Wheatcroftwillow

Last year spent some time with me as part of his photography project as part off hid MA at Falmouth University.
He was taking photos of local heritage crafts in his area. He took some beautiful shots of my work in my workshop, in the woods and a few in the studio.

He was experimenting with developing technniques. He developed one in standard developer, one with developer incorporating hazel leaf extract and one with willow leaf extract and wood ash made from willow off-cuts.  He had collected leaves in September, froze them then developed the films in early January. Freezing makes for a better extraction of the compounds that affect the film development.
I enjoyed taking part and I have some beautiful shots of work which I will be sharing over the next few weeks.
Photo of experimental herring cran. Lots of mistakes but I'm on a learning journey!

Lime weekend joint tutoring with Dave of in the beautiful Spring Wood near Melbourne, Derbyshire. A fab weekend day number 1 is spent learning about lime and making the cutest bark pots with Dave, bashing the lime until the bark slides off beautifully in one long tube. You then fit the base and make a lid.
Day 2 is spent removing bark and bast and cutting it into strips, riving so its ready to weave. The splitting and dressing hazel to make ribs and weaving the bast onto hazel hoops to make little frame baskets.
A fine weekend full of chat, laughter, sun, rain, cake ably assisted on both days by the fab
Joined this year by Janet and Sandra .and.weave x

Looking forward to this event

Fancy making one of these cuties with me in my workshop?
Join me at Froghall Wharf, Staffordshire on Friday 3rd July .
On the course we will learn how to split and dress hazel for ribs and use home grown colourful willows to weave a little bowl for treasures.
Booking now in my website ( link on bio) or follow the link https://www.wheatcroftwillow.co.uk/product-page/course-make-a-small-frame-basket

Following a meeting for all members yesterday evening, Penzance Council declares a vote of no confidence in South West Water.
The Council notes with grave concern the systemic failure of South West Water to manage the sewage system in Cornwall, and that despite record bills and government intervention, raw sewage continues to impact our environment and public health.
Penzance Council joins a growing number of councils across Cornwall in signing a collective letter to the Secretary of State, demanding the removal of South West Water’s management through a Special Administration Order.
South West Water is due to be sentenced this week after pleading guilty to a catalogue of pollution-related charges spanning six years across Devon and Cornwall.

Minutes from yesterday's Penzance Council meeting can be read here:https://www.penzance-tc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/MINUTES-COUNCIL-01.06.26-DRAFT.pdf

This last weekend was the gathering of the best kind of people, sharing the love of split wood baskets, learning, experimenting and weaving, no egos, no timetables, no pressure to produce anything In particular, just being together, geeking and sharing what we knew, from real beginners to absolute legends.
Thank you and for organising such a chilled event.
I was having such a great time I barely took any photos and I nicked Lornas shot of the last of us still hanging around on the Sunday afternoon.
Too many lovely people to name, I just know our paths will cross again.
I had fun experimenting with heating up lengths of sappy hazel on the fire before splitting for weavers, something I've been meaning to try for a while. It was a great success!
Looking forward to next year 🙏