FAQs
Here are a list of frequently asked questions. If your question is still not answered, please send us a message here
General
What is Heritage Crafts in one sentence?
Heritage Crafts is the UK 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.
What is a heritage craft?
Heritage Crafts defines a heritage craft as a craft that:
- employs manual dexterity and skill at the point of production;
- requires an understanding of traditional materials, design and techniques; and
- has been practised for two or more successive generations.
How do I get an entry added or updated on the crafts list?
Please email Mary at [email protected] with your query about the crafts list.
What is the difference between the crafts list and the Maker Directory?
The crafts list is the research list compiled and updated by Heritage Crafts on all of the heritage crafts in the UK, which is updated alongside the Red List of Endangered Crafts every two years.
The Makers Directory is a Heritage Crafts membership benefit that allows any of the charity’s members to have a profile to showcase their work as a maker.
Where is Heritage Crafts based?
The charity is 100% remote and does not have a bricks-and-mortar office.
Membership
Who can be a member of Heritage Crafts?
Anyone. Heritage Crafts membership is open to all, whether you are a professional craftsperson, an amateur maker, or someone who is craft curious.
Can I become a member if I am international?
Yes. We have members from across the world and are grateful for our international members’ support.
Is Heritage Crafts membership an accreditation for makers?
No. Our membership is a program that provides support to the charity while simultaneously building a community of makers and craft curious people alike who wish to support, engage and learn more about Heritage Crafts.
Should I be an individual member or business member as an independent entrepreneur?
If you run your own business solo, become an individual member. If your business has multiple people who would like to receive membership benefits, then become a business member (up to five people can receive membership digital content).
Grants/Bursaries/Awards
Which funding scheme is right for me?
The Endangered Crafts Fund is for practitioners of at-risk crafts featured on the Red List of Endangered Crafts to overcome an obstacle or undertake a project to make their craft more likely to survive.
Training bursaries are for new entrants or early career craftspeople who are unable to progress because of the cost of training.
Heritage Crafts Awards are for recognition of something you have achieved, and usually come with a cash prize.
Can I apply for funding more than once?
Yes.
If I volunteer for Heritage Crafts, am I allowed to apply for funding?
Yes.
How long will it take to hear back about my application?
It depends on the funding opportunity and the amount of applicants. The grants are in high demand and so we do see a high number of applications per round.
We do aim to have results back with applicants between 9-12 weeks after the grant deadline.
Please check out the extensive FAQ for each funding opportunity in the links above.
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When 50k of you have decide to follow us, we must be doing something right.
When we formed 16 years ago, we could never have imagined to have uncovered so many amazing makers doing incredible things to keep their craft skills alive.
The first Red List was published in 2017 and every two years since then and it’s impacting the public debate more than we could ever have imagined.
We’re about to start work on the 2027 edition – due to be published next May. We rely on makers to help us shape it so do get in touch, share our work and follow for updates.
Thanks for being part of our community and helping to keep the skills alive.
#heritagecrafts #redlistofendangeredcrafts #craft #netflixdocumentary
Day one of @thefestivalofmaking done! Come and join us for day two from 11am to 5pm at Blakey Moor Terrace, Blackburn.
Try your hand at endangered @heritagecrafts at the @thefestivalofmaking this weekend.
12.00pm shave a wheel spoke with Wheelwright @phillgregson
2.30pm try hand weaving with @fishbone.sycamore
4pm learn encaustic tile making with @welbyandwright
Amazing coverage of the incredible work of our makers who are keeping their craft alive.
Thank you to the BBC for showcasing endangered crafts in the Southwest of England at our marquee at @craftfestival. It’s your last chance to go and see the @makesouthwest exhibition Staying Alive before it closes this weekend.
This weekend we are going north to Blackburn, where we will have makers demonstrating their work at the @festivalofmaking
We look forward to seeing you there!
#redlistofendangeredcrafts #heritagecrafts #craft
Amazing coverage of the incredible work of our makers who are keeping their craft alive.
Thank you to the BBC for showcasing endangered crafts in the Southwest of England and our marquee at @craftfestival.
In our tent we featured the work @devongrowsflax @mottes_pots @stephs.midnight.flit @sthcoaststudio @devonshoe
This weekend we are going north to Blackburn, where we will have makers demonstrating their work at the @festivalofmaking . We look forward to seeing you there!
Amazing coverage of the incredible work of our makers who are keeping their craft alive.
Thank you to the BBC for showcasing endangered crafts in the Southwest of England and our marquee at @craftfestival. It’s your last chance to go and see the @MakeSouthwest exhibition Staying Alive before it closes this weekend.
This weekend we are going north to Blackburn, where we will have makers demonstrating their work at the @festivalofmaking . We look forward to seeing you there!
Amazing coverage of the incredible work of our makers who are keeping their craft alive.
Thank you to the BBC for showcasing endangered crafts in the Southwest of England and our marquee at @craftfestival. It’s your last chance to go and see the @MakeSouthwest exhibition Staying Alive before it closes this weekend.
This weekend we are going north to Blackburn, where we will have makers demonstrating their work at the @festivalofmaking . We look forward to seeing you there!
Amazing coverage of the incredible work of our makers who are keeping their craft alive.
Thank you to the BBC for showcasing endangered crafts in the Southwest of England and our marquee at @craftfestival. It’s your l
Over 20 posts we are profiling the recipients of our recent round of training bursaries.
Laurence Knoop, a liveaboard narrowboater, is a self-employed ropeworker who has spent four years self-teaching traditional maritime decorative techniques under his business @spliceandfid. His bursary will fund intensive one-to-one training with Sue Pennison @rigging_and_ropework, covering rope making, solid decorative knotting for bell ropes and tillers, and specialised covering techniques such as needle-hitching and cross-pointing.
Laurence’s bursary is supported by the International Guild of Knot Tyers.
Laurence said: “Being offered this funding feels like a vote of confidence from the heritage crafts community in my pursuit of decorative ropework as a viable trade. The chance to seek one-to-one training from someone experienced in maritime ropework will be a real boost to my skills development, and I hope it will open up new possibilities for my work.”
Join us on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July at the National @thefestivalofmaking at Blakey Moor Terrace, Blackburn, where we’ll be featuring demonstrations and workshops of crafts featured on the Red List of Endangered Crafts.
During the Festival weekend, you’ll be able to meet some of the expert craftspeople practising endangered crafts, gain an insight into their work and understand the importance of passing these skills on.
Featuring:
• Ruth Farris and Bea Uprichard @fishbone.sycamore, silk weavers
• Phill Gregson @phillgregson, wheelwright
• Craig Peebles @welbyandwright, encaustic tile maker
• Jonathan Reid @ernestwrightltd, scissor maker
Confirmed workshops:
• Introduction to Jacquard Handweaving – 2.30pm – 3.30pm, Saturday and Sunday
• Join The Renaissance: Discover Encaustic Tile Making – 4pm to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday
For more information visit https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/events/national-festival-of-making-2026/ or via the linktr.ee in our bio.
#matchMAKER opportunity!
Trainee Scissor Manufacturers
Location: Sheffield
Established in Sheffield in 1760, William Whiteley & Sons Ltd’s heritage spans over two centuries. Every pair of scissors they produce is meticulously hand-made, assembled, and tested by their skilled craftsmen, using techniques that have been honed and passed down through generations.
They are seeking motivated individuals to join their team as Trainee Scissor Manufacturers. This entry-level position offers a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the fabrication and assembly of high-quality scissors. The role is suitable for those interested in developing skills within metalworking and manufacturing environments, with a focus on learning and professional growth. Successful candidates will receive comprehensive training to support their development in this specialised craft.
This position offers an excellent pathway into specialised manufacturing roles, with comprehensive training provided to develop your technical expertise. They welcome applicants eager to build a career in metal fabrication and assembly within a supportive team environment.
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.
Over 20 posts we are profiling the recipients of our recent round of training bursaries.
Emily Scholefield @esch.textiles, from Hampshire, is an artist and embroiderer with a background in ballet who recently completed a contemporary hand embroidery diploma with @handandlocklondon. Her bursary will fund one-to-one online mentoring with Stephanie Woodage of @enpointetutus covering tutu construction, a UAL short course in costume design, and essential equipment.
Emily’s bursary is supported by @costume_society.
Emily said: “I’m so grateful to be given this opportunity to learn tutu-making and develop my skills in costume design. I can’t wait to start the training and I’m really looking forward to creating my costume portfolio and starting my career making dance costumes.”
