About
the national charity for heritage crafts
What we do
Heritage Crafts is the national charity for traditional heritage crafts. Working in partnership with Government and key agencies, we provide a focus for craftspeople, groups, societies and guilds, as well as individuals who care about the loss of traditional crafts skills, and work towards a healthy and sustainable framework for the future.
We are a UNESCO accredited NGO for Intangible Cultural Heritage and an official Community Support Hub for the UK Governments’ Living Heritage in the UK inventory, having advocated for UK ratification of the UNESCO Convention of the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2010.
Our Mission
To support and promote heritage crafts as a fundamental part of our living heritage.
We do this through:
- Knowledge – researching the status of heritage crafts and identifying those crafts in decline or in imminent danger of being lost.
- Advocacy – communicating the vital importance of heritage craft skills to the public, Government, key agencies and organisations.
- Safeguarding – ensuring that the highest standard of heritage craft skills are passed from one generation to the next and are recorded for posterity where necessary.
- Support – supporting heritage craftspeople to continue to practice, nurture and pass on their craft.
- Engagement – actively raising awareness and interest in heritage craft skills with the wider public and offering opportunities to engage.
Our Values
Equity and inclusivity
Removing barriers to participation and fostering appreciation of heritage crafts across diverse communities
Credibility and authority
Reflecting the extensive expertise of our heritage craft communities
Collaboration and cooperation
Facilitating connection between makers, supporters and partner organisations
Sustainability and stewardship
Being mindful of the cultural, social, economic and environmental impacts of heritage crafts
Integrity and honesty
Operating openly, accountably and fairly
Continual learning and development
Safeguarding heritage skills by adapting to changing social, cultural and economic contexts
Craft inspiration direct to your inbox
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#MyWickerHusband alert! Not all husbands have to be wicker… if you prefer something moister, how about moss?
@crookgeorgia has been a practicing craftsperson for over 30 years, combining various paper techniques with basketmaking. However, her moss men were made using a coiling and stitching technique, normally used for baskets and rope making. Georgia has made several moss men over the years… sometimes just a wee mask… other times a full bust with massive dreadlocks.
The moss is polytrichum, which has been frequently found in archaeological digs (e.g. Vindalanda in Northumbria). It is traditionally used for making soft brushes due to its substantial woody stem.
Share your wicker husband using #MyWickerHusband and tag @BlackBearUK by midnight on 1 November for the chance to win an afternoon tea for two people or one of five Wicker goody bags.
A crafty feast for your eyes (and heart)! 🔨🪚🧶
@heritagecrafts were invited to preview the new @wickermovie thanks to @blackbearuk and it was wonderful!
It’s a beautiful story and the set design is full of handmade UK heritage crafts from thatching, spinning, net making and of course, basket making. We counted over 50 crafts represented!
We were delighted to bump into @katybremerbasketry and this is your reminder to enter the ‘Make Your Wicker Husband’ competition that she’ll be judging with @heritagecrafts and the @basketmakersassociation. You have until the 30th October! All details can be found on our profiles.
Thank you to @elizabeth.bizz.fretty @weaverraedesigns and @daisybow_craft for previewing the movie 🍿
#wickermovie #wicker #baskets #husbandmaterial #heritagecrafts
#matchMAKER opportunity!
Trainee Heritage Lime Plasterer and Natural Building Craftsperson
Where: London
@buildbreathe is a specialist natural building and heritage restoration company working with traditional lime and clay plasters, natural fibre insulation and breathable building materials. They are looking for someone who takes a genuine interest in traditional craftsmanship, historic buildings and sustainable construction, and who wants to develop their skills through practical, hands-on experience.
Their projects involve the restoration of period properties, traditional plastering, the repair of historic building fabric and the installation of natural insulation systems.
Find out more including how to apply at https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/matchmaker.
#matchMAKER is the online platform for work-based training and entry-level employment opportunities hosted by @heritagecrafts and supported by @soanebritain.
Load up your basket. 🧺
Catch #Wicker in cinemas 30 October.
Starring Olivia Colman, Alexander Skarsgård, Elizabeth Debicki and Peter Dinklage.
On the outskirts of a village by the sea, lives a Fisherwoman; smelly, single and perpetually ridiculed. One day, fed up with her stuffy, small-minded neighbours, she commissions herself a husband to be made from wicker. In an otherwise conservative town, this unconventional romance sparks outrage, jealousy and chaos.
Over 35 posts we are profiling the recipients of our latest round of training bursaries.
Evie Spurdle @the_strap_and_hammer_armoury, from Birmingham, has a background in competitive armoured combat and previously worked as an apprentice armourer crafting ceremonial cuirasses for the Household Cavalry. Her bursary will fund one-to-one masterclasses with Fred Ryall of @ryall_armouries to build a late-period armet helmet, and with Graham Ashford of @greenleaf_workshop to learn gauntlet articulation and steel heat treating.
Evie’s bursary is supported by @soanebritain.
Evie said: “Being chosen to receive this bursary means an unbelievable amount. It has made it possible for me to follow my dream of running my own armoury full time, which I plan to use to help keep this amazing craft alive. I cannot thank the people at Heritage Crafts enough for all their help at every stage of my journey.”
Lulu Lytle OBE, Founder and Director of Soane Britain, said: “When I first saw Evie’s work, I was blown away by the craftsmanship and also the beauty of the armour she creates. I was then immediately surprised to read that she had only been practicing armoury for five years! She is a talented metal worker whose skills fill a specialist gap within the UK. Her ability to use hand techniques to manipulate metal into precise forms is a desirable skill that could be applied with great effect to a diverse range of craft fields.
“I am thrilled to be able to support Evie on her journey towards establishing her own workshop and becoming the UK’s only practicing female armourer. I feel reassured in the knowledge that with passionate practitioners like Evie these specialist craft disciplines will not only survive but thrive in the UK.”
Post 2/2. Following a record year of stellar nominations, the finalists for this year’s Heritage Crafts Awards have been announced. Thanks to our supporters and judges, and congratulations to all of the finalists. The winners will be revealed At Goldsmiths’ Hall on Monday 23 November 2026, supported by the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation and the @thegoldsmithscompany.
The finalists are (in alphabetical order):
Precious Metalworker of the Year (supported by @royalmintuk)
• @clive_burr_silversmith
• Anna Rennie @artisansilversmith
• Benjamin James Ryan @bjrdesigns
Fashion and Textile Maker of the Year (supported by the @costume_society) – pictured
• Alis Le May @alis_le_may
• Christopher McEvoy and Chantal Allen @_vevar – weavers
• @harvysantoshats
Woodworker of the Year (supported by the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation)
• @phillgregson
• Ewan Sinclair @sinclairleith
• Lyndie Wright marionette maker
Emerging Leatherworker of the Year (supported by @theleathersellers)
• Matthew Bailey @baytinetannery
• Liza Keane @lizakeane_
• Beatrice Shepherd @missy_b25
Emerging Upholsterer of the Year (supported by @house_of_sonnaz)
• Amy Drummond
• Suzanna Page @sp_fineupholstery
• Nicolle Wilson @n.wilsonupholstery
Emerging Green Woodworker of the Year (supported by @woodsmith_uk)
• Simon Cooper @the_bumbling_basketeer
• Jordan Harris dartmoorgreenwoodhandles
• Elbie Owens @owens___outdoors
Emerging Building Craftsperson of the Year (supported by @spab1877)
• Mariam Ashraf @moma_white_place
• Freya Dargavel @boomerangwoodworking
• @tobias_wright_
Emerging Stained Glass Craftsperson of the Year (supported by @bsmgp)
• @kerrycollisonart
• @kerriehanna
• @the.glass.nest
Emerging Weaver of the Year (supported by @roseuniacke)
• Hannah Brown @hheeddvvbb
• Ruth Farris and Bea Uprichard @fishbone.sycamore
• Sven Steinmetz @formweben
Emerging Embroiderer of the Year (supported by the Broderers’ Company)
• Lucy May @embroiderthetruth
• @katarina_orolinova_art
• @tiharasmith
Emerging Metalworker of the Year (supported by Lucy and Laurence Butcher)
• Yuyi Cheng @yuyi0932
• Marc England @lynxtogether
• Henry Le Page @henry_le_page
Post 1/2. Following a record year of stellar nominations, the finalists for this year’s Heritage Crafts Awards have been announced. Thanks to our supporters and judges, and congratulations to all of the finalists. The winners will be revealed at Goldsmiths’ Hall on Monday 23 November 2026, supported by the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation and the @thegoldsmithscompany.
The finalists are (in alphabetical order):
Patron’s Award for Endangered Crafts (supported by the @kingcharlesfund) – pictured
• @eveeunson
• Mark Norris Scottish harp maker
• @deborahwhite7481
England Maker of the Year (supported by the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation)
• @allistermalcolmglassltd
• Mark Marchant @ceramicmouldsuk
• Lyndie Wright marionette maker
Northern Ireland Maker of the Year (supported by @mournetextiles)
• @thomaskeyesartist
• Jane McCann @ona_byjanemccann
• Andrea Spencer @aspencerglass
Scotland Maker of the Year (supported by the William Grant Foundation)
• Alis Le May @alis_le_may
• Christopher McEvoy and Chantal Allen @_vevar
• Craig Peebles @welbyandwright
Wales Maker of the Year (supported by @hiutdenim)
• @anncatrinevans
• Lewis Prosser @clovisvosser
• @veritypulfordartist
Lifetime Achievement Award (supported by @marshawards)
• @clive_burr_silversmith
• Keith Edwards pigment maker
• @andrew_loudon
• Lyndie Wright marionette maker
Trainer of the Year (supported by @marshawards)
• Keith Edwards pigment maker
• Mark Matthews @mmsailsolutions
• John Roberts marionette maker
Trainee of the Year (supported by @marshawards)
• @ayham_aldoghim
• Toby Britton-Watts @tbw.glass
• Stephen Green millwright
Community Catalyst of the Year (supported by @marshawards)
• Valeria Leonova @artvaleria
• Paul Naylor @cambrianharps
• Piarve Wetshi @_colechi
We will post about each of the shortlists over the next few weeks.
Over 35 posts we are profiling the recipients of our latest round of training bursaries.
Joanne Kelly @jokellyart, from Merseyside, holds a Master’s degree in Art and Politics and is a self-taught banner maker with work held in the Working Class Movement Library collection. Her bursary will fund a twelve-week, one-to-one apprenticeship with renowned contemporary trade union banner maker Ed Hall.
Joanne’s bursary is funded by the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation.
Joanne said: “I am absolutely beaming with pride to begin my apprenticeship with Ed Hall, renowned contemporary banner maker. I have been totally in awe of Ed’s extensive legacy in this craft and his solidarity with union workers. Since Ed has already been so generous with his time towards me, I am thrilled to have secured this funding to finance his tutelage so that I can continue learning from him as I pursue my own career in banner making.”
