Nestled in our little corner of South Warwickshire, each willow rod is lovingly grown and harvested by hand.
Over twenty years ago, Clare was lucky enough to attend a ‘Willow Dome Building’ course.
With a group of fellow primary school teachers, she spent a very enjoyable (but rather chilly) day, learning about willow cultivation and care, culminating in the planting and twisting of sticks to create a reasonably successful ‘dome-like’ structure.
“The tactile willow, with its incredible survival instinct and ability to throw out new, fresh, green shoots from even the tiniest of cuttings, really struck a chord.
I was hooked and totally fascinated by all things willow.”
- Clare Shilvock
It took a while, with work, family and other life events but, in 2015, we were lucky enough to move to our small family farm in rural Warwickshire, just outside Stratford-Upon-Avon.
As part of our diversified business, we began planting our first willow cuttings and we now have 60 different varieties of Salix (willow) flourishing on our land.
It has not been easy. We have battled with the British weather - too hot, too cold, too dry, too wet - and have worked hard to gently persuade the local wildlife that there are tastier things around to eat, other than our newly planted willow!
2019 saw our first ‘proper harvest’
We began supplying willow weavers, basketmakers, crafters, sculptors, gardeners, florists, hedgelayers and coffin makers with top quality, organic willow.
Sustainably grown in Warwickshire, just a stone’s throw from Mary Arden’s House, the former home of William Shakespeare’s mother.
“Make me a willow cabin at your gate, And call upon my soul within the house;
Write loyal cantons of contemned love And sing them loud even in the dead of night.”
- William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, Act 1 Sc 5.
Clare developed a real affinity for working with the willow and in July 2022, completed her City & Guilds Level 2 course in Basketry and Creative Design, gaining a Distinction.
She was fortunate to be awarded the Basketmakers’ Association Professional Progress Award in October 2022, was honoured to be awarded a place on the Basketmakers’ Professional Development Programme in 2023 and completed studying for her Level 3 Diploma in Craft Skills for Creative Industries - Basketry, at Westhope College in Shropshire in 2024.
Transforming the willow that we grow into unique finished pieces of function and form has become our way of life; living in tune with the seasons, showcasing the natural colour, texture and supple lines of this wonder material.
Matthew works behind the scenes making wooden jigs, welding metal frameworks, completing groundworks, weeding the withy beds, fetching and carrying willow bundles, providing moral support and generally being a superstar, willing to turn his hand to almost any new challenge. Our infinitely wise and supportive parents are all also keen to muck in and assist when they can; our teenage children- not so much!
We also love to have help at harvest time from extended family, friends and willing volunteers.
Clare was delighted to be awarded an emerging artist bursary and the opportunity to exhibit at Warwickshire Open Studios in the Summer of 2023.
In November 2023 she was invited to exhibit at the Contemporary Arts Festival Discover:Gather:Give in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Clare will be exhibiting again at
The Contemporary Arts Festival Discover:Gather:Give Stratford-upon-Avon 15th-17th November 2024
‘Art in the Cotswolds’ Shipston-on-Stour 29th November-1st December 2024
It would be lovely to see you so why not pop by?
Combining her basketmaking skills with her background in teaching, Clare is committed to keeping heritage crafts alive through constant learning and sharing of knowledge.
Always keen to spread some willowy love, we hope to inspire others to take up basketry by running taster sessions and skills development workshops.
Clare teaches at several local venues including the Heritage Centre in Stratford-upon-Avon, Larkswold near Moreton-in-Marsh, Warwickshire College, the RSC and Westhope College for fee paying guests, private individuals, local community groups and children.