Ironbridge exhibition

This year, I'm once again part of Weave Only A Trace - a collective of Shropshire-based artist-makers who work with willow, wood and natural fibres. Our next exhibition will be in Ironbridge at the Footprint Gallery on 18-30th November. Along with the main exhibition, there will be a festive pop up shop, daily demonstrations and workshop programme.

We're having an event to celebrate the opening of the exhibition on Saturday 22nd, 2-4pm which I hope you'll be able to join us for. Mary Lewis, who is Head of Craft and Sustainability at Heritage Crafts Association and is also one of our exhibiting artists, will be giving a talk on the rich heritage of basketmaking. There will be free drinks, kindly sponsored by Astley Vineyard and the Priory Hall Much Wenlock.

I'm also running a free open day at the Ironbridge Community Willow Bed in collaboration with the Severn Gorge Countryside Trust on Thursday 27th, 1-3pm for those of you interested in learning more about how to grow willow.  I'll be giving tours of the bed, and will be able to tell you all about different willow varieties, living willow structures, willow binders for hedgelaying, and how willow is harvested and prepared for basketry. There will be willow cuttings available for sale - proceeds from which will support the conservation and education work of the Severn Gorge Countryside Trust.

For further information, please visit our website: www.weaveonlyatrace.co.uk