“I am fascinated by the way in which an old and sustainable craft that leaves no mark behind it can always be refashioned for functional use and artistic creativity.”
About Maggie
I have been making baskets and studying the ancient art of basketmaking for nearly four decades.
I work with locally-sourced materials in search of English forms. My work includes large-scale art installations in public spaces, reconstructing historical functional baskets, and commissions for repairs and specialist basket-working.
My training began in Birmingham, and I now live in the East Midlands - the traditional heart of the basket-making industry in Britain.
Watch as I take you on a tour of Castle Donington - the heart of the traditional British basketmaking industry, and demonstrate how to make a basket from natural willow.
Putting the finishing touches on my Willow Horse sculpture
With Chris Packham from BBC Springwatch
At work
Exhibiting at a country fair
Best trade stand competition
With the Mayor of Nottingham
I create heritage baskets based on the research of old techniques. I specialise in fruit and harvest baskets as well as animal baskets, traps, cages and hives. Creatively, I enjoy using these time-honoured designs as a stimulus for making contemporary baskets and modern art-works.
Awards & Memberships
Awarded Freedom of the City of London in 1997.
Became a yeoman member of the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers in 2014.
Member of the Basketmakers’ Association UK.
