Basketmaker Julie Gurr, who moved from her studio in Hastings to Bosney Farm in Iden, near Rye, earlier this year, will be opening up her Basketry Studio to visitors as part of the Coastal Currents Festival.
Julie is an experienced basketmaker who has run her business making and teaching basketmaking to others for over 15 years. Before moving south a few years ago she was living on the Isle of Arran in Scotland where she was chair of the Scottish Basketmakers’ Circle. Her main basketry material has always been willow but she is enjoying the sunnier climate down south and getting to know the local plants that are good for basketry so that she isn’t reliant on buying in willow. ‘The Romney Marsh has an amazing selection of grasses and rushes that can be plaited or twisted into rope to make baskets,” she says.
Since moving to East Sussex she has regularly taught classes and over the summer months students have come fortnightly to her workshops at Bosney Farm in Iden.
She will also be holding one-day and weekend classes throughout the winter. Check out her website for more information.
The Coastal Currents Open Studios are on the weekends of September 2/3/9 and 10. Julie’s studio is open from 11am until 6pm each day. As well as having a range of work for sale she will be demonstrating basketmaking.
Photo: Julie Gurr