Crafty Basketry reviews

Charlotte reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Willow Basket Making for Beginners - Day Course at Cowshed Workshop, Tenterden, Kent

"Such a lovely course. Marianne is great and you can learn so much! I did a two day course and came away with my backpack basket and a mini round basket. Would definitely recommend."

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Thanks so much for your review and recommendation, Charlotte. Much appreciated. Lovely to meet your family when you popped by my stall at Penshurst Place the other day. Hope to see you again soon for another, perhaps very different course. "

Adrienne reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Willow Basket Making for Beginners - Day Course at Cowshed Workshop, Tenterden, Kent

"Bought as a gift for my Mum. She really enjoyed it and felt a huge sense of achievement with the finished product. Very well run course and beautiful location. Long day for her but then she is almost 80 ! "

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Dear Adrienne, Thank you very much for your 5-star review. I think straight back to you, who bought the right present for your Mum. You were spot on. She really loved creating something with her hands and being in a group and out of the blue met a very good friend and colleague there too! Please thank your Mum for the compliments. Much appreciated. Thank you very much, Adrienne. All the very best to you and your Mum, Marianne"

Phillida Lamon reviewed: Crafty Basketry's | Weaving Willow Ornaments | Half-day PRIVATE COURSE at Cowshed Workshop, Tenterden, Kent

"A huge Thank You to Marianne for taking on board my ladies from Switzerland 🇨🇭 on their Visit Kent tour. We had a fantastic evening learning the basic techniques of Willow weaving and couldn’t believe how good the finished products were! Marianne is simply a lovely person to do such an activity with! Calm, reassuring, patient and attentive. It was endearing to witness her attachment to the environment and the Cowshed / workshop was the perfect place to make our willow plates/ trays and bird feeders. All the best Marianne … Merci mille fois! Phillida, Jacky, Béatrice, Elisabeth, Michèle & Danielle"

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Thank you so much for your review, ladies! I had a lovely time with you. You were such fun and such a well-matched group! Wonderful to hear you had a lovely time working with willow for the first time. I hope the remainder of your tour was fabulous too and you're now safely home, having made fantastic memories. All the very best, Marianne"

Catherine reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Willow Basket Making for Beginners - Day Course at Cowshed Workshop, Tenterden, Kent

"I booked this course to do with a friend and it was a fantastic day. The location is so relaxing and the animals you can see bring a great sense of calm. They are behind a fence so do not impede on your basket making activities. Marianne provided very patient guidance and tuition for this novice basket maker. There was plenty of willow to choose from and a selection of tools was provided. I would highly recommend."

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Hello Catherine, Thank you very much for your review and recommendation. That's wonderful, to hear you had such a great time! I hope to see you again with your Mum. Will be great to create lasting memories while having fun. Thanks very much and all the best, Marianne"

Lucinda reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Willow Basket Making for Beginners - Day Course at Penhurst Retreat Centre, East Sussex

"A fantastic day basket making with the wonderful Marianne, her teaching style is so relaxed, but informative. The day flew by and I came home with a beautiful willow basket. Cannot wait to take part in the course. Thank you Marianne x p.s Penshurst Place is stunning & my course buddies were a hoot too "

Crafty Basketry responded:

"I'm so delighted to hear that you had such a fantastic day, Lucinda. Thank you very much for that. If the day flew by, then we need to do it again and make sure it won't whiz by so quickly, ha, ha! I'm looking at new dates for Penhurst Retreat Centre. Will be in touch soon. All the very best!"

Samantha reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Willow Basket Making for Beginners - Day Course at Penhurst Retreat Centre, East Sussex

"This was the third course we have taken with Marianne of Crafty Basketry. - that should speak for itself, but this was another magical day! Amazing, tranquil setting, great company, and fantastic Basketry at the end of the day. The time went so quickly we forgot about lunch until after 2pm! Marianne is an amazing teacher, patient, very knowledgeable and full of encouragement. Cannot recommend these days enough, being able to switch off from daily life and just enjoy being creative. We'll be back again for more! Thank you Marianne 😊 "

Crafty Basketry responded:

"It's always such a delight and pure fun to have you both on board, Samantha. So great to hear that you had a fab time again. It's starting to get tricky, thinking of new, original projects for you, but I love a challenge. Thanks so much for your recommendation and taking part and believing in me! Means the world to me. See you again soon. Mxx"

Alan Saunders reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Willow Plant Supports (Obelisk or Cloche) - Morning Course at King John's Nursery, Etchingham, East Sussex

"Lovely location, a very pleasant way to spend a day and come away with a fabulous sculptural basket. Marianne gave very clear and helpful instruction and was very helpful when correcting my mistakes. I would highly recommend her course to anyone who wants to make baskets, and to have a very nice time in peaceful rural setting."

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Hello Alan, Thank you so much for your review of the course. It's super to hear you enjoyed it. Great to see you not only learnt a new craft but applied the techniques in such an artistic way. I'm looking to make some furniture out of metal and willow, so would be great to work on a collab with you. Thanks very much, Alan and speak to you soon. Wish best wishes, Marianne Crafty Basketry"

Krissy Pope reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Hedgerow Basket Making for Beginners - Day Course at Cowshed Workshop, Tenterden

"I had an absolutely wonderful day!! Marianne is not only a very kind patient and welcoming person she is an incredible talent and a compliment to basket weaving! The day was very well thought out learning about the history as well as how to grow willow and the varieties to full on one to one help and instructions, Tea Coffee Cake and Fruit and examples of her work with an option to purchase. Marianne sent us all photos and videos taken during the day with a thoughtful email and after care email with instructions on how to make a basket through to suppliers and how to soak the willow, and what terminology meant. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND- I learnt ALOT and I will be using my new found skill within my own small business and I will be definitely coming back not only to hone skills and continue to learn and improve but also to Marianne in support of her exquisite talent for the craft!! "

Deanna reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Day Weaving Autumn or Christmas Wreaths and other Decorations in Etchingham

"My friend and myself had a great day making a wreath, some stars and an angel! Marianne is a lovely teacher, patient, kind, friendly and very knowledgable. "

elizabeth mavor reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Day Weaving Autumn or Christmas Wreaths and other Decorations in Etchingham

"Marianne was so patient teaching us to weave. We learned at our own pace and produced glorious wreaths that can be used again and again. And gave us the written instructions so we can use our new skills on other projects. Thank you. "

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Thanks very much for your review and the lovely photo of the wreath on your front door, Liz! It looks stunning! So good to hear that you're going to use your pond and try different projects soon. Have fun!"

Julia Venning reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Weaving Christmas Wreaths and / or other Decorations at Tenterden

"Marianne’s relaxed style of teaching turns the course into a lovely experience. I can definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys being creative. I’m absolutely thrilled with my wreath! "

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Hello Julia, thank you very much for your review and recommendation! So good to hear you loved it. Hope your daughter did too. Hope to see you again in the new year. All the best."

Karen reviewed: Crafty Basketry's willow basket making for beginners - Day course at King John's Nursery, Etchingham, East Sussex

"I had a lovely day creating a basket at this workshop which was gifted to me by my daughter. It was my first go at basket making and I learned so much from Marianne, who was knowledgeable and professional as well as patient and helpful. Nothing was too much trouble. The venue was lovely and rustic, though several warm layers were required! Everyone was very pleased with what they created. Some made wreaths, angels and stars which were all amazing. I would definitely recommend the course and will be booking another one with some friends in the future. "

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Hello Karen, Thanks very much for your recommendation, which means the world to me! Will be great to meet your friends and for you to be creative together and make memories. See you again soon. All the best, Marianne"

Kate reviewed: Crafty Basketry's willow basket making for beginners - Day course at King John's Nursery, Etchingham, East Sussex

"Marianne's challenge this time was to accommodate all the ideas that we ambitious students brought with us! One aspired to use the willows brought in her car; the second wanted to make a square tray; and another wanted to make a basket big enough for logs; and one more did follow the given pattern to produce a wonderful wreath and willow angel. In fact, these ARE all things we will now have the courage to take on, having made pretty reasonable (easier) pieces after a day's excellent training from Marianne! Time was 'of the essence', so to make sure our various baskets were complete by the end of the session, Marianne gave them each a few minutes of her expertise - cheating in fact, but we love it! A super day all in all. Thank you! "

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Thank you for your recommendation, Kate. Your rustic tray looks beautiful, with the reds and little twig details. Fantastic to hear you had a super day. You were a fab student! Thank you for sharing your experience."

Lorraine reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Day Weaving Autumn or Christmas Wreaths and other Decorations in Etchingham

"Marianne the instructor was extremely patient, kind and informative. I left feeling that I had learnt a great deal about the craft of weaving and with my Xmas wreath that will take pride of place on my front door. I will strongly recommend Marianne's course to friends and family."

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Thanks so much for your recommendation, Lorraine! You were such a fun, cheerful, uplifting and enthusiastic student to have on board. I could see you were in your element, and the wreath with its stylish decoration and angel showed that. Hope to see you again next year, then with daughter. "

Claire Cooper reviewed: Crafty Basketry's willow basket making for beginners - Day course at King John's Nursery, Etchingham, East Sussex

"Such an enjoyable day with a very patient teacher. I ended up making a small basket alongside others who made trays and wreaths. The setting was perfect inside the old barn at St. John’s nursery in Etchingham. The rain lashed down the entire day yet this only seemed to add to the calm atmosphere inside. Many giggles were had by all (mostly by me as I quickly realised that I was absolutely not a natural weaver!). Marianne was a wonderful tutor who has a real passion and skill for her art. I would thoroughly recommend spending a day or two basket making, it’s the first time I’ve sat and learnt a new skill in a long time. "

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Thanks so much for recommending my courses, Claire. Weather, learning a new craft, losing concentration because of the banter - you took it all in your stride and came away with a delightful basket! Well done, and look forward to seeing you again next year for day 2."

Pauline Rowe reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Willow Basket Making for Beginners - Day Course at Cowshed Workshop, Tenterden, Kent

"A wonderful course, very informative. I definitely feel I learnt techniques that can be further enhanced with practice. Marianne’s knowledge and nurturing mentoring encouraged me to produce a wonderful basket 🧺 "

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Thanks so much, Pauline, for this wonderful review and sharing your bread recipe with us! Will try it out the minute the new kitchen is in. Was lovely to have you on board. You really lapped up the knowledge and this was visible in the quality of your basket. Beautiful! "

Veronica Wilson reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Willow Basket Making for Beginners - Day Course at Cowshed Workshop, Tenterden, Kent

"What a brilliant day this was! Marianne is an excellent teacher as well as being a master of her craft. It was a joy to learn from her - she was very supportive, inspiring, and patient. I was thrilled to have made a basket to come home with although the day seemed to fly by! The open barn and surroundings made for a really lovely work space too. I very much look forward to doing more basketry now!"

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Thank you so much, Veronica! Your feedback means so much to me. Thank you also for the photo of your basket with the windfall apples. When a basket is used, it looks even more beautiful, especially with colourful apples. Will be great to see you again in a few weeks' time during the wreath-weaving course. I'll look forward to that! Thanks again! Marianne - Crafty Basketry"

Snezana Floyer reviewed: Crafty Basketry's basket weaving for beginners - Day course, Groombridge

"I thoroughly enjoyed Marianne’s basket weaving course yesterday. Marianne is a very talented and comprehensive tutor. She explains everything very well and is both conscientious and thorough. She is also extremely helpful and keen to ensure that we are all well looked after and encouraged for our efforts. The day sped by in a most idyllic and comfortable setting. I look forward to attending more of Marianne’s courses. They are outstanding and can be thoroughly recommended. "

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Thank you so much, Snezana, for your super review and recommendation. It means the world to me that you and anyone taking part has the best experience, so it's just wonderful to hear that you thoroughly enjoyed it. Look forward to having you again soon for, perhaps, a wreath-making course?"

Esme reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Hedgerow Basket Making for Beginners - Day Course at Cowshed Workshop, Tenterden

"Loved this course. I did it for my dad's birthday and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Marianne showed endless patience and an abundance of knowledge. Love my new basket and I fully plan to keep basket weaving. The only thing that would have improved my experience would be a slightly smaller class size. Otherwise a wonderful day in a beautiful setting."

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Thanks so much for the lovely review and constructive feedback, Esme. So great to hear that you'd like to keep on basket weaving! Let's keep the craft alive!? Thanks very much. Marianne"

Gilly Cowan reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Willow Plant Support (Obelisk or Cloche) - Morning Course, Uckfield

"I did two half days and had made an Obelisk and Cloche by the end of them! It was a wonderful way to spend that time. Very calming with Marianne's gentle and clear instruction and very good knowledge and love of the materials we were using. I have completely fallen under the spell of Willow, so thank you Marianne. I can highly recommend these courses which work on a number of levels. As you are so focused on what you are doing, by the end of it you feel tired but energised at the same time. I don't think it was just the tea, cake and biscuits, which were delicious too! I slept really well both nights. Both the Obelisk and Cloche are in use in the garden. A big thank you for opening the door to this lovely craft. I will definitely keep going and I look forward to more courses and more understanding."

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Thank you so much for your review, Gilly! It's been such a delight, having you on my courses, as you've been picking up the techniques so easily and it was so pleasing to see how you were immersing yourself into the whole experience! I'm really looking forward to welcoming you to the basket-weaving course soon and hopefully your friend is then able to come along too. Even more fun! See you soon. With best wishes, Marianne Crafty Basketry"

Nicky Crummett reviewed: Crafty Basketry's basket weaving for beginners - Day course, Groombridge

"I did this course with my husband and we had a brilliant time. We both produced a lovely basket which we will treasure. The course was held in a beautiful and peaceful setting near Ashdown Forest. Marianne gave us lots of information on basketry throughout the day and sent us instructions should we wish to try another on our own. She has a methodical, relaxed teaching style and endless patience. Marianne supplied all the tea and coffee we could drink as well as biscuits and fruit. She also took some photos and videos of us which she shared with us. This is a really nice thing to do as a memento of our day. I thoroughly recommend this course and am sure you will be delighted with what you can achieve."

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Hello Nicky, Thank you so much for your thorough review and recommendation. It means the world to me, that you both had a memorable, relaxed time and you made such lovely baskets to show for it! Now you know the main techniques, I hope you will try and make a basket together, in your own garden. Let me know how you get on and do call if you feel you're stuck. Hope to see you and Martin again sometime soon. All the best, Marianne Crafty Basketry"

Richard Gibbs reviewed: Crafty Basketry's basket weaving for beginners - Day course, Groombridge

"I had a brilliant day taking part in a basket weaving course with Marianne at the location on Ashdown Forest . It was an activity I had always been interested in trying and was bought as a present by my son. She was an informative and extremely patient teacher explaining thoroughly the techniques used in the creation of basket weaving. It enabled me to fulfill my ambition of creating a willow structure that will be truly unique in my home."

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Thank you so much for your review! Hope to see you again with your friends, as discussed. All the best, Marianne Crafty Basketry"

Kate reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Willow Basket Making for Beginners - Day Course at Cowshed Workshop, Tenterden, Kent

"Did this course on 1 June. It was brilliant. Marianne is so patient and helpful and made it fun too. Can't believe I actually made a proper basket!"

Crafty Basketry responded:

"And what a basket it was! Amazing design! So great to have you on board again, Kate. On to the next one? Perhaps something contemporary this time? Wishing you all the best in the meantime. Marianne x"

Deanna - The Wild Pharma reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Willow Basket Making for Beginners - Day Course at Cowshed Workshop, Tenterden, Kent

"I absolutely loved our day making baskets! Marianne is a lovely lady and a great teacher. It was a joy to see the basket take shape over the day and to go home with a functioning and beautiful basket was the icing on the cake. I was out the next day harvesting Elder Flowers with it! Thanks for a truly relaxing and inspiring day Marianne, love Dee x."

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Thanks so much for your review, Dee. Great to hear that you had a use for it the next day and that you loved making it so much. Those techniques you can use making all kinds of items, so once you've found a willow patch to harvest from, then have fun experimenting! Hope to see you again soon. With best wishes, Marianne Crafty Basketry"

Samantha reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Willow Basket Making for Beginners - Day Course at Cowshed Workshop, Tenterden, Kent

"Just finished our second course with Marianne, a full day this time as a half day last time wasn't long enough! We made a basket, a fruit bowl and a drsgonfly this time. Great instruction, a relaxing, enjoyable day with a lovely bunch of people. Thank you Marianne, we'll be back again soon. Samantha & Kate xx"

Crafty Basketry responded:

"You're becoming fanatics! So nice to see how your skills are growing as you're adapting different techniques in different ways. You now also know what it's like to work with stripped willow, after the lovely fruit bowl you made. Looking forward to seeing the photos of your items in situ. Thank you for your lovely message. Really looking forward to showing you further new and different items to make with perhaps rattan this time. I'll make sure you'll become addicted, ha, ha. All the best for now, Marianne xx"