Sarah Woodrow

I discovered basketmaking when I met Roy Youdale, a professional basketmaker, at The Bath flower show nearly 20 years ago and he invited me to come on one of his courses. I took further courses with him, Sheila Wynter, Norah Kennedy, and travelled to Ireland to take courses with Joe Hogan. I also took Basketmaker Association arranged courses with many other brilliant teachers, both at Westhope College and in York. I completed the 4 year City and Guilds Creative Basketry course at the City Lit in London in 2011. I found weaving to be a great antidote to my busy, high stress, job. Since retirement, and as a member of Basketmakers Southwest, I have enjoyed courses more recently with Eddie Glew, Ane Lyngsgaard and Sue Kirk. I have found particular inspiration in Ane's pod baskets and Sue's Tik-Tok weave.

I weave in a range of natural materials, but also man-made and recycled materials. I most enjoy working with willow in all its natural hues and shades. I am particularly interested in organic forms and spirals, and how pattern and colour enhance the shape of my baskets.

In the last couple of years I have collaborated with Chris White at Hookshouse Pottery, where he makes a wood-fired raw glazed bowl into which I weave willow.

I grow 26 varieties of coloured willow on an allotment shared with 5 other local basketmakers. I use these to experiment with colour in my traditional and contemporary baskets, and to use on my courses.

I teach basketry courses and workshops in Bristol, and for the last 3 years have been involved in teaching weaving to a group of first-year Bath Spa students as part of an Architecture module.

Many of my courses are based at my home and I aim for these to be holistic days for small groups where participants can enjoy good home-made food and can learn in a relaxed friendly atmosphere.

We moved house 3 years ago, after I completed my RHS Horticulture diploma, and I now have a large garden to design and plant, which seems to take up a lot of my time. If the weather is good my course participants can weave in my garden.

I am a member of North Bristol Artists and show my work each year on the North Bristol Arts Trail. I first exhibited with the group in 2010. This year's trail takes place on 29th and 30th November.

I have shown my work at exhibitions in various locations in Bristol, London, Hookshouse Pottery, Westonbirt, and on the Frome Open Art trail in 2024.

When not weaving ,gardening at home or on the allotment, I am likely to be practising ballroom dancing as Kevin and I compete on the Sunday competition circuit.

• Basketry
• Contemporary
• Natural Fibres
• Traditional
• Willow (Basketry)