Radha Newsom is a willow basket maker on Marrowstone Island in the Pacific Northwest. Her front lawn is gradually being taken over by a small willow farm, transforming into a waving forest of willow branches. Her husband is the blacksmith at Newquist Forge, and in service to his wife's basket habits, is also a part time willow farmer and basket tool maker.
The baskets are works of art made to also be functional and durable. Like all Newquist Forge products, these baskets are made by hand and heirloom quality.
In Europe, willow is still commonly grown as a commercial product and can be purchased by basket weavers. In the US, all willow is grown small scale and by hand, making it expensive and expensive to ship. Home grown willow is a must for a willow basket weaver. Radha loves both the making of and the growing of willow. Walking through waving arms of slender willow is her idea of luxury. When weaving willow, she enjoys the distinctive 'clicking' sound as they tap against each other. The sound and smell of willow has an almost hypnotic effect.
Willow is sustainable and natural, with zero dyes or chemical processes. The finished products will last for decades, even with continuous use.
Radha has trained under instruction from American basket weaver Katherine Lewis and Irish weaver Hanna Van Aelst. She includes European traditional techniques in her baskets, with new color and shape combinations. The baskets are useful and durable while reflecting the natural beauty of the willows.
Marrowstone Willow baskets are sold in the Puget Sound region at craft shows and farmers markets, and soon, they will ship through newquistforge.com. Radha is a member of the Northwest Basket Weavers Guild.
