A voice for craft

Do you know a talented craftsperson who deserves recognition? This is your chance to shine a light on their incredible work! Nominations for the prestigious Heritage Crafts Awards are closing next Friday, and we need YOU to help us celebrate the masters and rising stars of traditional crafts.

Award categories currently open:
• Precious Metalworker of the Year @royalmintuk
• Woodworker of the Year @axminstertools
• Fashion and Textile Maker of the Year @costume_society
• Leatherworker of the Year @leather_uk
• Potter of the Year
• Young Woodworker of the Year @axminstertools
• Young Metalworker of the Year @lucyloo37
• Young Leatherworker of the Year @theleathersellers
• Young Building Craftsperson of the Year @englishheritage
• Young Upholsterer of the Year @sonnaz_
• Young Weaver of the Year @roseuniacke
• Young Embroiderer of the Year

Nominate today and be part of a movement that keeps our craft traditions alive for generations to come. Click the linktr.ee in our bio to submit your nomination before it’s too late! Or why not nominate yourself?

#HeritageCrafts #Craftsmanship #SupportArtisans #TraditionMeetsTalent @benchpeg @thegoldsmithscompany @mastercarvers @furnituremakerscompany @craftpotters @theleachpottery @britishartistblacksmiths @spab1877 @cwfcathedrals @historicengland @nationaltrust @the_amusf @guildswsd @royalneedlework @embroiderersguildukofficial

This week’s #craftfocus is corn dolly making.

Originally associated with harvest customs, corn dollies are symbolic items of straw work, historically known as ‘harvest tokens’ or ‘harvest trophies’.

The preparation of the straw is specific to the different techniques and adapted to the type of straw being used. Originally, corn dollies were made with available straws and evidence suggests minimal sorting and selection of straws.

Today, according to the technique used a suitable type, size (by length and diameter) and quality of straw has to be selected. Straw must be dampened before use.

Construction methods include: plaiting by hand, weaving, tying whole straws and a range of interlacing techniques using tools or purely by hand some based on knotting, some on passementerie.

Images: Carol Partridge & Lucy Hook-Child

#heritagecrafts #craftfocus #corndolly #straw

Heritage Crafts and @maryeluned_craft have spent a wonderful few days immersed in all things baskety at the @tearup.fest, organised by our hugely talented member Eddie Glew @blithfieldwillow.

We have been working in partnership with @basketmakersassociation and the #traditionalbasketryproject on a touring exhibition showcasing and celebrating the diversity and skills that make up traditional basket making in the British Isles. The exhibition Basketry: Rescuing, Reviving, Retaining will be at @ruthincrafts from 28 September 2024 to 12 January 2025, then @harley_foundation from 12 April to 29 June 2025.

With special thanks to @welshbaskets and @helenvoce and over 50 basket makers who have contributed to the exhibition.

📷 @sarah_le_breton and @creativewithnature

Heritage Crafts once again entered a staff team into the Ironbridge Coracle Regatta on bank holiday Monday. Newcomer @finnarschavir was the star, winning the novice category despite having never seen a coracle until the morning of the event, as was @elizabeth.bizz.fretty who won her heat with time to spare. Unfortunately we came last in the Fussler Potts relay, but a huge amount of fun was had while supporting the work of the @ironbridgecoracle Trust and the endangered craft of coracle making. @maryeluned_craft @danielcarpenter_

We have just watched the most amazing demonstration of the commercially extinct (in the UK) craft of mouth-blown flat glass making, by @lauraatkinsonglass and @ewalkerglassart at @blowfish_gallery’s Turn Up the Heat event, part of the @ifog2024. The demonstration was sponsored by @heritagecrafts.

This week’s #craftfocus is glassworking.

Glassblowing involves heating glass and blowing air into it, which is known as inflation. It can be used for the making of scientific apparatus, vases, paperweights, and is now used in art and sculptures.

Techniques of glass work include: hot glass work, warm glass work, cold glass work and lamp work. Little has altered in the technique of traditional glassblowing, yet the process is quicker due to the introduction of newer materials and technologies.

Every step in the process is vital to the outcome of the object. The glass can be freely blown and swung, or blown into a pre-existing cast. The glass therefore, derives its form and texture from the mould, each method giving the glass its unique shape.

The final stage of heating takes place in the kiln: when ready, the glass can be removed, and it fully hardens as it cools down.

Images: Catriona R MacKenzie Glass @catmackglass & Allister Malcolm Glass Limited @allistermalcolmglassltd

#heritagecrafts #craftfocus #glassworking #glassblowing