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 advocated for UK ratification of the 2003 UNESCO Convention of the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which was announced by the UK Government in December 2023.
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
Craft inspiration direct to your inbox
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Our #mondaymaker Kevin Gauld @the_orkney_furniture_maker creates traditional Orkney Chairs alongside furniture design and basket making. If you want to read an exclusive interview on Kevin and his work, become a member of Heritage Crafts and read more in the members portal: https://www.heritagecrafts.org.uk/join-us/
#heritagecrafts #mondaymaker #furniture #basketry
Join us at @nationaltrust Buscot and Coleshill Heritage and Rural Skills Centre on Friday 20 September for CONSERVATE, bringing together industry professionals in craft, conservation, and rural skills to explore the sustainability of heritage crafts. With a keynote talk by Heritage Crafts’ Head of Craft Sustainability Mary Lewis, topics for the day include education and wellbeing, plus there will be live demonstrations from master craftspeople.
Booking via the linktr.ee in our bio.
This week’s #craftfocus is kilt making.
The kilt started off as a blanket-like garment that was folded at the back, held at the waist with a belt with the remainder of the cloth falling back or wrapped around the shoulders /over the head for protection.
Tartan was originally regional and recognisable by the colours derived from local plants that were used to dye it with.
Kilts are associated with Scottish Highland dancing, with Scottish pipe bands, with the military and is the traditional dress for weddings and other celebrations. The kilt is an icon of Scottish culture and heritage.
Techniques include:
Measuring the customer and calculating the bespoke pleat width, front and back apron size and shape
Pleating the cloth/tartan either to the stripe or sett
Creating a pleat design, either knife, box, military roll or Kinguissie form
Transferring measurements to cloth
Hand sewing pleats (using invisible stitching) a fringe on the front apron
Cutting the pleats to reduce bulk
Reinforcing the pleats with canvas
Calculating the placement of the buckles and straps
Sewing belt/sporran loops and making chapes (fabric pieces that hold the buckle onto the cloth)
Lining part of the inside with cotton
A variety of hand sewing stitches are used for the different processes
Images: Edinburgh Kiltmakers Academy @edinburghkiltmakersacademy and Auld Alliance Kiltmakers @a.kiltmakers.journey
#heritagecrafts #craftfocus #kiltmaking
We are glad to be joining @wealddownmuseum for their popular Made By Hand weekend on 14 to 15 September, dedicated to exploring and preserving heritage crafts and skills from the past.
Over the weekend there will be demonstrations of some of the many rural crafts and skills practiced at the Museum alongside visiting Heritage Crafts members who will showcase crafts from the Red List of Historic Endangered Crafts. @catherinebeaumont_basketmaker @ministryofstraw @seaview_studio @paulhenrykilts @osbornesigns @jaxysmiff
https://www.wealddown.co.uk/events/made-by-hand-heritage-crafts/ or via the linktr.ee in our bio
Our #mondaymaker (s) this week are Shannon Bye @s.bye.design, Heritage Weaving Manager, and Be Agnew be_agnew, Trainee Weaver Tackler, at @whitchurchsilkmill Both work at one of the last silk mills in the UK. If you want to read about their craft experience in a unique interview with teacher and student perspectives, become a member of Heritage Crafts and read more in the member portal at www.heritagecrafts.org.uk/join-us/.
#heritagecrafts #mondaymaker #weaving #silk
Heritage Crafts founding Chair @robinwoodcraft MBE and @jojowoodcraft in today’s Guardian:
“Axes are being forged in Sheffield again for the first time in decades, after a father-and-daughter team revived the city’s lost tradition … Toolmaking has declined drastically in Sheffield over the past 40 years and the Woods believe that consumers have become frustrated with cheap, poor-quality tools and are now prepared to pay for something well made, produced locally, and that will last for generations.”
Read more via the linktr.ee in our bio.
Do you know a talented craftsperson who deserves recognition? This is your chance to shine a light on their incredible work! Nominations for the prestigious Heritage Crafts Awards are closing next Friday, and we need YOU to help us celebrate the masters and rising stars of traditional crafts.
Award categories currently open:
• Precious Metalworker of the Year @royalmintuk
• Woodworker of the Year @axminstertools
• Fashion and Textile Maker of the Year @costume_society
• Leatherworker of the Year @leather_uk
• Potter of the Year
• Young Woodworker of the Year @axminstertools
• Young Metalworker of the Year @lucyloo37
• Young Leatherworker of the Year @theleathersellers
• Young Building Craftsperson of the Year @englishheritage
• Young Upholsterer of the Year @sonnaz_
• Young Weaver of the Year @roseuniacke
• Young Embroiderer of the Year
Nominate today and be part of a movement that keeps our craft traditions alive for generations to come. Click the linktr.ee in our bio to submit your nomination before it’s too late! Or why not nominate yourself?
#HeritageCrafts #Craftsmanship #SupportArtisans #TraditionMeetsTalent @benchpeg @thegoldsmithscompany @mastercarvers @furnituremakerscompany @craftpotters @theleachpottery @britishartistblacksmiths @spab1877 @cwfcathedrals @historicengland @nationaltrust @the_amusf @guildswsd @royalneedlework @embroiderersguildukofficial
Please do join us at @craftfestival Wales at the magnificent Cardigan Castle on the weekend of 6 to 8 September where we’ll be hosting a Marquee of Heritage Crafts, including shoe maker @ruthemilydavey, basketmakers @rosiefarey and Mandy Coates, marbler @rocworxdesigns and sign painter and puppet maker @andrewgrundon.
Booking via the linktr.ee in our bio.
