I am so proud!

I just received the nicest email from a student who has attended one of my workshops this summer.
I am so touched that I thought I'd share this with you:

"Dear Borbála,

'Beware! Basketmaking is highly addictive!' you said, and I agree, having just finished number 13 - see attached photos.

It doesn't seem long since it was all a mysterious art form, but your excellent workshop at EcoHouse Leicester in June made it clear and got me hooked - for which, many thanks.

And a picture of an impeccable oval basket he just finished:

 Isn't it amazing?

Willow Christmas decoration

It's only October, but I have been playing around to see what Christmas decoration I could make using traditional basket making techniques and natural materials. This is a Christmas tree made of green willow; hopefully it can be used for a couple of years; it is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

The wreath also has a willow base that I embellished with ivy and some bright red berries.
Can't wait to make more!

Autumn workshops!

I am still in Hungary, enjoying the last days of my holidays, but I have been busy organizing the autumn basket making workshops in the UK as well :)

Here are the dates and places for the courses I am planning; if there is an interest, I would hold more seasonal workshops focusing on Christmas decorations (wreath, willow Christmas-tree, etc).

Saturday, 10th, November, EYNSHAM, TOLKIEN ROOM (10 am- 4 pm)
Saturday, 24th, Noveber, EcoHouse, Leicester (10 am-4 pm) WILLOW CHRISTMAS DECORATION!

Should you be interested in any of the above workshops, please send me a note to borbalahidvegi@gmail.com

Bird feeder, anyone?

It's been a time since I made one of these, but with the autumn coming I thought sooner or later the bird feeders will come handy...
To build the feeder, I used professional American willow which had been soaking for 3 days prior to use.
Although the weaving I used is pretty simple (basically an in-and-out step) it was difficult to make the feeder due to its tightness and size.
If there is an interest, I might be doing a one day workshop focusing on bird feeders this autumn/winter.

Back in Hungary

I am currently enjoying my holidays in Hungary, but will be back to the UK in October. I have started to arrange a couple of basket making workshops for the autumn-winter period; dates and locations will be posted soon.
This picture was taken on the river Danube (close to the historical town of Esztergom) where we spent a pleasurable weekend canoeing.

Salcey forest

Yesterday Akos had a day off, so we decided it was time for another minibreak, possibly the last one before I have to go home to Hungary...
This time we wanted to go Salcey forest, a lovely green paradise just next to Northampton. The whole idea was born when I picked up one of the free tourist brochures at the local library and saw a picture of the so called "tree top way"...I was immediately hooked.
The wooden pathway, built about 15 meters high, was even more impressive in real; here are two of my favourite pictures taken there.

River Leam

Last week we took a day off and went to Leamington Spa for some canoeing.
The weather was gorgeous, just perfect for such adventures, the newly bought rubber boat proved to be a great buy, so nothing could spoil our perfect day.
This is one of my favourite pictures I took while rowing.