“Weaving can transform the inner and outer landscape of our lives. My aim is to create beautiful inspirational pieces that combine functionality with a sculptural quality.” Sarah Le Breton
3 minute video about myself and my inspiration. Created for the Nourish exhibition held at the Crafts Study Centre August – October 2022
Passionate about willow basketry and traditional craftsmanship, professional designer – maker – teacher Sarah Le Breton concentrates on handcrafting work that marries heritage basket forms and traditional basketry techniques with innovative ideas, creating stylish products for modern living.
Based in Devon, South West England, twelve years ago Sarah established a successful freelance teaching business creating bespoke willow courses including her much in demand Willow Day Workshops. Sarah has been involved in teaching projects throughout the UK and Europe. Clients include River Cottage, RHS, Somerset Rural Life Museum and the Soho House Group.
2024 – 2025 Exhibition Basketry: Rescuing, Reviving, Retaining. Ose baskets being exhibited September ’24 – January ’25 at Ruthin Craft Centre, North Wales & April – June ’25 at the Harley Gallery, Nottinghamshire.
2024 September Show Create Festival, Devon.
2024 June Show Craft Festival exhibitor, Devon.
2024 May Press Devon Home Magazine Spring / Summer edition. Celebrating Craft article.
2024 May Television Unwind with ITV1. Mindfulness programme.
2024 May Press Period Living Magazine June edition. Meet the Maker 1 page feature.
2024 March Exhibit at Basketry Showcase 2024 hosted by The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers. London.
2024 February Press Exmoor Magazine Spring 2024 edition. 3 page featured article.
2023 October Key Speaker Baskemakers’ Association AGM, Staging an Exhibition talk. London.
2023 October Stockist Holly& Co online curated marketplace, founding Co.
2023 September Stockist MAKE Southwest gallery shop, Bovey Tracey, Devon.
2023 June Press Venture Magazine (Atkins Ferrie Wealth Management) Featured article ‘ Weaving Magic’ .
2023 June Show Craft Festival exhibitor, Devon.
2023 June Press Devon Life Magazine Featured in article ‘Heralding the Red Listers’.
2023 March Press Country Living Modern Rustic #23 Magazine Featured in ‘Objects of Desire’.
2022 October to present. Stockist Durslade Farm Shop at Hauser & Wirth, Bruton, Somerset.
2022 August – October Nourish Exhibition at Crafts Study Centre, University for the Creative Arts, Farnham, Surrey. 1 of 16 UK wide makers exhibiting willow work. Meet the Maker in October. CSC Nourish Exhibition website link.
2021-22 November – January. Inaugural Featured Maker at MAKE Southwest (formerly Devon Guild of Craftsmen).
2021 Basketmakers Professional Development Programme with Cockpit Arts. Supported by the Basketmakers’ Association and funded by The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers.
2021 Featured in the book Slow Adventures: Unhurriedly Exploring Britain’s Wild Places by T. McIntosh, published by National Trust Books.
2020 Willow lighting commission for communal room at Marchmont Creative Spaces. (www.hugoburgefoundation.org)
2019 – 20 Self funded bi-monthly training in traditional English basketmaking with 4th generation, 79 year old Somerset commercial maker Eddie Barnard.
2019 Whole willow seating commission. Art & Crafts chairs, including Bedales chair model originally made by Edward Gardiner.
2019 Training bursary from the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers to attend Squarework course with Eddie Glew at the Basketmakers’ Association Spring School.
2019 – Present. Basketmaking Workshops for RHS Rosemoor, Devon.
2019 – Present. Basketmaking Workshops for the Somerset Rural Life Museum.
2018 Heritage Crafts Association / Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust Finalist.
2018 – Present. Basketmaking & Sculpture Workshops for River Cottage HQ.
2017 CoLab Resilient Women Summit Workshop.
2016 Competition winner of Excellence for Best Floral Display, Belgravia in Bloom for Linley of London, in collaboration with Tattie Rose Flowers and Coates English Willow. Sculpture Workshop for Linley of London.
2015 – 2017 Superact UK & European projects, Handmade Wellbeing Project, Netplants EU Project, Creative Times Guinness Partnership Project.
2013 Stakeholders Project at the Museum of English Rural Life. Up-and-coming maker.
2013 Competition winner of the Light Fantastic Wearable Parade at the Basketry & Beyond Festival.
2010- Present. Willow Day Workshops. 2022 – present basketmaking workshops held in Mid Devon. 2010 – 2022 willow basketmaking and sculpture workshops held at Coates English Willow on the Somerset Levels.
2002 – 2006 Creative Enterprise Manager, Centre for Creative Enterprise & Participation, Dartington College of Arts.
Sarah is a Heritage Crafts Association, Basketmakers’ Association and Basketmakers South West member. Sarah was selected by Find a Maker in June ’21 and attained full membership at MAKE Southwest in June ’23.
When not making or teaching, Sarah loves to adventure in the wilds of the British Isles in a VW campervan, until recently this was in her beloved T2 van ‘Nigella’. By choosing to entirely renovate the van’s interior herself, Sarah was able to design and create many of its features. From unique willow basket storage solutions to quirky rush material sun visors, this gave Sarah the opportunity to practice highly skilled techniques and showcase her craft form.
2024 © sarahlebretonwillow