Pembrokeshire Willow Helyg Sir Benfro

Come up the lane to Plas Helyg - 'Willow Palace' in Welsh - and you will see turf roofed houses and rustic yurts in this unique setting for a craft  workshop. In the Ecovillage of Tir-y-Gafel  (also known as Lammas) Cassandra Lishman lives with her husband, 3 children and many animals. Here you can come and see her work as well as buy her finished products.

Cassandra creates willow sculptures, sculptural baskets, and traditional ‘Cyntell’ baskets. With her husband Nigel they make unusual willow screens and rustic chairs.

On her smallholding, she annually coppices then hand harvests all her own willow to create her beautiful crafts.

Using locally sourced wool as well as merino, Cassandra designs and creates wearable and affordable ‘Felt Couture’. Her products include waistcoats, hats, bags, scarves, and brooches. She also creates a small number  of needle felted sculptures including dormice and angels!

As part of the Pembrokeshire Craft Trail you  can visit Cassandra at work on Thursdays and Fridays 10-4 from Easter to October. At the workshop studio there is a small range of willow and felt products for sale, and in progress.   Please phone if you have something particular in mind. You can also order bespoke items, or book a personal or group  workshop. Workshops can be designed to suit all ages and abilities.

Cassandra also sells cards of her work, and sells plants including dye plants and medicinal herbs.