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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Wonderful evening of speeches in celebration of Living Legacies at @theleathersellers for @londoncraftweek.
What is a heritage craft? @maryeluned_craft talks about the history of the Red List of Endanger Crafts and its role in the future. Great thoughts for @londoncraftweek.
Thank you to our incredible speakers, none of this would be possible without you!
#heritagecrafts #londoncraftweek #redlistofendangeredcrafts
Our wonderful Trustee Jonathan Reid from @ernestwrightltd talking about the critically endangered craft of scissor making at our Living Legacies event at Leathersellers Hall for @londoncraftweek.
We could listen to our makers talk about their passion for their craft all day. ✂️
#scissormaking #heritagecrafts #londoncraftweek
Valeria Leonova @artvaleria talking about the endangered craft of petrykivka.
We’ve had so many of you coming through the doors and it’s been wonderful sharing heritage crafts with you.
#petrykivka #ukrainianfolkart
Devin Valentine @valentine_instruments speaking about Luthiery their time at @westdeancollege and the skill of bow making.
Come along to Leathersellers Hall and meet the makers – we’re here until 16.30.
#heritagecrafts #luthiery #endangeredcraft
James Ducker from @carreducker talking about shoemaking as part of Living Legacies exhibition at Leathersellers Hall as part of @londoncraftweek.
They’ve contributed two items to our @heritagecrafts auction which closes this evening. So get your bids in!
Come along and see some of the other speakers today.
The wonderful Jessica Light talking about passementerie at the Living Legacies exhibition at Leathersellers Hall.
We have a full line up of talks by our makers.
Auction Item 3: Bespoke handsewn shoes by @carreducker
The item:
This incredible commission offers the chance to design the bespoke shoes or boots of your dreams while uniquely supporting three endangered crafts: handsewn shoemaking, last making and oak bark tanning. Your custom footwear – ranging from sneakers to low boots with a maximum 1.5” (4cm) heel – will be built upon bespoke lasts crafted by Springline in Northampton. They will be constructed using the finest oak bark tanned leather from Devon’s historic Bakers tannery. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a wearable work of art and champion the vital survival of multiple at-risk heritage skills simultaneously.
The maker:
Your shoes will be masterfully created by Carréducker, one of London’s leading independent bespoke shoemakers. James Ducker and Deborah Carré retrained as handsewn shoemakers over 30 years ago, driven by a profound passion for the craft. Based in the iconic Oxo Tower near London’s historic Cordwainer Ward, they are dedicated champions of this heritage skill. Beyond crafting beautiful bespoke footwear, they actively share their expertise by teaching complete beginners the 200-plus steps required to make handsewn shoes. Their exceptional dedication was rightfully recognised when they won the Heritage Crafts Made in Britain Award.
The risk:
Handsewn shoemaking is officially classified as endangered on our Heritage Crafts Red List. While historic districts once thrived with artisans, the craft now faces severe threats from mass-produced imports, prohibitive material costs and a critical shortage of professional-grade hand tools. Crucially, this lot also supports last making and oak bark leather tanning, both of which face their own distinct survival pressures in a mechanised world. If we lose these dedicated makers and traditional suppliers, we lose centuries of distinctively British sartorial heritage and the incomparable standard of authentic custom craftsmanship.
Bid before 7.30pm tomorrow (Wednesday 13 May) at https://uk.givergy.com/heritagecrafts/. Proceeds to the makers and Heritage Crafts’ work to safeguard at-risk skills.
📷 @jonny.shoots
