Basketcase Belfast
About
I am a willow grower and weaver based in Belfast, specialising in making willow work for every day needs. I am proud to grow the vast majority of my own willow in wonderful conditions on the Strangford Lough shoreline and, for me, the beauty of willow is it’s natural and cultural heritage to ourselves.
From my harvest, I craft baskets and household items that embrace natural tones seen in our landscape. I also complete outdoor woven fencing as well as furniture pieces in different styles. I am open to commissions, sell locally at markets and work alongside landscapers to bring willow out into natural settings in people’s gardens.
Growing
As a willow grower I am able to maintain and develop my coastal plot over the course of the year. This sees me tending to the shoots of over a dozen willow varieties as they grow eight, nine, ten foot long and beyond! It’s a brilliant sight seeing the colours develop on the bark, the movement of the branches in the wind and the wonderful habitat this ‘willow coppice’ makes.
Come the dormancy of winter, I harvest over a period of weeks. This deliberate, slow, sustainable practice mirrors what we have done over centuries with willow and is all done by hand. I then sort and store the willow, letting it mellow and dry so it is ready to be used again as another year of growth starts the process over again.
I sell both live cut rods, for garden planting, as well as sorted and dried willow for crafters and budding weavers.
Basketry
I enjoy weaving round and oval pieces and making willow work for people’s needs. It’s fun for me to consider how willow can be made more everyday for folks or, when it’s a relatively expensive piece, that it is unique but practical.
I am eager to build on the variety of colours I grow when I am producing and like playing with colour and texture in work. I can reproduce pieces, or make to commission, as well as offer bespoke work and demonstrations.
Basketry
I enjoy weaving round and oval pieces and making willow work for people’s needs. It’s fun for me to consider how willow can be made more everyday for folks or, when it’s a relatively expensive piece, that it is unique but practical.
I am eager to build on the variety of colours I grow when I am producing and like playing with colour and texture in work. I can reproduce pieces, or make to commission, as well as offer bespoke work and demonstrations.
Fencing and Furniture
I weave in a number of styles to your request using likely a blend of my own willow as well as some purchased from the English West Country. Alongside paths, oil tank covers, borders and fencing I also complete some garden furniture pieces based on both woven willow as well as live cut ash.
As I weave on site, I can easily navigate the weave in any direction you want and can lean into the natural ebbs and flows of a garden as opposed to the straight rigid lines usually seen in fencing. I work solo for some pieces and also alongside a trusted landscaper and garden designer for more bespoke, intricate work.
Markets
Follow @basketcasebelfast for further market dates and updates.
Contact
Based in Belfast, County Down. For commissions, market dates, or to say hello, the best place to reach me is by email or Instagram.
@basketcasebelfast