Dan is a woodcrafter, basket maker and coppice worker based in the North East of England. He has over 30 years experience of woodwork; he has been working with wood since childhood but his passion to make a living from it came from his frustration with mainstream products and the lack of creativity and beauty that we see nowadays. Dan aims to create products that are beautiful and unique using ethically and locally sourced natural materials. Some of Dan’s recent work has involved chainsaw carving and living willow sculpture.
Dan has a family background in woodwork which started as a young child, helping and learning from his dad on various wood work projects, such as sculpture and yurt building. He has a passion for learning and loves to attend workshops and training with local crafts people. A strong admirer of American Ash Pack Baskets he decided to pursue the art of making Ash splint baskets, and is dedicated to keeping this heritage craft alive in the UK.
Dan is a member of The Basketmakers’ Association and Heritage Crafts and regularly runs workshops with people locally wanting to learn how to weave baskets or items out of Ash and Willow.
Dan also holds Chainsaw tickets and is a self-employed coppice worker, coppicing Willow and Hazel at various locations in the North East. He is an experienced Willow worker and has been employed on a number of local projects, creating Willow sculptures.
Dan has also worked with several local tree surgeons, processing firewood and providing ground-based tree services on a self-employed basis.
