Over the last month I’ve managed to start teaching again. It wasn’t an easy decision but it’s been wonderful to welcome people back to the workshop.

Obviously things are different now. I can only have one student at a time due to space, the door and window remain open, masks are worn etc. I wasn’t sure if it would all be as enjoyable as pre Covid. I am happy to report that it’s been so great to see people, to talk, to work and create. All the other things seem to fall away for a while.

I did wonder if I would feel competent after such a long break! I’m sure having only one student at a time made it all seem much easier. Seeing the enjoyment of those learning, seeing them relax and ultimately empowered by learning new things has always helped me override any nerves of my own. I’m glad to say the same has been true over these last weeks.

My finished pieces from these classes are all for sale. Two medium log baskets or large kindling baskets (£70 each) and a round shopper (£65). Please do get in touch if you’re interested in making a purchase, or coming to a class. You can contact me via email or text karen.m.lawrence@btinternet.com 07989848719

I’m so pleased to announce that I will be teaching two Christmas workshops. Please see the courses page for details.

I’ve been very slack at adding new posts these last few months but I hope to update you over the next few weeks with a few of the projects I’ve been working on. 😊

Thank you to everyone who has ordered from me and brought their treasured items to me for repair. I can’t tell you how much it means to me.

I’ve taken the decision to cancel all classes for the rest of 2020.

I am looking forward to finding a way to make it all work and welcoming folk back to classes next year.

I’m still taking commissions and repair work. I also have quite a lot of stock so if you are after a gift do get in touch!
karen.m.lawrence@btinternet.com
01379 890897
07989848719

I just finished a large and long project, re-caning this beautiful sofa. It’s taken a while because I’m unable to dedicate as much time to work since lockdown started in March.

This project has basically been my lockdown buddy. I have had to ease myself into and accept a completely new routine, as most of us have. It’s been wonderful having everyone at home but it’s also been frustrating. Feeling as though I want to be working but can’t has been difficult. Making is my downtime, it clears my mind and I feel restored afterwards.

Anyway little by little this sofa has been re-caned with the 6 way pattern. It’s been fun to do and I’m hoping to reunite it with it’s owners soon.

This weekend was spent weaving with Jackie Abrams. She taught me and my Basketry Collective friends hexagonal weave with overlays.

We were all experienced in hexagonal weave but the techniques to create the patterns on the surface were new to the group.

Jackie was a great teacher, really patient and kind. It was great fun and a real pleasure to be a part of this workshop.

I made this little basket for my youngest to take on a school trip. He is feeling a bit reserved about dressing up as a Victorian school boy so I thought this would help cheer him up.

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.