I am a professional basket maker from the Lizard peninsula in Cornwall. I use willow as my primary medium to craft traditional baskets and contemporary sculptures. I like to mix this with other materials sourced from the natural environment around me. I work from my workshop overlooking the countryside with my withy beds in the distance where I grow around 30 different varieties of willow.
I have learned traditional methods over many years, which I use to create products that reflect the beauty of my surroundings. I take inspiration from my daily routine of walking and sea swimming in the picturesque surroundings of the Lizard Peninsula. The tactile nature of my work, combined with the smell and feel of the willow, helps me relax and let go of the everyday stresses of life. I get lost in the sound of weaving and the rhythmic movements of my craft.
Sustainable working is a passion of mine, and I aim to achieve self-sufficiency in terms of the materials I use. I increase my withy beds year after year, and there is nothing more satisfying than producing a beautiful product from materials harvested just a stone's throw from my workshop, using traditional methods.