Moments of Joy

In our team meeting this week, we decided to focus on 'Moments of Joy'. Reminding ourselves to notice the pockets of happiness in our everyday lives. The hawthorns are flowering in the hedgerows, and blackbirds are nesting in my garden, feeding their young at dawn. The sun is shining...well, it was! And I am sure it will be back.

Spring at The Basket Room has been full of movement. I am quite a believer in the Wheel of the Year, and I follow the Moon's phases - it all helps me feel closer to nature and instills a sense of grounding. I've discovered a new weekly yoga class, and I am ready for the Year of the Fire Horse!

Change can feel uprooting, and I've navigated many at The Basket Room over the last few years. I've never been afraid of change, maybe it was because my Mum moved house every few years when I was younger! The excitement of a new room, working out where I would put everything. The adventure and mystery excite me. I could write a book about all the houses I've lived in...but first, baskets!

The excitement that I felt then, I feel it now. There are still new designs to imagine, different colours to explore, and new weaving partnerships to build.

Connecting with the Basket Weavers in Kenya

Last month, Peris reconnected with our partner weavers in rural Kenya. Production was in full swing with new designs being woven.

"We went to visit the weavers, see the progress of the order, and check in with the weavers. It was lovely to see Dorcas. She always insists on feeding us lunch (no matter what we say or whatever hurry we're in). We discussed the order and potential upcoming orders." - Peris

New Spring Collections

We love to bring in new designs and keep our offering fresh. Because we manage our whole supply chain from design, to sampling, quality control and logistics, it is not a quick fix! If a stage in the chain gets delayed, it can mean we miss the opportunity to launch at the optimum time for a season. It happens. Often! The beauty of handmade, the slow reality of creativity.

My background is in art and design. I love creating concepts and moodboards, and seeing an idea come to fruition. Sometimes I will sketch a design, other times I'll jump on a call with Peris and communicate it via video! And in those moments when my mind can be free, a new idea is born.

I've designed and curated a new Spring/Summer bag collection. Inspired by retro sports fashion and a little bit of luxe! They are currently being handcrafted in Kenya...stay tuned for more updates about the launch.

New for Spring - Pastel Bow Decorations

We were all SO excited when our Spring bows arrived a couple of weeks ago. An update on our Christmas decorations, I've designed 3 new colourways for Easter tree decorating.

Each bow is hand-beaded by women who have formed a small craft group near Mombasa. We attach velvet ribbon so you can easily hang them around your house.

We say Goodbye to Anna!

Over the Christmas holidays, I decided to give our office a little revamp. We've now got a little meeting area, cork boards to pin ideas on, and of course, beautiful portraits of the weavers on the wall.

We are a small team of six; it has grown and shrunk over the years, and I've been fortunate to have worked with some wonderful people.

After 8 years at The Basket Room, Anna will be moving on to pastures new next month. She has been my rock and will be sorely missed by us all. Thank you, Anna. We wish you all the best.

A Grand Spring Opening...

I've never been more excited about our warehouse since we moved in 6 years ago! Having played shop from a young age, where my sisters and I made and sold popcorn at the end of our drive. This is something I have always dreamed of.

My own shop!

Going with my flow came up a lot during my Soul-Based Coaching last year. I feel blocked, tense, and frustrated when my flow isn't free! Which is why I am moving with it this year, and bringing a proper showroom to our Basket Room HQ in Chipping Norton.

Opening this Spring!