by Jane Haselden | Nov 1, 2022 | Basketry & Natural Crafts
I’ve had the chance to work with lots of different plants, at this point in my basket making journey, but my favourite above all others, has to be New Zealand Flax (Phormium Tenax). I was missing working with these glorious fibres. My own plants are just babies...
by Jane Haselden | Aug 17, 2022 | Basketry & Natural Crafts
Rhubarb grows very well in the Orkney Islands and as you drive around the islands in late spring and summer, you will see it growing in gardens, on the roadside and even on the cliff edge. In the little courtyard between our house and its collection of outbuildings,...
by Jane Haselden | Jul 9, 2022 | Basketry & Natural Crafts
The discovery of an old treasure in one of our outbuildings, prompted me to realise an ambition, a couple of weeks ago. I found an old, wooden shoe last in the threshing barn, amongst a lot of other wooden bit’s and pieces. It was obviously made for a...
by Jane Haselden | Jun 15, 2022 | Basketry & Natural Crafts
It’s that time of year when lots of people have been gathering dandelion stems, to use in cordage and basketry. Dandelions are great, I’m a big fan, but they are not the only gift from nature to be gathering right now. Here, the daffodil leaves are all...
by Jane Haselden | Jun 12, 2022 | Basketry & Natural Crafts
A couple of family days out this month, have led me to some wonderful examples of traditional Orkney baskets. The first trip was to the Fossil and Heritage centre at Burray. It is a lovely little museum, tiny but packed with interesting collections and well worth a...