François Desplanches French basketmaker has been making baskets since 2001 in Lacropte (Dordogne), France where he also grows some of his willow. He sells his beautiful baskets at craft fairs and at his workshop. Katherine was fortunate to visit with François and work with him in September, 2011.
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. Jenny has published a book on willlow growing and weaving in 2018.
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”. Katherine was able to visit and take a few days classes from Joe in spring, 2018.
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.
Les Llewellyn Les Llewellyn is a basketmaker specializing in the traditional Welsh frame basket called the Cyntell. Katherine was fortunate to make one with Les while she visited Wales in 2015.
Grzegorz Gordat is a Polish basketmaker that Katherine was fortunate to work with on her trip to Poland in 2015.
Lise Bech artist and basketmaker living in Scotland.
Catherine Davies and Pascal Carr are basketmakers living in Central Scotland. Their willow baskets are hand made with different coloured varieties of willow grown organically on their croft on the Isle of Eigg.
Karen Gossart and Corentin Laval are accomplished French basketmakers and willow growers
Philippe Guérinel is a French basketmaker who is a master of the Périgourdin basket
Maî Hvid Jorgensen is a Danish basketmaker
John Cowan is a Scottish basketmaker making outstanding traditional baskets.
Eddie Glew is an English basketmaker following in his father’s footsteps who weaves a diversity of products including traditional baskets, contemporary sculpture and hurdle fencing, as well as teaching courses.
Jo Campbell-Amsler is a willow basketmaker in Iowa who is a popular willow basketry instructor across the USA
Basketry and craft groups Katherine Lewis is a member of the National Basketry Organization, the Northwest Basket Weavers Guild and the Northwest Designer Craftsmen.
National Basketry Organization Katherine was a Board member of the NBO from 2014-2019 and encourages basketmakers to support the organization.
Basketry Websites
Tinay Studio Peeta Tinay has over 20 years experience in wicker construction, restoration and design. She also offers basketry classes at various locations around Tacoma and Seattle.
Dorothy McGuinness, Contemporary Basketmaker Dorothy is an artist weaving with watercolor paper to make exquisite sculptural basketry work.
Jan Hopkins Art Jan is a contemporary fiber artist working with a wide range of alternative natural materials to make stunning work.
Willow Growers
Musgrove Willows Growing willow in Somerset, England for over 65 years.
Lakeshore Willows located in Ontario, Canada. They sell live cuttings as well as dried willow, baskets, and workshops.
Willowpedia the academic study by Cornell University for commercial use of shrub willow (Salix spp.) as a sustainable feedstock crop for bioenergy, biofuels, and bioproducts, as well as for environmental engineering and horticultural applications.
Artists
Jessamyn Tuttle is a fine art and commercial photographer, as well as a food writer, weaver and musician in a Celtic band (Campbell Road).
Kathleen Faulkner jewelry artist and painter living near Anacortes, WA
Andi Shannon fiber artist in Mount Vernon, WA
Sheila Klein Katherine had the opportunity to work on Sheila’s project “Comfort Zone”
Gary Lewis Flutes exceptional flutes from hand-worked tubes
Arts & Craft Festivals
World Willow and Wicker Festival in Nowy Tomyśl, Poland
Anacortes Arts Festival large annual arts and crafts festival
Arts Alive! La Conner annual celebration of local arts scene in early November Skagit Valley
Tulip Country Bike Tours guided bike tours through the beautiful Skagit Valley including the Tulip Festival
Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum Wonderful fiber arts museum in the historic Gaches Mansion in nearby La Conner.
More Links
Earthwalk Northwest offers programs focusing on earth awareness and primitive living skills, including primitive bow making, wild edibles, and more. Their unique courses provide in-depth, hands-on experience, allowing participants to deepen their understanding of traditional skills.
Bullocks Permaculture Homestead Maria Bullock is a friend and basketmaker on nearby Orcas Island