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.
Market issues: Many of the activities these basketry crafts were used for are no longer done. Where tasks are still carried out that formerly used basketry constructions, mass-produced products are employed instead. There was little demand for such objects, because they were functional, not decorative.
Awareness of the craft: Awareness had become low in the past. However, more people are now aware of the craft and are keen to preserve the heritage of straw basketry in Shetland and Orkney. Classes and straw groups are active and making again, which is encouraging.
Raw materials: Availability of material is an issue concerning the straw; grain cultivation has declined (especially in Shetland), and black oats have virtually disappeared. Farmers aren’t inclined to grow this crop, and prospective basketmakers cannot buy material: as in the past, a maker must be a grower. Eve Eunson and Sam Dennis are working to encourage the cultivation of black oats in Shetland to support a range of straw crafts including straw backed chair making, basket making and thatching.
Loss of skills: The last generation that made twined basketry through unbroken ethnographic tradition is now gone; the only people with knowledge have learned it through a tuition setting. The skills are readily transferable, and its positive that more people are now learning the tradition.
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
