lightweight and still incredibly strong

To become a Draumr basket maker requires the technical virtuosity and material mastery exemplified by Esmé Hofman. The craft demands a profound understanding of "willow weaving techniques" where the maker must navigate the tension and flexibility of natural rods to create structures that are both lightweight and incredibly strong. This process begins long before the weaving starts, requiring the patience to harvest, sort, and soak materials to the exact degree of pliability necessary for intricate, high-precision work.

A cultural preservation and environmental stewardship

The role demands a "mathematical hand" to execute complex patterns and techniques—such as the fine split-willow or skeletal techniques—where the maker must maintain perfect symmetry while working with organic, irregular shapes. Much like Hofman’s work, a Draumr maker bridges the gap between ancient functional utility and contemporary sculptural art. This requires the "intelligence of the fingers" to feel the resistance of the fiber, ensuring that every wrap and tuck is secure enough to last a lifetime while retaining the delicate elegance of the handmade form.

Ultimately, this is a vocation of cultural preservation and environmental stewardship. To be a Draumr basket maker is to transform humble, fast-growing local or repossessed fibers into sophisticated architectural objects. It is a commitment to the "slow craft" philosophy, where the finished piece serves as a living record of human touch and the enduring relevance of one of humanity's oldest technologies.

  • Esmé Hofman

    Esmé developed her interest, skills and mastery of various basket making techniques over time, culminating in a four-year vocational training course in Germany.

    Esmé's story 
  • The Draumr Community

    Do you become our new maker? If you are interested in joining Draumr, click on the link below

    Join Draumr 
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  • No.2 and No.6 Esmé Hofman

    See products Esme makes

    Take a close look at these wonderful pieces of art that Esmé makes. All the knowledge of the craft can be seen here.

    See products Esme makes 
  • It will look beautiful on our cabinets

    The baskets that Esmé makes can be functional, but also a work of art in themselves. In that case, it looks beautiful on one of our cabinets.

    See our cabinets collection 
  • To our other handmade home accessoires

    The Draumr collection consists of a wide range of handmade home accessoires that will make your home more personal.

    Our other handmade accessoires