News
JANUARY 2012 MEETING UPDATE
It was lovely to catch up with our group members and kick-off the New Year. Judging by all the chat at the beginning of the evening, there’s lots we’ve got to look forward to!
The group agreed that as Mel is working on her own at the moment, now is definitely the time for the group to pull together and start working as the collective. This has always been our aim, so now is the time for us to turn that vision into action. There’s always lots to organise from booking the hall, setting up, clearing away, bringing along work for us to view and discuss, teas, coffees and cakes, taking photos, contributing to the blog etc. – so the more of us that can get involved the better.
Monthly Meeting – Forward Plan
We had a quick brainstorm and came up with some ideas about what we’d like to make and also about what skills we’d like to practice in the forthcoming months. Our list so far is:-
• Round base practice
• Oval base practice
• Corn dollies
• Snails
• Small flowers (mini sunflowers)
• Gypsy flowers
• Random weaving practice
• Handle hospital – fix any problem handles
• Odds and Ends – a chance to catch up and complete any unfinished projects
• Christmas Crafts
• Summer and Christmas social gatherings (More cake!)
We’ll develop these into a monthly programme, any more ideas are also welcome – as ever it’s our group, so the more of us that have input the better. The idea is to concentrate on simple projects and tasks that we can complete during the evening. We agreed that Mel has final say on what we’re going to do each month – she has to prepare the willow, so it’s her shout. And definitely no plant supports!
Jenny Crisp Visit
Mel has been talking to Jenny Crisp about a visit to her workshop in Leominster. This is likely to be a weekday visit for us to see her workshop, willow beds and drool over her wonderful baskets. It also gives Deb the chance to continue her Jenny girl-crush. More details about dates, information about what we’ll be doing and how we’re going to get there will follow on the blog as we sort things out.
BA Summer Meeting
Prue Thimbleby has shared her ideas for what might be included in the BA Summer Meeting. As a reminder this is going to be held at the National Botanic Garden of Wales on 23 June. Prue’s ideas so far include;
An exhibition of basketry by Welsh basket makers (starting in the gallery at the Carmarthenshire Craft Centre, St Clears from 20th June and transferring to Craft in the Bay, Cardiff from 2 August until Sept 30)
23 + 24 June – demonstrations, mini-workshops and talks, evening BBQ and a private view of the St Clears basketry exhibition at 11.00 am
Week 25-29 June – workshops with Helen Campbell – Welsh Tea Things basket and Pippa Scott – Make your own Coracle
Prue is also in discussion with Terry Dunne, the Irish weaver, who may be able to do a bark workshop during the week
In addition to all the above, Prue is seeking funding for two artists in residence in the gardens in the week commencing 16 June. The main focus of this will be to have a small camp of Welsh basket makers and to finish the week working with Michelle Cain to create a 4m high sculpture of a wild boar! More information about this will follow once funding has been confirmed.
As you can see there is a lot going on and understandably Prue is looking for people who can do some of the work at the Summer Meeting and the other events in order to bring her vision to life. Prue needs volunteers who can help with:-
Someone to liaise with people like the can shop so that they arrange to come and sell their wares
Someone to liaise with our basket making group in order to get the mini workshops and demonstrations running
Someone to organise the first and best basket display
Someone to do the marketing/press releases/BA magazine
Someone to organise a way of people giving feedback – perhaps interactively
Someone to provide name badges, refreshments, welcome
Prue has also said that more helpers will be needed to do jobs if the residency comes off and passed on the message ‘Please don’t rely on other people offering – offer quickly for the job you prefer.’
Anyone interested should contact Prue on prue@thimbleby.net
Wool and Willow Festival
Wool and Willow Festival is on again in Llanidloes, 2nd to 30th June. If anyone is interested in organising anything for the group perhaps we can discuss it further at the next meeting.
Basketry and Beyond
Something to look forward to in the summer of 2013 – Basketry and Beyond will take place at Dartington in Devon, May 18th – 19th.
In spite of all the talking, cake eating and general catching up, we found time to get our hands on some willow too. Mel had brought along some beautiful golden willow, which some people used to make hearts, Les had a trug making group and some of us made some ribs for use in Welsh shoppers later in the month.
And finally
Mel provided an update about our absent friend and we all sent love, hugs and huge positivity.
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NOVEMBER MEETING UPDATE
Party time and how basket makers can party! With enough food to feed the entire village of Colwinston we kicked off as usual at 7pm and had a lovely few hours of chat and laughter. Yvonne bought some beautiful willow and we just had a little play around with wreaths and small Christmassy things. Nice to catch up with everyone, looking forward to next year.
Next meeting is 30 January 2012, same time and place, see you all then.
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OCTOBER MEETING UPDATE
October's meeting saw us creating beautiful willow lanterns and after a tiny bit of fiddling and cursing everyone managed to piece something together. Would love to see them all lit up but there's only so much that can be done in an hour or so!
More news and photos on our blog
welshbasketmakers.wordpress.com.
Welsh Basketmakers - South Wales Group, Ogmore by Sea, Vale of Glamorgan
Tel : 01656 880514 - 01656 881007 Email: info@welshbasketmakers.co.uk
