ABOUT ME

My name is Daniëlle Lovink and I’ve been weaving baskets since 2019. I made my first little basket in the Czech Republic, when I tried to weave something using pruned twigs from a pollarded willow. With no example to follow, and after a whole day of struggling, I ended up with this small, wobbly basket — not exactly what I had envisioned, but I was still quite proud of it.

From that moment on, I was eager to learn how to really make a basket, and I began taking various workshops. Eventually, I started a training program at “Mandenmakerij de Mythe” to become a professional basket maker. Since 2023, I’ve been giving workshops myself! (Check under “Services” for the most recent offerings!)

In that same year, 2023, I started my business Atelier Koloděj (pronounced: Kòlodjee), named after our house mascot Koloděj — a giant coypu who often peeked around the corner during our first year at our (holiday) home in the Czech Republic. He would come by to eat apples from the garden and seemed to grow more curious every time. According to local myth, he disappeared because he met a mate and returned with her to the river.

Koloděj

Basket weaving began for me in the Czech Republic, and it remains deeply woven into my journey — hence the Czech name!

In the Czech Republic, I also teach workshops and courses in our large attic, which has been transformed into a spacious weaving studio! If you’re nearby and would like to join, feel free to send me a message: danielle@atelierkolodej.com