With little else involved except traditionally grown willow and the skill of the maker, there’s a compelling simplicity to Rachel Bower’s baskets. These are practical creations that can withstand the rigours of everyday use, but they’re also unmistakeable works of art, decorative pieces and heirlooms in waiting.Over the last twenty years, Rachel Bower has dedicated herself to perfecting the age-old craft of basketry. By meticulously studying techniques and learning from the experience of masters, she’s acquired the skills needed to realise the full potential of the materials she uses. In Rachel’s hands, flexible rods of Somerset willow are bent, woven and coaxed to make baskets that seamlessly intermingle the traditional and contemporary.

Because function is important, Rachel wants strength and durability from all of the pieces she creates. That’s why a variety of willow called Dicky Meadows is her choice for the main bodies of most of her baskets. It’s slender and tapered, so lends itself to the close weave needed to achieve a sturdy finished product.

The skill of Rachel’s weaving results in baskets you’ll want to hold and touch. Intricately criss-crossed branches of wood create flat-bottomed shapes that taper towards the top. Asymmetric styles harness a feeling of swirling movement, while modest little forager baskets feel like something a fairy-tale character may well carry into the forest. Handles are pleasingly curved or made from straight and chunky lengths of coppiced willow – perfect for hanging from your elbow or swinging in your hand.

To add detail, Rachel uses Brittany green and white willow that offsets the soft brown-green tones of Dicky Meadows. The interplay of natural shades brings to mind the dappling of light through woodland. Bands or blocks of subtly contrasting colour add character and decorative appeal to baskets that are already things of beauty.