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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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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
#matchMAKER opportunity!
Trainee Memorial Mason
Location: Blaydon, Gateshead
Joseph Richmond & Sons is a respected family business established in 1979. Specialising in handcrafted memorials and known for their bespoke designs, care, craftsmanship and personal service. As their business continues to grow, they are looking for a dedicated Trainee Memorial Mason to join their close-knit team and learn a meaningful, skilled trade.
In the role of Trainee Memorial Mason, you will learn:
• All aspects of the craft, including working with stone using both traditional and modern techniques including engraving and decorative design
• Memorial installation and renovation.
• How to use workshop machinery and hand tools safely.
No previous experience required – just the right attitude.
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.
Community catalysts are committed to widening access to heritage crafts, and their way of working creates a groundswell of enthusiasm that brings others along with them. If you have done something like this in the last 12 months, please consider applying for this year’s Community Catalyst of the Year Award, supported by @marshawards. Or if you know someone else who might deserve the award, why not nominate them?
🏆 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, Trainee of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award, each with prizes of £1,000 provided by the Marsh Charitable Trust.
📅 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/community-catalyst-of-the-year/
📷 2025 winner @lauren_broxton
#heritagecrafts #traditionalcraft #heritagecraftsawards #communitycatalyst
This week’s #mondaymaker is Debbie Randall @ceramicsdr – ceramics maker.
Debbie graduated from Camberwell College of Arts in 1998 and has been passionately engaged in wheel-thrown ceramics ever since.
Her work, crafted from porcelain and smooth white stoneware, draws inspiration from the classic forms of Korea, China and Japan. In addition to creating one-of-a-kind sculptural pieces, she has collaborated on tableware commissions for both restaurants and private clients.
Additionally, Debbie offers personalised one-on-one throwing lessons for those interested in developing their skills.
View Debbie’s full profile on our Makers’ Directory: https://www.instagram.com/ceramicsdr/
#heritagecrafts #mondaymaker #ceramics #pottery
It takes a special eye and a skilled hand to breathe new life into furniture, and we want to celebrate the next generation of talent doing exactly that! Nominations are now OPEN for the Emerging Upholsterer of the Year Award 2026, supported by @house_of_sonnaz. 🛋️🪡🧵✂️🔨
✨ 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 upholstery career. We are looking for a maker who:
• Demonstrates a high level of technical skill.
• Raises the profile of upholstery 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 weaving and embroidery, with additional prizes of £1,000 provided by Rose Uniacke, the Broderers’ Company 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-upholsterer-of-the-year/
#heritagecrafts #upholstery #softfurnishing #modernupholstery #traditionalcraft @sonnaz_
Have you been watching this series of BBC Repair Shop on the Road? Presented by Heritage Crafts Ambassador @williamkirkrestoration along with @dominicchinea and the rest of the team (including Heritage Crafts Trustee and scissor maker Jonathan Reid), the series has featured Heritage Crafts members @fantheglorywithtori, @buddyollie, @juliegurrwillowweaver, @themarchmontworkshop, @dockyard.chatham and more!
Catch up on BBC iPlayer.
Are you (or is someone you know) the future of heritage crafts? The Heritage Crafts Trainee of the Year Award, supported by @marshawards, is now open for nominations!
Traditional skills only survive if we have dedicated people willing to learn them. Whatever craft you are learning, we want to celebrate your journey.
🔍 Who can be nominated?
Nominees could be on a formal apprenticeship scheme, a less formal traineeship, an institution-based course with a high degree of practical training, or even be pursuing ‘portfolio-style’ training comprising of short-courses and workshops, as long as training has formed a significant part of at least twelve months prior to applying.
🏆 The Prize
The winner will receive a £1,000 prize and will be celebrated at a high-profile Winners’ Reception in November 2026. Plus, we will award a Trainer of the Year Award for the best craft teacher, also currently open for nominations.
📅 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/trainee-of-the-year/. Let’s make sure these vital skills continue to inspire and thrive! 🧶🏺🔨
📷 2025 winner @ash.appadu with trainer @buddyollie
#heritagecrafts #crafttraining #crafttrainee #craftapprentice #craftskills
