Investing in the Future
Our team is at the heart of our family business, and investing in every staff member is something we deeply value. Each highly skilled craftsman brings talents that are essential in creating our coveted handwoven baskets. With the traditional craft of basketweaving at risk of fading away, we feel a strong sense of responsibility to preserve this art, honouring the legacy that’s been entrusted to us. Welcoming new people to the craft – especially young trainees – is a privilege we’re proud to embrace.
Mastering the Craft
Staff members range from young apprentices at the start of their careers to master craftspeople with over 45 years of basket-making experience. Each apprentice trains for at least five years through our Career Advancement Program, which provides a clear progression path to learning the necessary skills over time to become master craftspeople.
All new apprentices are paired with a master craftsperson responsible for providing training and mentoring. In the first few weeks, apprentices learn the fundamentals of basket weaving, starting with getting to grips with their traditional tools—a bodkin, wrapping iron, and secateurs. It is then essential that they become familiar with their predominant weaving material, willow. They learn how to prepare it through soaking, understand its varying heights and thicknesses, colours, and how to work with the different varieties. Next, apprentices master the essentials in weaving, starting with staking up, the crucial step that forms the shape and structure of the basket. Weaving patterns follow, often complex to perfect the variety of styles. Weaving can be compared to pottery: as you work, it’s easy to distort the shape, making it essential to constantly monitor and adjust the form of the basket.
Apprentices begin their careers weaving simpler baskets and designs before working their way up to the most complex pieces, such as bespoke baskets. The ultimate goal is to be able to look at a drawing of a basket, perfect the design, and weave it expertly. A true master craftsperson has passion, a creative flair, and an impeccable attention to detail.
Family Culture
Our company culture at Somerset Willow is family-spirited, with regular social events throughout the year, as well as payday pizza and weekly breakfast club, we do our utmost to encourage a warm environment where staff feel valued. It is also important for us to support our team’s well-being through a variety of ways, including access to an on-site mental health first aider and a well-being support line. Listening to staff through regular check-ins and surveys with an open-door policy allows us to truly hear how our team feel and promotes new ideas and innovations. Additionally, professional development is encouraged across departments and provides training opportunities to empower staff to expand their skillset and achieve qualifications for growth in their careers.
We take pride in the warm company culture that has shaped our family business over the years. Our people are central to everything we do, and every skill passed to a new apprentice helps carry forward four generations of basketweaving expertise.