That's some really fantastic work. I've always enjoyed basketmaking because it's rather meditative and have wanted to try European Basket Willow to see how it does. The range of products once made in the UK is really amazing. There's almost nothing you can't make from willow.
Around here, the mainstay is white oak but it's very hard to work and you have to kill a tree that took ages to grow. Of course, if you're lucky, you'll run across a stand of River Cane to use.
The willows we have in the US aren't the same, from what I've been told, and nobody carries the traditional wicker species for transplanting and harvesting. Haven't made a basket in ages, but you've got me thinking I might have to give it a go one more time!
Around here, the mainstay is white oak but it's very hard to work and you have to kill a tree that took ages to grow. Of course, if you're lucky, you'll run across a stand of River Cane to use.
The willows we have in the US aren't the same, from what I've been told, and nobody carries the traditional wicker species for transplanting and harvesting. Haven't made a basket in ages, but you've got me thinking I might have to give it a go one more time!