A Big Willow-Filled Adventure Begins!

Welcome to my June newsletter!

This month, I have some exciting news to share. For some of you, this may come as a surprise, while those who have attended a recent workshop may have already heard a few hints about what’s happening behind the scenes.

For many years, I’ve talked about my dream of working with more locally sourced, sustainable, environmentally friendly materials in both my weaving and my teaching. After 12 years of weaving and 8 years of teaching, it finally feels like the right time to take a big step towards that vision.

In October, we’ll be moving to a lifestyle block in Amberley and creating what will become the Amberley Willow Farm.

Over the past month, I’ve been busy preparing the land, transplanting and mulching hundreds of willow plants, with hundreds more cuttings from this year’s harvest waiting to go into the ground. It’s a huge undertaking, but every row planted feels like an investment in the future of my craft and the workshops I offer.

There’s certainly a lot of work ahead, but I’m feeling incredibly hopeful and excited about what’s to come. Plans are already taking shape for a new weaving studio, on-site workshops, open days, and community events centred around the farm. My goal is to create a space where people can connect with traditional basketry, sustainable materials, and each other.

I’m looking forward to sharing this journey with you as it unfolds over the coming months and years.

Thank you for being part of this wonderful weaving community. Whether you’ve attended a workshop, purchased one of my baskets, commissioned a piece, or simply stopped for a chat about weaving, your support means so much. It’s a privilege to share my passion for this heritage craft with you!