Heritage Crafts Awards

Heritage crafts feature in the current edition of BBC @countryfilemagazine. From blacksmithing in rural Herefordshire to woodland crafts in North Wales, meet the makers keeping these age-old crafts alive – and discover how you can try them for yourself.

“Many traditional crafts and trades that were once practiced around the UK have now faded into obscurity, with remaining craftspeople and experts in single figures. We are now facing the threat of these crafts disappearing entirely – but since 2009, a national charity called Heritage Crafts has been dedicated to maintaining these crafts on the British Isles.”

Featuring @oldfieldforge, @woodlandskillscentre and @nethertonfoundry.

https://www.countryfile.com/how-to/crafts/heritage-trad-crafts-uk

Join us in conversation with passementerie weaver @jessica_light_.

The ‘Tassel Queen of Bethnal Green’, Jessica Light is London’s last working passementerie weaver and maker, and one of the last of a long line of passementeriers to be trained within what is now an extinct London industry. She is known for making innovative, design-led passementerie that is hand-woven and hand-made to order in her East London workshop using techniques dating back to the 16th century.

Jessica considers all the elements, from colour to material to concept, to create unique collections of tassels, trims, tiebacks, rosettes and one-off bespoke pieces. She uses these historic skills, like a potter using throwing techniques, as a means to create original passementerie designs that go beyond the traditions of perceived passementerie and look to the future.

The session will take place on Zoom and attendees must register in advance via https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/events/jessicalightinconversation/ or the linktr.ee in our bio.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to submit questions in advance.

🛠️ We’re officially looking for the UK’s heritage craft Trainer of the Year 2026! 🛠️

One of our core missions is to ensure that craft skills aren’t just preserved, but passed down effectively. This award, supported by @marshawards, celebrates the incredible individuals who dedicate their time to training the next generation of UK makers.

The term ‘trainer’ is broad. We are looking for anyone who shares their expertise, including those running everything from beginner taster sessions to professional traineeships and apprenticeships. You can nominate a trainer you know, your own trainer or even yourself.

There is a £1,000 prize for the winner to be presented at a high-profile Winners’ Reception in November. Plus, we will award a Trainee of the Year Award for the best learner, also currently open for nominations.

📅 Deadline: Friday 21 August 2026 (at 5pm)

➡️ Nominate someone (or yourself) today via the linktr.ee in our bio or directly at https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/our-awards/trainer-of-the-year/. Let’s make sure these vital skills continue to inspire and thrive! 🧶🏺🔨

📷 2024 finalist @garethrees75 by @upholsteryeducation

#heritagecrafts #crafttraining #crafttrainer #craftskills #heritagecraftsawards

#matchMAKER opportunity!

Glass Hub Internship

Location: Wiltshire
Deadline: 30 April 2026

The Glass Hub Internship Programme is a great opportunity for graduates in glass or those interested in pursuing a career in glass to develop their skills in a supportive environment as part of a team. Since the programme began in 2016, interns have proved invaluable to the running of the glass school and have developed their skills and confidence in glassmaking. They have produced their own work, assisted and taught students on glass courses and have gone on to produce their own work, teach or join teams elsewhere as assistants or artists.

The Glass Hub Internship is an educational work placement opportunity suitable for individuals looking to gain experience in glassmaking and glass education, alongside developing their own work in a well-equipped glass studio. The successful applicants will experience a variety of roles that will include ‘glass technician’ and ‘glass teaching assistant’. They will be trained in the operation and maintenance of glassmaking equipment as well as undertake real-world experience in the operation of a busy glass school.

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.

Do you know an extraordinary fashion textile maker? Someone who has pushed the boundaries of their craft over the last 12 months? If so, please consider nominating them for this year’s Fashion Textile Maker of the Year Award, supported by the @costume_society. 💃🕺

Whether a costume maker, dressmaker, tailor, pattern cutter, hat maker, milliner, or weaver of fabrics specifically for fashion garments, we want to celebrate their dedication to excellence. From glovemaking to corset making … if the work is exceptional, it belongs in the spotlight. Help us honour the makers who keep these incredible traditions alive.

There is a £2,000 prize for the winner to be presented at a high-profile Winners’ Reception in November. Plus, we will also award an Emerging Leatherworker, Weaver and Embroiderer of the Year, chosen from nominees in the first five years of their practice, with additional prizes of £1,000 provided by the Leathersellers’ Foundation, Rose Uniacke and the Broderers’ Company.

📅 Deadline: Friday 21 August 2026 (at 5pm)

➡️ Nominate someone (or yourself) today via the linktr.ee in our bio or directly at https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/our-awards/fashion-textile-maker-of-the-year/

📷 2024 finalist Clare Campbell @pricklytartan

#heritagecrafts #fashiontextiles #costumemaking #accessorymaking #craftskills

#matchMAKER opportunity!

Trainee Jewellery Polisher

Location: Birmingham
Deadline: 13 March 2026

Signet is the name behind H Samuel and Ernest Jones. Together, they have more than 270 stores in the UK and Republic of Ireland. They are looking for a Trainee Jewellery Polisher to join their Repairs team on a 12‑month fixed‑term contract at their Birmingham Service Centre in Hockley.

As a Trainee Jewellery Polisher, you may already have some basic experience in jewellery repairs or polishing, or you may simply have a strong passion to learn the craft. Over the course of our structured 12‑month training programme, you’ll gain the skills needed to polish, clean, and finish precious metal jewellery to the highest standards.

On successful completion of the programme, you’ll have the opportunity to move into a permanent Jewellery Polisher position with Signet.

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.

Do you know an extraordinary precious metalworker working in silver, gold or platinum? Someone who has pushed the boundaries of their craft over the last 12 months? If so, please consider nominating them for this year’s Precious Metalworker of the Year Award, supported by the @royalmintuk. 💍🪙🍴👑

Whether a silversmith, jewellery maker, gilder, hand engraver, medal maker, concert flute maker, we want to celebrate their dedication to excellence. From silver spinning and polishing to engine turning and concert flute making… if the work is exceptional, it belongs in the spotlight. Help us honour the makers who keep these incredible traditions alive.

There is a £2,000 prize for the winner to be presented at a high-profile Winners’ Reception in November. Plus, we will also award a Young Metalworker of the Year Award, chosen from nominees in the first five years of their practice, with an additional prize of £1,000 provided by Heritage Crafts Benefactors Lucy and Laurence Butcher.

📅 Deadline: Friday 21 August 2026 (at 5pm)

➡️ Nominate someone (or yourself) today via the linktr.ee in our bio or directly at https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/our-awards/precious-metalworker-of-the-year/.

📷 2025 finalist Alice Fry @alicefryjewellery

#heritagecrafts #preciousmetals #silversmithing #jewellerymaking #craftsmanship