BA Spring School 2025 : Willow Frame Shoulder Bag/Creel

Tickets available from 10am 11th January 2025

Spring School at Harrogate Ladies’ College offers four full days to immerse yourself in basketry with top-class tutors. There is also plenty of opportunity to relax and get to know fellow basketmakers from all around the UK and beyond.

Both residential (single-occupancy room, shared bathroom, all meals) and non-residential (includes lunches and Sunday evening meal) options will be available. In 2025 the ticket prices are:
• Residential: £575
• Non-residential: £335

Only one ticket is available per BA member, and material costs are payable directly to tutors at the end of the week.

By purchasing a  ticket you are agreeing to the cancellation policy as detailed in the Basketmakers’ Associations Terms and Conditions

This curvy frame basket handbag is based on an old American creel design Rachael was asked to recreate in her own style for a client a few years ago.

On the course you will learn frame basket techniques to create the distinctive shape and tight weave. The basket uses a hazel rod for the back of the frame and willow or hazel ribs. The ribs are added as you weave and we will use a simple former to keep the correct shape and size, fine purpurea willows, some Musgrove Dicky Meadows and some home-grown willow to weave the creel.

Students will learn how to ensure the lid fits correctly and attach it to the basket, add a fastening or catch to hold the basket closed and leather shoulder straps with an adjustable buckle .  They will go home with a beautiful handbag and the skills to design and make more frame baskets at home.

Suitability: ideal for those who have made a frame basket before and want to learn more.

Estimated cost of materials: £35

Your tutor

A love for being in the outdoors from a young age and an early career in nature conservation gave me a connection with the landscape around me and I was drawn to using wild materials to make simple baskets.Later, I became more focused on willow and became a full time basketmaker, growing willow, immersed in the growing and harvesting cycle. My baskets are functional and sturdy, underfoot log baskets, chunky frame baskets, backpacks and creels. I have been very fortunate over the years to have been taught by some brilliant teachers and I think I will never stop learning. I still have many ideas in my head and on my list.During 2020 covid lockdowns, I started experimenting with materials growing wild near my home, bark, rush and hazel.During my experiments, split hazel baskets captured my attention, a material so abundant in the wooded Churnet Valley where I live.

As well as using split hazel, I also love to incorporate other wood into my work so watch this space. a member of the Staffordshire Basketmakers Group, a lovely, supportive group of basketmakers, that meet once a month and weave together.

I am also a member of the Peak District Artisans and through them, display my work regularly at Chatsworth and Haddon Hall as well as Buxton Dome and other Peak District Galleries. I have sold my work for the last two years at The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair in Manchester.

This is my first year at Harrogate and I feel very honoured to be asked!!