Woven from the Island
The Art of Marrowstone Willow
The Art
Radha is a weaver devoted to the craft of basketmaking. She crafts her art on quiet Marrowstone Island in the Pacific Northwest. Near her workshop lies the small willow farm she has planted over the years, a tangle of waving branches in summertime.
Each basket is woven with traditional techniques developed and refined by generations of artisans who have created and shared this craft. Each Marrowstone basket creates feelings of cozy nostalgia and childlike enchantment and is made to last through time.
Sourcing the Material
Willow is sustainable and natural, with zero dyes or chemical processes. The finished products will last for decades, even with continuous use. In Europe, willow is still commonly grown as a commercial product to be used in baskets. In the US, all willow is grown small scale and by hand, making it expensive to grow or difficult to find.
To source willow for weaving, Radha grows her own willow. She loves both the making of and the growing of willow. Walking through waving arms of slender willow, breathing in the ocean air, there is an almost transcendental physical experience. When weaving, the distinctive "clicking" sound as the willow rods tap against each other and the sweet smell of the willow are hypnotic.
Origin
Radha has trained with American and Irish artisan basket weavers. She includes European traditional techniques in her baskets, with new color and shape combinations. Radha is a proud member of the Northwest Basket Weavers Guild.
Heirloom Quality
Like all Newquist Forge products, these baskets are made by hand and are heirloom quality. Radha's partner, Erik, is the artisan blacksmith of Newquist Forge. He is also a part-time willow farmer and basket tool maker in support of Radha's craft.
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 on this website.
