Zarzo Baskets

​I learned this basket at Musgrove Willows from fabulous teacher Rachel Poole who rightly told me that once I had learned the technique I would never look back!   She was absolutely spot on and  it is now one of my favourite baskets to make and I apply the technique in many other styles of baskets.  These baskets are also my best selling range in 2017 both at Crafts by the The Sea and Crafts in the Bay.
Traditionally zarzo trays originated in Catalonia where they were used to drain cheese from brine and then serve.  The Danish writer Ulla Misser took the technique and worked extensively with it to produce a varied range of trays, round curvy baskets and square baskets.  Once I bought her book and read it from cover to cover (with the help of Google translate) I was completely inspired and have since made many of these baskets and taught lots of students locally as well.  The basket is relatively quick to make and can be made from a variety of willows, a waxy purpuraea is ideal as you do ask a lot of the willow in the round version.
I love embellishing these baskets with natural handles of contorted willow or hazel and also buttons made from Eucalyptus and other seeds.  I have also used rope and leather for covering handles - the creative possibilities are endless!