Maggie Smith

Maggie discovered basketry in the 1990's and completed her City & Guilds Diploma in Creative Basketry in 2004. She now works full-time teaching her craft and making traditional and contemporary basketry using a wide range of techniques and materials. Her work has won awards and she exhibits widely at home and abroad.

Describe your approach to teaching:

I aim to pass on my traditional skills with enthusiasm and accuracy. Then, by encouraging practise, exploration and experimentation, enable others to perfect and develop these skills alongside their own creativity.

What inspires my own work:

Techniques and materials excite and inspire me. Exploration and experimentation with both is what drives my practise.

My recent work explores willow, creating contemporary forms using basketry and other craft techniques.