The skills
THE NATIONAL CHARITY for Heritage Crafts
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Heritage Crafts was set up just fourteen years ago. Since then it has gone from strength to strength, advocating at the highest levels for crafts, publishing the Red List of Endangered Crafts, and distributing 66 grants through the Endangered Crafts Fund. We have awarded 30 training bursaries, established the Heritage Crafts Awards and shone a spotlight on our world-renowned makers through 30 National Honours successes.
Many more people are now aware of traditional crafts and the objects produced by those who carry in their hands, heads, and also hearts the skills and techniques that have been passed down through the generations.
To continue this work we need your support. Please consider making a donation, however big or small, to help ensure that heritage craft skills in the UK are given the opportunity to thrive.
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Over 35 posts we are profiling the recipients of our latest round of training bursaries.
Reece Gilroy @lug.oles, from London, has been working at an eyewear workshop in East London, developing skills in spectacle making. His bursary will fund a four-day intensive one-to-one course in Nice with master French spectacle maker @sebastiengarnier_lunetier, focusing on traditional metal frame crafting, assembly and finishing to bring the endangered skill back to the UK.
Reece’s bursary is supported by the Newby Trust.
Reece said: “I’m deeply excited to have received this funding, it will hopefully open up some doors for the eyewear community here in Britain, helping us to expand back into metal work. I’m looking forward to being able to bear the torch for the revival of this niche skill and then being able to teach the skill to others within the community.”
Over 35 posts we are profiling the recipients of our latest round of training bursaries.
Rachel Holding @curiousgilding, from London, has practised reverse glass gilding and sign painting for six years alongside a professional career as an advertising creative. Her bursary will fund bespoke one-to-one training with master craftsman @by_umberto, developing advanced reverse glass water gilding, acid etching and brilliant cutting.
Rachel’s bursary is supported by the Dulverton Trust.
Rachel said: “I’ve spent years practising reverse glass signpainting and gilding in spare rooms and stolen weekends, falling more in love with it but struggling to develop as fast as I’d like. This funding means I can train with one of the best practitioners in the UK, who will undoubtedly tell me all the things I’ve been doing wrong. And that’s exactly what I’m most looking forward to.”
#matchMAKER opportunity!
Saddle Repair Technician
Where: Walsall, West Midlands
Aviar Saddles is seeking a Repair Technician.
Prospective candidates will possess good hand eye coordination and be handy with the use of tools in building. Previous experience with other craft/skill based work, carpentry, welding and construction is preferred but not required.
They are looking for good, down to earth people with a healthy attitude. Experience is preferred but they will train the right candidate.
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.
Over 35 posts we are profiling the recipients of our latest round of training bursaries.
Domal McKenzie @rhubarbncustardco, from London, is an independent menswear designer currently completing a residency at @makerversity. His bursary will fund two intensive courses at the @londonfashioncollege – the Bomber Jacket course with @anthonyprinci.ldn and the Menswear Pattern Cutting Intensive with @patterncutter.
Domal’s bursary is supported by the Capri Holdings Corporate Foundation.
Domal said: “Receiving this bursary gives me the support I need to keep making and developing my craft. It’s a huge boost for my work and where I’m taking it next.”
Over 35 posts we are profiling the recipients of our latest round of training bursaries.
Lisa Lloyd @lisalloyddesigns, from Oxfordshire, has a background in fashion, textiles and art lecturing, having trained informally with master upholsterers. Her bursary will fund the 12 Steps to Upholstery Success programme at the Oxford School of Upholstery, alongside specialist short courses in leather upholstery.
Lisa’s bursary is supported by the Dulverton Trust.
Lisa said: “Securing this Heritage Crafts bursary is a turning point in my practice. It gives me the chance to deepen endangered upholstery skills that are essential to preserving Britain’s craft lineage – techniques like horsehair work, stitched edges and hand‑springing British and French that cannot be learned through shortcuts. As a single parent building a sustainable craft career, this support removes barriers and allows me to invest fully in the precision and integrity my work is known for. This bursary doesn’t just strengthen my skills… it strengthens the future of my craft.”
📷 Iris Lloyd
Over 35 posts we are profiling the recipients of our latest round of training bursaries.
Noah Staley-Mathews oopswrongtimeperiod, from Nottinghamshire, is a 15-year-old home-educated maker with a deep passion for historical weapons and armour, having produced several helmets, shields and swords for buhurt combat. His bursary will fund 38 weeks of bi-weekly one-to-one masterclasses with professional armourer Matthew Finchen of @lancasterarmoury, alongside specialist workshop equipment.
Noah’s bursary is supported by Malcolm and Rosalind Gammie.
Noah said: “This funding will allow me to begin my career and train with a Master Armourer, and I am incredibly grateful to Heritage Crafts for helping my dream become a reality. My friends are going off to college, but I wanted to take a different route, and this grant has given me the opportunity to do that. Practising my craft is really positive for my mental health, so I am very grateful to be able to move forward in this direction and build a future doing something that I love. Thank you Heritage Crafts and Mr and Mrs Gammie!”
Over 35 posts we are profiling the recipients of our latest round of training bursaries.
Polina Volochay, from Glasgow, has a background in film and television costume and has gained hands-on boatbuilding and rigging experience through voluntary work on traditional vessels. Her bursary will fund an apprenticeship-style placement in Shetland with sailmaker @sew_far_north to construct a mainsail for a Baltic schooner, tuition for a traditional sailmaking course with @sailmaker_shiner at @uhiorkney, and a heavy-duty portable walking foot sewing machine.
Polina’s bursary is supported by the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation.
Polina said: “Receiving this award from Heritage Crafts is incredibly meaningful for me. I’m excited for the dedicated time I’ll have to practice my craft and the quality of teaching I’ll be able to access as a result of their support. I am looking forward to becoming a part of the enlivening and resilient use of traditional skills!”
Over 35 posts we are profiling the recipients of our latest round of training bursaries.
Olumide Emmanuel Faleti (Minuel), from Renfrewshire, is the founder and creative director of footwear brand @minuel.uk and leads the @oefinitiative, an educational craft project. His bursary will help fund his place on the Complete Shoemaking and Footwear course at the @londonfashioncollege, mastering core pattern cutting, closing, lasting and construction processes.
Minuel’s bursary is funded by the Capri Holdings Corporate Foundation.
Minuel said: “Securing this funding is a significant step forward in my shoemaking journey. It will give me the opportunity to develop my traditional shoemaking skills through specialist training, strengthen my craft practice and help me contribute to keeping these important skills alive for future generations.”
