Cleft-Stave Basket Mk III

-

This latest basket is made from home-grown hazel and sweet chestnut.  It's moved a fair way from the original pattern, which I derived from a Jack Rowsell made original, so I would not dare to call it a 'Devon style' stave basket.  It's quite a different shape - much more oval than the original, and the staves and baseboard are cleft from sweet chestnut rather than sawn softwood.  I think just 'Cleft-Panel Basket' will do nicely!















Popular posts from this blog

Port Orford Cedar

-
Image
  Native to Oregon and much prized in Japan as a construction timber; why it was planted here in this small corner of North Norfolk, I have no idea! But of all the conifers that we regularly thin and replace with broadleaf, the Orfords are left well alone until needed.  It's such a lovely timber to work: It's straight grained, cleaves cleanly, steam-bends (as well as ash) and is highly rot resistant.   No, it's not as visually interesting as maybe board-sawn oak and perhaps not as tough as seasoned beech, but it has an unassuming and delicate grain and has a delightful ginger-like scent.  Used recently on the splint baskets (see previous post), I treated the top faces of the bands and handle with my interpretation of a Japanese tannin dye, it's a deep reddish brown and it's as natural a stain as you could ever wish for, and what's more... it's a preservative too! As a side note;  how ever much I've enjoyed working with Orf...
Read more

Stave Baskets

-
Image
  If I had to choose just one artefact to illustrate the diversity of practical approaches to woodland materials, then the stave basket would have to be it ! It's a very traditional construction, most notably associated with makers in Devon.  Alas, it is now an endangered species, although happily, a couple of very accomplished makers are still active in stalling its demise - it's certainly worth searching them out. These two I made from materials sourced in the wood.  Perhaps not ultra-traditional, but a pragmatic selection of what I have available.  The bases are made of ash, the staves of Douglas fir and the steam-bent bands and handles are made from Orford cedar (an unusual but beautiful timber to work with). In future posts I'll be taking a closer look at their construction, particularly their material ecology and the associated techniques that go into their making. 
Read more

Welcome to Tim Willey's New Site

-
Image
Over the coming days and weeks I'll be building solely on this new site.  Its focus will be mainly on material ecology but will also include  day-to-day escapades in 'Tales from the Woods'.  I   hope it will prove a useful and entertaining resource. Please drop by again soon. 
Read more