10 years of withy pots
Next November will mark 10 years since I began my journey exploring the heritage craft of withy pots around the South West. So much has happened since and I feel very lucky to have shared this with my two boys (my little Salix Piskies) and hopefully helped instill in them a connection to their heritage and a sense of belonging.
In 2022 I self published a story book called Withy pots & Salix piskies, aimed at enabling people to discover more about the threatened craft of withy pots around the South West, within an exhibition context. Firstly through Jewelwithy at Make Southwest in 2022 and WithyLore, a collaborative touring exhibition with Storylines, first shown at Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery in spring 2025. Each page evolved from research and recordings with withy pot makers and now act as a thread to learn more about specific areas of the craft and it's heritage.
Below are a few pages explained in more detail :
Withy pot barnacles
This forms the first page to my story. Inspired by an archive photograph of Penberth Cove, where my partner's grandfather made withy pots. At first glance I thought the scattering of withy pots appeared like barnacles!
I set about creating a drawing which was salt water etched onto a copper plate to form an intaglio print, later repurposed into a brooch. Together they form an illustration that sits alongside the following text :
"Withy pots were common place across the south west coast, that from afar appear like barnacles nestled on a rock".
(Caption from Withy Pots & Salix Piskies).
This page along with another called Wisdom (found below) inspired an opportunity to create a collaborative art installation as part of Withy Lore, with Storylines. Where three young people and master withy pot makers worked together to create a collection of withy pot barnacles, which were later placed in Penberth Cove by myself, my two boys and Sarah from Storylines. Storylines captured a very atmospheric photograph which was displayed at Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery this spring alongside the physical withy pot barnacle display. You can find out more here
No two the same
"There are key principles to making a pot, but between communities styles can differ a lot. "
(Caption from Withy Pots & Salix Piskies)
In late 2016, whilst attending a withy pot making course in beautiful Hope Cove, withy pot maker, Sue Morgan made me aware of the varying styles of withy pots which sparked an interest in me to discover more ! You can read a blog all about it here
I became fascinated with the similarities and differences between withy pots and the stories they held. As a result I began documenting them through photography from various angles along with portrait photos of the makers, in collaboration with Cornwall College whilst recording for Jewelwithy and with Storylines through Withy Lore. You can see the online gallery here
To highlight key similarities and differences I have been illustrating the styles in black and white and some of the terminology and language used. I have also created a collection of intaglio prints to help share this beautiful craft. These are available to purchase and every sale enables me to continue this work, much of which will soon be archived at Kresen Kernow.
Wisdom
Withy pots typically only last one season and making new pots each year was essential. Traditionally this could only be done when the willow was ready to be harvested and woven during the winter months, opening up a small window of opportunity to pass on skills and knowledge to the next generation.
"This period is short lived as it only lasts until spring and creates a small opportunity to pass on wisdom. "
(Caption from Withy Pots & Salix Piskies)
As mentioned above in Withy pot barnacles, this helped inspire intergenerational art installation work last year. Following on from this we are also holding a two day withy pot making course for 3 young people aged between 18-25 and master withy pot makers at Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery. We are on the look out for participants, to find out more please get in touch.
Weaving
Withy pots are made largely from willow and other natural materials and withy pot makers have held a special connection with nature for centuries.
"Once the last leaf has fallen, the willow branches are ready to be harvested by fishermen and woven into withy pots...." (Caption from Withy pots & Salix Piskies)
I am often found weaving all sorts of things, from wire to even coconut fibres! and this year I have decided to delve deeper into this fascination and begin a project called 'Weaving', which explores the natural rhythms of plant materials to weave, using some withy pot techniques. There will be more information to follow soon!!
Updated: Aug 19
It has been over a month since we took down our Withy Lore exhibition at Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery. Sarah from Storylines and I recently found a moment together to sit down and read the feedback crabs filled in by visitors and we were both overwhelmed by the wonderful positive responses we received, thank you, it means so much!
Storylines and I are also delighted to tell you that we have been approached by a few exciting venues who wish for us to display the exhibition with them also! These will enable communities within other parts of Cornwall to explore and learn about the wonderful world of withy pots and its connection to their heritage. This has been made possible through grants from the Little Parc Owles Trust, the Fishmongers Company and The Basketmakers' Association. During these exhibtions there will be opoortunities to take part in workshops and listen to talks. Here is a little more information:
13th September - 1st November - Museum of Cornish Life, Helston
We will begin our journey in Museum of Cornish Life museum in Helston. The museum was once the town's market building and showcases thousands of objects all linked to Cornwall. During our time with them, they will be hosting their annual week long celebration of craft and makers', through an event called Helston Makes It, and this year it will be themed around one of my favourite plants, willow!
We will be getting into the Helston Makes It spirit by running a few activities for you to get involved in:
Family day activities Museum of Cornish Life
Saturday 20th September - FREE drop in workshops
Corky Baban Making – Make your own corky baban using willow and words. Cast your wish to sail back home with you.
Withy Pot Barnacles – Add to the withy pot barnacle installation by weaving with found plastics.
Withy Pot Detectives – Become a withy pot detective and investigate the characteristics of withy pots through tracing and looking.
Willow Bracelet Workshop
Monday 22nd September 2025, 10.30am – 3.30pm, £22 per person- booking required
The Museum of Cornish Life, Helston
Upcycle old jewellery, off cuts of willow and recycled silver to create a bracelet to take home!
Talk with withy pot maker, Barry Mundy
Tuesday 23rd September – 11am – 12.30pm FREE
The Museum of Cornish Life, Helston
You can learn more about Barry by watching this film:
During our time there we will also be hosting a rare opportunity for 3 young people to try their hand at making a working withy pot from a master withy pot maker:
Intergenerational Withy Pot Making
31st October- 1st November FREE
The Museum of Cornish Life, Helston
Traditionally withy pots are made during the cooler months, when the willow is at its best to be woven. This opens a small window of opportinity for the craft to be passed onto the next generation.
We have organised a two day workshop for 3 young people aged between 18-25, to learn how to make a working withy pot from start to finish by a master withy pot maker.
To find out more please get in touch
Illustration work
As part of our exhibition in Helston I will be showcasing new illustration work of a withy pot made by local withy pot maker Tom Chambers. This will also include terminology passed onto him by his late father, withy pot maker George Chamers. Their family have had a long relationship with the museum and have also been a fantastic support throughout our project, it feels only too right to celebrate them. This work has been made possible through a grant kindly given to us by the Basketmakers' Association.
....and finally below are two more tour dates for the diary:
Exhibition at Kresen Kernow, Redruth
8th November 2025- 31st January 2026
We are thrilled to have some of Withy Lore archived with Kresen Kernow, including Storylines oral histories and soon some of my black and white withy pot illustrations which also document some of the terminology/language used. During our exhibition with them we will showcase elements of Withy Lore and some of the archives withy pot related collections.
Exhibition at the National Lobster Hatchery, Padstow
February 14th– April 19th 2026
Learn more about not only withy pots, but also lobsters!!!
Please get in touch if you if you have any memories or links to withy pot making in the area.
