as all the willow behaved beautifully for a change, not a single snapper. 😊

Hopefully it will be delivered and full of logs before we get any snow.

New classes now up on the courses page.

This basket started life as an experiment and ended up a laundry basket. The large Catalan base was a challenge and the Irish twist up the sides also requires a great deal of concentration! But I’m pretty happy with the result and would do it again… the acid test?!

It’s been a joy to work on this Moses basket with Meghann over the last two days. This was her first basket, she made it beautifully and the mattress fits! I’m very excited that there will be a little person snoozing in this in the not too distant future.

Happy New Year, hopefully it’s still not too late to say that. I hope everyone had a lovely holiday. I think I started mine a bit tired and ended it more tired than ever! I always love spending time with friends and family though that’s the real blessing of time off.

My first job for 2019 was to make this Moses basket yesterday. I have a lady coming to the workshop next week to make one for her baby, due in a few months. I’m really excited about this project as I simply adore babies and children of all ages.

I am also in awe of my student and her can do attitude. She hasn’t made a basket before but is undaunted by this project. I’m sure I’ll be posting a photo of her basket next week. Watch this space.

Last Wednesday saw me back at Cley marshes for the Norfolk Wildlife Trust and I spent Monday evening at Shelfanger village hall.

It always delights me that everyone is so enthusiastic about the workshops. People thirst to create and I feel very lucky to be a part that. Happy Christmas everyone. X

k