Lorna Singleton spelk baskets

Contact name: Lorna Singleton

Rating

(5)

over 6 years
with CraftCourses

Maker's bio

I make baskets out of oak & hazel primarily. The oak spelk is a critically endangered basket from the Furness fells of South Cumbria. They're a challenge to make but they last a lifetime or two. I have been weaving hazel baskets since 2015 & I love researching hazel basket styles throughout Europe. I was a coppice apprentice for 3 years with the Bill Hoggarth scheme, specialising in hazel restoration. I graduated in 2013 & now I'm a trustee of the scheme.

Courses, kits & gifts

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Recent reviews

All maker's reviews

5 Mar 20'

Lisa Fenton reviewed: Hazel wall basket workshop in Grizedale Forest

"A deeply rewarding course. Lorna is an inspiration, and her knowledge sharing is excellent. I was drawn to learn this skill because I loved the idea that I could learn to craft such a beautiful, functional and long-lasting basket with a small knife and a couple of hazel wands. Not only this, but it can be crafted without long waits to dry materials. It really is the epitome of a hedgerow basket! I was also fascinated by Lorna's wide and deep understanding of forests, craft and materials, as well as basket-making more widely. I loved the woodland atmosphere in which we crafted together as a group too. Thank you Lorna, I have enjoyed continuing to experiment with this technique!"

5 Mar 20'

Hazel Backpack reviewed: Woven hazel backpack with handmade rope straps

"It was fascinating to watch Lorna bend a relatively thick hazel rod over her knee to produce lengths of beautiful bark for weaving. Even more fascinating to see what was left after the bark was removed, a flexible inner core that could be split in two very easily by again bending over one's knee. It took a while to master the process myself, but once I did it was extremely rewarding. Thank you Lorna, a great workshop and a good heads up on the knee pads!"

3 Mar 20'

Anna Liebmann reviewed: Woven hazel backpack with handmade rope straps

"How amazing to be able to make a basket from a few rods of Hazel. Lorna patiently showed us the different ways to approach splitting the hazel rods, over our knees or on a horse (?) and dressing our strips with knives into weavable lengths. She also helped us a lot by making strips for us if ours weren't good enough. The rope machine is a great thing to behold- I was too engrossed in my weaving to try it out which I regret! I'm so glad to have learnt how to split the hazel to work with and hope to practise further and take the skill on with me in my work. The resulting baskets from all who went on the course with me were absolutely gorgeous, we were all very proud and grateful. Thankyou Lorna!"

28 Feb 20'

Rachel Bower reviewed: Woven hazel backpack with handmade rope straps

"Had 3 really great days learning how to make a hazel backpack with Lorna. Big thanks to her for going above and beyond in passing on her skills and knowledge with really clear and in-depth tuition. I came away with a huge improvement in my knife skills, a deeper respect for what hazel wood has to offer and a very beautiful basket! Would highly recommend :)"