Cleft-Stave Basket Mk III

-

This version of the Cleft-Stave 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'm very happy with the overall shape and proportions and I do like the 'hewn' texture of the cleft staves.  In fact I'm so happy that I'm dropping the Mk III designation and proudly announcing the arrival of ... The Cleft-Stave Basket (Previously known as MkIII).














Popular posts from this blog

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

Green Tiger Beetle

-
Image
  At Last! After searching for years amongst Norfolk's many heathland paths, I've spotted my first tiger beetle.  And where did I find it: on the edge of the wood as I was putting in a field gate! Quite a large colony; I spotted several over the course of the day and I'm wondering if they've been here all the time or established themselves after clearing  a large stand of conifers  and replanting with broadleaf? Before the commercial conifer plantation was set in the 1960's this area was predominantly a mixed heathland, with birch and gorse together with scattered oak and sweet chestnut.  Now it seems that the heathland community is re-establishing itself.  The gorse is back along with birches, linnets and mining bees.  And now we have the green tiger beetle.  What next? Let's hope for a nightjar!
Read more