BIM WILLOW

By the age of seven, Bim’s desire was to make people laugh and to create beautiful things. Quickly he became bored with conventional toys and could be found outside playing with sticks and stones. At the age of 28, he decided to try and rediscover that simple, creative, and innocent past. Bim “Bimbo” was the result of that search. Through the art of mime and clowning, this playful character was released. His love for performing left him broke, so he supplemented his income by making willow furniture. Due to supply and demand, he can no longer perform professionally (although he has been known to break out in comic attacks from time to time).Bent Willow Furniture (Wicker), an early American craft, was a familiar sight on the front porches of America until the late 1930’s, when modern factory-built furniture took over. Much of the furniture was made and sold by Gypsy travelers, giving it the nickname, “Gypsy Twig Furniture.” Bim Willow started making Gypsy Willow Furniture in 1972 as a hobby. Before long, it was a full time occupation and now Bim is recognized around the country as one of the masters of the art. In 1998, he published his first ‘how to’ book, Making Gypsy Willow Furniture.

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