Crafty Basketry reviews

Marianne Cox reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Willow Plant Supports (Obelisk and Cloche) at Cowshed Workshop, Tenterden - Day Course

"What a lovely day! Highly recommended! Making willow obelisk structures in peaceful countryside surroundings. Truly the best medicine for the soul! I will be back! Basket weaving next! Thank you! ?"

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Hi Marianne, Thank you so much for recommending my course and you're even going to take part again! This time with your Mum in July! Wonderful! If she picks it up as easily as you did, then you'll end up with beautiful baskets. Look forward to meeting your Mum once over from Norway. With best wishes, Marianne x"

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

"Thoroughly enjoyed this workshop making an amazing obelisk. I would definitely recommend this to friends. Marianne was very informative with easy to follow instructions. I can’t wait to return for another workshop, maybe a basket next time."

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Thank you so much for your review, Amanda. It was such a pleasure to have you and your sister and Mum on board. What fun was that! Your Mum was fantastic, taking it all in her stride, at 79 (and looking 67!). Would be great to see you all again at a basket-weaving course soon. Perhaps after your niece's wedding. With best wishes, Marianne"

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

"I attended Marianne's workshop at The Cowshed this Sunday and what a fantastic afternoon. Marianne was brilliant at explaining how to work with the willow to enhance our structures. She was patient, calm and was there to help when we needed advice. Along with a supply of coffee and cake.. yum I have recommended this course to all my girlfriends who were amazed an my beautiful obelisk which has pride of place in my garden. Thank you so much Marianne. x"

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Thank you so much for your review, Sara. It was such a pleasure to meet you at long last, as we'd been trying to find a date that would suit you and you're such a busy lady, ha, ha! Your enthusiasm oozed out of you and that was lovely to see. I feel we have a lot in common and have the feeling that we might be organising events together. Would be great to see more of you in the not too distant future. Have a great summer! Al the best, Marianne x"

Hayley reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Willow Basket Making for Beginners - Day Course at King John's Nursery, Etchingham, East Sussex

"I had a wonderful day learning how to make a basket, Marianne is a very knowledgeable teacher that has a relaxed, helpful and encouraging approach. The venue was also lovely and added to the relaxed atmosphere of the day. I came away feeling proud of my basket and wanting to do it again. I would recommend without hesitation. Thank you Marianne"

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Thanks very much for your review and recommendation, Hayley! So great to hear that you had a great time, making a basket with your Mum and so nice to see that you've both now signed up for another session together, making another basket but with different techniques this time. I will also bring in some different types of basketry willow for you to get a feel for to show you the different effects you can achieve with them. Look forward to seeing you again soon. Many thanks and best wishes, Marianne"

Helen Webb reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Willow Basket Making for Beginners - Day Course at King John's Nursery, Etchingham, East Sussex

"My daughter and I had an absolutely fabulous day with Marianne in the beautiful setting of King Johns Nursery weaving our baskets. We learnt so much through Marianne's careful and considered instruction. She brings a wealth of experience to the course and her passion and enthusiasm are infectious! We both came away with useful and well made baskets which seemed unlikely at the start of the day and we both continue to reflect on the day fondly. Thank you Marianne"

Crafty Basketry responded:

"What a lovely review you wrote here, Helen! Thank you so much for that! I'm glad my tailored instructions worked for you. However, I won't take credit for the result, as that was down to your interpreting the instructions correctly and following them precisely, hence the fantastic result for a first basket! Well done to both of you, as they look amazing and you were such great students! Would love to teach you some more interesting techniques (I'm thinking perhaps a handle or two next time), so who knows, our paths may cross again. Many thanks and best wishes, Helen. Marianne"

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

"I’ve wanted to try willow weaving for a long time and this 1-day workshop was a perfect introduction. Marianne is the most patient and helpful teacher you could wish for. We were all beginners yet she made time for all of us with humour and care. I had a really lovely day out with my friend. It was quite challenging at times - I’m already booked on to my next course though!"

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Thank you so much for the review of your basketry course, Debbie. So good to hear what you thought of it and that you'd had a lovely day. Looking forward to the next course we'll be doing and new things I will be teaching you then. Thanks again and see you soon. With best wishes, Marianne"

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

"I absolutely loved this course and it was worth the money. Marianne was a fantastic guide, explaining everything and helping when needed. It is not easy though - be warned! BUT definitely worth the effort and we all took away some beautiful and completely different baskets. Marianne was really sensitive at pitching things at the right level for each individual. The day is long and requires concentration but such a lovely skill to learn. I would absolutely recommend this course. I will be booking on the next one for sure. Emma"

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Thanks so much for your recommendation, Emma. It means so much to me, especially with your Occupational Health background. You know the importance of therapeutic occupation, first hand. Glad to pick up from your email that the length of the day was fine for you. Look forward to seeing you again soon at the next course. Thanks again very much. With best wishes, Marianne Angeloni-van Niekerken Crafty Basketry"

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

"The weekend course with Marianne at Cowshed was a pleasure right from the beginning, with a warm and friendly welcome in a magical environment. Marianne is a calm and caring teacher, overflowing with enthusiasm for her craft and very much wanting to share her knowledge and experience. Somehow she was able to be there for all of us, patiently assisting at the right moment and in the right way. Although there are a lot of stages to learn, and the thumbs have to get used to working hard, it was a relaxing atmosphere in which we shared that particular kind of rippling conversation that happens when all are engaged physically and mentally. I’ve always felts that baskets are low priced…and now I really know they are, and have a deepened appreciation for the skill and time needed to make them. We all came away happy with the baskets we had created, and each of us looking forward to making the next one!"

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Hi Judith, Thank you so much for your review. You were a lovely, charming student and it was great to get to know you a little better. I think we all made new friends that day, didn't we?! Hope to see you again soon at one of my other courses and in your shop of course, "Made" in Hastings. All the very best, Marianne Crafty Basketry"

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

"A super day in a lovely venue....quite a challenge at times but Marianne is THE most patient person with a very kind, calm manner! Very rewarding to come home with something usable at the end of the day...would thoroughly recommend. I have a much greater appreciation of traditional skills having had a go myself!!"

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Thanks so much for your recommendation and kind words. It's good to hear that you had a super day at King John's Nursery in Etchingham, my first time at that location. Just your kind of place, a nursery! Hope to see you again soon. Perhaps at the Farmer's Market at Ashburnham Place. Thanks again very much, All the very best, Marianne Angeloni-van Niekerken Crafty Basketry"

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

"What a fantastic day! So pleased to have done the one day basket weaving course with Crafty Baskets. I would like to reiterate Helenas prefect review above, Marianne was very patient, relaxed and has a wonderful manner of teaching, keeping you on track and encouraging your own style. Along with her knowledge of basketmaking, its history, process and plants made it a fascinating day. The Cowshed Workshop was also an inspiring location and it added to the tranquil and mediative process. I am thrilled to bits with my basket and ready for the next course! Thank you so much Marianne"

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Oh Sasha, I'm blown away by your review of the course you attended! Thank you so much. It makes me super happy to hear that. Look forward to meeting and catching up with you on Tuesday at your first plant support course. With best wishes, Marianne Angeloni-van Niekerken Crafty Basketry"

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

"I had a great time at the basket weaving course with Marianne. The tuition was excellent and i came away with a basket I was really proud of. Would definitely recommend for basket weavers of all skills."

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

"Brilliant course, beautiful location and a very patient Marianne! So pleased to have made my first ever basket and looking forward to the next one :-)"

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

"I LOVED my whole day course making a fruit/veg basket. It was more challenging than I expected but the end result was so much better than I expected. My family are all very impressed with my basket and I am very proud of it. Marianne is a lovely patient teacher and the day was extremely well organised. Thank you for the scrumptious chocolate cake, lovely barn and log burner.... the perfect setting for basket making."

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Dear Joanna, Thank you so much for your review! I'm very pleased that you loved the experience. You made such a lovely basket. I hope you have found the perfect spot to show it off and use it. Hopefully see you again in the new year with your daughter, making an obelisk or cloche. Very best wishes, Marianne Crafty Basketry"

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

"I had a really wonderful day on the one day basket weaving course with Marianne a couple of weeks ago! Marianne was such a relaxed and encouraging teacher and I loved the fact that she let us all be creative with our baskets, trying different weaves or shapes that we had seen in her own beautiful examples, rather than just making us all follow the same pattern. Marianne was super at helping you out when you got stuck, never making you feel like you were asking too many times and had such a chilled attitude that really put enjoying the process and creating a therapeutic environment as her top priority. I so enjoyed trying something so different and so natural and found the process of weaving so mindful - I haven't be able to sit down and focus on one thing with a clear mind in a very long time so that was a huge positive outcome for me. I am super pleased with the basket I made, Marianne supported me to try out a double weave with two different colours of willow which I absolutely love - it is currently on loan to my Dad for his kindling wood but when I get my allotment I am planning for next year I will be using it to transport gardening tools and bring pack veg and flower yields! Thank you for such a great experience Marianne and being so kind, I hope I can do another course with you at some point in the not too distant future!"

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Thank you so much for your amazing review, Helena. It means so much to me, you feeling relaxed and mindful and able to focus; your body and soul completely in sync. Isn't it meditative! Would be wonderful, if you could do another course, or maybe even a two-day course. Perhaps if you decide to stay with Linda for a bit, over the winter months. Thank you again very much for your lovely words. Good luck with the veg plot (sounds really exciting!) and knit a bit from time to time, as that will bring your mind to focus as well and is creative. All the very best and hope to see you again soon, Marianne x"

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

"I so enjoyed Marianne's Basketry one day course last weekend. I had never done anything like this before and it has really made me see baskets in a whole new light as so much goes into the making, from the preparation of the willow, the varying colours and different types of weave. I admit I found it challenging at times and the process was different to how I had imagined but Marianne was so kind, calm and helpful that I amazed myself and managed to produce a terrific basket by the end of the day. The weaving action is very therapeutic and mindful and the sense of achievement is so rewarding. Thank you Marianne for giving us the opportunity to learn something new and generally for a super day."

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Hello Liz, Thank you so much for your amazing review! I've never had such a stunning review like the one you gave me. So fantastic to hear that you've had such a great time. It was a pleasure to meet you and Helena. So wonderful to see her enthusiasm for the craft and to see her progressing so amazingly fast! It made it all great fun. I'll soon put the process of making the base on video, so Helena can make another basket, all on her own. Thank you again very much. Very best wishes, Marianne Crafty Basketry"

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

"A very interesting course which I thoroughly enjoyed. Marianne gave just the right amount of instruction, help and advice. The small numbers made it very inclusive. Thank you, Marianne"

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Dear Pam, Thank you so much for your kind words! So wonderful to hear that you've had such a great time. It was a pleasure to meet you. I hope you'll have a lot of pleasure from your basket. You did a fantastic job! Thank you again very much. Very best wishes, Marianne Crafty Basketry"

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

"This was my first go at basket weaving and I really could not have found a better teacher in Marianne. She was so helpful in every way. Everything was considered from setting up to the finished article. We were promised we would make a basket and we did!!! Excellent course!!"

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Hello Linda, Thank you so much for your lovely review! So fantastic to hear that you've had such a great time. It was a pleasure to work on this together and make sure you all had a tremendous time. I thoroughly enjoyed the jokes and praises between you all. It was great fun. Looking forward to the next time we'll meet. Thank you again very much. I wouldn't have been able to do it without you and all your energy. Very best wishes, Marianne xx Crafty Basketry"

Caroline Dickson reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Beginners Morning Course - Weaving an Autumn or Christmas Wreath, Tenterden

"Such a lovely morning making a door wreath woven from willow. Marianne is a patient and kind teacher and it was most enjoyable."

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Thank you so much for your review, Caroline! It means so much to me, that you had a super time. The atmosphere was wonderful again and you made it even more special, adding your artistic flair. Look forward to seeing you again soon, who knows, at another basketry course. Many thanks again. With best wishes, Marianne x Crafty Basketry"

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

"Really super day which was thoroughly enjoyed, thank you. Am looking forward to booking the next one with you !"

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Good morning Julia, Thank you so much for your lovely review! So fantastic to hear that you've had such a great time. It was a pleasure to meet you. I thoroughly enjoyed the banter between Karen and you, which made it all great fun. Looking forward to the next time we'll meet. Who knows, this may be at the next wreath-weaving course. Thank you again very much. Very best wishes, Marianne Crafty Basketry"

Janet ledger reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Basket Making for Beginners - Day Course at Kench Hill, Tenterden

"What a brilliant day making a basket from willow surrounded by woodland . Thank you."

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Good morning Janet, Thank you so much for your fantastic review. Much appreciated. I hope you had a wonderful time away and have been able to fully unwind. Look forward to meeting you again, who knows at another of my courses. Again many thanks. Best wishes, Marianne Crafty Basketry"