Maggie Smith

Maggie Smith is a contemporary basket maker based in Northampton. Maggie has a willow bed in Essex, where she produces her materials as well as garething materials from the local countryside. Employing a range of traditional basketry techniques, Maggie Smith creates modern interior pieces, including sculptural forms, large vessels, and baskets. Whilst much of her inspiration comes from the natural world, she enjoys experimenting and exploring materials that feed her creativity and drive her practice forward.

Maker's Story

Maggie Smith is a contemporary basket maker based in Northampton. Maggie has a willow bed in Essex, where she produces her materials as well as gathering materials from the local countryside. Employing a range of traditional basketry techniques, Maggie Smith creates modern interior pieces, including sculptural forms, large vessels, and baskets. Whilst much of her inspiration comes from the natural world, she enjoys experimenting and exploring materials that feed her creativity and drive her practice forward.

Maker's Quote

Maggie Smith’s work is wonderfully sculptural, speaking to the sophistication of contemporary basketry, and the skills of makers. The City Literary Institute basketry course Maggie graduated from is the last vocational training of its kind in the UK. Looking at Maggie’s work, I fear we’re at risk of losing this unique craft.

Natalie MeltonCo-Founder, The New Craftsmen

The Process

Maggie Smith’s recent work is focused on willow, which has inspired a closed-loop approach to making, whereby every piece of the plant is used, from leaf to root. In 2017, Maggie was awarded the Best Body of New Work prize, Clerkenwell Open Studios.