Rachel's Willow Designs

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Rachel's Willow Designs

I weave handmade, eco-friendly, sustainable items for the house and garden from willow. Each piece is unique with its own personality.
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After 16 years working as a gardener doing battle with the elements, I was looking for a change. I enjoy working with natural materials and fell in love with willow weaving, one of the oldest crafts in the world. Willow is a flexible, versatile material, which can be used for anything from basket making to sculpting. The sustainability of willow is key to my business. In the UK, willow growing is

centred on the Somerset levels, with its low-lying flood plains providing the perfect growing conditions. Willow is incredibly fast growing, with over 10 feet of growth in a single year. Each plant is coppiced and harvested annually for 60 years, and it absorbs carbon and provides a habitat for wildlife as it grows.

11/10/2025

I wanted to post the photos of the last workshops I taught. I had so much fun teaching two round bird feeder workshops, a zarzo basket class and a pig sculpture workshop. The beautiful willow creations in the photos speak for themselves. Everyone did an amazing job 🤩.

I needed a little time to be able to write this post. Running my willow business has been a really special time in my life and one I won’t ever forget. I’ve gone from weaving small scale at home to hiring a studio with a fantastic teaching space. I’ve loved weaving baskets and sculptures, especially hares, and would like to thank everyone who has bought or ordered from me. I have never taken your support for granted and have appreciated every kind word. I think anyone who has come along to one of my workshops will know how much I’ve enjoyed teaching. It’s been a joy and a pleasure to share the fun of willow weaving with you. Stepping back from the business has been a really tough decision and one which I haven’t taken lightly, but sometimes life has other plans for us. If you’ve been bitten by the weaving bug then there are other basketweavers teaching out there so go along and continue your willow journey 😄. If weaving isn’t your thing, then embrace other forms of creativity and remember to share your support with all those talented, amazing creatives out there ❤️🤩😁

09/09/2025

Bobby is heading off to his new home. I’m sure he’ll be very happy there with a spaniel for company 😁! Just a quick reminder that I’m closed tomorrow but open again from Thursday to Sunday 10-5 each day for the rest of Perthshire Open Studios.

08/09/2025

It was a busy weekend taking part in Perthshire Open Studios with lots of little fish swimming home from the studio 😍 🐟!! If you want to have a go at weaving your own fish and learn more about weaving then pop along to Abernethy. I’m here today, tomorrow then Thursday to Sunday from 10-5 😀

04/09/2025

There’s been a flurry of activity at willow HQ to get ready for Perthshire Open Studios and my friend and business neighbour Home Interiors is also opening too so you can see my baskets at two places in the village 😁! If you’re needing a cuppa or bite to eat afterwards you can head to (open Tuesday to Sunday) 😋

22/08/2025

I have some news to share with you all. I've had a change in circumstances and I’ve got a full-time job. It's a great opportunity and goes back to my early career and degree. I love weaving. It’s been one of the most amazing things I’ve done in my life: starting to learn a heritage craft, meeting lots of wonderful basketmakers, and meeting lots of other makers and artists at craft markets and through Perthshire Artisans who have been so supportive. The new job will give me the financial security I need so I'm taking a step back from the business. Sadly, the studio will have to go, but I may return to teaching. I will still be taking part in Open Studios at the studio in Abernethy from the 6th to 14th September (opening 10-5 every day except the Wednesday) and teaching up to the 22nd September. I have already got in touch with you and refunded all the workshops that I’ve had to cancel and I’ve contacted all gift card senders directly too.

Lastly (and most importantly!!!) I wanted to thank all of you who’ve visited me at events, chatted about willow, bought my woven goodies, commissioned sculptures or baskets, or joined me at a workshop. Without your support my business wouldn’t have existed. Meeting you all and sharing the fun of willow weaving has brought me so much happiness and I’d like to thank every single one of you for choosing to support my small, crafting business. You might see me pop up at the odd event and I might get back to teaching once I’ve settled into the new job so watch this space….

18/08/2025

I was very lucky to be asked to run a bunting and willow fish workshop on Saturday as part of a hen weekend celebrations for these lovely ladies. The bunting is going to decorate the wedding venue on Wednesday 🤩🥳

07/08/2025

I had a lovely evening on Tuesday with this fun group who made these fantastic garlic baskets. There was plenty of chat and laughter. I love weaving garlic baskets - they’re such a versatile design as they can also be used outdoors as a fatball bird feeders and they look pretty with citrus fruit in them.

04/08/2025

These lovely ladies (plus someone else who is a little camera shy) joined me at the Williamson Hall to weave a Zarzo basket and the results speak for themselves 😁!!! What a fantastic job they all did. It was such a beautiful day that we had lunch outside ☀️. Hope you’re all staying safe in the wild weather 💨

01/08/2025

I’ve been sculpting again recently. I will show you what I’ve been up to soon 😂! It was great to get back to weaving baskets with this stripy asymmetric. It’s been a while since I’ve woven one. I love watching the stripes appear as the basket grows 😍

Address

Abernethy
Perth
PH2

Website

https://www.rachelswillowdesigns.com/

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