Brush making
The making of brushes for painting, shaving, makeup etc.
| Status | Endangered |
| Craft category | Animal |
| Historic area of significance | |
| Area currently practised | |
| Origin in the UK | |
| Current no. of professionals (main income) | 4 makers capable of hand-drawing brushes at GB Kent & Sons |
| Current no. of professionals (sideline to main income) |
|
| Current no. of trainees | 1 apprentice at GB Kent & Sons |
| Current total no. serious amateur makers |
|
| Current total no. of leisure makers |
|
| Minimum no. of craftspeople required |
History
Techniques
Local forms
Sub-crafts
Issues affecting the viability of the craft
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Market issues: Dependent on exchange rates to some extent but more to do with exporting products than importing materials.
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Market issues: The core business is machine-made brushes and so the survival of the hand craft is dependent on the survival of the core business. Automation for the machine made brushes continues with the latest machines made in Germany.
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Training issues: At G B Kent & Sons, the only firm manufacturing clothes, shoe and shaving brushes, there are no trainees but, if needed, existing craftspeople at will train existing staff. Although new handmade brushes and restoring old brushes is important it would not take up an employee’s full day.
Support organisations
Craftspeople currently known
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G B Kent & Sons – clothes, shoe and shaving brushes
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Winsor & Newton – artists’ brushes
- Crown Artist Brush Ltd – artists’ brushes
- A S Handover – artists’ brushes and makeup brushes
- Rosemary & Co Artist’s Brushes – artists’ brushes
Other information
References
