Mandy is a basket maker who weaves traditional and contemporary willow baskets; she also grows the different coloured willows she uses in her baskets. Mandy began her craft after meeting a basket maker at a festival and started as a traditional basket maker, weaving essentially practical, functional baskets.

“I now enjoy using techniques to be more creative and contemporary with my own designs. I have been basket making for over 25 years, growing my own willow, giving me a palette of many coloured barks to contrast with other hedgerow materials, plaited bulrushes and laths of different woods such as yew, ash and sweet chestnut. I enjoy the natural cycle of my materials – the growing, gathering and seasoning - the shape, the pattern and timing of my work.”