Summer Newsletter ‘26
I’ve just sent out my summer newsletter to my mailing list and thought you may also like to read about my latest news, workshops, events and more! To be added to my mailing list please sign up in the footer of any of my website pages.
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Welcome to my summer newsletter!
Firstly, I do hope the last few months have been treating you well.
Whilst gearing up for my biggest craft events of the year I want to let you know my latest news and offer you the opportunity to be the first to book on my new September - December workshops.
News: Over the coming months, in response to the increased demand for my Bespoke Weaving Experiences and Skills Sessions, I’m offering more opportunities for you to have an exclusive basketmaking experience, (see below for more details). I’m also going national with more craft shows enabling you a greater opportunity to see and buy my baskets, lighting features and chair seating across the UK. Alongside my existing product range you will find me taking on bespoke commissions that forge new pathways, not only giving myself the opportunity to hopefully thrive, but so the skills, knowledge and expertise that I have accrued can be consolidated and reach the next crafting generation. Wish me luck that I can make this all happen! Sarah X
Bespoke Weaving Experiences: At my home studio in a beautiful Devon garden setting I offer the opportunity to make one of the baskets that I’ve designed for my Willow Day Workshops. For up to 3 people, great for those who wish to learn in a smaller group or for that special occasion. From £175.
Having teaching specifically tailored to you is incredibly rare and extremely valuable. This is why for intermediate basket weavers, I now offer one day, (or more if you’d like!) private training with 1:1 or 2:1 tuition. From £200.
Website Shop: A range of baskets and willow lighting features, all handwoven by myself, can be purchased through my online shop. Pre-ordering now available and if you have ideas of a bespoke commission please do email me.
Workshop Gift Vouchers: Making ideal birthday and special occasion presents, you can purchase part or full payment vouchers towards any of my one and two day workshops. A great experience for loved ones and friends who can choose which basket they will be creating. Valid for 2 years, your lucky recipient will receive an electronic gift card that can be emailed or printed out. From £65 - £195, available to purchase instantly from my website.
Events: Craft Festival, 12th - 14th June, Bovey Tracey, Devon. For my 4th consecutive year I am delighted to have been selected to showcase my baskets, lighting features and chair seating alongside 200 top contemporary UK craft makers. Find me in Marquee B, stand 2. Further details & ticket booking https://craftfestival.co.uk
Exeter Craft Festival, 9th - 11th July, Devon. Following last year’s success, I will be again showcasing and demonstrating my craft on the Cathedral Green. Free admission. Further details https://exetercraftfestival.co.uk
Jane Austen Festival Fayre, 11th - 12th September, Bath. Combining my two great loves, the works of Austen and basketry, I am creating a bespoke range of regency baskets that will be available at this 2 day event. https://janeausten.co.uk/pages/festival-2026 I will also be teaching a Pottle making workshop on 15th September.
Beautiful & Useful Fair at the Garden Museum, 6th December, Lambert, London. Heading up to the big smoke to offer an array of festive baskets. https://www.beautiful-useful.co.uk
Maker in Residence at Kelmscott Manor, Oxfordshire. Once the cherished home of William Morris, the great designer-craftsman, writer, conservationist and revolutionary socialist, in 2025 I had the experience of a lifetime being their Maker in Residence. During this April - October season you can experience the community sculpture Willow Bough. (Left image above). Hundreds of visitors from all over the world took part last year in a series of willow leaf making workshops with me, experiencing the magic of willow weaving. In a nod to Morris’s most famous willow patterned wallpapers and to our collective need for joy, learning and hope, as you enter the manor grounds you now walk alongside Willow Bough.
Until mid June you will be able to view the Kelmscott Creel, a basket that I have created in response to my time at the manor, (top central image above). Inspired by Morris’s love of fishing on the near by Thames, antique creels and the challenge of a highly advanced and critically endangered fine basketry technique, I have in response created this contemporary white willow skein work basket. Made in my mind as a thank you gift to Morris, for all that he has done for craftspeople and for his ideas that are so relevant in envisaging how we can create a better way of living. I was really delighted to find that the Kelmscott Creel is placed in Morris’s bedroom on his favourite chair.
As well as being purchasable in my website shop, my Morris Inspired Basket Collection is exclusively on show and available to buy at the manor shop.
I will be teaching my Ose Basket Workshop at Kelmscott Manor on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd September. During this two day workshop you will be able to make this wonderful heritage basket, also known as a Gathering or Hen Basket. I’ve designed the size and shape of this frame basket so that you can learn the foundations of this advanced basket and make it successfully within our time together. To book your place head to https://shop.kelmscottmanor.org.uk/collections/workshops-and-events
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