Susi Dadd

Susi has “dressed” the conference for us.

After travelling and studying Visual Arts I worked on a farm in Somerset and was constantly amazed and inspired by the ever-changing influence of the environment that surrounded her - the beauty, the bird calls, new flowers opening, seeds germinating, the wonder.

These experiences made me to want to explore nature further and led me to work in a plant nursery where I learned all the basics and wonders of growing plants from seeds and cuttings. I qualified with the RHS as a horticulturist and began working in gardens - planting, growing, pruning, clipping and generally sculpting Nature to create inspiring garden spaces.

During this time I began planting willows on the farm where I live and learned the art of basket weaving. I grew my own willows and each year harvested my materials. Willow became my passion and I started creating shapes, spaces and structures using living as well as dry willow. I designed many gardens, worked on show grounds and was inspired by the amazement, respect, and joy of children when planting living willow in the winter, which then sprouted in to wild green leaved covered sculptures in school playgrounds.

Myburgh Designs approached me to develop large willow baskets to be part of beautiful, twisted steel swings. Stevie, the creator of the swings, asked me to design a magical garden using plants and willows for their stand selling these amazing swings at The Chelsea Flower Show .

My creations and work became very popular and I was invited to decorate more and more events, including a garden for the performers on the Jazz Stage (now West Holts) at Glastonbury Festival which has since become a regular project.

I have continued to develop my trees and they can now be individually commissioned or hired to decorate indoor spaces - to bring that magical, nature-filled feeling inside for weddings, parties, conferences, shop windows and displays. I have made Wishing trees, Prayer trees, trees with woven lights through them. They can be tailor-made to suit your own ideas including theme, colour scheme, size and budget.

www.susidadd.com

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