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Anne and Alan Thomas
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Shipping & delivery
This item will be posted to you by Anne and Alan Thomas within 5 days of receiving payment.
| Shipping destination | Cost | Additional items |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| EU & Northern Ireland | Doesn't deliver here | |
| United States | Doesn't deliver here | |
| Rest of the World | Doesn't deliver here | |
We have retired - so our lovely Folksy shop has now closed.
Thank you to everyone who has supported and/or bought from us. It has been much appreciated.
If you have any queries you can still contact us via the “contact” button at the top.
Wishing everyone all the very best.
I love gardening - it is one of the great passions of my life. My very first willow project was a plant support made at a workshop. There started another passion - basketmaking. I made myself a big oval garden basket - I can fill it with my tools, small plants and a myriad of other things. Going out gardening - just pick up my basket and everything I need is in there. The shape of this particular garden basket is perfect for collecting produce or cut flowers from the garden.
Whilst the sizing, willow variety and weaves are obviously set for this particular basket, baskets can be made to order - for any purpose, to your size requirements and your preferred willow variety. If you have something in mind, please don’t hesitate to contact us with your ideas. Commissions are always welcome.
The price includes P&P - if you wish to purchase more than one item from our shop, please contact us prior to placing your order so we can recalculate the postage and packing costs.
You have 14 days, from receipt, to notify the seller if you wish to cancel your order or exchange an item.
Unless faulty, the following types of items are non-refundable: items that are personalised, bespoke or made-to-order to your specific requirements; items which deteriorate quickly (e.g. food), personal items sold with a hygiene seal (cosmetics, underwear) in instances where the seal is broken; digital items.
Please note that if your order is being posted outside mainland UK, you (or the recipient) may have to pay customs or VAT charges and a handling fee. The seller is not responsible for any charges or fees that may incur.
Full description
A sturdy willow garden basket hand-woven in Black Maul and Old French willow varieties.
Basketry is considered to be one of the oldest crafts in the world, pre-dating pottery - and found in one form or another in almost every country in the world using whatever local materials were available. Baskets were essential for storing and transporting things - and in fishing and agricultural - such as fish traps, crab pots and harvesting baskets. Every village or district would have had it’s own basketmaker - the last few surviving traditional crab-pot makers are hanging on to an ancient but declining skill.
Britain was renowned for having the best basketmakers - and the Somerset levels were equally renowned as growing the best quality willow. Constantly monitored by the Heritage Crafts Association, The Basketmakers’ Association and The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers, maintaining skills, patterns and techniques is an ongoing project.
Whilst I have a small quantity of home-grown willow, most of my willow is sourced from growers on the Somerset Levels.
Basketmaking is a beautiful craft - completely absorbing - addictive as my students would say. I love every aspect of it and am constantly challenged by new designs and patterns. So much can be created from a simple stick of willow.
A perfect gift for the gardener.
Base 39cmsx25cms; Top 60cmsx30cms. Height to top of border 18cms.
Enjoy your basket.
Anne
Designed by Anne & Alan Thomas in Cornwall
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