Wheatcroftwillow

Playing with dyeing with plants and ecoprinting, something I used to enjoy a very long time ago and last visited again with Maya Howes during her gcse textiles work. Lab partner was Laurel Gallagher who was on her own experimental journey.
Most colours ended up yellow, but the home made iron water mordant was a revelation and gave some bold results. More experiments next month and have some alder cones and birch bark soaking.
I forgot how much fun ecoprinting is.
Looking forward to combining some of this work with basketry. Not entirely sure how yet, but I have ideas!

The hardest coffin I've ever made. A final goodbye to my beautiful nan yesterday, a celebration of her 96 years of life full of love and family and happy memories.
Thanks to Maya Howes for the beautiful lining and to Nicki Moss and Alison Foxtwood Holiday Cottages for evening sewing the night before delivery 🙏
And to Martin Evans for carving the name plate xx
Night night nan xx

Day 2 at the Peak District Artisans Summer Showcase at the Octagon Pavilion Gardens as part of the
Day 1 saw a lovely mix of customers really interested in heritage crafts, including this lovely couple who made my day by buying hazel whisket. I'm just starting out in the split wood world, and it's a bit of side step from willow, so it feels really special when someone appreciates the time, effort and processes involved in the making.
Day 2 today , a great selection of artists and artists are selling their work and would love you to pop down and support them.

3 lovely little curvy numbers will be heading over hills and moors to Buxton tommorow to join their pals jostling for position on my stand at the Octagon, Pavilion Gardens in Buxton for the Peak District Artisans Summer Showcase.
Around 40 artists in a beautiful building in a beautiful part of the world.
Come and say hello 👋

It's this weekend! The Peak District Artisans Summer Show at the Octagon in Buxton.

The fair is on Saturday and Sunday in the Octagon at Pavilion Gardens from 11-5 on Saturday and 11-4 Sunday. It's free to visit and once there you can view and buy the works of some of the Peak District's top fine artists and craftspeople.

I will be bringing along some of my classic baskets with a sprinkling of new work and the opportunity to commission work for the autumn.

Buxton is a great place to visit, plenty of places to stop for coffee and a sit down. See you there!

A rather lovely weekend spend wrangling ose baskets into life with a fab bunch of gals who were such a tonic.
We decided to rename the basket our menopausal rage baskets, ideal for whacking people with when they annoy you. I feel a new collection coming on.
Great to teach in the woods Greenwood Days . Peter was on the last day of a bench making course, see last pic for the most beautiful results. To book courses see Greenwood Days
The soup for lunch and cakes were top notch this time pea and mint and potato and leek.
In other news, I now have a new roll out mattress in my van and a mozzie net with a zip so I can sleep with the doors open without getting eaten alive. Luxury!!

To the loveliest nanny, Maureen Poole, the kindest and most stoic lady I know , she was the glue that held our family together, always had an open house and cakes and tea and sherry. We were so lucky to have her til the grand age of 96.
Died at home as she wanted with family and a team of the most wonderful carers and nurses looking after her to the end.
Love and miss you forever Nanny Mo # # #