Dunbar Gardens  Willow Baskets

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Katherine Lewis weaving willow garden basket Handcrafted Willow Baskets

by Katherine Lewis

Katherine Lewis is a willow basketmaker in the Skagit Valley of Washington State, USA. She has a small farm where she and her husband Steve Lospalluto grow much of the willow used in her baskets allowing her to choose the quality, color, and texture of her weaving materials. Although willow is a common basketry material throughout the world, she is one of a few who are actively growing and crafting their own willow in the United States.

She has taken courses in willow basketry from accomplished basketmakers from England, Switzerland, France, Scotland, and the US. She traveled to the UK in 2004 and 2006 to study with basketmakers and tour the willow growing areas. In 2006 she also went to the Loire Valley in France to learn more about the willow basketmaking traditions there. While the techniques used are traditional, each piece is unique and not bound to any specific tradition. Katherine's goal is to weave willow baskets that are useful and durable while reflecting the natural beauty of the willows with a simple elegance.

From the harvest of the basketry willow to the finished baskets, the work is all done by hand by Katherine and Steve. The willows are grown in a sustainable manner on our farm. The baskets are carefully handcrafted to last a lifetime. These photos represent a sample of Katherine's work. Click on a thumbnail photo to see a larger image of the willow basket. For more information check out the links to other pages on our website below.

 

Garden basket

Flower picking basket

Casserole or potluck baskets

Round gathering basket

Magazine basket

Magazine basket with slewed sides

Oval panier a jour (French market basket)

Square panier a jour (French market basket)

Irish potato baskets

Oval laundry basket with inset handles

Round laundry or storage basket with roped handles

Square laundry basket

Oval laundry basket with roped handles

Hamper with lid

Large oval log basket

Oval shopper

Large oval shopper

Deep oval shopper

Square tool or lunch basket

Square market basket

Square shopper with slewed sides

Cooling trays or trivets

Scottish rope coils

Multi colored rope coil

Table flatware basket

Square tray

Round deep tray

Round shallow tray

Oval tray

Fruit or bread basket

Berry pickers

Oval picnic basket

Square picnic basket

Bread rising baskets

Bassinette (14 x 29inch mattress fits)

Malia's toy basket

set of 4 baskets for bookcase - commission

Kitchen drawers - commission

Mud room baskets commissioned

Recent work:
zig zag weave oval shopper three magazine baskets
willow laundry hamper or trunk two oval panier a jour
willow camera basket willow rope coil

Prices

Each basket is handcrafted by Katherine Lewis and prices will vary somewhat depending on the order.

Generally prices are: round laundry: $110; oval laundry with inset handles: $125; square laundry: $195; oval garden: $110; flower picking: $110; oval shopper: $110; large oval shopper: $125; casserole: $110; round gathering basket: $85; square market: $125; oval panier a jour: $150; square panier a jour: $175;  magazine baskets: $135; log baskets: $150; hamper with lid: $250; picnic basket with lids: $275; bassinette: $275; Scottish rope coil: $200; square, oval, round trays: $75-150; Irish potato baskets: $110; flatware basket: $125; trivets: $50; bread rising baskets: $50; berry pickers: $50; front handle bicycle baskets: $90; square drawers: $125-225.

We accept payment by check, PayPal, or credit card. We will ship baskets with the buyer paying the necessary costs of shipping and packaging (and sales tax if you live in Washington).  Please contact us for an estimate. It usually takes a few days for us to respond with an estimate. We prefer e-mail at baskets@dunbargardens.com. Please remember that a willow basket will take some time to plan and prepare the materials, but the finished product will last a lifetime.

Need it today? If you would like to see photos of willow baskets we have in stock, click here for the web page.

Visit the Dunbar Gardens blog at willowbasketmaker.com for recent news.

Join our emailing list for periodic messages about classes and events:

 

Customer comments

"I received the baskets today - they are GORGEOUS- love the color, look, everything."

"The baskets are amazing!  The color is even more lovely than I'd expected, darker and richer looking.  I opened them immediately, checked the fit (perfect), and promptly filled them up.  I can't believe what a relief it is to have a previously unusable space become usable.  I wish I'd had these for the last two years we've lived in this house! They arrived in immaculate condition, and I can't thank you enough for taking the time for this order." 

"The basket arrived yesterday safe and sound.  It is really splendid and everyone in the family has been admiring it.  I know we will use it and admire its beauty for years to come."

"Baskets came though in fine shape and are beautiful. We are so happy to be able to give them as gifts. It has been a pleasure working with you."

"Thanks again for such a beautiful, sturdy and useful basket.  It's on display in my kitchen now and I plan to put something in it soon.  Right now I'm just admiring your work and the willow produced by Dunbar Gardens (with Mother Nature's help!)."

"The basket arrived late morning and it is just beautiful. I know it will be loved by my sister in law.  Thank you for the wonderfully prompt service."

"I just received my large garden basket, which was my Mother's Day gift from my husband and the kids, and I just have to tell you how beautiful it is!  I've always wanted a big, beautiful garden basket and this was it!"

For more information on Katherine's willow baskets, willow basketry or for sales see the links below.


willow basket gallery   basketmaking classes   shows & events

baskets in stock   basketry willow   willow cuttings

farmstand   basketmaking demos   links   blog

Dunbar Gardens / 16586 Dunbar Road / Mount Vernon, WA 98273 USA

©2010 Steven Lospalluto & Katherine Lewis

blame Steve for this website