Basketry, Scotland.

[Toddy]

I have a contact with a professional basket maker and tutor who might be prepared to consider running a course for bush crafters, using the plants native to central Scotland.

The lady is based in Renfrewshire and there's the chance to use one of the local country parks. It needs six folks to run the course.

If anyone is provisionally interested, please let me know ?

For those who want something practical, I know the lady makes fish traps and creels as well as fishing baskets among her repertoire.
I have known her over twenty years, and my Easter present this year is a full day workshop with her.
It's been a long while since my elbows, wrists and hands were able to take making real willow baskets, but I'm well and looking forward to this

M

 

[JohnC]

Depending on dates I'd be interested..

 

[Toddy]

At this stage of the season I think we can pretty much choose one that suits us best

pm on the way.

M

 

[Dreadhead]

How lovely! I would love to, but in the process of moving house again so I'm going to be skint for quite some time. Happy to spread the word though

 

[Hunkyfunkster]

How much would this basketry course cost?

 

[Toddy]

It depends on where it's held. If there are enough folks to fully occupy the craft room then the cost is split and it'd be less. I believe the maximum, and that's with all materials provided for a willow course, and the use tools for the day too, was £45 in 2017.
If it's in her home, then she can only accomodate a couple of us.

I've made baskets one way and t'other for over thirty years, but honestly, I improved no end, and had my entire enthusiasm fired, as well as widening the scope of my materials and the practicality of them in use, by going on courses with professional basketmakers/tutors.
Everything from soft rush to willow, hedgerow to garden grown plants, dockens, rushes, reeds.....in season and how to gather and prep for use out of season too. But, it's been years since I have really done any of it.

I'm going to do the course anyway, but I thought it'd be fun to fill it up with folks whose interests are like mine, whose company and skills I enjoy.
My joints ached so badly these last seven or eight years that I made less and less, and I miss making, I miss the company of craftsfolks, I miss the synergy from mixed groups of craftsfolks each with their own interests, skills, backgrounds, etc., Everyone brings something to the company, everyone sparks an idea in someone else.
Bushcraft is a very wide range of skills, a very wide range of crafts and arts and interests. 'Bushcrafters' are usually interesting and interested, and encouraging, company

I am very well indeed and I am looking forward to making again; besides I have a list of stuff I want too, so I need to crack on and make a start.

M

 

[deerstalkermedic]

Aye Toddy
I'm up for some of this action.
I won't say why.
Any idea when though?
I'm "away" a lot.
Dsm

 

[Toddy]

Hello
There's nothing tied down yet, Dsm, it's still a kind of seeing if anyone else might be interested thread.

I'll keep it open and we'll see how things go.

I know that, for me at least, once I get the bit between my teeth on a craft, I'll run with it for a while. I want to do a willow basic again, and I'd love to find someone in Scotland or the North of England who does rush basketry like Felicity Irons does further South. I'd love to find a really good exhibition of the sheer range of basketry though, there was one at Callendar House a few years ago, incredibly inspirational. Spend a day just browsing, working out the 'how', sketching, etc.,
Since it's all on my mind anyway, I'll pass along anything I find out.

M

 

[beezer]

Hi i could be up for this depending on the price.

 

[scottisha5]

Hi Toddy,

I am interested. Let me know any potential date and I’ll get back to you.

Thanks

John
Motherwell

 

[Dreadhead]

I thought this would have been much sooner, moving in a fortnight but if it happens after May, me and swmbo would both love to do it so +2

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

 

[Toddy]

Price rises all around I'm afraid. Even a feltmaking workshop I looked into has gone up too.

I had an email from Joan, and this is the gist. I have removed her phone number and email from public view, since putting it on the net is not a good idea.
If anyone wants to book up though, let me know and I'll pass it along
M


“Willow Basket in a day”

Mugdock Country Park

Sat 19th May 2018

Participants will learn to weave a small traditional willow basket in a
lovely setting the Osprey Room by our resident teacher Joan Campbell Price £55
and that includes material and plenty of notes. Beginners-Advanced training.
10am – 4pm pm Contact Joan (contact Toddy for details)


Joan Campbell, born in Dublin, has been a basketmaker for over 20 years weaving a selection of traditional, contemporary baskets and willow structures for sale, order and on commission. Joan also specialises in re-caning and re-rushing antique chairs.

Her Qualifications include a City and Guilds in Basketry gained at the London College of Furniture in 1982 and has many years experience in the Teaching of Basketry and related subjects commencing at the ILEA Marylebone / Paddington and Hackney Institutes, with day and evening classes for both able and disabled adults.

Now based in the outskirts of Glasgow for 15 years, Joan currently holds adult workshops across Scotland and adopts commissions for living willow tunnels, arbours, fencing and animals for children's nurseries and special needs schools. With the help of the Central Scotland Forest Trust and Pollock Country Park Rangers she has conducted children's willow workshops at various parks and woodland areas. Joan exhibits her works, attends various events to display her wares and to demonstrate the craft of basketry. X V

Joan is currently a Member of the following organisations;

Basketmakers Association http://www.basketassoc.org

Scottish Basketmakers Circle http://www.scottishbasketmakerscircle.org

Craft Scotland http://www.craftscotland.org

Loch Lomond Craft Association http://www.lochlomondcraft.com

This is Joan's website.
http://www.scottishwillow.co.uk

I have known her for many years now, and she always has something new, something interesting, something that sparks an idea
Good people.

M

 

[scottisha5]

Morning Toddy,

I've contacted Joan and added my name to the class list. Many thanks for doing this and I hope some others will come along too.

Best wishes

John

 

[Toddy]

Very pleased to hear it John

I'm looking forward to the course. I cut my own willow a couple of weeks ago, and it's stashed and drying tidily in the greenhouse. It's not brilliant stuff, but it'll get used for all sorts of things.

I'm tempted to ask Joan if she would buy in extra stripped willow though so that I can buy a bolt from her. The postage is prohibitive for small amounts, but it's one price for multiple bolts.

I like using what I can find, but sometimes it's just easier to get the hang of things, or go with a sudden inspiration when there's stuff at hand

M

 

[Ascobis]

£45

...plus, $1,543 airfare. When you have taken the course, please pass on your new knowledge. It won't be taking anything from the teacher's pocket because we can't get there. You get to visit Clyde Muirshiel Regional park and we don't, lucky you.

 

[scottisha5]

And here is the result.

What a great day willow weaving with Joan Campbell at Mugdock Park today. Great to meet Toddy (Mary) and John C and the others who came to the course. Looking forward to the next ome now.
My basket is a bit wonky in places but it was very diplomatically described as rustic.

Atb
John

 

[Toddy]

It was a very good day I learned loads, the company was good, the setting was excellent, and the weather was lovely too.

Mine's already full of spuds

M

 

[scottisha5]

Im still admiring mine Mary. I think mine will be for holding all the velcro you gave me lol. Ill be going on the next one too but before that im going to practice. Also decided to go to traquair on the Sunday 27th. See you there if your going.
Thanks for organising today.

John

 

[Stew]

Looks excellent.

I'm very jealous!

 

[Dreadhead]

looks braw! I was gutted i couldnt make it but been choc a bloc since moving