| "There is something about them." Not my words, but | | | | college with a fine looking willow rocking chair. This |
| those of a woman looking at simple, but well made, | | | | was followed by years of basket making in the midst |
| willow baskets. | | | | of collapsing socialism and the birth of capitalism. |
| And she's right, there is something about those straight | | | | In 1997 I spent about a year in Berlin, Germany working |
| lines of uprights spanning out from the centre, bound | | | | for a couple of basket makers, where I learned a few |
| together by a few simple weaves to create a strong, | | | | new techniques, did lots of repairs and even worked |
| light and beautiful wicker basket. | | | | on some projects for art students. |
| Willow rods are the perfect material for basket | | | | During my time in Berlin I married an English girl who |
| making. Shoots three to nine feet long achieved in just | | | | was also living there. We then moved to England |
| one season, and then coming back again year after | | | | where I found work with a Somerset company of |
| year. Easy to grow and sustainable, smooth and | | | | basket makers, where we spent two years. |
| supple. How can the basket maker fail with such | | | | The English style of basket making was something |
| material to work with? | | | | very new to me - chunky thick willow and techniques |
| Willow in Our World | | | | to enable the basket maker to work at speed. I |
| Willow is an amazing plant. Known as Salix, it comes in | | | | brought with me the discipline and skills I had learned at |
| many varieties and is used in many ways in different | | | | College in Lithuania and, without knowing it, combined |
| areas of our lives; like sport, medicine, and horticulture. | | | | the two styles, creating a new style of basket making |
| Willow against leather on the cricket pitch. Willow | | | | for myself. |
| against headache - Aspirin is based on salic acid, | | | | In 2002, with my desire to be self-employed, we |
| extracted from willow. Willow against the river bank - | | | | moved to Hastingwood in Essex and 'Hastingwood |
| to prevent erosion. And, finally, Weeping Willow - | | | | Basket Works' was born. My workshop was a |
| useless for making baskets, but looks great by the | | | | disused stable and I sold mainly at Farmer's Markets in |
| pond. An then, of course, there's willow for basket | | | | the area. |
| making. | | | | Desiring a quieter life than Essex had to offer we |
| So, how did I get to be here, in this small studio on the | | | | discovered West Kilbride on the west coast of |
| main street of a Scottish west coast town? | | | | Scotland. 'Craft Town Scotland'. They had a studio |
| It all started when I became interested in my mother's | | | | available for rent and after visiting the area we jumped |
| knitting basket. It was made out of willow, but was old | | | | at the chance. The town won the title of 'UK Capital of |
| and worn and bits were sticking out here and there. I | | | | Enterprise' in 2006. Find out more at |
| followed my urge to put it right, and there I was | | | | I have had a go at 'contemporary pieces' but it's not |
| hooked. | | | | really my style. Baskets, to me, have to do a job as |
| The first basket I made was used by our tutor to | | | | well as look beautiful. I'm often inspired by something I |
| highlight to my fellow students at the Kaunas School of | | | | see or by something that I am asked to make and this |
| Fine Arts & Crafts in Lithuania, the many mistakes one | | | | means there are always new products popping up in |
| can make. After 2 years I did graduate from the | | | | my studio window on the Main Street of West Kilbride. |