Devon


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/berry-basket.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-36236" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/berry-basket.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/berry-basket-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/berry-basket-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/berry-basket-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/berry-basket-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/berry-basket-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/berry-basket-200x200.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>What a treat, driving through the Devon countryside armed only with my trusty secateurs for a day-long course, weaving the colours of winter into a beautiful multi-coloured berry basket. </p>



<p>Making an entire basket in just one day as a novice sounds like quite a challenge but I&#8217;m hoping with help from teacher, Jenny Gracie of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/makingspacetomake" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Making Space to Make (opens in a new tab)">Making Space to Make</a>, I can nail it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE LOCATION</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/IMG_1823.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-36238" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/IMG_1823.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/IMG_1823-300x300.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/IMG_1823-500x500.jpeg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/IMG_1823-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/IMG_1823-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/IMG_1823-525x525.jpeg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/IMG_1823-200x200.jpeg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Secretly, I was a tad disappointed that the course is in a village hall, (redolent of cabbage smells, dust, and echoes of Vera Lynn&#8230;). Broadhempston Village Hall however, was a revelation. A new, beautiful megalith of a building, straight out of <em>Grand Designs</em>. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willow-baskets.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-36239" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willow-baskets.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willow-baskets-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willow-baskets-667x500.jpeg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willow-baskets-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willow-baskets-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The bang up-to-date modern space made adhering to current restrictions easy, plus Jenny provided all her attendees with their own table, a set of tools and plenty of &#8211; much needed &#8211; space.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/jenny-gracie.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-36240" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/jenny-gracie.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/jenny-gracie-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/jenny-gracie-667x500.jpeg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/jenny-gracie-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/jenny-gracie-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>After graduating from an Integrated Craft Degree, Jenny (above) concentrated her attention on porcelain and basketry. For the last 15 years she has been making willow creations here in Devon. </p>



<p>Initially, her focus was more on live structures (a skill which has been put to good use during lockdown with a spike in demand for living willow structures for Devon gardens) but the primary focus of her business is her true passion, basketry. She&#8217;s extremely knowledgeable and regularly attends courses herself to learn new techniques and is clearly of the ethos that learning never ends.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willow-weaving-3.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-36241" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willow-weaving-3.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willow-weaving-3-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willow-weaving-3-667x500.jpeg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willow-weaving-3-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willow-weaving-3-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Jenny has developed a willow copse in her own garden which she cuts each year to use in her basket making courses and supplements with Willow from the Somerset flats (and friends&#8217; gardens!) </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willo-weaving-5.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-36245" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willo-weaving-5.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willo-weaving-5-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willo-weaving-5-667x500.jpeg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willo-weaving-5-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willo-weaving-5-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Very relaxed, encouraging and friendly. These courses are not just about leaving with a beautiful artisan product made by your own labour but also about having space for yourself, a really good thing for busy minds. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE COURSE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1333" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willo-weaving-4.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-36242" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willo-weaving-4.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willo-weaving-4-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willo-weaving-4-375x500.jpeg 375w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willo-weaving-4-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willo-weaving-4-394x525.jpeg 394w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>We begin our basket bases with a &#8216;slath&#8217; and are walked through the first steps of weaving using a pipe cleaner, so much easier to undo than actual willow! After constructing a firm base we add long &#8216;whips&#8217; which take full advantage of the social distancing….. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willow-bundle.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-36249" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willow-bundle.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willow-bundle-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willow-bundle-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willow-bundle-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willow-bundle-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willow-bundle-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willow-bundle-200x200.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The fun really begins when the unassuming piles of sticks start to grow into little baskets made from a selection of beautiful coloured willows Jenny has prepared for us, including Flanders Red and Dickie Meadows which starts a rather unappetising speckled-black but once dry is the most beautiful soft green. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willow-weaving-1.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-36243" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willow-weaving-1.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willow-weaving-1-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willow-weaving-1-667x500.jpeg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willow-weaving-1-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willow-weaving-1-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The final job of attaching the handle with, by then, rather tired hands was a bit of a challenge but the overwhelming sense of satisfaction and of a job well done when I finally picked up my completed basket was fantastic.</p>



<p>I was so blooming chuffed with it I was inexplicably compelled to skip all the way back to the car clutching my beautiful basket like an aged Little Red Riding Hood. Already wondering what I can make next….</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/jenny-gracie-baskets-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-36247" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/jenny-gracie-baskets-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/jenny-gracie-baskets-2-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/jenny-gracie-baskets-2-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/jenny-gracie-baskets-2-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/jenny-gracie-baskets-2-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/jenny-gracie-baskets-2-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/jenny-gracie-baskets-2-200x200.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>A very meditative, mindful practice and it couldn&#8217;t be a better time to learn some traditional skills &#8211; take a beautiful basket to the shops instead of the dreaded &#8216;single-use plastic&#8217; &#8211; and when we&#8217;re all attempting to consume less and purchase in a sustainable way.</p>



<p><strong>Good for: </strong>suitable for all abilities, even those who feel they lack any sense of the artistic; fun with a friend but you would be equally at ease going solo; the gift of a voucher for one of these courses would be an excellent choice for Christmas if your mother/sister really doesn&#8217;t want another scarf.</p>



<p><strong>Not for: </strong>it&#8217;s a long day and a certain level of strength is definitely required in your fingers and thumbs. </p>



<p><strong>The damage: </strong>around £70 for a full-day course which would be sufficient time to make the berry basket or a trug; £25-£30 for half-day courses making various designs from bird feeders to plant supports.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Fancy having a go at willow weaving?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willo-wreath.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-36250" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willo-wreath.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willo-wreath-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willo-wreath-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willo-wreath-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willo-wreath-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willo-wreath-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/willo-wreath-200x200.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p> Jenny is running a number of <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Making Space to Make autumn/winter courses (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.facebook.com/makingspacetomake/photos/a.437757163786463/728252811403562/" target="_blank">Making Space to Make winter courses</a>, book via makingspacetomake@gmail.com.</p>



<p><em>Words by Ashley Tremlett.</em></p>


Basket case! Muddy has a go at willow weaving

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