Hi, I'm Ash, maker and creator of Willow Star Crafts. My story began over the Christmas holidays when my lovely wife decided to buy yours truly a crafting kit to keep busy. That kit was for willow weaving. So, on one chilly day while my wife was at work, I decided that now would be a good time to give it a go. What can I say? I became instantly hooked! After trying many different hobbies in my life, this was the one I connected with the most. Always the creative one, I found I could channel my old art skills again but this time using a totally different medium. After several days, my first creation, Derek the Deer, was born. My wife was amazed by the result and the fact that I had picked it up so quickly. This left me wanting to learn more about the traditional art of willow weaving. So, I read a few books, bought a big bundle of willow and practiced whenever I got the chance: morning, noon, and night, while still working my day job at a primary school. The school children love it when I bring in the animal sculptures. Willow weaving is a great form of meditation. I love the escapism that willow weaving brings, and hours and days can fly by when in the moment. Creating bespoke pieces for my customers gives me a real buzz, and the reaction when they see the finished product is worth the effort alone.

The nursery children loved the woodland animals.