Rachel's Willow Designs: The Story So Far
After 16 years working as a gardener, doing battle with the elements, I was looking for a change. I enjoy working with natural materials and fell in love with willow weaving. The beautiful Perthshire countryside around my home studio in Abernethy provides me with inspiration and sometimes natural materials to incorporate into my designs. I enjoy experimenting with colour and texture through the use of different willow varieties and weaves. Each piece I create is unique with its own personality.
My baskets and sculptures have featured in a number of exhibitions including with Perthshire Artisans, Perthshire Open Studios, Artay 2024, Ainetheon Gallery, and Glamis Gallery and I welcome visitors to my studio during Perthshire Open Studios. I have woven a number of animal sculpture commissions and was thrilled to be asked to weave a buzzard, cat and cockerel for the Museum of Rural Life in East Kilbride which is part of the National Museum of Scotland. I also enjoy attending craft markets and won the Best Craft Stall at the Perth Show for two consecutive years in 2023 and 2024. It's been fun to do talks and demonstrations to increase interest in basketweaving.
I love sharing the joy of learning to weave through my basketry and sculpting workshops, both at my own studio and at other venues: National Trust for Scotland - Branklyn Gardens, Maxwell Centre, Dundee, and Bowhouse Fife. I get regular requests to teach family and friend groups, corporate events, clubs and organisations, and I'm delighted to say that I get many repeat bookings both from individuals and groups.
Training
I attended regular basketry classes for two and half years at the Poldrate Arts and Crafts Centre in Haddington where I learned many basketry techniques. I have spent time sculpting with Karen Collins from Nauturally Useful in Forres, and Leilah Vyner from Dragon Willow in Yorkshire. I have also completed a MIG welding course at Fife College to enable me to weld my own frames for sculptures. I am a member of the Basketmakers' Association and the Scottish Basketmakers' Circle (SBC), and have attended an SBC weekend workshop to learn about making willow lampshades taught by Anna Liebmann. I was delighted to be accepted as a Perthshire Artisan in 2023.
Sustainability
The sustainability of willow is key to my business. In the UK, willow growing is centred on the Somerset levels, with its low-lying flood plains providing the perfect growing conditions. Willow is incredibly fast growing, with over 10 feet of growth in a single year. Each plant is coppiced and harvested annually for many years, and absorbs carbon and provides a habitat for wildlife as it grows. It is also biodegradable.