About
the national charity for heritage crafts
What we do
Heritage Crafts is the national charity for traditional heritage crafts. Working in partnership with Government and key agencies, we provide a focus for craftspeople, groups, societies and guilds, as well as individuals who care about the loss of traditional crafts skills, and work towards a healthy and sustainable framework for the future.
We are a UNESCO accredited NGO for Intangible Cultural Heritage and an official Community Support Hub for the UK Governments’ Living Heritage in the UK inventory, having advocated for UK ratification of the UNESCO Convention of the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2010.
Our Mission
To support and promote heritage crafts as a fundamental part of our living heritage.
We do this through:
- Knowledge – researching the status of heritage crafts and identifying those crafts in decline or in imminent danger of being lost.
- Advocacy – communicating the vital importance of heritage craft skills to the public, Government, key agencies and organisations.
- Safeguarding – ensuring that the highest standard of heritage craft skills are passed from one generation to the next and are recorded for posterity where necessary.
- Support – supporting heritage craftspeople to continue to practice, nurture and pass on their craft.
- Engagement – actively raising awareness and interest in heritage craft skills with the wider public and offering opportunities to engage.
Our Values
Equity and inclusivity
Removing barriers to participation and fostering appreciation of heritage crafts across diverse communities
Credibility and authority
Reflecting the extensive expertise of our heritage craft communities
Collaboration and cooperation
Facilitating connection between makers, supporters and partner organisations
Sustainability and stewardship
Being mindful of the cultural, social, economic and environmental impacts of heritage crafts
Integrity and honesty
Operating openly, accountably and fairly
Continual learning and development
Safeguarding heritage skills by adapting to changing social, cultural and economic contexts
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#matchMAKER opportunity!
Apprentice Upholstery Cutter and Sewing Machinist
Location: Stafford
Designers, makers, and restorers of hospitality furniture @taylorsclassicsfurniture are looking for an apprentice Upholstery Cutter and Sewing Machinist to join their team. @webstrainingltd
This is a fantastic opportunity to learn a heritage skill, where we are keen to find an enthusiastic person who will be self-motivated and eager to learn, and passionate about creating high quality products.
The ideal candidate will be a sociable, team player who will integrate with the team. A keen eye for detail and a genuine passion for upholstery and creativity would be helpful.
You will work towards a Standard Level 2 Furniture Manufacturer Modern Upholsterer Apprenticeship with training by the employer within the workplace and also at WEBS Training in Nottingham in four-day blocks roughly every ten weeks.
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.
We are thrilled to announce that nominations are now OPEN for the inaugural Emerging Stained Glass Maker of the Year Award supported by the British Society of Master Glass Painters @bsmgp. This award shines a spotlight on the next generation of talent pioneering this luminous heritage craft. 🎨🌈
✨ Who are we looking for?
This award celebrates an early-career heritage craftsperson (in the first five years of their professional practice) who has made an outstanding start to their stained glass career. We want to celebrate someone who is not only highly skilled but is also raising the profile of stained glass through sharing their passion and artistry. This includes practitioners in:
• Stained glass window making
• Traditional glass painting
• Stained glass conservation and repair
🏆 The Prize
The winner will receive a £1,000 cash prize and will be celebrated at a high-profile Winners’ Reception in November 2026. Plus, we are also running similar awards in crafts, such as building crafts and metalwork, with additional prizes of £1,000 provided by SPAB, Lucy and Laurence Butcher and others.
📅 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/emerging-stained-glass-maker-of-the-year-award/.
📷 2025 bursary recipient Kerrie Hanna by Kate Donaldson
#heritagecrafts #stainedglass #glasspainting #stainedglassconservation #heritagecraftsawards
This week’s #mondaymaker is Nicholas Rowe – wood turner.
Nicholas’s artistic woodturning practice draws inspiration from the bark, grain, imperfections and distinctive features in green/wet, seasoned and reclaimed wood he sources locally.
Deciding initially what form enables the best appreciation of the natural material’s visual and tactile qualities, Nicholas often alters the final form to respect hidden voids, cracks, spalting lines or grain ripples that reveal themselves whilst turning.
These features may pose challenges that others shy away from but he continues to hone the skills required to incorporate them as they are true to the material’s character and uniqueness.
View Nicholas’ full profile on our Makers’ Directory: https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/maker/nicholasrowe/
#heritagecrafts #mondaymaker #woodturning
Do you know a master craftsperson whose dedication has stood the test of time? 🧶✂️🪚
The Lifetime Achievement award, supported by @marshawards, recognises a heritage craftsperson who has demonstrated an outstanding contribution to their specific craft over 25 years or more.
It celebrates a lifetime’s dedication to a particular traditional skill, resulting in a practitioner operating at the highest level, having made a significant impact on the continued high-esteem in which their craft is held.
🏆 The prize
The winner will receive a £1,000 cash prize and will be celebrated at a high-profile Winners’ Reception in November 2026. We will also award a Trainer of the Year and Maker of the Year Awards, each with prizes of £1,000 provided by the Marsh Charitable Trust and others.
📅 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/lifetime-achievement-award/
📷 2025 finalist Mick Gregory @soanebritain
#heritagecrafts #traditionalcraft #heritagecraftsawards #lifetimeachievement
#matchMAKER opportunity!
Apprentice Craft Technician: Ceramics
Location: Stoke-On-Trent
Emma Bridgewater makes lovely, useful things that help capture moments of joy. From a favourite mug to a well-loved plate or bowl, the pieces they create become part of everyday life and the stories people tell.
The vacancy is for an Apprentice Craft Technician: Ceramics. This is a hands-on role working within an active ceramics factory. The successful applicant will be trained across many aspects of pottery/ceramics production, including:
• Learning and understanding materials
• Design and production techniques
• Finishing and packaging of goods
You will also be placed on a Level 3 Craft Technician: Ceramics apprenticeship. You will be required to attend training with Creative Alliance and partner organisations throughout the 18 months of the course. Successful completion of the programme is expected to lead to the opportunity for a permanent role, offering long-term career progression within the organisation.
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.
📣 Come and work for us! We are currently seeking a new Membership Officer (0.8 FTE, working from home). 🧶💻
⏰ Deadline: Friday 17 April 2026, 5pm
Heritage Crafts is the national charity set up to support, safeguard and celebrate traditional craft skills across the UK. We are seeking an enthusiastic, self-motivated and highly organised Membership Officer to join our small but dedicated team.
This is a critical role where you will act as the face of the organisation for our members, growing our community of makers and enthusiasts, and ensuring they receive an exceptional experience. Through managing our Makers Directory, sending regular communications, and coordinating real-world events and online communities, your work will directly contribute to the sustainability of the UK’s most precious heritage skills.
If you are a brilliant communicator with a flair for administration and a passion for craft, we would love to receive your application.
⬇️ Download the application pack at https://www.heritagecrafts.org.uk/vacancies/ or via the linktr.ee in our bio.
📋 Shortlisting will be based on the application form alone – CVs will not be accepted.
This week’s #craftfocus is silk ribbon making.
Coventry was the main centre of ribbon production in England from the early 1700s to the 1860s. During this period about half its population made a living from ribbon weaving.
Silk ribbons are now specialist products for a variety of markets including medal ribbons (military, sports etc) and costume (film, TV and increasingly re-enactment). Menswear (braces) is also a key market and would have been one of the original uses for narrow weaving.
Ribbons are usually made on a narrow loom. These can range from historic jacquard looms to modern computerised looms. Toye, Kenning & Spencer use a punch card jacquard loom dating back to 1801 for making ceremonial ribbons as well as modern mechanised looms. At Whitchurch Silk Mill ribbons are woven on a broadloom and cut into ribbons.
Silk ribbon making is classified as critically endangered on our Red List of Endangered Crafts. Threats to the craft include the fact that looms require a substantial footprint, with affordable premises difficult to find. Machinery is very expensive and there is very little available second hand, so the cost of entry is very high. With far fewer haberdashery shops, silk ribbons are a niche market and have to compete with cheaper synthetic imports.
https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/craft/silk-ribbon-making/
Images: Robert Ely @papilionaceouspuresilk
#heritagecrafts #craftfocus #silkribbonmaking #ribbonweaving
Weaving is one of our most fundamental craft practices, and we are looking to celebrate the next generation of talent leading it into the future. We are thrilled to announce that nominations are now OPEN for the Emerging Weaver of the Year Award 2026 supported by @roseuniacke.
✨ Who are we looking for?
This award celebrates an early-career heritage craftsperson (in the first five years of their professional practice) who has made an outstanding start to their weaving career. We are looking for a maker who:
• Demonstrates a high level of technical skill.
• Raises the profile of weaving through sharing what they do.
• Shows the grit and dedication to achieve long-term success.
🏆 The Prize
The winner will receive a £1,000 cash prize and will be celebrated at a high-profile Winners’ Reception in November 2026. Plus, we are also running similar awards in crafts, such as embroidery and upholstery, with additional prizes of £1,000 provided by the Broderers’ Company, House of Sonnaz and others.
📅 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/emerging-weaver-of-the-year/.
📷 2025 winner @leonie.textiles
#heritagecrafts #weaving #textiles #handwoven #heritagecraftsawards
