About Me
My interest in basketmaking was sparked more than twenty years ago when I enrolled in a local basketry course. From that moment I was hooked. The possibilities for creativity out of, essentially, a pile of sticks were endless and I wanted to learn all the techniques. Since then I deepened my knowledge through attending as many workshops and courses by as many different basketmakers as I could find or afford! The City Lit College in Covent Garden, West Dean College near Chichester and Westhope Craft College in Shropshire have all provided me with inspirational teachers and teaching. In 2016/17 I completed the City & Guilds course in Basketry at Westhope.
I have been a member of the Basketmakers' Association from my earliest days. This inspiring voluntary organisation opened my eyes to the incredible diversity within basketry, both traditional and contemporary, and to the many makers in this country and overseas. I am honoured to currently hold the position of Chair of the BA.
Gaining the City & Guilds qualification in basketry, followed by a teaching certificate, gave me the confidence to share my passion with others through teaching. I now run a comprehensive range of workshops and progressive courses from my teaching studio just outside WInchester. I also teach occasional adult education classes in Winchester and at other venues in Hampshire and beyond.
Nearly all my classes are aimed at complete beginners, or those with just a little previous experience. I do not run advanced skills classes. My joy comes from sharing my craft with those who have never experienced weaving with willow; hopefully developing a new generation of basketmakers, either as a hobby or a career change. Class sizes are always small so that I can give plenty of one-to-one attention, but this means that some workshops fill up quickly.
I am particularly proud of my Beginners' Basketmaking Course. Ongoing progressive skills teaching in basketry is hard to find anywhere in the UK and was one of the big stumbling blocks when I was setting out. I run two intakes a year, January and September, and over the duration of twelve monthly sessions I provide a thorough grounding in roundwork basketry for complete beginners. This September I will be enrolling enthusiastic weavers into my 12th group.
I am always asked whether basketmaking is hard on the hands, and the answer is yes, to some extent! Certainly some beginners can find that by the end of the day they really know they have been working their fingers but most people soon get into the swing of weaving and are so absorbed they forget about any initial discomfort!
I hope I can encourage you to join me on one of my workshops so that you too can experience the pleasures of this ancient and sustainable craft. Or if you have someone special in your life who would appreciate attending a workshop, I offer gift vouchers: just drop me a line.
If you have any questions, or just want to chat about baskets, do get in touch via the Contacts page.
Louise
Member of the Basketmakers' Association 
Member of the Wessex Guild of CraftsmenGIFT VOUCHERS
If you want to offer the gift of a basketmaking workshop, I offer gift vouchers - simply contact me to arrange.
Important Message for existing Gift Voucher/Credit Note customers:
If you wish to redeem a Gift Voucher or Credit Note please contact me directly so that I can book you in manually. These vouchers are not compatible with my current bookings system.
PRIVATE WORKSHOPS
If you cannot find the topic you would like on a date that suits you, do let me know and I can either set one up in the future or run one specially for you. One-to-one lessons can be arranged also. Equally if you have a group of friends who like to socialise with a focus, a basketmaking day can be a lot of fun. I run private workshops either at my teaching studio or in your home (if you have the space!) - just get in touch to discuss.
