This is a handwoven basket with handles, made from willow and oak.

The basket’s gentle roundness and sphere-like form inspired its name, “Sphere.”

The maker is Ms. Jenny, who lives in Belgium.

She works together with her son, Jeffka, creating baskets based on traditional European forms while incorporating their own techniques and precision to achieve stronger and more refined results.

After working as a teacher and social worker, Jenny began basket weaving after finding a book on the craft at a library.

She was immediately drawn to willow as a material, and soon began studying both willow cultivation and basket weaving techniques under a Dutch maker.

Now with over 25 years of experience, Jenny continues to weave baskets, respecting traditional techniques while seeking new directions for the future.

This round basket, combining thin willow twigs and oak, is one of Jenny’s signature designs.

Jenny says, “When I design on my own, I always find myself returning to round forms.”

The willow used is different from the “weeping willow” often seen in Japan; instead, it grows upright from the ground like rice stalks, forming clusters.

There are many varieties of willow, each with its own color and characteristics.

Some have thin or thick branches, some long and others short; some are suited to being used with the bark left on, while others reveal a pale surface once the bark is peeled away.

Colors also vary—from reddish and bluish tones to deep browns—so even among willows, there are countless subtle differences in texture and hue.

The smaller handled basket with a reddish tone, seen to the right in the photo, is made from the same willow, but woven using the unpeeled twigs as they are.

There is a wide range of color variations in willow bark, but this basket represents the more common appearance of willow work.

By contrast, this white, finely woven basket is made using willow that has had its bark peeled off, then split even finer with a drawknife into strips measured precisely in millimeters.

Both the width and thickness of each strip are measured in millimeters,
and the basket is woven carefully around a wooden mold using these slender pieces.

It is a highly time-consuming technique, but through it, a “basket like a jewel” is created.

A softly rounded basket, gentle and airy like a sphere.

Its balanced form and warm tones bring a natural sense of calm.

Depending on your mood or the season,
you can place a bandana, handkerchief, or scarf over it as a cover, or wrap it around the handle.

You can also place a drawstring pouch inside as a lining.

It will completely change the atmosphere.

Inside your home, it can also serve as a handled storage basket,
adding a soft brightness to the interior.

The white willow gives off a subtle sheen,
and the addition of oak brings an even gentler impression.

The universal appeal of a round form may be something shared across cultures.
Enjoy it both for outings and for storage at home.

Baskets by the mother and son duo, Jenny and Jeffka

It all began when Jenny found a book about basketry at a library,
made her first basket, and became fascinated by willow as a material.
For more than 25 years, she has continued to create baskets,
constantly seeking what she calls “true craftsmanship.”

Her passion for basket weaving naturally passed on to her son, Jeffka,
who had been by her side since childhood.
At the age of five, he made his first basket.

When Jeffka was eleven, he realized that what he truly wanted to create
was delicate and finely woven willow work.
Encouraged by his enthusiasm, Jenny and Jeffka spent two years in the Netherlands,
training under a master known for his intricate willow weaving techniques.

Jeffka’s finely detailed weaving embodies the essence of European basketry,
where, as the saying goes, “from cradle to grave,” baskets are made to serve every need of daily life.

Please note:
This item ships from Japan.
As the buyer, you are responsible for any import duties, customs fees, or local taxes that may be charged in your country.
These costs are not included in the item price or shipping cost.
Please check with your local customs authority if you are unsure about any potential charges before placing your order.