Today's my last day in the studio before the Christmas holidays, and I'm procrastinating from doing a good tidy and clean up by looking back through some of my favourite projects and pieces of 2024. Its certainly been a jam-packed year, and I'm looking forward to having a bit of time off and recharging my batteries for 2025.
Workshops, workshops, workshops!
Since January 2024, I've ran nearly 50 willow weaving workshops, with over 300 people. (I'm just going to make a cup of tea, to let those numbers sink in for myself...!). I get lots of joy from teaching - whether its absolute beginners on some of my introductory workshops, or members of my Basket Club who want to push their skills further.
Growing my own willow
I've always wanted to grow my own willow, so I could feel more connected to the material that I spend my days working with. Along with planting my own willow bed in my garden, I helped restore a community willow bed in Ironbridge with the Severn Gorge Countryside Trust. I'm looking forward to spending the coming winter months harvesting and sorting the willow.
Arts Council England Funding
My proudest achievement this year was receiving Arts Council England Developing Your Creative Practice funding to study heritage basketry techniques and further my creative and professional development. As part of my grant, I was able to undertake 1:1 training with basketmaker Hilary Burns MBE, where I learnt the endangered basketry technique of sculttlework.
City & Guilds Level 2 in Basketry
Studying for my City & Guilds Level 2 in Basketry at Westhope College whilst launching my own business was a bit of a juggle at times, but it also provided me with a great structure of learning and a wonderful community of fellow basketmakers to be part of.
Weave Only A Trace Exhibition
I took part in my first exhibition in November at the Footprint Art Gallery in Jackfield. My work was featured alongside ten other Shropshire-based artist-makers who work with natural fibres - including hazel, willow, rush and foraged materials. We curated it ourselves, and put on demonstrations, workshops and talks alongside the exhibition. We were overwhelmed by the lovely feedback we received from visitors, who travelled from far and wide.
RHS Tatton Park
Working alongside Olivia Copley on an award-winning garden design at RHS Tatton Park Flower Show, and having it featured on BBC Gardener's World was a pretty surreal experience. I made a doorway feature, plant pot collars, and a cat sculpture for the garden, which was awarded a Silver Gilt by the RHS judges.
Community projects
I've worked on a number of projects with the local community - from living willow projects in schools and parks, to participatory sculpture commissions and therapeutic craft programmes. Sharing the wonders of willow with diverse audiences, and seeing the educational, wellbeing and creative outcomes of these projects really is one of the highlights of my job.
Commissions
I've been trusted with some pretty special commissions this past year, including moses baskets for newborn babies, repairs of family heirlooms, and special gifts for loved ones. I often also hear the personal stories behind the pieces I've been asked to make, which is always a privilege.
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