I taught Karen and Suzi at a brand new studio on Saturday. Opened by Helen Nottage this month, the Waveney Arts and crafts centre is an oasis of tranquility. The workshop space is a converted cart lodge on Helen’s farm.

We had such a lovely day making hanging baskets and long frame baskets. The weather was beautiful and Helen made a stunning lunch which I forgot to take a photo of 😂.

Check out her website and Facebook page. Upcoming workshops include still life painting, clay sculpture, stained glass and upholstery.

Waveney Arts and Crafts centre, Nene Valley Farm, Seething, Norfolk, NR15 1EN

Helen Nottage, 01508 483900

Helennottage483@btinternet.com

Back @star_wing_brewery yesterday for a one to one with Alison. A keen gardener, her great plant support attracted lots of attention from folk on their way to buy bread and cake from Mick the baker. 😊 #willow #willowplantsupport #willowweaving #willowtuition #sunnydays #weavingoutside #learnsomethingnew

Tony and Sue made frame baskets today, a retirement gift from work colleagues. I was told they were ‘good at stuff like this’ but had never made a basket before.

They didn’t put a weaver wrong all day. Amazing. 😊 #willow #willowbasket #basketcourse #framebasket #rushandwillow #basketryinthesunshine @star_wing_brewery #funwithfriendsandfamily #learnsomethingnew

Back in lovely Cley yesterday @nwtcleycentre with this amazing bunch. They worked really hard on these garden baskets. I was super impressed how focused they stayed all day. All of the square bases were impressively ‘square’ and they mastered the end borders and ties beautifully. Well done everyone 😊

willow #willowworkshop #workshop #willowgardenbasket #gardenbasket #learnsomethingnee #funwithfriendsandfamily #makesomethingbeautifulanduseful

I made this little willow bark pouch with my basketry group, The Basketry Collective on Tuesday. I love the border and will definitely use it again. The twinning was done using waxed linen thread.

The instructions were kindly shared by Joan Carriagon via the @basketmakersassociation. You can see examples in different materials @sally_roach_basketry

#willowbark #willowpouch bark pouch #funwithfriends #meetandmake #thebasketrycollective

Sister to yesterday’s basket/bowl collaboration with @themudslinger_pottery
This one is made with willow bark. It’s an amazing material. Taking time to harvest the bark, cut it into strips, twist into cordage and then coil it invests you in the final piece on so many levels!
I love the texture and smell of this lid probably a little too much 😂

willowbark #bark #barklid #willowbarklid #ceramicandwillowbowl #collaboration #coiling #barkcoiling #willowbarkcoiling #thebasketryassociation #theworshipfulcompanyofbasketmakers #thebasketrycollective

Another piece from the exhibition. This was a collaboration with @themudslinger_pottery
I made a lot of rush cordage and coiled the lid to fit onto Julia’s lovely bowl with waxed linen thread.

Finished with a willow toggle and leather pull at the front. Love the texture the cordage brings to the lid.
#collaboration #mixingmedia #ceramicsandrush #coiling #cordage #rushcordage #rushcoiling #willowtoggles #leather #finishingtouches #madeinsuffolk #thebasketmakersassociation #theworshipfulcompanyofbasketmakers #yeomanbasketmaker

I thought I’d share this trio of hampers I made for the Exhibition last week. I wanted to offer some traditional pieces along side, more sculptural non functional work.

Made from white willow, they are sturdy and large enough for a picnic for two 😊

@karen_lawrence_basketry #whitewillowhamper #willowhamper #domedliddedhamper #liddedhamper #picnichamper #hamperfortwo #teafortwo #traditionalbasket #madeinsuffolk #basketmakersassociation #worshipfulcompanyofbasketmakers #yeomanbasketmaker

Well the art exhibition is over. It has been amazing! So well attended and so much gorgeous art work sold. Thank you to everyone that came and all those who supported us in so many ways.

We had an unexpected delivery on Saturday morning. A possible Banksy? It’s still unverified but it created a great deal of buzz and chatter. 😊

Rickinghall Art Fair opens this Friday at 10am. The church has been cleared, exhibition boards and tables are up and amazing work has started to arrive. Do come along if you can.

At St Mary’s church, Rickinghall. Friday 13th, Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th August. 10am-4pm each day. 28 different artists from all over East Anglia. Parking and toilets available in the village hall behind the church in Hinderclay road. Refreshments and shop open throughout the exhibition in the church.