Wyld Willow Wood

I have been weaving and working with willow since 1999 and Wyldwoodwillow was established in 2000. I set out to encourage more people to take up willow weaving as back in the 90's it was becoming an endangered craft. Right at the beginning of my weaving journey I wove a willow coffin for a family member, it was a difficult but healing process and drove me to want to share the brilliance of weaving for aiding mental health and recovery from PTSD. I teach upwards of 1000 people how to weave something every year with the primary intention of encouraging the uptake and use of more sustainable long life baskets and alot less single use plastic. This has been my main motivation since I began, though I find myself returning to the mindful art of willow weaving constantly as a way of staying grounded and feeling connected - which is a good job since it is my sole (soul) occupation!!!

I love the medium and flexibility of the sticks and have always turned my baskets into colourful and contemporary vessels -  primarily with a function but often as objects to look at focussing on shape,light,openings,density colour,texture and  hugability not to mention mixing media's to encounter new ways.

You can find me at Usk Castle Chase Burial Meadow in Monmouthshire  where I teach a wide range of basketry and sculpture workshops from 1/2 day-5 day courses. www.wyldwoodwillow.co.uk or follow me on instagram or facebook at wyldwoodwillow

Thankyou for reading and I hope you enjoy my work.