Hilary Burns

Hilary Burns is a Devon based basketmaker who grows, harvests, soaks and bends her own willow to create functional pieces and decorative baskets. Weaving has been a constant in her life, originally she trained as a fabric weaver before taking up the craft of basketry thirty years ago. In 1985, she planted several willow beds to grow her own sustainable materials – hazel, oak and ash. Her work is based on traditional techniques applied in a contemporary way to achieve a robust and natural look.

Maker's Story

Hilary Burns is a Devon-based basketmaker who grows, harvests, soaks and bends her own willow to create functional pieces and decorative baskets. Weaving has been a constant in her life, originally she trained as a fabric weaver before taking up the craft of basketry 30 years ago. In 1985, she planted several willow beds to grow her own sustainable materials, such as hazel, oak and ash. Her work is based on traditional techniques applied in a contemporary way to achieve a robust and natural look.

Maker's Quote

Basketry is a slow craft; growing the materials, cutting, grading, drying, soaking gives control but adds to the making time. I study traditional techniques and find them endlessly intriguing, refined to perfectly suit the available material and function. I try to find my own way to use them to create form and texture.

Hilary BurnsBasketmaker

The Process

Willow harvesting takes place from January to April. After bundling, the willow stands in the elements draining sap. It is then soaked one day per foot and wrapped until it ‘mellows’. Using simple tools, Hilary transforms these willow stalks into unique basket forms.