Willow Phoenix

Willow Phoenix is a sustainable willow business, based at Abbey Yard, West Acre. We offer willow courses and tuition in basketry, sculpture and land art. Our mission is to teach as many folk as possible about this beautiful, generous tree and all the amazing things you can make with it’s help. We also teach courses at Wakelyns organic, agroforestry farm in Suffolk, where it is a joy to visit the willow beds and connect with the trees. We grow willow at West Acre and at Wakelyns, leaving a legacy of willow beds when our last basket is made. Weaving is a slow, mindful activity which lowers cortisol and releases serotonin. This all helps to calm us down and feel generally better about the world. You can’t worry and weave. Using natural materials is a feast for the senses and counts as green exercise, which improves mood, self esteem and ‘connection to nature’. Reconnecting with the natural world and with your own creativity is a real boost in our fast paced world.