Supporting craft heritage
We are the national charity set up to celebrate, support and safeguard traditional craft skills, and to facilitate a national conversation about their importance to everyone now and in the future.
We are passionate about ensuring that everyone has access to craft skills that have developed over generations, and which we believe will be vital in helping us tackle the challenges of the future – and to be able to enjoy making as part of a fulfilled life.
Our Patron is His Majesty King Charles III.
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Heritage Crafts was set up just fourteen years ago. Since then it has gone from strength to strength, advocating at the highest levels for crafts, publishing the Red List of Endangered Crafts, and distributing 66 grants through the Endangered Crafts Fund. We have awarded 30 training bursaries, established the Heritage Crafts Awards and shone a spotlight on our world-renowned makers through 30 National Honours successes.
Many more people are now aware of traditional crafts and the objects produced by those who carry in their hands, heads, and also hearts the skills and techniques that have been passed down through the generations.
To continue this work we need your support. Please consider making a donation, however big or small, to help ensure that heritage craft skills in the UK are given the opportunity to thrive.
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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
![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](https://www.heritagecrafts.org.uk/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
Please do join us at @craftfestival Wales at the magnificent Cardigan Castle on the weekend of 6 to 8 September where we’ll be hosting a Marquee of Heritage Crafts, including shoe maker @ruthemilydavey, basketmakers @rosiefarey and Mandy Coates, marbler @rocworxdesigns and sign painter and puppet maker @andrewgrundon.
Booking via the linktr.ee in our bio.
![Please do join us at @craftfestival Wales at the magnificent Cardigan Castle on the weekend of 6 to 8 September where we’ll be hosting a Marquee of Heritage Crafts, including shoe maker @ruthemilydavey, basketmakers @rosiefarey and Mandy Coates, marbler @rocworxdesigns and sign painter and puppet maker @andrewgrundon.
Booking via the linktr.ee in our bio.](https://www.heritagecrafts.org.uk/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
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
![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](https://www.heritagecrafts.org.uk/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
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 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](https://www.heritagecrafts.org.uk/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
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_
![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_](https://www.heritagecrafts.org.uk/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
Tannery apprenticeship grants
Deadline: 24 September 2024, midday
@theleathersellers Foundation has long supported training in the leather industry, and its apprenticeship programme supports new talent in tanneries. UK-based tanneries (of any size) can apply for between £5k and £10k a year to support new or existing apprenticeships. The funds can be used towards salary or training costs and can be offered for up to three years.
https://leathersellers.co.uk/grant/leather-tannery-apprenticeships/
![Tannery apprenticeship grants
Deadline: 24 September 2024, midday
@theleathersellers Foundation has long supported training in the leather industry, and its apprenticeship programme supports new talent in tanneries. UK-based tanneries (of any size) can apply for between £5k and £10k a year to support new or existing apprenticeships. The funds can be used towards salary or training costs and can be offered for up to three years.
https://leathersellers.co.uk/grant/leather-tannery-apprenticeships/](https://www.heritagecrafts.org.uk/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
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.
![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.](https://www.heritagecrafts.org.uk/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
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
![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](https://www.heritagecrafts.org.uk/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
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