Become a member
Join our growing craft community
Become part of a growing community that is helping to support, promote and safeguard heritage crafts skills and knowledge for the future. Membership of Heritage Crafts is open to all, from craft curious to long time maker.
Already a member and looking to renew? Click here to log into your membership and renew.
Our Membership tiers
Entry
One adult who is supporting Heritage Crafts by becoming a member.
You will receive
- 2 Monthly emails (Newsletter and Meet a Maker interview)
- Members only portal on the website (digital resources, videos, and info)
- Priority invitation to Heritage Crafts events
- Exclusive member digital talks and workshops
- A profile on the Maker Directory, which is an online showcase of work by Heritage Crafts members who practises a craft
- Discounted ticket(s) to our Annual Conference
- Invitation to the Heritage Crafts’ AGM where you will be able to vote on significant issues affecting the charity
One student who is actively enrolled in an educational course and wishes to support Heritage Crafts by becoming a member.
You will receive
- 2 Monthly emails (Newsletter and Meet a Maker interview)
- Members only portal on the website (digital resources, videos, and info)
- Priority invitation to Heritage Crafts events
- Exclusive member digital talks and workshops
- A profile on the Maker Directory, which is an online showcase of work by Heritage Crafts members who practises a craft
- Discounted ticket(s) to our Annual Conference
- Invitation to the Heritage Crafts’ AGM where you will be able to vote on significant issues affecting the charity
Two adult members of the same household who are supporting Heritage Crafts by becoming members.
You will receive
- 2 Monthly emails (Newsletter and Meet a Maker interview)
- Members only portal on the website (digital resources, videos, and info)
- Priority invitation to Heritage Crafts events
- Exclusive member digital talks and workshops
- A profile on the Maker Directory, which is an online showcase of work by Heritage Crafts members who practises a craft
- Discounted ticket(s) to our Annual Conference for 2 adults and 2 youths under 18
- Invitation to the Heritage Crafts’ AGM where you will be able to vote on significant issues affecting the charity
A non-profit who wishes to support Heritage Crafts by becoming an organisational member.
You will receive
- 2 Monthly emails sent to as many as 5 employees (Newsletter and Meet a Maker interview)
- Members only portal on the website (digital resources, videos, and info)
- Priority invitation to Heritage Crafts events
- Exclusive member digital talks and workshops
- A profile on the Maker Directory, which is an online showcase of work by Heritage Crafts members who practises a craft
- Discounted tickets to our Annual Conference for up to 5 employees
- Invitation to the Heritage Crafts’ AGM where you will be able to vote on significant issues affecting the charity
A for-profit who wishes to support Heritage Crafts by becoming an organisational member.
You will receive
- 2 Monthly emails sent to as many as 5 employees (Newsletter and Meet a Maker interview)
- Members only portal on the website (digital resources, videos, and info)
- Priority invitation to Heritage Crafts events
- Exclusive member digital talks and workshops
- A profile on the Maker Directory, which is an online showcase of work by Heritage Crafts members who practises a craft
- Discounted tickets to our Annual Conference for up to 5 employees
- Invitation to the Heritage Crafts’ AGM where you will be able to vote on significant issues affecting the charity
Supporter
One adult member who is giving more in their membership fees to support the charity’s efforts toward researching the Endangered Crafts List, providing more grants/bursaries for makers, and creating more programming for members like you.
You will receive
- 2 Monthly emails (Newsletter and Meet a Maker interview)
- Members only portal on the website (digital resources, videos, and info)
- Priority invitation to Heritage Crafts events
- Exclusive member digital talks and workshops
- A profile on the Maker Directory, which is an online showcase of work by Heritage Crafts members who practises a craft
- Discounted ticket(s) to our Annual Conference
- Invitation to the Heritage Crafts’ AGM where you will be able to vote on significant issues affecting the charity
Two adult members of the same household who are giving more in their membership fees to support the charity’s efforts toward researching the Endangered Crafts List, providing more grants/bursaries for makers, and creating more programming for members like you.
You will receive
- 2 Monthly emails (Newsletter and Meet a Maker interview)
- Members only portal on the website (digital resources, videos, and info)
- Priority invitation to Heritage Crafts events
- Exclusive member digital talks and workshops
- A profile on the Maker Directory, which is an online showcase of work by Heritage Crafts members who practises a craft
- Discounted tickets to our Annual Conference for 2 adults and 2 youths under 18
- Invitation to the Heritage Crafts’ AGM where you will be able to vote on significant issues affecting the charity
A non-profit who is giving more in their membership fees to support the charity’s efforts toward researching the Endangered Crafts List, providing more grants/bursaries for makers, and creating more programming for members like you.
You will receive
- 2 Monthly emails sent to as many as 5 employees (Newsletter and Meet a Maker interview)
- Members only portal on the website (digital resources, videos, and info)
- Priority invitation to Heritage Crafts events
- Exclusive member digital talks and workshops
- A profile on the Maker Directory, which is an online showcase of work by Heritage Crafts members who practises a craft
- Discounted tickets to our Annual Conference for up to 5 employees
- Invitation to the Heritage Crafts’ AGM where you will be able to vote on significant issues affecting the charity
A for-profit who is giving more in their membership fees to support the charity’s efforts toward researching the Endangered Crafts List, providing more grants/bursaries for makers, and creating more programming for members like you.
You will receive
- 2 Monthly emails sent to as many as 5 employees (Newsletter and Meet a Maker interview)
- Members only portal on the website (digital resources, videos, and info)
- Priority invitation to Heritage Crafts events
- Exclusive member digital talks and workshops
- A profile on the Maker Directory, which is an online showcase of work by Heritage Crafts members who practises a craft
- Discounted tickets to our Annual Conference for up to 5 employees
- Invitation to the Heritage Crafts’ AGM where you will be able to vote on significant issues affecting the charity
Guardian
One adult who is giving more in their membership fees to help safeguard our living cultural heritage. The generous support enables Heritage Crafts to ensure that the highest standard of heritage craft skills are passed from one generation to the next and are recorded for posterity where necessary.
You will receive
- 2 Monthly emails (Newsletter and Meet a Maker interview)
- Members only portal on the website (digital resources, videos, and info)
- VIP invitation to Heritage Crafts events
- Exclusive member digital talks and workshops
- A profile on the Maker Directory, which is an online showcase of work by Heritage Crafts members who practises a craft
- Discounted tickets to our Annual Conference
- Invitation to the Heritage Crafts’ AGM where you will be able to vote on significant issues affecting the charity
- Biannual Guardian Newsletter
Two adult members of the same household who are giving more in their membership fees to help safeguard our living cultural heritage. The generous support enables Heritage Crafts to ensure that the highest standard of heritage craft skills are passed from one generation to the next and are recorded for posterity where necessary.
You will receive
- 2 Monthly emails (Newsletter and Meet a Maker interview)
- Members only portal on the website (digital resources, videos, and info)
- VIP invitation to Heritage Crafts events
- Exclusive member digital talks and workshops
- A profile on the Maker Directory, which is an online showcase of work by Heritage Crafts members who practises a craft
- Discounted tickets to our Annual Conference for for 2 adults and 2 youths under 18
- Invitation to the Heritage Crafts’ AGM where you will be able to vote on significant issues affecting the charity
- Biannual Guardian Newsletter
A non-profit who is giving more in their membership fees to help safeguard our living cultural heritage. The generous support enables Heritage Crafts to ensure that the highest standard of heritage craft skills are passed from one generation to the next and are recorded for posterity where necessary.
You will receive
- 2 Monthly emails sent to as many as 5 employees (Newsletter and Meet a Maker interview)
- Members only portal on the website (digital resources, videos, and info)
- VIP invitation to Heritage Crafts events
- Exclusive member digital talks and workshops
- A profile on the Maker Directory, which is an online showcase of work by Heritage Crafts members who practises a craft
- Discounted tickets to our Annual Conference for up to 5 employees
- Invitation to the Heritage Crafts’ AGM where you will be able to vote on significant issues affecting the charity
- Biannual Guardian Newsletter
A for-profit who is giving more in their membership fees to help safeguard our living cultural heritage. The generous support enables Heritage Crafts to ensure that the highest standard of heritage craft skills are passed from one generation to the next and are recorded for posterity where necessary.
You will receive
- 2 Monthly emails sent to as many as 5 employees (Newsletter and Meet a Maker interview)
- Members only portal on the website (digital resources, videos, and info)
- VIP invitation to Heritage Crafts events
- Exclusive member digital talks and workshops
- A profile on the Maker Directory, which is an online showcase of work by Heritage Crafts members who practises a craft
- Discounted tickets to our Annual Conference for up to 5 employees
- Invitation to the Heritage Crafts’ AGM where you will be able to vote on significant issues affecting the charity
- Biannual Guardian Newsletter
Gift Membership
Craft inspiration direct to your inbox
Become a Heritage Crafts Fan and receive a free monthly newsletter about craft announcements, events and opportunities.
SubscribeFollow us on Instagram
#matchMAKER opportunity!
Heritage Building Craftsperson Trainee
Location: Danbury, Essex
Bakers of Danbury Ltd is a long-established Essex based construction company, who carry out a broad spectrum of works from specialised restoration works to churches and listed buildings, to mainstream construction and insurance repairs. They are recruiting a Trainee Building Craftsman specialising in stone, brick and plaster who will work within their Church and Heritage Building Department. You may be starting out in construction or already working as a tradesperson – looking to focus your skills by working on fascinating and rewarding historic buildings. Alternatively, you may be working in a labouring/semi-skilled position and looking to progress to craftsman status.
You will be working as part of the onsite team gaining practical hands-on construction experience. This will combine with entry onto their bespoke Heritage Training Programme, allowing you to further develop your craft skills within a recognised training programme.
The work and training you will be involved in will cover traditional works such as stonework, lime plastering and mortars, brickwork repairs, joinery and other skills necessary to specialise in the conservation and repair of historical buildings, churches and ancient monuments.
Find out 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.
Heritage Crafts and the International Guild of Knot Tyers have launched a training bursary for a new or early-career practitioner in maritime rope and twine crafts. The successful applicant will benefit from up to £4,000 in funding, as well as one-to-one support from the staff at Heritage Crafts.
The bursaries are provided to help cover or subsidise the cost of training for a new entrant or early-career practitioner who would otherwise be prevented from pursuing this career path as a result of the cost.
Maritime rope and twine crafts in this context relate to both sea and inland waterways, and can include, but are not limited to, rope making, rigging, net making, fender making and so on.
The maritime rope and twine bursaries sit alongside others in fashion textiles and costume (supported by the Costume Society), leatherworking (supported by the Leathersellers’ Foundation), saddlery (supported by the Saddlers’ Company), shoe making (supported by the Cordwainers’ Company), stained glass (supported by the British Society of Master Glass Painters) and building crafts in Northern Ireland (supported by CITBNI). Additional bursaries for other crafts will open in April.
To find out more including how to apply (deadline 20 March) follow the linktr.ee in our bio.
📷 2025 recipient Felix Gillies Creasey.
This week’s #craftfocus is orrery making.
Orrery making is the creation of mechanical solar system models that have been made for centuries as teaching aids.
Orreries use a complex system of clockwork gears to illustrate the relative positions and motions of planets and moons according to the sun-centered model.
The manufacture of orreries requires a high level of mechanical engineering techniques, woodworking and mathematical skills, and a good sense of design.
Makers use lathes and milling machines to cut custom brass gears with exact tooth counts to match planetary speeds. The technique of epicyclic gearing is used to stack gears on top of one another and keep the machine compact. Finally, the process is finished with fine metal polishing and the mounting of stone or metal orbs, to ensure all components rotate smoothly.
Orrery making is classified as critically endangered on our Craft Inventory. While there is worldwide demand for orreries, makers face the issue of the high level of skill and mathematical knowledge required to make a quality orrery. There are no recognised or structured training programmes available and most existing pracitioners are past retirement age, making it very difficult to learn the craft.
Images: Staines & Son Orrery Makers @stainesandsonorrerymakers
#heritagecrafts #craftfocus #orrerymaking
Heritage Crafts and @citbni1 have launched new training bursaries for new or early-career practitioners in building crafts in Northern Ireland. The successful applicants will benefit from up to £4,000 in funding, as well as one-to-one support from the staff at Heritage Crafts.
The bursaries are provided to help cover or subsidise the cost of training for a Northern Ireland based new entrant or early-career practitioner who would otherwise be prevented from pursuing this career path as a result of the cost.
Building crafts in this context are crafts that relate to the built environment (including interiors). Visit our website for a non-exclusive list of examples.
The building craft bursaries sit alongside others in fashion textiles and costume (supported by the Costume Society), leatherworking (supported by the Leathersellers’ Foundation), saddlery (supported by the Sadder’s Company), shoe and boot making (supported by the Cordwainers’ Company), stained glass (supported by the British Society of Master Glass Painters), and maritime rope and twine crafts (supported by the International guild of Knot Tyers). Additional bursaries for other crafts will open in April.
To find out more including how to apply (deadline 20 March) follow the linktr.ee in our bio.
Over 36 posts we are profiling the recipients of our recent round of training bursaries.
Harry Walkeden, from North Yorkshire, served for nine years as a Guardsman/Drummer in the Coldstream Guards, including a deployment to Afghanistan. Since leaving the Army, he has been working as an apprentice stonemason for the @nationaltrust. His bursary will fund a series of specialist courses to help him to establish a successful business.
Harry’s bursary is supported by the @armybenevolentfund.
Harry said: “This funding allows me to complete training that I otherwise wouldn’t be able to, gaining broader craft skills at an important early stage of my career so that I can continue to improve and develop in my chosen profession of heritage masonry.”
#matchMAKER opportunity!
Trainee Memorial Mason
Location: Stockton-On-Tees
Stockton Memorials is seeking a trainee memorial mason to join their skilled and compassionate team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is looking to learn a traditional craft and build a meaningful career in memorial masonry. You will be trained in all aspects of memorial masonry including stone cutting, lettering, engraving, and installation of headstones and monuments.
Responsibilities:
-Assist in the preparation, carving, and finishing of memorials.
-Learn to use hand tools and machinery for stonework.
-Help with installations at cemeteries and other memorial sites.
-Maintain a clean and safe working environment.
-Handle materials and equipment responsibly and respectfully.
-Liaise respectfully with clients during sensitive times.
-Follow company procedures and health & safety regulations
Find out 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.
Heritage Crafts and the @worshipfulcordwainers have launched new training bursaries for new or early-career practitioners in shoe and boot making. The successful applicants will benefit from up to £4,000 in funding, as well as one-to-one support from the staff at Heritage Crafts.
The bursaries are provided to help cover or subsidise the cost of training for a new entrant or early-career practitioner who would otherwise be prevented from pursuing this career path as a result of the cost.
Applications for this bursary can include hand-stitched shoe and/or boot making.
The shoe and boot making bursaries sit alongside others in fashion textiles and costume (supported by the Costume Society), leatherworking (supported by the Leathersellers’ Foundation), saddlery (supported by the Sadder’s Company), stained glass (supported by the British Society of Master Glass Painters), maritime rope and twine crafts (supported by the International guild of Knot Tyers) and building crafts in Northern Ireland (supported by CITBNI). Additional bursaries for other crafts will open in April.
To find out more including how to apply (deadline 20 March) follow the linktr.ee in our bio.
📷 2025 bursary recipient Eleni Kai.
This week’s #mondaymaker is Aaron Mighty @aaron.mighty.design – a material researcher and furniture maker.
Based in South East London, Aaron’s practice explores how traditional values can be expressed through heritage-driven design, creating bespoke furniture from British wood, bridging sculpture and function. Aaron selects materials carefully to support the conservation efforts of a local nature reserve, using their variety of available wood species.
View Aaron’s full profile on our maker’s directory: https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/maker/aaron-mighty/
#heritagecrafts #mondaymaker #furnituremaking #woodworking
