John Cowan's baskets are all handmade by John in his small workshop in Lanark using UK-grown willows, hazel, and occasionally rattan when he is reproducing a few traditional basket styles. Most of the willow John uses is unstripped so the natural and varied colours of willow bark, as well as its ephemeral fragrance are features of his baskets. John reproduces traditional basket designs that were once commonplace in agriculture and the fishing industry, but are now used domestically as sturdy log baskets or attractive storage baskets.