Heritage Crafts Awards
recognition for master craftspeople and emerging talent
Now closed for nominations
Established in 2012, the annual Heritage Crafts Awards are a range of awards each year which shine a spotlight on those individuals who champion heritage crafts skills and trades.
The Awards celebrate and highlight the traditional living crafts made in the UK that contribute to our national heritage, such as silversmithing, dressmaking and tailoring, upholstery, weaving, leatherworking, metalworking, stained glass, green woodworking, embroidery and similar crafts where there is a significant degree of hand skill at the point of manufacture.
This year, we are delighted to be holding the Winner’s Reception at the prestigious Goldsmiths’ Hall in London on Monday 23 November, in partnership with the Goldsmiths’ Company.
The awards are presented in partnership with supporters the King Charles III Charitable Fund, The Royal Mint, the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation, the Goldsmiths’ Company, the Costume Society, the Marsh Charitable Trust, the Leathersellers’ Foundation, the Broderers’ Company, the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, the British Society of Master Glass Painters, Woodsmith, House of Sonnaz, Rose Uniacke, Hiut Denim and Mourne Textiles.
We are indebted to all our partner organisations who provide funding for our unique suite of awards and bursaries specifically for traditional crafts, and who make this possible.
THE 2026 HERITAGE CRAFTS AWARD CATEGORIES ARE:
- Patron’s Award for Endangered Crafts
- England Maker of the Year
- Northern Ireland Maker of the Year
- Scotland Maker of the Year
- Wales Maker of the Year
- Precious Metalworker of the Year
- Fashion Textile Maker of the Year
- Woodworker of the Year
- Emerging Building Craftsperson of the Year
- Emerging Leatherworker of the Year
- Emerging Upholsterer of the Year
- Emerging Weaver of the Year
- Emerging Green Woodworker of the Year
- Emerging Stained Glass Maker of the Year
- Emerging Embroiderer of the Year
- Emerging Metalworker of the Year
- Trainer of the Year
- Trainee of the Year
- Community Catalyst of the Year
- Lifetime Achievement Award
Before nominating yourself or someone else, we encourage you to take time to read through these important links:
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – please read for useful tips
- NOMINATION QUESTIONS – for your reference
- Watch our Live Q&A Session on grants, awards and bursaries
NOMINATIONS FOR 2026 NOW CLOSED
Video or audio nominations:
Alternatively, you are welcome to submit a video or audio nomination, addressing all the questions in the form – You can download the questions here. The recording ideally needs to be no more than 15 minutes in length, then emailed to Rae at [email protected].
Nominate yourself or someone else
Patron’s Award for Endangered Crafts
England Maker of the Year Award
Northern Ireland Maker of the Year Award
Scotland Maker of the Year Award
Wales Maker of the Year Award
Precious Metalworker of the Year Award
Fashion Textile Maker of the Year Award
Woodworker of the Year Award
Emerging Leatherworker of the Year Award
Emerging Upholsterer of the Year Award
Emerging Weaver of the Year Award
Emerging Green Woodworker of the Year Award
Emerging Stained Glass Maker of the Year Award
Emerging Embroiderer of the Year Award
Emerging Metalworker of the Year Award
Trainer of the Year Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
Community Catalyst of the Year Award
Trainee of the Year Award
Emerging Building Craftsperson of the Year Award
Message from HM The King
“As Patron of the Heritage Crafts Association, I am delighted to endorse this new awards scheme which supports and rewards excellence in the heritage craft sector.
Crafts are such a vital part of our British heritage and I have always been passionately concerned to promote the best aspects of our country’s traditions ― and, equally importantly, to enable these highly specialised skills to be transferred from one generation to the next.
These new awards for heritage craft celebrate excellence across the sector in a variety of ways. They reward those who give so much by volunteering to support the many different crafts, those who pass on their skills, those who wish to improve their craft skills and those who continue to produce great British craft.”
Previous award winners
Owen Bushell, Millwright
Lorna Singleton – Oak swill basket maker
Nikki Laird, Kilt Maker
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Over 35 posts we are profiling the recipients of our latest round of training bursaries.
Zainab Bello @thezainab.b, from Cardiff, is a healthcare worker and founder of the womenswear brand @sisiclaraofficial, having developed her pattern cutting and garment construction skills through independent study. Her bursary will fund her place on the SEG Awards Level 3 Award and Certificate in Fashion and Textiles at the @fashiontechnologyacademy, focusing on advanced tailoring and structured garment construction.
Zainab’s bursary is funded by the Capri Holdings Corporate Foundation.
Zainab said: “Receiving this bursary means more to me than simply being able to attend a course; it gives me access to an opportunity I genuinely could not have afforded on my own. I’m incredibly excited to strengthen my craftsmanship, develop my technical skills and take an important step towards building a sustainable career in my craft.”
📷 @109thavenue
We are thrilled to award 35 new bursaries for trainees from across the UK to learn heritage craft skills, supported by the Capri Holdings Corporate Foundation, the Dulverton Trust, the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation, the @cityandguildsfoundation, the @ashley_family_foundation_4321, the Royal British Legion, the newbytrust, and Malcolm and Rosalind Gammie. 🙌
• John Allison – saddlery
• Zainab Bello @thezainab.b – tailoring
• Isobel Blackburn @isobel_blackburn_costume – tailoring
• Sophie Buckingham @buckingham_sophie – silversmithing
• Daniel Cope – shoe making
• Emmaly Crimmel @crimmelemmaly – stained glass
• Olumide Emmanuel Faleti @minuel.uk – shoe making
• Reece Gilroy – spectacle making
• Vitalija Glovackyte – piano tuning and restoration
• Amelia Goncalves – costume making
• Lee Gordon @oui.enamel – watch dial enamelling
• Elliot Greenfield @ex.astudio – engraving and stone setting
• Amar Grewal @amarthemaker – pottery
• Jasmine Harper-Jones @jasmineharperjones – ceramic painting
• Alex Hawes @alexhawes_embroidery – costume making and embroidery
• Rachel Holding @curiousgilding – reverse glass gilding
• Rachel Jacobs – paper conservation
• Matthew James @friend_of_lime – leadworking
• Nancy Johnston @upholsterycats – upholstery
• Joanne Kelly @jokellyart – banner making
• Laura Kriefman @laurakriefman – neon making
• Henrietta Lawrence Van Pooss – stonemasonry
• Lisa Lloyd @lisalloyddesigns – upholstery
• Jake Mann @mj.leatherwork – saddlery
• Domal McKenzie @rhubarbncustardco – tailoring
• Em Mount – stonemasonry
• Shirley Nelson @shirleynelsonjewellery – enamelling
• Zane Palmer @33andco_– diamond setting
• Viola Prokopova – stringed instrument making
• Gavin Roberts – stone conservation
• Chiazam Saint Venit – tailoring
• David Bimudu Scott @bimu_woodcrafts – furniture making
• Evie Spurdle @the_strap_and_hammer_armoury – armour making
• Noah Staley-Mathews – armour making
• Polina Volochay – sail making and boat building
Read more via the linktr.ee in our bio.
Come and join the fun at @craftfestival Wales at Cardigan Castle, today until Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Featuring @samanthajonesquilts, @wade.evans.designs, @barneywalling, @isabellaossett and @maryeluned_craft.
#matchMAKER opportunity!
Trainee furniture maker
Where: London
Founded by furniture maker Matthew Hensby, the @hensbyworkshop was set up with a belief that traditional craftsmanship can hold a lasting place within contemporary design.
Matthew is looking to hear from people at the beginning of their furniture-making career who are interested in developing their skills within a professional workshop environment. The role would involve working alongside an experienced maker on bespoke furniture commissions, starting with the fundamentals and gradually taking on more responsibility as skills develop.
Some practical furniture-making experience is desirable, whether through formal training or time in a workshop, but qualifications are not essential. More important are a strong eye for detail, patience, care in making, and a genuine commitment to developing traditional furniture-making skills.
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.
#matchMAKER opportunity!
Craftsperson Operative (willow)
Deadline: 4 September 2026
Where: Somerset
Are you passionate about craftsmanship and hands-on work? Somerset Willow is looking for a motivated individual to join its team as a Willow Craftsperson. You’ll learn time-honoured weaving techniques and help create premium handmade willow products cherished by customers across the UK and abroad.
Somerset Willow is a leading UK manufacturer of premium handmade willow products, supplying industries ranging from funerals to interiors and fashion. Its commitment to craftsmanship and quality has earned it a strong reputation at home and internationally.
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.
2027 Calendar Photography Competition
Deadline for entries: 21 September 2026
We are creating an official Heritage Crafts 2027 Calendar, to be sold through our online shop later this year.
To make this calendar a true celebration of traditional craft skills across the UK, we are inviting makers to submit high-quality photographs of their work and workshops.
Twelve selected makers will be featured as the main image for each month of the year, showcasing the incredible breadth, precision and beauty of heritage crafts to thousands of craft enthusiasts.
Find out mor at https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/our-stories/photocompetition2027/ or via the linktr.ee in our bio.
📷 Gerald Monaghan blacksmith at Ulster Folk Museum, by Philip Utton
In yesterday’s Guardian, ‘AI-proof? Younger workers desert the digital world for traditional crafts’.
“It’s a bleak moment for young people entering the workforce for the first time. For decades, a university degree seemed to promise a stable career – but entry-level white-collar jobs across almost all sectors are being disrupted by AI…
“Even creative fields are struggling against AI tech that can produce artwork, lengthy prose or complex design briefs in seconds.
“But many young workers have responded by turning to what they see as ‘AI-proof’ heritage crafts. These are the centuries-old, hands-on jobs, such as boat-making, metalwork or bookbinding, that require specialist knowledge built on creative judgment and dexterity, skills not yet mastered by AI.”
Featuring @ludlowbookbinders @coxlondon and @nationaltheatre.
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/aug/27/ai-proof-jobs-traditional-crafts or via the linktr.ee in our bio.
Encaustic tile maker and Heritage Crafts Endangered Crafts Fund recipient Craig Peebles @welbyandwright featured on Radio 2’s Pitch Your Passion segment with Romesh Ranganathan.
He did an amazing job pitching his love for encaustic tile making… but could he beat the mighty Lego?
To support our work in safeguarding endangered skills join up as a member and make a donation at heritagecrafts.org.uk.
Who do you think should win?
