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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#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?
Heritage Crafts at Craft Festival Wales @craftfestival
When: 11 to 13 September 2026
Where: Cardigan Castle
We’re thrilled to be back at Craft Festival Wales this September, bringing with us makers dedicating their lives to keeping rare and remarkable skills alive.
This year, you can meet drystone waller Barney Murray @barneywalling, polisher and enameller Freya Bletsoe @isabellaossett, quiltmaker Samantha Jones @samanthajonesquilts, and milliner Emily Gash @wade.evans.designs.
Mary Lewis @maryeluned_craft, Head of Craft Sustainability at Heritage Crafts, will also be hosting a panel discussion featuring Barney Murray and Katy Bevan from Quickthorn Books @quickthornbooks at 3.30pm on Sunday 13 September – Living Lineage: What Does Heritage Craft Mean Today?
https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/events/craft-festival-wales-2026/ or via the linktr.ee in our bio.
Five-day Passementerie Masterclass with Jessica Light @jessica_light_, the ‘Tassel Queen of Bethnal Green’ – supported by @goldsmithsfoundation. 🧵
📍 Where: Weavers Works @weavers.works, Walthamstow, London E17 7BH
⏰ When: 25 to 30 October 2026, 10am to 4pm each day with a lunch break (lunch provided)
💰 Cost: £300 (three free bursary places available for those from under-represented communities or facing financial hardship – subject to availability)
✍️ Application deadline: Monday 31 August 2026
Join the ‘Tassel Queen of Bethnal Green’ for a five-day intensive course on passementerie aimed at intermediate textile practitioners. With over three decades of experience in the trade, a well-established authority on the historic techniques and one of only a few contemporary practitioners, Jessica Light is a leading figure in the endangered craft of passementerie.
This is a unique opportunity to spend a considerable amount of time with Jessica, gaining hands-on experience, close tuition on a range of weaving and table work techniques, guidance on materials and colour, and a look at passementerie notation.
At the end of the course, trainees will be able to create highly ornamental or pared-back embellishments for furniture, lighting, clothes, and costumes through a rich interplay of materials, techniques, patterns, colours, and textures.
This course is not intended as an ‘experience’; it is for working practitioners who intend to incorporate these skills into their textile practice. Both masterclasses cover the same areas and each have five places available, providing a focused and supportive learning environment.
To ensure equitable access to this vital training opportunity, we are providing three free bursary places for individuals from under-represented communities or facing financial hardship – subject to availability.
Please note, places will be allocated based on suitability. Please fill in the application form and Heritage Crafts will contact you with news of whether you have been accepted onto the course.
📲 For more details and to apply, please visit the linktr.ee in our bio or https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/our-stories/passementeriemasterclass/.
#matchMAKER opportunity!
Trainee Jeweller
Where: Cambridgeshire
Chloe’s Jewellers & Repairs has been family-owned business for over 100 years, serving the high streets of Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Leicestershire, Essex and Norfolk with high quality jewellery sales and repairs.
This paid internship is designed to nurture your talent while offering invaluable industry insights. Grow your skills alongside expert artisans in a vibrant environment that celebrates creativity, precision, and innovation.
You will gain hands-on experience in various aspects of jewellery making, from initial design concepts to finishing touches, while contributing to the creation of beautiful, high-quality pieces.
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.
