King Alfred’s Cakes At this time of year there’s not so much around to forage, but these are a favourite for fire-making. I always keep an eye open for them when I’m out in the winter woods. Their Latin name is Daldinia concentrica and if you break one open you’ll …
One of the first things you notice about Owen Jones, apart from his friendly, relaxed demeanor, is his hands: huge and work-worn. They’ve definitely seen some years of graft. I’m at his workshop in Cumbria, to make an oak swill. This is a traditional split wood basket from the region, …
A crisp cold November morning and I’m meeting a group of archaeologists at Fort Cumberland in Portsmouth for a day of basketmaking. During our discussions and through the making itself, a couple of very interesting revelations happen over the day, which make invaluable connections between archaeological research and embodied experience. …
In conversation with No Serial Number Magazine, a publication which explores environmental sustainability through traditional crafts and innovative design. We discuss my …
After a day of making cordage from foraged plant fibres, my grubby fingernails show evidence of all the separating and scraping. Once …
For ages I’ve been wanting to make a pack, or back, basket from wood splints. They’re best made in the spring when …
Space Between is a recently commissioned, site-specific woodland sculpture at Wakehurst, (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew). It’s situated in Pearcelands Wood, their newly-opened ancient …
‘Plants are integral to reweaving the connection between land and people. A place becomes a home when it sustains you, when it …
One of the things that makes our Wild Pottery courses ‘wild’ is that we dig our own clay from the land What …
I’ve returned to Wakehurst on a bright autumn day to see if the rumours are true. One of my areas of research …
