I was originally a willow specialist, learning local, traditional work from apprenticed makers.
I increased my repertoire and researched basket history, a little recorded subject. Widening contacts, with both UK and overseas basketmakers, and a Fellowship in Basketmaking at Manchester Metropolitan University, gave freedom to explore creative possibilities, and generated other ways of making. My techniques and materials now vary from the traditional to the contemporary using natural stems, leaves, bark, wire, plastics, vellum, paper, lots of colour.

My research interests centre on our basket history, so far little recorded but now being actively explored. I have enjoyed spending time with traditional makers and recording their work, both technical details and their changing practice in response to consumer demand. It gives a good record of changing economies and industries and the nature of basketmaking today.

I am committed to the transmission of basket knowledge, technical, historical and contemporary. I enjoy teaching a range of skills based on those traditional techniques I learnt first, then building on these with a diverse collection of methods. I hope to pass on my fascination and enthusiasm to as wide an audience as possible. I have written, and co-written, a number of books to help students and all those interested in different aspects of the craft.

Curation of major exhibitions, with associated public activities and collaborations, has been designed to widen our extending network of friends and colleagues, to Europe and beyond, and introduce a wider public to basketmaking in all its forms. I have an exciting life, often collaborative: large installations, basketry drawings, smaller scale work, teaching both traditional and contemporary work, curating, writing and talking are all part of the mix and give me a welcome freedom of expression and a lot of pleasure.