A small oval basket for the environmentally conscious!

Why is it ideal for the eco-friendly user?
Well, due to it's reasonable size (approx. 15 cm X 38 cm) you won't be throwing any unnecessary items into it...only what you really need :)
The oval shaped "rustic" looking basket was made of buff and brown willow; you definitely won't mistake it for someone else's basket, I guarantee :)

Should you be interested in making your own rustic basket, I am running workshops in the Leamington Spa and Oxford area this autumn. To book your place and find out more about my one day courses, please send me an email!

Lavender harvest and workshop update!

I just spent two wonderful days at Central-Europe's largest lake called Balaton; besides swimming in the refreshing water I went to pick lavender at a local organic lavender farm.
It was incredibly hot and the field was like a purple sea, busy with thousands of  bees, butterflies and all sorts of strange-looking flying insects buzzing away...this is how I imagine Provance must look like, altough I have never been there...

As for my basket making workshops, I am only running one beginner's course in the UK this summer; it will be held on 24th, August at the Foundry Wood in Leamington Spa.
Should you be interested, please let me know by sending an email!

A busy day at Foundry Wood!

We had a wonderful day yesterday at the Foundry Wood which is an urban community woodland in Leamington Spa. As part of the Woodland Fair, I held a few hours "willow wreath making" activity which was extremely popular amoung children and grown-ups as well :)
I met superb people at the event who, for over 18 months have been doing an amazing job turning this tiny piece of nature into a refreshing oasis.
I am planning to run two beginner basket making workshops in the Outdoor Classroom of the Foundry Wood this August (Sunday,11th, and Saturday, 24th).
Should you be interested, please let me know by popping me an email!

Help! I can't stop making them!

Yes, I am still busy making felt fairies of all kinds...This blue beauty is called Alvina; she is a silly little girl who will make everyone laugh :)
Alvina is sitting on a fairy-swing, made of willow (what else? :))

Alvina is a 100% handcrafted felt fairy made of quality merino wool and recycled organza pieces. Her hair is embellished with a shiny crystal button.
Isn't she adorable?

Another basket making workshop scheduled for the Northampton area!

As there has been a lot of interest in my workshops from the Northampton area I am now organizing a one day workshop which will be held in a gazebo on Woodbine Farm (CV23 8BA) on Sunday, 23rd, June.

 

As usual, the one day workshop is designed to guide total beginners step by step through each stage of the basket making process.

On this course you will learn how to weave a medium sized "rustic" vegetable basket with a handle.

Date: Sunday, 23rd, June (10 am- 5 pm)

On this course I am able to tutor 8 persons so please book your

place to make sure you don’t miss it!

Come and learn this beautiful ancient craft with me and go home with a

finished rustic basket and the knowledge to make many more! 

For further details and to book your place please contact Borbala at:

borbalahidvegi@gmail.com

Booking is on a first come first served basis.

Beware! Basketmaking is highly addictive!

Fairy and airballoon?

Well, it must be the heat here in Hungary that made me come up with something so...khmm...unusual :)
I was busy finishing a basket someone asked me to make, and I was amazed by the beautiful, deep colours of the brown willow I was using.
When the basket was finished, I still had a tiny bit of willow left, so I started thinking about a small object I could make with it. And this is how the airballoon was born!
I picked up one of those rice-paper globes from IKEA, and attached it to the tiny basket.
Of course, the airballoon was very empty without a proper passanger, so I put one of my new felt fairies in it.

I am still hesitating whether the globe should be painted or left as it is...will see :)

Something new: felt faeries and willow!

A friend taught me recently how to make a felt faery out of wool; I was immediately hooked :)
I altered the original technique a bit, combined the wool with organza, and (what else?) willow, of course!
I hope this little creature will finally bring the spring...

My faery is made of quality Hungarian and South American wool, leftover organza pieces and beads; she is merrily seated in one of my green willow wreaths.
A perfect springtime decoration.
What do you think?