Meet the Makers: an 'in conversation' event with Kelmscott Manor's Curator and Learning & Outreach Manager and our 2023 - 2025 Makers in Residence.

I’ve just sent out my bonus spring newsletter to my mailing list and thought you may also like to read my latest news!

Yesterday was my final day as Maker in Residence at Kelmscott Manor, (the home of William Morris and his family), in Oxfordshire. During 2025 I led 4 drop in workshops for visitors, culminating on Thursday 19th with a fofth educational workshop.

Willow leaves created at these workshops have created the community sculpture ‘Willow Bough’ which will greeting you as you enter the manor grounds throughout the 2026 open season.

As one of the three Makers in Residence from Kelmscott Manor, (the home of William Morris and his family in Oxfordshire), on Tuesday 17th February I will be part of a Heritage Crafts member online panel discussion. Hear about our different making journeys at Kelmscott and what it is like to be a maker in residence. I will be alongside ceramist Alison Proctor - MiR 2023 and illuminator Sarah Davis - MiR 2024.

Find out more by heading to the Heritage Crafts website https://heritagecrafts.org.uk February 17th 6.30pm.

Welcome to my Spring newsletter! Find out about my latest series of workshops, upcoming craft festivals, my Maker in Residency at Kelmscott Manor and much more. May warm sunshine be blessing us soon! Sarah X

At the Modern Makers & Antiquaries Event held by the Society of Antiquaries on the 22nd October ‘25 I gave a presentation about what it is to be a modern maker and about my experience of being this year’s Maker in Residence at Kelmscott Manor, (the home of William Morris in Oxfordshire). I have decided to reproduce the presentation in full below and include a number of the photos that I included.

The Modern Makers event was afterwards described as having been a balance of collegiality and healthy debate. Celebration and activism.

I am very proud to be one of those who celebrate our heritage crafts, who is a modern maker and who is an activist. We need to fight right now for our craftspeople and to create a brighter future for our next generation.

In terms of a viable future for my heritage craft form, for there to be the next young generation of full time professional basketmakers I am incredibly concerned. Not only has creativity, making and the arts been crushed within our present education system; but our present and what looks likely to be our future welfare state impedes, if not destroys the ability of us as modern craft makers, of us as self-employed low income earners to survive.

I had the great experience of being a part of the Modern Makers & Antiquaries event on Wednesday 22nd October.

Please find below the latest news from my Autumn Newsletter sent to my mailing list on the 3rd October. Sent out quarterly, my newsletter always announces my next set of willow weaving workshops and also features news about forthcoming craft festivals, exhibitions and my Maker in Residence. If you’ve not already done so, you can sign up to my mailing list by filling in the simple form that appears in the footer of my website pages.

In response to being Maker in Residence 2025 at Kelmscott Manor, the home of William Morris in Oxfordshire, I have created a collection of baskets that showcase our willow basket heritage, all designed and created for the way we live today.