Garden to studio: creative practice and the art of play
- Ruth Woods
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
It all started with a wall.
Not one meant for display, but a patchwork of small experiments that began when I was researching my book Finding Form with Fibre. I was making lots of little pieces with different fibres and techniques, not really thinking about finished products. I just wanted to play, to experiment, to see what would happen if I tried this or that. I started pinning them on the wall, not planning or judging, just creating. Then one day I stood back and looked at them all together and thought, actually, even though they’re quite rough and not neat they look really good together. It was a lightbulb moment for me. These little pieces, made without pressure or expectation, had become something beautiful.
That’s how my practice project wall began.
For makers who love experimenting with materials and form, the Sculptural Basketry - Finding Form with Fibre course is the next creative adventure.
Letting go in basket making and craft
When I think about practice projects now, I see them as a way of playing and exploring without worrying about the end result. It’s not about perfection; it’s about learning through doing. “If you can let go of trying to make something perfect, you give yourself the space and pleasure to really explore” I often tell my students. Perfection can stifle creativity and I’ve found that when I stop chasing it, my work feels more authentic and alive.
Over time, I’ve realised that small experiments are powerful teachers. It is an excellent way to explore an idea, especially if you’re new to it - you get familiar with the fibres and techniques and begin to understand what you enjoy and how things behave. By making small, simple pieces, you can discover what works for you without the stress of having to finish a masterpiece.
Finding time for creativity
For me, this way of working also fits beautifully into real life. We’re all busy. Many of us are raising families, working full-time, running homes and trying to squeeze in time for ourselves.
Creativity can feel like a luxury, but it doesn’t have to be. I’ve always had small bags of projects on hand, whether it’s a few strands of raffia, a small coil or a bundle of fibres I can twist into cordage. Fifteen minutes can have a dramatic effect on how you feel. You might be waiting at the doctor, at a child’s sports practice or having a quiet cuppa. Those are all opportunities to pick something up and play. This is what I call my “little pockets of time”.
Even fifteen minutes of making can change how you feel.
Even when I was running a business full-time and raising my children, I’d find ways to make space for creative moments. It might mean getting up a little earlier, doing something before bed, or simply pausing during the day to make something small. If you’ve got something you really enjoy, you’ll find the time for it. Those small moments of making can bring an incredible sense of calm and fulfilment.
If you’re juggling work and family our online workshops come in little pockets of time just for you.
Basket weaving and creative practice
When I stopped aiming for perfection and started experimenting, everything shifted. Each small piece I made taught me something new about materials, colour, texture or technique. “You’ll be amazed at what happens when you just play,” I often tell new makers. “Ideas come to you. You think, what if I try this? What if I do that?”.
That freedom of exploration is where creativity thrives.
Basket weaving is a perfect example of this. You can start with the simplest materials such as plant fibres or stems from your garden and see where they take you. Every weave, twist and coil becomes a lesson, not a test. The joy is in the process, not the product. The act of weaving itself becomes a kind of meditation, a way of slowing down and reconnecting with your hands and imagination.
From the garden to the maker’s studio
I also find deep connection between my garden and my basket making. When I started growing plants to use in my weaving, I thought of the garden as just a supply space. Over time, I realised it was all part of one creative process. The garden became a canvas for experimentation, it’s where I grow my materials and my ideas at the same time.
Just like in basket weaving, you try things out in the garden, see what thrives, what doesn’t and what surprises you. It’s all learning. And once you start working with fibres from your own garden, you’ll never look at plants the same way again. You’ll walk down a street or through a park and catch yourself thinking, I wonder if that plant would work? What if I dried that leaf? What would happen if I wove with that stem? That’s the beauty of connecting your creative practice with nature.
You really do start to see everything as potential material and inspiration.
If this story resonates, explore our book Finding Form with Fibre - it’s filled with ideas, projects and fibre art inspiration.
The importance of creativity in art and making
If you’re new to basketry or fibre art, my advice is simple. Don’t worry about making something perfect or polished. Find a couple of fibres that you like, start small and just play. Make tiny samples, explore different textures and techniques and let curiosity guide you.
Every little piece you make teaches you something. Keep your first ones, because you’ll see how far you’ve come over time.
From my garden to my studio, this process has reminded me that creativity doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. The joy is in the making, in the trying, in the quiet moments where your hands move and your mind softens. Practice projects are not just about fibre or form; they’re about freedom. The freedom to explore, to fail, to grow and to fall in love with the act of making all over again.
🌟I’d love to know - how do you make time for creativity in your day? Share in the comments below.
