If you are commenting on an existing craft, please select it here and skip the next two questions
Please enter the name of the craft you would like us to add here.
If this is a new craft type please select the most suitable category
Please identify country, region, county or town
Please identify an era/century/approximate historic period.
Heritage Crafts uses a system of four categories of risk to assess the viability of heritage crafts. A heritage craft is considered to be viable if there are sufficient craftspeople to transmit the craft skills to the next generation. For more information on definitions see http://heritagecrafts.org.uk/redlist/categories-of-risk/
People earning their main craft income from this craft (selling, commissions, conservation/ restoration and/or teaching).
People practicing this craft commercially (selling, commissions, conservation/restoration and/or teaching) but as less than half of their income.
People acquiring skills in order to become a professional in this craft, they probably have to work under supervision even if they are earning money while training.
People whose knowledge and ability is at a level of the most skilled practitioners of this craft.
People who do not intend to practice this craft professionally or at the highest level.
Finding Younger Apprentices: Attracting young people is challenging due to the slow and meticulous nature of the craft. Additionally, the financial stability of the craft may deter potential apprentices from pursuing it as a long-term profession.
Cost of Training: Providing hands-on training in harp making is costly due to the need for specialised tools, materials, and the mentor’s time. There are few formal education programs for the craft, and the long training periods required to master the skills make it financially demanding for both apprentices and mentors.
Competition from Cheap Imports and Mass Producers: Mass-produced, low-cost harps dominate the market, making it difficult for traditional harp makers to compete on price.
Staying Financially Viable: Traditional harp makers operate in a small, niche market with a limited customer base. High operating costs, such as materials and labor, combined with the long production times, result in thin profit margins, making it challenging to sustain the business.
Suitable, Affordable Workspace:Finding or renting affordable space for harp making is difficult, as specialized tools and materials require dedicated workspaces. Access to proper resources and suppliers is limited, which further increases costs for traditional harp makers.
e.g. lack of qualifications, funding for training etc.
If yes, please describe the issues below
e.g. lack of demand for products/skills etc.
Tick the box if there are difficulties with the supply of raw materials, allied materials or tools
i.e. issues around running any small business, not just crafts
Is the main workforce made up of people who are approaching retirement age?
e.g. legal restrictions on materials, health and safety etc.
e.g. Brexit, Covid-19, conflict
Please describe any other issues
Please describe any UK projects or schemes
Please list any known practitioners of this craft — add a row item for each person or business and complete the fields to the best of your knowledge. To get started click the `Add practitioner` button below.
It may include when and where the craft developed, how it has changed over time, etc.
e.g. festivals, religious celebrations, agricultural practices, music, dance etc.
e.g. religious, ethnic, social class. Please give an overview of the techniques involved in the craft.
This may involve different materials, techniques, styles or finished products.
e.g. books, websites etc.
Enter the destination URL
Or link to existing content
