Only a few days until Christmas and New Year, then 2014 will be over. And that’s why I’m taking the time to take a quick look back at the last 12 months but also to look into the future and look forward to 2015.
The beginning of the year was all about chair weaving. It is often a challenge because you never know in advance what a predecessor has done with the braid that is now being replaced. Is it completely glued or additionally attached to the wicker frame with staples? All of this has happened and I will certainly experience many surprises in the future. But so far things like this have been able to be remedied with my helping hand in the background.
As a course leader, I was able to hold a few braiding courses for NABU Ortenberg. And the course offering was also well received. Now a NABU member myself, it is a lot of fun to work for and with nature again and again. So it was natural for me to show my basket-making skills to visitors at the summer festival and let them weave them themselves.
The market season began with the Easter market in Frankfurt. As always in the Dominican monastery, this market is well attended and thus provides the right motivation for the upcoming markets. And the motivation was needed this year too. There was interest in my basketry at many markets, but apart from comments like “Oh, that’s nice” and the like, there was often nothing. If I had set up a nice fund and charged €0.50 every time, it would have been a great holiday. Was it because of the markets, the hot, cold, wet, whatever weather? Or maybe the basketry I offer?
Finding out will be a topic in 2015. More on this below.
Markets like the medieval festival in Münzenberg or Büdingen, in the Dominican monastery in Frankfurt, and the guild and crafts market in Seligenstadt are the highlights for me. And if, like in Seligenstadt or Büdingen, the markets only take place every two years, then you look forward to them even more. For me, these are the markets that will remain in the program in the future.
2014 was also a premiere for me with the holiday games in the town of Ortenberg. Not sure if I was up to it, but in the end it was a lot of fun because every course participant was enthusiastic about it.
A market literally collapsed in 2014. A few hours of heavy rain in the area resulted in many places falling victim to the floods. This is also the case in Ranstadt. Since all the support staff were required to an excessive degree, a short time later it was announced that the first regional market in Ranstadt would be canceled. So it remains to be seen whether the first regional market will move into Ranstadt next year.
In addition to the markets, small repair orders were occasionally carried out. Be it a handle on a basket or doll’s pram, a basket or the wrapping of a carboy. Everything was done with love for my chosen profession. And the confirmation and feedback from the owners is an incentive for me to never let up in my performance.
For me personally, training and inspiration were on my wish list this year. I was able to learn new braiding techniques while visiting an acquaintance who has now become a friend. And we also visited the basket market in Lichtenfels together. And as expected, the international basket makers around the church were a real source of inspiration. And I always ask myself the question: Why are the basket makers in France, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands and many other countries viewed differently/better than here in Germany? Or am I just emotionally burdened? Questions that no one has been able to answer for me yet.
And what do I expect from 2015?
Firstly, continue to enjoy my work. But also a quick recovery after my hand surgery. I hope to be able to tackle things vigorously again in January. I’m sure I’ll come up with some news too.
Secondly, the success in changing my market strategy. I will continue to participate in the markets that are close to my heart in the future. In addition, I’m specifically trying to get a foothold in Bad Salzhausen at the farmers’ market. Whether I will succeed in this remains to be seen. At least those in charge know about my interest. So we just have to wait and see what happens after the Christmas rush. In any case, they have already been planned so that there are no overlaps in possible appointments.
So let’s all be surprised by what the new year has to offer.
I wish all customers, friends and acquaintances a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
As a traditional basketry workshop, a love for nature and honest craftsmanship are close to our hearts. Please note that our blog articles often consist of personal workshop reports, historical insights, or everyday stories. If general characteristics such as "natural," "chemical-free," or "biodegradable" are mentioned in the texts, these refer solely to our untreated willow wickerwork. For quality reasons, we standardly use modern, durable cotton weaving tape when renewing chair caning. The currently valid material details, legally binding information, and appropriate care instructions for your product can be found on our information pages and in the FAQs.