Crafty Basketry reviews

Daniel Constantin Mocrei reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Hedgerow Basket Making for Beginners/Improvers - Day Course at Cowshed Workshop, Tenterden

"I absolutely loved this course and it was worth the money. Marianne was a fantastic guide, explaining everything and helping when needed. It is not easy though - be warned! BUT definitely worth the effort and we all took away some beautiful and completely different baskets. Marianne was really sensitive at pitching things at the right level for each individual. The day is long and requires concentration but such a lovely skill to learn. I would absolutely recommend this course. I will be booking on the next one for sure. Emma"

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Thanks so much for your recommendation, Emma. It means so much to me, especially with your Occupational Health background. You know the importance of therapeutic occupation, first hand. Glad to pick up from your email that the length of the day was fine for you. Look forward to seeing you again soon at the next course. Thanks again very much. With best wishes, Marianne Angeloni-van Niekerken Crafty Basketry"

Judith Rowe reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Hedgerow Basket Making for Beginners/Improvers - Day Course at Cowshed Workshop, Tenterden

"The weekend course with Marianne at Cowshed was a pleasure right from the beginning, with a warm and friendly welcome in a magical environment. Marianne is a calm and caring teacher, overflowing with enthusiasm for her craft and very much wanting to share her knowledge and experience. Somehow she was able to be there for all of us, patiently assisting at the right moment and in the right way. Although there are a lot of stages to learn, and the thumbs have to get used to working hard, it was a relaxing atmosphere in which we shared that particular kind of rippling conversation that happens when all are engaged physically and mentally. I’ve always felts that baskets are low priced…and now I really know they are, and have a deepened appreciation for the skill and time needed to make them. We all came away happy with the baskets we had created, and each of us looking forward to making the next one!"

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Hi Judith, Thank you so much for your review. You were a lovely, charming student and it was great to get to know you a little better. I think we all made new friends that day, didn't we?! Hope to see you again soon at one of my other courses and in your shop of course, "Made" in Hastings. All the very best, Marianne Crafty Basketry"

Heidi Mandera reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Hedgerow Basket Making for Beginners/Improvers - Day Course at Cowshed Workshop, Tenterden

"A super day in a lovely venue....quite a challenge at times but Marianne is THE most patient person with a very kind, calm manner! Very rewarding to come home with something usable at the end of the day...would thoroughly recommend. I have a much greater appreciation of traditional skills having had a go myself!!"

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Thanks so much for your recommendation and kind words. It's good to hear that you had a super day at King John's Nursery in Etchingham, my first time at that location. Just your kind of place, a nursery! Hope to see you again soon. Perhaps at the Farmer's Market at Ashburnham Place. Thanks again very much, All the very best, Marianne Angeloni-van Niekerken Crafty Basketry"

Sasha Lean-Vercoe reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Hedgerow Basket Making for Beginners/Improvers - Day Course at Cowshed Workshop, Tenterden

"What a fantastic day! So pleased to have done the one day basket weaving course with Crafty Baskets. I would like to reiterate Helenas prefect review above, Marianne was very patient, relaxed and has a wonderful manner of teaching, keeping you on track and encouraging your own style. Along with her knowledge of basketmaking, its history, process and plants made it a fascinating day. The Cowshed Workshop was also an inspiring location and it added to the tranquil and mediative process. I am thrilled to bits with my basket and ready for the next course! Thank you so much Marianne"

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Oh Sasha, I'm blown away by your review of the course you attended! Thank you so much. It makes me super happy to hear that. Look forward to meeting and catching up with you on Tuesday at your first plant support course. With best wishes, Marianne Angeloni-van Niekerken Crafty Basketry"

David reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Hedgerow Basket Making for Beginners/Improvers - Day Course at Cowshed Workshop, Tenterden

"I had a great time at the basket weaving course with Marianne. The tuition was excellent and i came away with a basket I was really proud of. Would definitely recommend for basket weavers of all skills."

Lou reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Hedgerow Basket Making for Beginners/Improvers - Day Course at Cowshed Workshop, Tenterden

"Brilliant course, beautiful location and a very patient Marianne! So pleased to have made my first ever basket and looking forward to the next one :-)"

Joanna reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Weaving Christmas Wreaths and / or other Decorations at Tenterden

"I LOVED my whole day course making a fruit/veg basket. It was more challenging than I expected but the end result was so much better than I expected. My family are all very impressed with my basket and I am very proud of it. Marianne is a lovely patient teacher and the day was extremely well organised. Thank you for the scrumptious chocolate cake, lovely barn and log burner.... the perfect setting for basket making."

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Dear Joanna, Thank you so much for your review! I'm very pleased that you loved the experience. You made such a lovely basket. I hope you have found the perfect spot to show it off and use it. Hopefully see you again in the new year with your daughter, making an obelisk or cloche. Very best wishes, Marianne Crafty Basketry"

Helena Meadows reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Hedgerow Basket Making for Beginners/Improvers - Day Course at Cowshed Workshop, Tenterden

"I had a really wonderful day on the one day basket weaving course with Marianne a couple of weeks ago! Marianne was such a relaxed and encouraging teacher and I loved the fact that she let us all be creative with our baskets, trying different weaves or shapes that we had seen in her own beautiful examples, rather than just making us all follow the same pattern. Marianne was super at helping you out when you got stuck, never making you feel like you were asking too many times and had such a chilled attitude that really put enjoying the process and creating a therapeutic environment as her top priority. I so enjoyed trying something so different and so natural and found the process of weaving so mindful - I haven't be able to sit down and focus on one thing with a clear mind in a very long time so that was a huge positive outcome for me. I am super pleased with the basket I made, Marianne supported me to try out a double weave with two different colours of willow which I absolutely love - it is currently on loan to my Dad for his kindling wood but when I get my allotment I am planning for next year I will be using it to transport gardening tools and bring pack veg and flower yields! Thank you for such a great experience Marianne and being so kind, I hope I can do another course with you at some point in the not too distant future!"

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Thank you so much for your amazing review, Helena. It means so much to me, you feeling relaxed and mindful and able to focus; your body and soul completely in sync. Isn't it meditative! Would be wonderful, if you could do another course, or maybe even a two-day course. Perhaps if you decide to stay with Linda for a bit, over the winter months. Thank you again very much for your lovely words. Good luck with the veg plot (sounds really exciting!) and knit a bit from time to time, as that will bring your mind to focus as well and is creative. All the very best and hope to see you again soon, Marianne x"

Liz Meadows reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Hedgerow Basket Making for Beginners/Improvers - Day Course at Cowshed Workshop, Tenterden

"I so enjoyed Marianne's Basketry one day course last weekend. I had never done anything like this before and it has really made me see baskets in a whole new light as so much goes into the making, from the preparation of the willow, the varying colours and different types of weave. I admit I found it challenging at times and the process was different to how I had imagined but Marianne was so kind, calm and helpful that I amazed myself and managed to produce a terrific basket by the end of the day. The weaving action is very therapeutic and mindful and the sense of achievement is so rewarding. Thank you Marianne for giving us the opportunity to learn something new and generally for a super day."

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Hello Liz, Thank you so much for your amazing review! I've never had such a stunning review like the one you gave me. So fantastic to hear that you've had such a great time. It was a pleasure to meet you and Helena. So wonderful to see her enthusiasm for the craft and to see her progressing so amazingly fast! It made it all great fun. I'll soon put the process of making the base on video, so Helena can make another basket, all on her own. Thank you again very much. Very best wishes, Marianne Crafty Basketry"

Pamela Carter reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Hedgerow Basket Making for Beginners/Improvers - Day Course at Cowshed Workshop, Tenterden

"A very interesting course which I thoroughly enjoyed. Marianne gave just the right amount of instruction, help and advice. The small numbers made it very inclusive. Thank you, Marianne"

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Dear Pam, Thank you so much for your kind words! So wonderful to hear that you've had such a great time. It was a pleasure to meet you. I hope you'll have a lot of pleasure from your basket. You did a fantastic job! Thank you again very much. Very best wishes, Marianne Crafty Basketry"

Linda Carter reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Hedgerow Basket Making for Beginners/Improvers - Day Course at Cowshed Workshop, Tenterden

"This was my first go at basket weaving and I really could not have found a better teacher in Marianne. She was so helpful in every way. Everything was considered from setting up to the finished article. We were promised we would make a basket and we did!!! Excellent course!!"

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Hello Linda, Thank you so much for your lovely review! So fantastic to hear that you've had such a great time. It was a pleasure to work on this together and make sure you all had a tremendous time. I thoroughly enjoyed the jokes and praises between you all. It was great fun. Looking forward to the next time we'll meet. Thank you again very much. I wouldn't have been able to do it without you and all your energy. Very best wishes, Marianne xx Crafty Basketry"

Caroline Dickson reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Beginners Morning Course - Weaving an Autumn or Christmas Wreath, Tenterden

"Such a lovely morning making a door wreath woven from willow. Marianne is a patient and kind teacher and it was most enjoyable."

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Thank you so much for your review, Caroline! It means so much to me, that you had a super time. The atmosphere was wonderful again and you made it even more special, adding your artistic flair. Look forward to seeing you again soon, who knows, at another basketry course. Many thanks again. With best wishes, Marianne x Crafty Basketry"

Julia Valentine reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Hedgerow Basket Making for Beginners/Improvers - Day Course at Cowshed Workshop, Tenterden

"Really super day which was thoroughly enjoyed, thank you. Am looking forward to booking the next one with you !"

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Good morning Julia, Thank you so much for your lovely review! So fantastic to hear that you've had such a great time. It was a pleasure to meet you. I thoroughly enjoyed the banter between Karen and you, which made it all great fun. Looking forward to the next time we'll meet. Who knows, this may be at the next wreath-weaving course. Thank you again very much. Very best wishes, Marianne Crafty Basketry"

Janet ledger reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Basket Making for Beginners - Day Course at Kench Hill, Tenterden

"What a brilliant day making a basket from willow surrounded by woodland . Thank you."

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Good morning Janet, Thank you so much for your fantastic review. Much appreciated. I hope you had a wonderful time away and have been able to fully unwind. Look forward to meeting you again, who knows at another of my courses. Again many thanks. Best wishes, Marianne Crafty Basketry"