Kitchen Drawer Baskets - Introductory Letter

Dear Sir or Madam:

Thank you for your recent inquiry concerning my custom kitchen drawer baskets. I have been a traditional willow basketmaker for the past 23 years, having been born and raised in England. I came to the United States in 1973 on a Kennedy Scholarship to M.I.T. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). I have two degrees: a Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours from the University of Manchester, England and a Masters in City Planning from M.I.T. I have had a small business since the early 1980’s called "English Basketry Willows", importing prepared basket willows from England. The business has since expanded to incorporate a complete line of willow basketry books and tools, and baskets made by Bonnie Gale. In 1988, I founded the American Willow Growers Network to encourage the cultivation and use of willow in North America.

I have been making the custom kitchen drawer baskets for the past 16 years and I have a specialty in that field. I make the baskets for kitchen companies as well as private individuals. My clients have included Stylecraft Corporation, Christopher Peacock Cabinetry, Woodmeister, and American Classic Kitchens. I am listed in Period Homes (Period Kitchens) magazine. I have been rated as one of America's Top 200 Craftsmen in Early American Life magazine's annual listing of Top Craftsmen.

Besides my printed Catalog (willow samples included therein), I also have a separate Willow Sample Card (for client review...more can be supplied on request); four color pages of some of my custom kitchen work; a Wholesale Price List of other willow baskets that I offer on a wholesale basis; a short resume/statement; and a Specification Sheet for the custom kitchen drawers. This last item gives full guidelines on the making and sizing of the frames for the drawers, how the baskets are made and the decisions that are necessary. Please send me your mailing address and I will send you this packet of information.

I look forward to working with you to provide my custom kitchen drawer baskets. Please contact me with any questions and to review your specific needs.

Thank you, 

Bonnie Gale