Jane Allan, Basketmaker

I trained in Graphic Design at Lincoln College of Art but when I moved to Argyll in 1990, my career changed to creating and running self catering holiday cottages .  A weekend course in basketmaking at An Tairbeart Heritage Centre in 1997 led to an interest in basketmaking which fitted well with holiday cottage commitments and with living on a former smallholding with workshop facilities and space to grow willow.

I make functional items such as shoppers and log baskets in traditional styles.  The nature of basket making, which uses natural materials and cannot be mechanised, means that every basket is unique.

There are many varieties of willow suitable for basketmaking and I grow some of the less common ones to add interest and colour to my more decorative items.  The crop is coppiced each year and different varieties can grow from three to fourteen feet in a season. 

As well as making baskets, I also teach and organise residential courses with visiting tutors.  My work has been exhibited across Scotland in exhibitions organised by Scottish Basketmakers Circle and locally at Elemental Arts Wavyline Gallery in Ardfern and Kilmartin House Museum .

Baskets are available for sale from my workshop and I accept commissions for individual items.  My work is also available at Natural Elements Gallery in Inveraray and Mack and Mags in Tarbert.

Visitors are welcome at my workshop but please phone or email first to make sure I am here.

Jane Allan,
Seafield Farm, Achnamara, Lochgilphead,
Argyll PA31 8PS

01546 850 274
email seafield3@aol.com  

www.scottishbasketmakerscircle.org/janeallan.html