Hazel and Felicity really enjoyed working together
Tag Archives: Willow
Working at the site
We had a great day working together; the Broads Authority Friday Group volunteers and the artists from Barrington Farm. We cut and bundled willow which the artists took back to the farm to work with. Apart from a very dramatic shower which interrupted the day and gave us the perfect excuse for a rest and a cuppa we were busy for hours.
Starting work on the new project
Today we headed to Barrington Farm, laden with freshly cut willow from Repps Meadow (thanks to Broads Authority volunteers)…
We then spent some happy hours weaving with the artists at Barrington Farm, introducing the artists to the medium. The room was buzzing with creative energy, and after some initial experimentation willow sculptures of all shapes and sizes began to emerge!
Swill baskets – not just for herring!
The final group we’re working with on this project have now finished their frame baskets, constructed in the style of the Great Yarmouth herring swill.
Not only did we weave baskets during the session, we also laughed a lot, learned some words in Spanish, and there was basket head balancing….
Making baskets with the trustees
Withy Arts trustees and supporters had a go at making baskets themselves on Sunday – some lovely work was produced!
Final session with Headway
Today was our final session working at Headway. The group have made some beautiful Swill-style baskets…
Impressive work, particularly as nobody in this group had any previous experience working with willow.
The group are looking forward to a return visit to the Time & Tide Museum, where they will now be able to examine baskets in the Museum’s collection with a willow-weaver’s eye!
Gods eyes and their role in the swill
We were delighted when Karolina brought her gods eye back to Saturday’s session – she had been working on it at home and completely covered the sticks with weaving!
We have been using gods eyes, woven in willow, to attach the swill basket frame to the handle. This picture shows the two materials, wool and willow, side by side…
Starting Swill Baskets at Headway
Having made willow plates last week the group we are working with at Headway moved on to make a start on their frame baskets, based on Great Yarmouth’s herring Swill.
We have been finding ways to support baskets during weaving – our experimental jig was a success!
Getting to grips with willow
We’ve been at Headway, having a play with willow and string in preparation for making swill-style baskets over the next few weeks.
The group were justifiably pleased with their willow plates – and we can’t wait to get stated on the baskets!
Visiting Time & Tide Museum
We visited the Time and Tide Museum in Great Yarmouth with the group we are working with from Headway.
We had great fun exploring the museum, and looking at the baskets…
Bob is holding one the museum’s Swill baskets in his right hand, and one of the smaller baskets we’ll be making, based on the same weaving technique, in his left.
Withy Arts 