Fiona is a basket maker from North Yorkshire with a keen interest in historic baskets. Her inspiration comes from historic paintings, old baskets and undertaking repairs, and paying homage to old designs and long-gone makers’ strokes.
Fiona started working as a professional basket maker in 2022 following a career in recruitment and as a school career advisor – she is now ready to take her craft to the next level.
Fiona’s QEST Emerging Maker Grant will fund a two-year Level 3 City & Guilds Basketry course at Westhope College in Shropshire where she will learn a wide range of complex basketry skills and techniques. Fiona will learn about different types of baskets including frame, square work, lids, traditional underfoot bases and weaves, advanced stitch work on coiled baskets, and much more.
Her long-term goal is to be the best maker she can, teach basketry courses, pass on her skills, show her work in more gallery spaces and be called upon for specialist knowledge of historic baskets and repairs.
Fiona would also like to promote basketry as a tool for better physical and mental health.