Withy Pots & Salix Piskies

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 'Willow', which explores the natural rhythms of willow to weave throughout the seasons, using some withy pot techniques. There will be more information to follow soon!!