Our Kickstart placement Charis, was asked to choose a workshop she’d like to do. This blog post is her reflection on the workshop and the craft.

”Basketry is (can you guess?) the process of making baskets.

It is an ancient craft, and one that has a history in most countries around the world. For centuries, people crafted baskets from strong, pliable native plants; bamboo, grasses and willow were common choices. The type of material then informed which techniques could be applied: looping, knotting, plaiting, coiling, weaving, twining or assembling. These vessels were a convenient way to contain, store and transport goods. Quicker and more reliable to make than clay pots, they were a household essential.

The fact that we no longer need woven vessels does not detract from the joy of making and owning them. Basketry is a rewarding craft which engages the senses and connects you to the world and a rich heritage; or at least that’s how I felt.

I recently tried willow weaving with Susan Early here at New Brewery Arts. Susan has been making baskets and sculptures for over 30 years. she is an enthusiastic and encouraging tutor, which is why we ask her back year after year.

Needless to say, this was no exception; it was a fantastic day. After the initial under-the-breath counting of ‘over two under one, over two under one', I was able to succumb to the movement and allow my mind to wander. I transfixed by the colours; the reds, greens, purples and yellows. I got lost in the smell, reminiscent of picnics by the Sandwich Quay as a child. Unanticipated but very welcome was the almost immediate uplifting of my well-being. I’m someone who thrives on seeing results, and my basket came together quite quickly. Having achieved such a bygone skill made me feel oddly self-sufficient. I don’t imagine I’ll be making the switch from tote bags to willow baskets to do my shopping any time soon, but it’s nice to know I could. And it was freeing to think that I was creating something that wouldn’t become a drain on the planet – may help it, even. By the time my basket is old and broken, it can join the compost and feed back into the earth.

One of the many perks of my job is that, from time to time, I get to attend a workshop and write about it. This month was Modern Calligraphy with Emma Barnes of Emerald Paper Design.

I love words. I love reading, writing, phonetics, stationery. Despite this affection, my own handwriting has always been, well, inconsistent at best. Maybe it’s to do with being left-handed, but I could never make my writing slant and loop in that old-fashioned sort of way. And on the rare occasion I did manage it, you can bet that it would smudge as I moved my hand across the page. So imagine how excited I was when given the opportunity to participate in a calligraphy workshop here at New Brewery Arts.

I won’t give you a step-by-step breakdown of the session; you can find that out for yourself. But I will give you some of the reasons why I think you should consider calligraphy:

It’s good for mental (and physical) health
Calligraphy requires concentration. All the time you are focusing on the pressure of the nib, the curve of a line, planning your next letter, you don’t have time to be thinking of anything else. You can’t pander to intrusive thoughts or check off all the things you need to do when you get home. And when your mind is settled, your body settles too: your breathing is deeper and slower, your heartrate drops (not dangerously so, don’t worry!) Personally, it’s the only time I’ve successfully practiced mindfulness.
A sense of connection
To me, a letter adorned with calligraphy would make me feel thought of and valued by the sender. It may be my fondness for written word, but I romanticise calligraphy. Writing beautifully used to be the standard. It demonstrated attention to detail, effort and care.
A useful craft
All crafts are useful – no one is superior to another; they are all different and all have a unique appeal. But I can’t think of a craft with a more diverse application. You can use it to write letters to friends, decorate Christmas cards, for luggage labels (any kind of label/organisational system), home-made wedding invitations or place settings, to give your sketchbook a bit of extra flare.
It’s inclusive
I believe anyone can take part in, enjoy, and be successful at any craft. Yes, some people may have a natural talent, while others will have to put in more effort to achieve their goals. But everyone is capable. You might not agree, and perhaps it has stopped you giving craft a go. But let me assure you, anyone can take up modern calligraphy. Unlike traditional calligraphy where there are strict rules, uniformity is key and everything has to be just so, modern calligraphy celebrates individuality. Imperfections can be hidden and if you struggle with a particular letter, change it to suit your style – now you have a niche! You don’t even have to have good handwriting because it’s a completely different approach to writing. It’s also inexpensive. All you need is a pen/holder, nib, ink and bleed-proof paper; all of which can be purchased for under £20. So really, anyone can do it.

The particular workshop I was on was perfect for beginners or those wanting to brush up their skills and ask questions. We progressed from tracing lines to writing whole words freehand in as little as two hours. Of course, as with any craft, it requires practise and refinement; we were by no means ready to start up a bespoke stationary business by the end of the session. But it is comparatively quick progress. Emma, our tutor, had planned the workshop perfectly, was knowledgeable and encouraging, and made it a wonderful experience.

If I’ve inspired you to try your hand at calligraphy, look out for the next workshop. New Brewery Arts runs a varied programme throughout the year. See what’s coming up here: https://www.newbreweryarts.org.uk/workshops

Getting to grips with basketry

The craft of modern calligraphy

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