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Welcome to Rushmore Baskets

About

Working from my studio in Presteigne, I weave with English rush and other natural materials to make beautiful and useful baskets.

Rush is a perfect weaving material – it will plait, weave and coil into almost any shape, it can be sewn or woven, become dense or airy and create soft or hard forms.  I have been working with rush for nearly 10 years and continue to learn what it can do.

I cut rush every summer from the River Isle in Somerset, bringing home as many bolts as possible to dry and keep me going for the coming year.  I teach from my studio too, so I need to cut enough for my students to use.

I sell through local galleries, H-Art as well as online.

Clair Murphy of Rushmore Baskets

Gallery

A selection of baskets and mats are shown below.  Rush is a highly adaptable material, so if you cannot see the basket you would like we can work together on creating one to your specification.  I work on a commission basis, with a lead time of around 4 weeks, depending on the style of basket or the size of the order.

Panama - from £95
Bowler hat - from £85
Star bread basket - from £55
Handbags - from £55
Wastepaper basket - £65
Double-base bread or fruit basket - from £45
Traditional frail basket - from £90
Fitched shopper - from £50
Traditional frail baskets - from £90
Table mats - from £15.00
Twill plait double-walled basket - from £65
Coasters - £6.50 Wine coasters - £12
Large platter/bowl - £160
Circular floor mat 160 cm - £350
Fruit basket 40cm - £75
Ear of Wheat breadbasket 30 cm - £75

Courses

Rushmore Baskets Courses 2023

2023 courses at a glance

22nd & 23rd AprilTwo Day Course£150 Square rush basketry
20th & 21st MayTwo Day Course£160 Make a rush frail
24th & 25th JuneTwo Day Course £150 Make a twined rush hat
16th & 17th SeptemberTwo Day Course £160 Make a rush cushion
21st OctoberOne Day Course £70 Rush & other natural fibre baskets
18th & 19th November    Two Day Course £160 Make a large plaited tray

Booking:

For a booking form email me at rushmorebaskets@gmail.com, DM me on Instagram at clair_at_rushmore or text me on 07713 514902

Venue:

All courses will be held at the Birches Farm Barn near Kington, Herefordshire.

Square rush basketry

Two day course

Dates:    Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd April

Time:    10.00 am to 5.00 pm

Price:    £150.00

This course will teach a range of square basket possibilities, including plain and twill weaves over a mould, sandwich-and-sew borders and more. You will leave the course with at least one square basket suitable for fruit or bread.

The course is suitable for complete beginners, those with basketmaking experience in other materials who want to try rush, and those who have done some rush basketmaking and wish to extend their skills.

Make a rush frail

Two-day course

Dates:    Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st May

Time:   10.00 to 5.00 pm

Price:   £160

The frail is a highly traditional lidded rush basket. This course will teach the wide-plait method of frail making. Some elements of the basket will be available ready made in case of time shortage!

This will be quite an intensive course and will suit those with some basketmaking experience wishing to extend their skills.

Make a rush sun hat

Two-day course

Dates:   Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th June

Time:   10.00 am to 5.00 pm

Price:   £150

Make a sun hat in time for the heat of summer.

Made over a hat block mould, this hat is woven using a pairing weave and can have a variety of brims to suit your taste. Students will be asked to supply their chosen hat size and style (sun hat or bowler) ahead of the class so that a suitable hat block is available.

This course is suitable for beginners but requires perseverance!

Make a rush cushion

Two-day course

Dates:   Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th September

Time:   10.00 am to 5.00 pm

Price:   £160

Rush makes a pleasing cushion which can be made either in a box or pillow style. You will make at least one cushion of about 35-40 cm square over the weekend. A fire-resistant fabric liner will be available to purchase, and cushions may be stuffed with rush or your own feather cushion filler as preferred.

This course is suitable for complete beginners, those with basketmaking experience in other materials who want to try rush and those who have done some rush basketmaking and wish to extend their skills.

Rush and other natural fibres

One day course

Date:   Saturday 21st October

Time: 10.00 am to 5.00 pm

Price: £70

Suitable for everyone, this course will explore baskets you can make from rush and materials collected from the garden or further afield. Some garden and wild materials will be supplied, but bring your own too.

Leaves such as iris, crocosmia, daffodil, daylily, gladiolus, flax, cordyline are all suitable – cut them long and hang them up in bunches by the tip ends somewhere airy to dry.

A great course for everyone interested in gardening and wild fibres or the cross over between textile and basketry. You should take home at least one basket.

Make a large plaited tray

Two day course

Dates: Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th November

Time: 10.00 am to 5.00 pm

Price: £160

This course will teach flat plaiting methods using 3, 5, or 7 end plaits. The first day will be spent making a length of plait and the second sewing it into an open basket or tray. At the end of the course, you will have a basket to take home.

This course is suitable for complete beginners, those with basketmaking experience in other materials who want to try rush, and those who have done some rush basketmaking and wish to extend their skills.

I shall also be teaching at Cogges Farm Museum in Witney, Oxfordshire in March and July 2023. Please see their WEBSITE for details.