Catherine Beaumont Basketmaker & Willow Weaver The Enchanted Wood

Catherine Beaumont Basketmaker & Willow Weaver The Enchanted Wood

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I developed a passion for basket making after a weekend workshop in 1996. Jack had a keen eye for detail, and masses of knowledge.

Using English, and locally sourced willow and coppice materials I love to create beautiful baskets in traditional and contemporary designs. After initially learning the basics of basketry in 1996, I was fortunate to meet Jack West, a second generation basketmaker who had, after the closure of Cobbetts in Guildford, Surrey in 1971 set up as a self employed basketmaker. He was always willing to advi

Photos from Catherine Beaumont Basketmaker & Willow Weaver The Enchanted Wood's post 21/09/2025

A wonderful weekend at the Weald and Downland museum at the Made by Hand event. Demonstrating traditional willow basketry and taking along a selection of baskets, books, and old photos.
A beautiful setting- quite perfect!

09/10/2023

A recent Waled Ken...Waled Ken a design that has stood the test of time for over 25 years now.

THIS WEEKEND (October 7th) we are lucky enough to have the amazing Cathrine Beaumont basket making in The Glasshouse all day, come see traditional basket making and order one of her incredible creations!

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08/10/2023

TODAY (Saturday October 7th) we have the incredibly talented Catherine Beaumont Basketmaker & Willow Weaver The Enchanted Wood making baskets at The Glasshouse. Come and see her work and maybe get your Christmas presents ordered too!

Photos from Visit Midhurst's post 18/08/2023
01/04/2023

The late great Douglas Adams tells one of the all-time greatest stories.

Photos from Catherine Beaumont Basketmaker & Willow Weaver The Enchanted Wood's post 15/02/2023

My Waled design from 1998 with influence from Klaus Titze's multiple rod weave.

07/02/2023

WE'RE BACK!

We are delighted to bring to Sunninghill four seasonal artisan craft fairs to be held at Cordes Hall on the following dates:

Spring - Saturday 22nd April
Summer - Saturday 17th June
Autumn - Saturday 14th October
Christmas - Saturday 9th December

Each event will run between 10am - 4.30pm.

We will have demos and an eclectic mix of interesting items from talented producers all bringing their cleverness to Sunninghill - some local, some from further afield....

Invitations have been sent out to our current list of producers but we would be happy to hear from any local artisan craft businesses (no hobbyists please) who would be interested in being put on the list.

More information to follow 😊

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About

After initially learning the basics of basketry in 1996, I was fortunate to meet Jack West, a second generation basketmaker who had, after the closure of Cobbetts in Guildford, Surrey in 1971 set up as a self employed basketmaker. Jack had a keen eye for detail, and masses of knowledge. He was always willing to advise on the projects and orders I received at farmers' markets, including making panniers for donkeys, an umbrella basket for a vintage car, or a wicker arrow carrier for medieval re-enactments. His advice was invaluable.

He was basketmaking daily until the age of 86, only a few weeks before he died. He was passionate about basketmaking. I was privileged he worked alongside me.

I work from my home near Midhurst in West Sussex and attend various local markets. Weaving with willow is a wonderful traditional craft, and I am continually inspired by the process of transforming 'a pile of rods' into a beautiful and functional item that lasts for years.

Location

Address

West Sussex