A voice for craft

Over 35 posts we are profiling the recipients of our latest round of training bursaries.

Jasmine Harper-Jones @jasmineharperjones, from East Sussex, has a background in ceramics and glass and currently works as an FE college art and design technician. Her bursary will fund a series of intensive one-to-one training visits with prestige artist Lee Price at @duchesschina1888 in Stoke-on-Trent, focusing on traditional on-glaze painting, raised paste and enamel jewelling.

Jasmine’s bursary is supported by the Dulverton Trust.

Jasmine said: “I am so pleased and feel very fortunate to have received a Heritage Crafts training bursary. This will enable me to continue working with historical Duchess China 1888 works, in the heart of The Potteries, with Prestige Artist Lee Price. I will be able to combine my painting skills with the craft of onglaze decoration and develop our collaborative work.”

📷 @robertwadephotography

Over 35 posts we are profiling the recipients of our latest round of training bursaries.

Matthew James @friend_of_lime, from Swansea, runs Gower Limework and is an SPAB Fellow with experience in heritage plastering and traditional building conservation. His bursary will fund an intensive one-week Level 1 course in lead welding and bossing at the @leadsheettrainingacademy, along with essential leadworking toolkits.

Matthew’s bursary is supported by the @ashley_family_foundation_4321.

Matthew said: “It’s an opportunity to turn working with your hands to the next level… with guidance and practice comes confidence.”

Over 35 posts we are profiling the recipients of our latest round of training bursaries.

Henrietta Lawrence Van Pooss @_hlvp, from Kent, has gained extensive volunteering experience in heritage conservation with the National Trust and completed an intensive marble sculpting internship in Athens. Her bursary will contribute towards tuition fees for the two-year combined Level 2 and Level 3 Stonemasonry course at the @buildingcraftscollege in London.

Henrietta’s bursary is supported by the @cityandguildsfoundation.

Henrietta said: “Securing this funding is an exciting and meaningful step in helping me continue my journey into stonemasonry and heritage conservation. Through volunteering, unpaid placements and travelling long distances, I have worked hard to build hands-on experience, and this funding will give me the chance to gain a specialist qualification and progress my career.

"Representation is also so important in heritage craft, and as a woman of Black and mixed heritage entering a traditionally male-dominated field, I hope my journey can help inspire greater visibility and show others that heritage craft is an achievable and rewarding career path.”

Over 35 posts we are profiling the recipients of our latest round of training bursaries.

Amar Grewal @amarthemaker, from Middlesex, transitioned into ceramics following a career in hospitality and has spent time volunteering alongside professional potters to develop his making skills. His bursary will contribute towards tuition fees for the two-year Diploma in Ceramics at @claycollegestoke, focusing on production throwing, hand-building, glaze formulation and kiln firing.

Amar’s bursary is supported by the @cityandguildsfoundation.

Amar said: “To be part of the millennia-old ceramics tradition feels like such a privilege and responsibility. With Heritage Crafts and City & Guilds’ support and guidance, I am able to make the most of the full-time training at Clay College Stoke, which will give me the strongest possible foundation for life as a potter.”

📷 @madebytrosh and @todays_tipple

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 supported 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 supported 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 supported 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