Daniel Sams Basketry

Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, Biography

Dan is a woodcrafter, basket maker and coppice worker based in the North East of England. He has over 30 years experience of woodwork; he has been working with wood since childhood but his passion to make a living from it came from his frustration with mainstream products and the lack of creativity and beauty that we see nowadays. Dan aims to create products that are beautiful and unique using ethically and locally sourced natural materials. Some of Dan’s recent work has involved chainsaw carving and living willow sculpture.

Dan has a family background in woodwork which started as a young child, helping and learning from his dad on various wood work projects, such as sculpture and yurt building. He has a passion for learning and loves to attend workshops and training with local crafts people. A strong admirer of American Ash Pack Baskets he decided to pursue the art of making Ash splint baskets, and is dedicated to keeping this heritage craft alive in the UK.

Dan regularly teaches workshops specialising in greenwood crafts and split basketry and offers both private and group tuition. Dan is committed to making basketry accessible to people who may face barriers to creative activities, and who could particularly benefit from the wellbeing it brings, through regular work with local communities and social enterprise organisations.

Dan is a self-employed coppice worker, coppicing small trees at various locations in the North East. He is an experienced willow worker and has been employed on a number of local projects, creating willow sculptures.

Dan has also worked with several local tree surgeons, processing firewood and providing ground-based tree services on a self-employed basis.

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