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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, researching and publishing the Red List of Endangered Crafts, distributing 66 grants through the Endangered Crafts Fund and bringing crafts together in a series of conferences, forums and seminars.
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. These are just some of the highlights of what has been achieved. 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.
If you would like to help us achieve these aims, please use the form below to donate.
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Over 35 posts we are profiling the recipients of our latest round of training bursaries.
Nancy Johnston @upholsterycats, from Kingston-upon-Thames, is a former Welsh Guards musician, oboist and music educator who has developed traditional furniture upholstery skills through adult education classes. Her bursary will fund the first year of @the_amusf Diploma at @shoreditchdesignrooms, covering traditional springing, stuffing and stitching techniques.
Nancy’s bursary is funded by the Royal British Legion.
Nancy said: “The funding from Heritage Crafts means I can complete the training I need to pursue my dream of becoming an upholsterer.”
We’ve had such a wonderful time at Cardigan Castle for @craftfestival Wales, with @samanthajonesquilts, @wade.evans.designs, @barneywalling, @isabellaossett and @maryeluned_craft.
See you next year! 🏴✂️🧶🪚
Over 35 posts we are profiling the recipients of our latest round of training bursaries.
Daniel Cope, from Northampton, recently finished a factory-based footwear manufacturing apprenticeship. His bursary will fund intensive one-to-one training sessions in bespoke shoemaking with master shoemaker @bespokeshoes_the_elek, covering hand lasting, welting, insole preparation and finishing.
Daniel’s bursary is funded by the Dulverton Trust.
Daniel said: “This funding is an incredible opportunity to continue my training in bespoke shoemaking and learn directly from a highly skilled maker. It will allow me to improve on the skills I’ve already developed and gain the experience needed to build a long-term career in the craft.”
Binda Patel, Director of the Dulverton Trust, said: “We are delighted to be supporting such a wide range of talented craftspeople across the country as they take the next steps in their careers. We are pleased to see such interesting work which we know will strengthen these important heritage crafts and preserve them for future generations.”
Over 35 posts we are profiling the recipients of our latest round of training bursaries.
Zainab Bello @thezainab.b, from Cardiff, is a healthcare worker and founder of the womenswear brand @sisiclaraofficial, having developed her pattern cutting and garment construction skills through independent study. Her bursary will fund her place on the SEG Awards Level 3 Award and Certificate in Fashion and Textiles at the @fashiontechnologyacademy, focusing on advanced tailoring and structured garment construction.
Zainab’s bursary is funded by the Capri Holdings Corporate Foundation.
Zainab said: “Receiving this bursary means more to me than simply being able to attend a course; it gives me access to an opportunity I genuinely could not have afforded on my own. I’m incredibly excited to strengthen my craftsmanship, develop my technical skills and take an important step towards building a sustainable career in my craft.”
📷 @109thavenue
We are thrilled to award 35 new bursaries for trainees from across the UK to learn heritage craft skills, supported by the Capri Holdings Corporate Foundation, the Dulverton Trust, the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation, the @cityandguildsfoundation, the @ashley_family_foundation_4321, the Royal British Legion, the newbytrust, and Malcolm and Rosalind Gammie. 🙌
• John Allison – saddlery
• Zainab Bello @thezainab.b – tailoring
• Isobel Blackburn @isobel_blackburn_costume – tailoring
• Sophie Buckingham @buckingham_sophie – silversmithing
• Daniel Cope – shoe making
• Emmaly Crimmel @crimmelemmaly – stained glass
• Olumide Emmanuel Faleti @minuel.uk – shoe making
• Reece Gilroy – spectacle making
• Vitalija Glovackyte – piano tuning and restoration
• Amelia Goncalves – costume making
• Lee Gordon @oui.enamel – watch dial enamelling
• Elliot Greenfield @ex.astudio – engraving and stone setting
• Amar Grewal @amarthemaker – pottery
• Jasmine Harper-Jones @jasmineharperjones – ceramic painting
• Alex Hawes @alexhawes_embroidery – costume making and embroidery
• Rachel Holding @curiousgilding – reverse glass gilding
• Rachel Jacobs – paper conservation
• Matthew James @friend_of_lime – leadworking
• Nancy Johnston @upholsterycats – upholstery
• Joanne Kelly @jokellyart – banner making
• Laura Kriefman @laurakriefman – neon making
• Henrietta Lawrence Van Pooss @_hlvp – stonemasonry
• Lisa Lloyd @lisalloyddesigns – upholstery
• Jake Mann @mj.leatherwork – saddlery
• Domal McKenzie @rhubarbncustardco – tailoring
• Em Mount – stonemasonry
• Shirley Nelson @shirleynelsonjewellery – enamelling
• Zane Palmer @33andco_– diamond setting
• Viola Prokopova – stringed instrument making
• Gavin Roberts – stone conservation
• Chiazam Saint Venit – tailoring
• David Bimudu Scott @bimu_woodcrafts – furniture making
• Evie Spurdle @the_strap_and_hammer_armoury – armour making
• Noah Staley-Mathews – armour making
• Polina Volochay – sail making and boat building
Read more via the linktr.ee in our bio.
#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
