Willow Pod
Willow with Roots is a mother-daughter team in Worcestershire who raises their own willows, holds textile workshops and sells products (lampshades, baskets, trays) online shop. They also do custom work, like the otherworldly willow pods mentioned above.
Dream Spiral Playhouse
Judith Needham of Surrey in England, another willow weaver who makes her own designs (including baskets), came up with her first playhouse for her own daughter. Willow in Needham comes from a grower in Somerset, England. “It’s specially grown for basket making. The cultivation method, not varieties, is suitable for weaving. The technique involves cutting the plant into the ground during the harvest during spring harvest. For a few years it produces 10-F00T long stems. This is what is needed for a playhouse, but most are cut each year and is the ultimate sustainable crop.”
For outdoor twig playhouses, Needham recommends applying a coat of linseed oil every year, and should last for 6-8 years with this protective finish. Most of her customers are in the UK, but to date, she has also shipped the Playhouse to the US.
Hocus Pocus
One of his specialties is play construction, most of which are built on museums, art centres and university grounds, but sometimes Dorgerty accepts private committees. One such thing is the Hocus Pocus shown here. This is the willow structure of Ennice’s Bittersweet Farms. NC. Photo by Robin Dreyer. Go to Stickwork, see the details and learn about his process.
See more fantastical kids’ play structures.
NB: This post was first published in July 2017. Updated with new products, photos, prices and links.
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