My Story
Hello — I’m Anita Lomas.
My handwoven creations are crafted in my garden studio in South Manchester. It’s a joy to work with plants grown in a place I feel deeply connected to, transforming them into a new form of beauty. Breathing sustainable new life into fibres that would otherwise return quietly to the earth feels both natural and meaningful.
How it all started ...
After a career in graphic design and many years spent in an office, my longing to reconnect with the outdoors grew steadily stronger. A few short basketry courses only deepened that desire, so I enrolled in the City and Guilds programme at Westhope College in Shropshire. I was fortunate to study under Eddie Glew of Blithfield Willowcrafts—the renowned “Weaving Dreams” man.
I completed the course with distinction in 2018. At first, all my baskets were woven in willow, but when I needed more space and put my willow rods into temporary storage to build a garden studio, lockdown struck. With no access to my willow and an urgent need to weave, I turned to the plants in my garden. That unexpected shift led me to discover a new love for soft, natural materials, and a new chapter began.
I’m a member of the Basketmakers’ Association, where I also work as their graphic designer, compiling The Journal for members three times a year.
I’m also part of Peak District Artisans, a group recognised for its high standards and exceptional creative work.
My desire to learn and refine my craft continues. In 2024, I enrolled in the inspiring online course Form to Freedom with Harriet Goodall, the acclaimed Australian natural fibre artist. I was thrilled to have my work included in the end-of-year exhibition book Nurturing Revolutions.
Materials
The natural plant fibres I work with most often include dandelion, daffodil, daylily, iris and crocosmia leaves, as well as phormium flax and willow bark.
All of my materials are either grown in my garden or foraged locally and sustainably. I harvest each plant at the end of its natural lifecycle, ensuring it can fully regenerate and flourish again the following year. This centuries-old practice is low-impact and genuinely sustainable.
All fibres are first dried and stored until needed. Drying allows the materials to shrink naturally. When it’s time to weave, the fibres are rehydrated and left to mellow before the weaving begins.
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