Willow baskets

In May 2020 - during the national coronavirus lockdown - I (re)discovered the joy of making willow baskets. I did some weaving in Latvia (the country I come from) and have always wanted to come back to it here in the UK. I found a group of very supportive basketmakers in Bristol and have joined their local willow growing cooperative.

I mainly use two types of willow: brown (bark-on, dried, re-soaked for several days before weaving, many different colours) and buff/white (bark-off, dried, re-soaked for a few hours before weaving). All the willow I use is organic and locally grown.

I make both traditional and non-traditional (sculptural/contemporary) baskets, and particularly like making asymmetric/spiral and pumpkin-base baskets. Below are examples of my work.

My basketmaking activity has slowed down significantly since the end of the pandemic. However, if you want to commission a basket or want to have a chat or learn more about the craft, please send me an email to: tjomza@gmail.com . You can also follow me on Instagram: @artjomsivlevs

ASYMMETRIC/ SPIRAL/ POLISH BASKETS

Asymmetrical/Polish/spiral basket, brown willow, curly willow handle

A large pumpkin-base, asymmetrical-finish basket with hazel handle, brown willow

Polish/spiral/asymmetric basket, brown and buff willow

Polish/spiral/asymmetric basket, brown willow

Asymmetric basket, locally foraged brown willow, birch handle

PUMPKIN/ROUND-BASE BASKETS

A large round basket, buff and white willow.

A large 'pumpkin' basket, brown and buff willow

Large pumpkin-base basket, five varieties of brown/steamed willow

A large rope-coil basket, brown willow

A large 'pumpkin'. buff and brown willow

Medium-size, pumpkin-base basket, locally foraged wild willow

Small bowl, locally foraged wild willow

Onion bowls, buff and brown willow + dogwood

Onion bowls, fragment

Onion bowls upside down

TRADITIONAL BASKETS

Large laundry basket, buff and white willow

Large fruit basket, buff and brown willow

A small round basket, buff willow

Large garden basket, brown willow and dogwood

Garden basket, brown willow

Garden trug/basket; brown willow

Large garden basket, locally foraged green willow

Onion/wall basket, brown willow

Large bowl, buff and brown willow

Traditional oval-base basket, brown willow

Large plate; buff and brown willow

A medium-size storage basket, brown willow (three varieties)

Small Catalan tray, brown willow

FRAME/SCULPTURAL BASKETS

Leaf-frame basket, hazel frame and brown willow

Small frame basket, semi-fresh willow

Frame basket, brown willow

Small frame basket, green and brown willow

"Pear" basket/ egg basket/ wall decoration/ brown willow

OTHER PROJECTS

Small foraging basket/bag, buff and brown willow, cotton twine

Foraging basket, buff and brown willow

Bird house-feeder; locally foraged green willow and dogwood

Bird house-feeder: fragment

Birdhouse, locally foraged green willow

Five plates, buff and brown willow

Flower pot/cashe pot, buff and green willow, dogwood

Flower pot/cashe pot, green willow

Christmas decorations; buff and brown willow

Decorations , brown and buff willow

Decoration, brown and buff willow

Three-bottle wine basket, brown and buff willow

Wine basket

Wine basket, buff and brown willow

Spiral-shape decorations, buff willow

Exhibition at Hookshouse Pottery, May-June 2021

Random-weave bowl, curly willow

Cone basket