La Tête dans le panier : – David Ranchin

Initially self-taught and a fan of wild basketry, I perfected my skills through internships with professional basket weavers. Definitely convinced and passionate about basketry, I then committed to a full year of professional training at the National School of Osier Culture and Basketry (Enov) in Haute-Marne in Fayl-Billot, the cradle of traditional basketry.

My activity in three key categories:

* Utilitarian basketry and creative basketry
In utilitarian basketry, I focus on making baskets, bins, trunks, displays, etc. It relates to “traditional” white wicker basketry. I also sometimes introduce raw wicker into these creations.

In creative basketry, I use all wickers and give free rein to my imagination to create works and other artistic productions. I sometimes add “wild” basketry, bringing other natural materials than wicker such as dogwood, juniper, poplar, chestnut, hazel, bramble, clematis and some herbaceous plants such as molinia.
Sometimes utilitarian basketry and creative basketry merge to produce a finished work.

*Osier farming
I grow several varieties of willow used in basketry for their excellent weaving qualities. I have the five main species in my osier bed: salix triandra, viminalis, purpurea, alba, and fragilis. After planting cuttings at the end of winter, it will take two to three years to obtain beautiful shoots and large branches. They are cut and harvested in winter, dried, and bundled by size.
To make white wicker, I select and cut the strands that interest me in February and place them in a "routier", that is to say a large tub filled with water so that their feet are in the water. In March they will produce leaves and the feet will be rootlets. Then I take them out of the rettetier (April) and put them in a waxing machine to peel them while the sap is rising. Thus peeled, strand by strand, they are dried in the open air for a whole day. I put them in bundles by size as for sorting the raw material.
This way I have bundles of dry wicker available all year round.

My cultivated wicker is produced in the Rosières plain on the banks of the Blajoux river and is untreated and 100% natural.
I supplement my stock by purchasing wicker from other professional wicker growers.

*Training and internships

I organize two-day training sessions in raw wicker basketry for beginners on weekends or weekdays, depending on availability (15 hours / €170). One-day training sessions are also available (8 hours / €80).
I have the necessary tools, I provide the wicker and the good humor.
The schedule is flexible and can be spread over 3 days if possible during the week. Contact me by email or phone.
Two other options are available for experienced people over a full week.

Important:
Braiding requires patience and time or 3 days.
For those who would like to improve their skills on specific techniques, please contact me to assess the time commitment. Costs will also vary. Finally, it's good to know that the basic techniques covered during the sessions can be used to braid any material.

Accommodation available for multi-day courses.