Dunbar Gardens Links to Willow Basketry, Farming & the Skagit Valley

Dunbar Gardens Willow Baskets

Dunbar Gardens

Links on the web

Willow Basketmakers

These basketmakers mostly work with willow. Katherine Lewis has been fortunate to take classes from several of these artisans.

Adrian Charlton & Ruth Kidd Norfolk Basket Co. Adrian has been making willow baskets professionally since 1985. He runs a successful workshop with his partner and former apprentice Ruth. Adrian has made a couple of trips here to Mount Vernon and Salt Spring Island to teach courses.

Sally Goymer British basketmaker and author of "The Complete Book of Basketry Techniques". Katherine has taken courses from Sally here in the US as well as at Sally's workshop in the UK. Sally has been making traditional willow baskets since 1977 and is the consummate craftsman.

Werner Turtschi Swiss basketmaker and teacher. Werner has traveled to the US and Canada several times to teach courses. Katherine appreciates his emphasis on good technique.

Jenny Crisp British basketmaker. Katherine has long admired Jenny's work and was able to attend the BA's Spring course at York in 2006 to study with her. Read about Katherine's experience at York here.

Alastair Heseltine artist living on Hornby Island in Canada. Alastair was an extraordinary willow basketmaker who has moved on to work more as an artist.

Joe Hogan Irish basketmaker, teacher, and author of "Basketmaking in Ireland"

Cooperative Vannerie de Villaines Katherine traveled to Villaines les Rochers in March, 2006 to take a course from Norbert Faure at this basketmakers cooperative in the Loire Valley, France.

Roy Youdale British basketmaker in Bristol offers a wide selection of work mostly by commission.

Lise Bech artist and basketmaker living in Scotland.

More links and photos to basketmakers.

Basketry groups

Katherine Lewis is a member of The Basketmakers' Association, the Northwest Basket Weavers Guild, and the National Basketry Organization.

The Basketmakers' Association

Northwest Basket Weavers

National Basketry Organization

Basketry Websites

Basketmakers.org Susie Nuss created this comprehensive site about basketry. Great selection of information and web links for all types of basketry including willow.

the Wicker Woman Cathryn Peters is a great source of info on antique wicker, chair caning, basketry, furniture repair, and more.

Karen's Baskets Karen Zane is a basketmaker and teacher in Indiana. Her website has photos and info about her own work and lists of other basketmakers, teachers and organizations.

Nantucket Lightship Baskets authentic Nantucket Baskets by Wendy Marshall.

Willow Growers

Musgrove Willows Growing willow in Somerset, England for over 65 years.

Artists

Skagit Artists Together Katherine is a member of SAT whose mission is to promote the visual arts by developing networking and economic opportunities for Skagit County.

Kate Lynch Check out Kate's beautiful book "Willow", paintings, drawings and oral history from Somerset, England ; the region with a rich history of willow growing and basketmaking. Kate was very helpful to Katherine in making connections to willow growers and basketmakers in her 2004 trip to Somerset.

Sheila Klein Katherine had the opportunity to work on Sheila's project "Comfort Zone".

Argelis guitarist, singer, and songwriter of Latin jazz (as well as being our sister-in-law)

Arts & Craft Festivals

Anacortes Arts Festival large annual arts and crafts festival

Arts Alive! La Conner annual celebration of local arts scene in early November

Skagit Valley

Dunbar Gardens farmstand

Nell Thorn Restaurant great place to eat in La Conner that serves Dunbar Gardens produce

Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland nonprofit organization formed in 1989 by local farmers to ensure the economic viability of Skagit County agriculture through farmland protection, research, education and public awareness.

Slow Food Skagit River Salish Sea local "slow food" group has information on producers, farmers, and sources of tasty food products of our region; as well as regional and national food news.

Visit Skagit Valley comprehensive Skagit Valley tourism website

SkagitValley.com Search the Skagit Valley with this comprehensive business directory for the Skagit Valley

Food on the brain Jessamyn writes about eating in, eating out, and more from her home in Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon Farmers Market Saturdays May 31 to October 11, at Gates & Main in downtown MV

Christianson's Nursery a unique collection of rare and unusual plants, including the largest selection of roses and perennials in Northwest Washington.

Tulip Country Bike Tours guided bike tours through the beautiful Skagit Valley including the Tulip Festival

Farming

The Accidental Agrarian Neal Foley is a chef, farmer, and sustainability advocate who produces this website, blog, podcast, and more from his farm in Maine where he lives with his family. Neal has posted a video on YouTube in which he visits Dunbar Gardens. Check it out here: Mainland Adventure

Tilth Producers organic growers association for Washington

Puget Sound Fresh directory of agricultural producers

Local Harvest "Use our website to find farmers' markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area, and many other goodies."

Buy Local Think Global When you buy food grown locally, directly from local farms and farmers markets, you help support your local economy and in return you will get the freshest, best-tasting food available from sources you know and trust.