Braythorne Baskets
Traditional basket making - an endangered heritage craft
Fiona Arnold - professional basket maker.
I just love making baskets. As well as experiencing the creative joy, I find willow is a beautiful material to handle.
I am the owner and maker at Braythorne Baskets founded in 2022 following a career transition. I also work for two other makers in Yorkshire when they are busy, and I owe them both a huge debt for encouraging and helping me to establish my business. Thank you, Mark Collier (Out of the Woods Craft) and Leilah Vyner (Dragon Willow.) I have learned, so much from you both and value the friendships we have created.
Braythorne Baskets has gone from strength to strength since completing my City and Guilds. This has been backed up with ongoing training with some of the country's finest weavers such as Eddie Glew, Clare Revera, Lewis Goldwater (Hazel split wood) and makers from Europe including Monica Guilera. They all inspire me to improve and work towards excellence.
I work from an old barn that was once a milking parlour, and share it with barn owls who come in to hunt, and swallows who have long established nests in the spring. The swallow chatter accompanies me as I weave on long warm days. In the winter months I move indoors to the warmth of the kitchen which is a constant juggle to at least half clear the table for meals! I am married to a very patient farmer.
Buying my work
Baskets, commissions and repairs
Commissions and repairs make up some of my work, as well as selling at local fairs and teaching small groups from home.
Often my inspiration comes from historic paintings, old baskets and undertaking repairs, and paying deference to old designs and long-gone maker’s strokes. I enjoy the design process and am always happy to work with clients to realise their basketry vision.
If you are interested in buying or commissioning a basket, please do make contact via my Instagram page (link below), or email me at braythornebaskets@gmail.com
Growing willow
High Braythorne Farm Willow beds
In 2023 I planted the first willow beds at High Braythorne Farm, in an area that we call Trotts wood. Named after the previous farmer whose family were here for 3 generations – The Trotters.
The willow flourished all through the spring and summer only to be eaten by deer towards the winter harvest. Investment in deer fencing and expansion of the willow beds will ensure that longer term I have basketry willow to use in my own work and have less reliance on the big commercial growers in Somerset.
I have planted a wide variety of Salix/willow for colour and variety and am experimenting with coppice and pollard willow.
Willow is free from harmful pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals and attractive to insects. It is a crop that is harvested annually, and some varieties grow to over 10ft. The crop is quick to establish and in 3- 5 years the willow stools will be bountiful. My plan is to expand the area I plant each year using cuttings from existing willow and register with DEFRA to sell willow helping with the farm’s income diversification.
