Concern about Covid-19 had been growing at this time, and the weekend course with Jane Wilkinson involved social distancing and plenty of hand-washing. Shortly after this Karen and I started ‘shielding’ and I was fortunate that my employer at that time (Scottish Fire Service) was able to support our decision. Around the same time, I became ill with a fever and strange gastric troubles, our doctor was not able to have me tested at that time, so I do not know if it was Covid or just some random illness. Karen became unwell with similar symptoms a few days later. Luckily the acute illness only lasted a couple of days and after a few more days feeling washed out, I seemed to recover with no lasting ill effects. My attempt at making a second ‘Polish style’ basket got a bit out of control and it turned out a bit tall and narrow – characterful! I also had my first attempt at a larger log basket, using mostly locally grown willow. This basket didn’t turn out as perfectly as I hoped, but it was a perfectly functional, if slightly wonky log basket and it has pride of place beside our living room fireplace. My next log basket followed soon after, and happily, was good enough to sell to a neighbour. I’m still very much the beginner, each basket is a learning process; trying out new techniques, remembering important little details, developing ‘muscle memory’. I am just beginning to understand just how much there is to learn – every choice of materials, of techniques, each step in the process of making has an impact on the final outcome; there are so many variables to be considered. I am still some way off from holding an image of what I want to create and then actually realising it, making it for real. I then used some of the left over willow to make a sturdy wee berry basket, which I gave to my daughter. Looking at it now, I can see the flaws: I used material that was too thick in some parts, my border needs more practice, as does the wrapped handle. But Janey is really pleased with it, she is a keen forager of wild mushrooms and it goes everywhere with her. I think she needs a bigger basket! What I am noticing with my basket weaving, is the intense focus involved, hours pass by unnoticed. It is a really enjoyable form of mindfulness; I can see why this type of craft activity is regarded as therapeutic. I am convinced that my overall feelings of well-ness (and blood pressure) have improved since starting basket making. I also wonder if it is something to do with being away from my workplace, it feels good not to be wearing my pager; the knowledge that, at any moment of the day or night, I might have to immediately stop whatever I am doing and quickly drive to the Fire Station to attend whatever emergency has arisen. This has been my normality for the last two years since retiring from my 26 years of wholetime service with the Scottish Fire Service. I have been available for call-outs to my local station (Cupar) for a minimum of 120 hours in every week. Most of the time it is fine, and I enjoy the work and the people I am working with. I feel very lucky to have been of service to my community in this way. But there are times when having that pager go off is the most inconvenient thing – at the supermarket checkout, in the middle of a meal, in the shower, and let’s not forget in the middle of the night! I am certain that Karen is happier for the undisturbed nights. After watching a video online from the talented and prolific basket-maker John Cowan, I had a few attempts at his traditional oval potato basket. He made it look so easy, but it was deceptively difficult, especially getting the oval base to sit nice and flat without twisting. A couple of them are now used as general purpose baskets at home, one has been promoted to my tool basket for my selection of basketry tools. A good friend had expressed an interest in a Polish style asymmetric basket that she had seen on Facebook. This one I made with a pot bellied shape and a nice mix of local and commercial willows, finished off with a hazel wood handle. When she came to our garden a little later, I had two subtly different ones for her to choose from – my very first sale! Another friend got in touch, wanting to buy a couple of the baskets that I had shown on Facebook. Due to the Covid restrictions in place, we agreed to a socially distanced meeting at the car park beside the Tay Bridge. I had put a good selection of my baskets in the car, together with the two that he had specified as I wanted to show him and his partner what else I had been making. I was really pleased that, they decided to buy four of my baskets. It was really encouraging to see that people really loved the baskets that I had been making. A great boost for me to keep practicing and making. Another boost was the arrival of some lovely willow from Musgrove: Dicky Meadows, Old French and buff. The Old French has a wonderful fragrance (and weaves beautifully). Over the summer, I made a number of baskets, of different sizes and shapes; experimenting with different techniques and learning all the time what works and what doesn’t! Another friend came by to see my work and asked me to make him an extra large log basket. He wanted one that could hold a whole days worth of logs. I really enjoyed the challenge of planning a particular size, shape and style, and then the satisfaction of seeing it take shape. I wanted it to show off the different techniques I had been practicing, so it included English and French randing and a section of slewing with bands of waling between for added strength. I was pleased to be able to use some of the chunky locally grown willow in it as well. After sharing images of it online, I was commissioned to make two more for some other friends. This was a great opportunity for me to see how well I could reproduce these baskets. There were differences, one had a smaller base and a slightly more flared shape (which I liked). Other differences arose because I had to use slightly different selections of rods, but I was really pleased with them. My fingers and shoulders noticed how much more physical it is, working with the thicker willow. Extra large log baskets, made with a selection of willows from Fife and Somerset. With some of the locally grown willows from Tailabout Farm.
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May 2020
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