Lucy Ellis is a willow weaver living and working in the heart of Lough Navar Forest in County Fermanagh where nature deeply inspires both her traditional and contemporary basketry. Rooted in eco-sustainable practices, she grows her own willow using organic methods, nurturing the land as it nurtures her craft. This connection to place and material lies at the core of her work — from planting and harvesting to soaking, selecting, and weaving each rod by hand.

Her process respects time-honoured techniques passed down through generations, while also embracing modern forms and functions that blend the old with the new. The forest serves as her studio, its rhythms shaping her daily work and offering moments of quiet reflection. Every piece she creates carries a sense of place, formed by the land, the seasons, and the sustainable cycles of growth.

Lucy works slowly and intentionally, allowing the willow to guide each form — whether crafting baskets for practical use, sculptural works, or site-specific installations. Her aim is to create beautiful, functional pieces that honour the environment and preserve the cultural heritage of willow weaving, while re-imagining its role in the contemporary world. Through this living craft Lucy seeks to deepen the connection between people,place, nature, and the handmade.