English Willow Basketworks reviews

14 Mar 17'

Jayne Gutteridge reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"I would thoroughly recommend this workshop. Julie is a very patient teacher, no matter how many times I forgot something and had to ask her, she would say – “that’s why I’m here”. Julie’s enthusiasm and love of basket making is very contagious. With her very clear step by step demonstrations I made a basket I am very pleased with, and am proud of myself for such an achievement. I have found myself looking at other baskets and really appreciating the amount of work and time it took to create them, and am able to recognise the patterns used. Although there is a lot to learn and do there was no pressure, everyone worked at their own pace and we all finished our fantastic baskets together. A really enjoyable day – thank you Julie."

28 Nov 16'

Ray reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"What an absolutely fantastic day. From start to finish, Julie was extremely professional, knowledgeable, & amazingly patient with us all. Julie is clearly passionate about basket making, & this shows with her depth of knowledge, understanding of the materials being used & also her understanding of the learner themselves. It was a true pleasure to spend the day with Julie & the other participants, all openly sharing experiences & information with each other. Our baskets were all completed, & were so much better than I expected, with a great sturdy quality feel! Proof that Julie really knows her stuff, & is genuinely happy to share her knowledge, gained through many years of experience. Like minded people, doing like minded things, with a wonderful host. Thank you Julie."

3 Nov 16'

Tricia Weeks reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"What an amazing day. From not having done any basket weaving since school I came home with a wonderful item. Julie was an excellent and patient tutor and was very clear with her instructions. As the class was small it meant that she had time for everyone and no one had to rush to keep up. The Bakewell tart was also delicious but the best bit was walking home with my basket just like Little Red Riding Hood."

2 Nov 16'

Carl Millward reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"A wonderful day with excellent tuition. It is clear that the instructor, Julie King, knows her subject well, and is willing to pass that information on. The content of the day was just right, we worked all day and ended up with - in my opinion - fabulous baskets!! The next day a friend refused to believe I actually made my basket!! I would highly recommend this one-day workshop to anyone. Knowledgeable tuition in a friendly atmosphere with tea, coffee and homemade cake provided - what is there not to like? I'm very pleased."

2 Oct 16'

Beryl reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"This was a fantastic day, friendly, small group and ideal location. Julie is an amazing teacher, very knowledgable and patient. I am so pleased with the basket I have made and have been inspired to order some willow to have a go by myself. I would definitely recommend this day to anyone who wants to find out about this traditional craft. Thank you Julie."

15 Sep 16'

Bridget Castle reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"Great course - very well run by Julie (and her husband Bob who came later). Julie explained all aspects of basket making very well and was very patient for those of us who were a bit fingers and thumbs! Pace of the course was just right - not too rushed. Julie spent time with all the attendees making sure we got to complete our baskets without too much trouble. All in all a really good fun course - made all the better with the benefit of Julie's cakes at tea break!!"

12 Jun 16'

Debbie Hodges reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"I thoroughly recommend this day course if you are interested in learning basket making. Julie is an excellent tutor - she has years of experience and is patient and thorough. The classes are kept small to allow plenty of one to one guidance and assistance, and although there is a lot to pack into the day, it isn't rushed and I learnt so much. The added bonus is that you get to make your very own basket to take home at the end of the day, with all the materials supplied. The homemade cakes were delicious too!"

7 Jun 16'

Andy & Sue reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"We highly recommend this day course with Julie. Excellent tuition with extremely useful tips and information, delicious home made cakes, friendly, relaxed atmosphere and baskets to take home that we were very proud of. Very pleased to have taken the decision to book this."

6 Jun 16'

Julie Cole reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"What an excellent tutor Julie is! Patient, friendly and extremely knowledgeable about her craft and best of all, Julie wants to share her knowledge with her students. A well run and wholly absorbing course with the bonus that you take home your very own hand crafted basket at the end of the day. I cannot recommend this course any higher, a first class introduction to English basket making."

13 Apr 16'

Tano reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"Excellent day, but hard work. The complicated steps were well explained and demonstrated by Julie and everyone produced a basket of high quality we could be proud of with very little help. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend this course."

13 Mar 16'

Richard & Helen reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"We thoroughly enjoyed the day of willow basket making. It was well organised and friendly with plenty of lovely tea and cake! We were taken through the steps with lots of clear instructions and support at each stage. It was good to produce our own baskets from start to finish. Julie gave us lots of interesting information through the day too. We would thoroughly recommend this course."

17 Feb 16'

Ally Clarke reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"What a great way to spend a day. From initial booking to follow up details and pictures I thought this was a well organised and excellent course. Julie is a great teacher, cool and calm, always happy to guide and help but not DO it for us,. The day was well planned and prepared,the pace was just right and we all worked at our own pace with Julie on hand to help if and when needed. I learnt a lot and hope to have another go at making a basket soon. I was very pleased with my basket which is currently centre stage on my table! The delicious cakes and refreshments were appreciated on such a cold snowy day as well. I would happily reccommend ."

29 Nov 15'

Cherry Watts reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"I had such a super day today, working with Julie and five fellow students. We learned so much from Julie who is an expert in her craft and a very good, patient teacher. Everything that we needed was supplied and we all came away with a basket which we had made ourselves and I think we were surprised with what we were able to achieve in just one day. My husband was certainly impressed by the basket when I returned home! Thank you for a lovely day!"

29 Nov 15'

Libby Eley reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"What a wonderful day. Julie is a great teacher. I came away with a beautiful basket that I made myself! Julie's couching and encurragement made the day. I had great fun learnt loads and now I have the confidence about trying some projects of my own at home. Highly recommend this course."

6 Nov 15'

Josie reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"Thank you for a most enjoyable and rewarding day. The tuition was spot on, being a small group Julie was able to offer plenty of one to one time and the end result is a very attractive fruit basket, handle and all. The home made cake was delicious and the whole day although quite "hands on" was relaxing and stimulating. Also thanks to Rob for the additional tuition for the tricky handle part. If I could make one suggestion it would be, could you perhaps offer " bundles" of willow to purchase on the day which contain everything required to make another basket the same, to get a bit more practice without having to purchase a big order from the growers. Thank you."

6 Nov 15'

Josie reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

3 Nov 15'

MICHELLE reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"My sister and I had a memorable and fascinating day. Julie is a most patient and gifted teacher. My basket is sitting on my kitchen table for all to see. What a wonderful feeling to say "I made that". Thank you Julie and thank you to your husband who helped us overcome the tricky rope handle bit. Thoroughly recommend this day.(and the cakes, my favourite was the Victoria Sponge with butter icing to die for)"

2 Nov 15'

Trish reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"I recommend this course. I had an absolutely wonderful day. Julie was so welcoming and made everyone feel comfortable. Julie was such a good teacher. She was patient and relaxed, with us, yet kept us on track so that by the end of the day we had all made a basket. We had tea and the most delicious homemade cake throughout the day (to keep our energy up!). I really feel that I now have the knowledge to be able to create a basket alone (with the written guidance Julie provided for us). It is a treasure of a gift to carry the knowledge of this ancient skill and a privilege to learn it from Julie."

30 Sep 15'

Tanya Greentree reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"This was a thoroughly enjoyable day! It was a lovely feeling at the end, to walk away with a basket knowing you had done it all by yourself. Julie was an excellent teacher, very patient and very informative. I would highly recommend one of her classes (along side trying her homemade cakes!! they were very yummy!!) the knowledge that she has in the basket/willow world was endless and she taught us all so much. I remember her saying "after today you won't look at a basket in the same way ever again" and boy was she right!! If only there could be a weekly class as I would be there like a shot!"

21 Jul 15'

John Turner reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"This was a very good course indeed and I recommend it without reservation. Julie provided everything, including the beautiful brown and green natural willow rods which she had bought from Somerset, suitably damp and pliable, as well as the simple tools needed. She then demonstrated each of the stages in making a basket, and we followed each stage under her sympathetic eye. We started by learning how to make the strong "English Bottom", incorporate the rods for the sides, use "green" weavers to fill in the sides, make "whale" borders, and finish with a strong woven handle. And at the end we had each made an extremely strong and attractive basket to take home. There were only 4 on our course, and the atmosphere was very friendly and good-natured. Julie is a great teacher - sympathetic and encouraging, helping and advising us each as needed, and she even supplied brilliant cakes. Absolutely wonderful!"

13 Jun 15'

Sophie reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"I really enjoyed this day. Julie is a patient and encouraging teacher and she is very generous in sharing her knowledge of basket making. During the day it was fascinating to find out about growing and preparing the willow, the history of the craft, and the many skills involved in making one basket. And it was a great pleasure and surprise to take a finished basket home at the end of the day!"

21 May 15'

Katie Turnbull reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"What a fantastic day, the 8 hours seemed to fly by all too soon. Julie's calm patience and easy going approach to imparting her years of knowledge enabled me to make a basket to be proud of. Looking forward to putting all I learnt on the day into practice. I thoroughly recommend this course."

20 May 15'

Jackie Hough reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"What an enjoyable and rewarding workshop! Having tried making a couple of baskets following a book at home, it was so helpful being shown the way to hone my fledgling skills to avoid unsightly gaps, and uneven uprights! Step by step, Julie showed us all the stages in basket construction, and I was delighted with the improvement I made over my own efforts. There were so many small techniques to learn that made such a difference to the finished article. Rope making for the handle was a revelation; no way would I have managed that from a book. Strong thumbs are a must, but otherwise enthusiasm is probably the main ingredient needed to succeed on this workshop. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Julie as a tutor. Nothing beats being shown a craft skill by a patient, knowledgeable expert."

18 May 15'

Lis Riley reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"What an excellent course. Julie is a great tutor and super knowledgeable about her craft. With patience she guided us through our day which resulted in some pretty awesome baskets at the end. Each a great success and a credit to Julie's clear and methodical instruction. I'd recommend Julie to anyone (with/without experience) if they were looking to try basket making or even if you needed to brush up or develop what you already know. You really won't be disappointed. Most likely we'll do another!"

2 May 15'

Jenny reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"Julie was an excellent teacher - very calm, patient and knowledgable. The day was informative as well as being good fun. I was really proud of my basket, as I think we all were. There were 6 people in the class, just about the right number as we all worked at different speeds. I would happily recommend this course to anyone who enjoys a bit of crafting. Parking was easy and the cake ( homemade by Julie ) was splendid."