Claire Gaudion is a Basket Maker weaving traditional Guernsey willow baskets - a heritage craft that has been in her family for generations. Claire works from her home on the Hampshire-Wiltshire border. Her family home, and where she grew up, is Guernsey in the Channel Islands. Claire’s Guernsey home and family heritage is at the heart of her craft. 

Claire specialises in making Guernsey fishing baskets, a craft that she’s learned from her Dad, a retired Guernsey fisherman and craftsman who made all his own willow crab pots, ponier à cous and courges (local fishing baskets).

“I have found something very special in weaving willow. Working with this beautiful natural material, learning how to bend, twist and weave these sticks is so engaging, an immersive process that brings me much joy. To be hands-on making, as well as continuing and preserving a generations-old tradition of heritage craft feels extremely important to me and full of purpose.”

Through making, selling, demonstrating and teaching, Claire hopes to contribute to the preservation of this Guernsey craft and its future.

Claire is a member of Heritage Crafts and the Basketmakers’ Association.