Full-time willow craft maker for shops and commissions
Run a small workshop making willow baskets and garden pieces for shops, gardens and private commissions.
- £2k-8k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
2,002 UK companies in this field, 15% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 16290 “Manufacture of other products of wood; manufacture of articles of cork, straw and plaiting materials”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A full-time basketry business from a rented unit or farm outbuilding, making stock for retailers, bespoke commissions and garden features such as plant supports and woven screens, and possibly teaching workshops.
Your first three steps
- Build a range of 8 to 12 products and work out trade and retail prices
- Visit or email local garden centres, farm shops and gift shops with samples and a simple price list
- Find affordable workshop space, such as a farm outbuilding, and a reliable UK willow supplier
Who pays
Garden centres, gift shops and farm shops, garden designers, private customers ordering bespoke pieces, and people booking workshops.
How it makes money
Wholesale orders to retailers at a lower price per piece, higher-priced commissions, direct sales at events and online, and fees from teaching weekend courses.
Skills that help
- Confident, fast weaving with consistent quality
- Pricing and dealing with trade customers
- Planning stock and managing willow supply through the year
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, and employer's liability insurance if you take on helpers
- Product liability insurance and the rules on selling products, worth checking with Trading Standards
- If you rent a unit, check the lease terms and whether business rates apply
- Income can be seasonal, with peaks before Christmas and in the garden season
- If you teach, check your insurance covers students
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: full-time willow craft maker for shops and commissions
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a willow basket-making business?
Startup costs are typically around £2,000 to £8,000, depending on your workshop space, tools and willow stock. These are estimates, so price your own unit or outbuilding and materials before committing.
How much can a willow craft maker earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £1,200 to £4,000, depending on your mix of trade orders, commissions and workshops. That is revenue, not profit, and income can be seasonal, with peaks before Christmas and in the garden season.
What insurance and rules should I check before selling willow baskets?
Things to check include public liability insurance, employer's liability insurance if you take on helpers, and product liability insurance. Also check the rules on selling products with Trading Standards, and whether your insurance covers students if you teach.
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Photo: cocoparisienne on Pixabay