WISHFUL WILLOWING

Whilst winter is well and truly on its way, we’ve already started day dreaming about next summer and some very special weeks that we’ve organised at Chateau Dumas. Selvedge’s summer at the Chateau begins in June with basket weaver Annemarie O’Sullivan and a course that will teach participants the process of planting and harvesting willow, how to prepare it for weaving and how to weave a beautiful frame basket from it.

Annemarie is currently away and as her out of office email tells us, is 'taking a break seeking out basket culture in far flung places’. She is a true creative and a master basket weaver; her dedication to her chosen craft becomes clear when you see her at work and learn of her processes. For Annemarie, being connected to the origin of her baskets is very important. She harvests the willow from her own plot or osier bed, and turns it into a lovingly handmade basket.

We will catch up with her when she’s back from her travels and in the meantime we'll be watching this beautifully shot film from Alun Callender and dreaming of warmer days, wishing ourselves into the future, to France and to Annemarie’s wonderful willow weaving workshop… 

16-23 June 2018, Willow Basketry with Annemarie O'Sullivan, Chateau Dumas, France

Course and board from €1,935 (£1680 - GBP price subject to change based on daily rates)

Hosted by Annemarie O'Sullivan

To read more about Annemarie and her baskets take a look at issue 74.

All images in this blog by photographer Alun Callender.