Our Partners

This week’s #mondaymaker is Carla Sealy @nakedclayceramics – an Environmental Scientist who changed careers to be a multidisciplinary artist, currently working as a ceramic artist. Carla’s collection ‘Naked Clay Ceramics’ features both functional and sculptural vessels celebrating the tactility of unglazed fired clay. Working from a studio in Bedfordshire, Carla uses a combination of handbuilding and slip casting, producing pieces with minimal glaze to honour the feel of natural, fired clay. Carla also teaches workshops and participates in selling events around the country.

If you want to read an exclusive interview on Carla’s work, become a member of Heritage Crafts and read more in the members portal: https://www.heritagecrafts.org.uk/join-us/

#heritagecrafts #mondaymaker #ceramics #blackartisans

Over 29 days we will be profiling the recipients of our recent round of training bursaries.

Nicola James @secondspringjewellery, from Birmingham, began hobbying with mild steel and copper scraps, incorporating them into her first jewellery designs. She will attend courses at the School of Master Jewellers, Stirchley School of Jewellery, and the British Academy of Jewellery. Nicola has aspirations to run a small business and eventually hold creative workshops.

Nicola’s bursary is funded by the Newby Trust, set up to enable young people to access artistic and sporting activities, to nurture ability and talent, to improve the quality of life and health for disadvantaged groups, and to protect the environment.

Nicola said:
“I’m honoured to be receiving this bursary; beyond enabling me to build new creative relationships and to learn from experienced craftspeople, this bursary has empowered and reassured me that it’s never too late to embark on a new adventure. I’m on a purposeful journey and would love to turn my craft into a full-time occupation and one day pay forward encouragement and support to other aspiring craftspeople.”

Over 29 days we will be profiling the recipients of our recent round of training bursaries.

Ziyaad Lorgat @firdosefinebindery, from Leicester, has begun to specialise in the repair and restoration of Islamic holy texts after being encouraged by members of his faith community. He will train in bookbinding with Tom McEwan and others. Ziyaad aims to become a skilled master bookbinder and eventually host bookbinding classes for others.

Ziyaad’s bursary is funded by the @cityandguildsfoundation. With a focus on high-impact social investment, recognition and advocacy programmes, the Foundation aims to support everyone to succeed, no matter who they are or where they come from.

Ziyaad said:
“I’m very grateful for having been selected for a Heritage Crafts bursary which will give me an opportunity to learn techniques and skills from master bookbinders, which would not be possible otherwise.”

Over 29 days we will be profiling the recipients of our recent round of training bursaries.

Cai Gwilym Roberts, from Powys, fell in love with the craft of blacksmithing while studying Engineering and Welding courses at Level 1 and 2. He will train one-to-one with master blacksmith @spikeblackhurst, while studying Level 3 Art Foundation in order to gain the necessary UCAS points to attain a place at Hereford College of Arts.

Cai’s bursary is funded by the Ashley Family Foundation, which supports a broad range of arts, community and social welfare projects in Wales, with a particular interest in supporting rural communities and environmental sustainability.

Cai said:
“Blacksmithing to me is the best way of combining a passion for metal work and artistic creativity. The award of the bursary in 2024 will enable me to train with an established artist blacksmith Spike Blackhurst once a month to learn new blacksmithing skills and techniques. She will also show me the process of creating products by combining forging and welding while applying artistic knowledge… Following my studies I intend to travel as a journeyman to learn from more experienced blacksmiths, and then return to rural Wales to set up my own forge and business as a self-employed artist blacksmith.”

This week’s #craftfocus is millinery.

Millinery embraces the design and making of many forms of hats and headwear worn on all occasions. It includes those made for theatre, film and TV. Traditionally associated with the making of hats for women, milliners now make hats for everyone using a wide variety of materials.

Historically, the UK has had a large and very reputable hat manufacturing industry, though in the 1990s it was badly affected by cheaper foreign imports. The following decade resulted in the collapse of many companies.

However, due to the talent and tenacity of the British, the UK has since become the world’s leader of high fashion, particularly in millinery, with exquisite designs, made in small ateliers and workshops.

Several measures can improve the viability of the craft, including a reduction in college fees, increased awareness of the industry in schools and colleges and the introduction of apprenticehips which are inexpensive to operate – as well as greater support to the British Hat Guild.

Images: Shandana de la Riviere Gruber @millinerybyshandana

#heritagecrafts #craftfocus #millinery #hatmaking

Over 29 days we will be profiling the recipients of our recent round of training bursaries.

Tobias Wright, from Norwich, is currently working as a building site labourer while saving money to train as a stonemason. He will train on the Stonemasonry Heritage Course at the Building Crafts College in London. After completing the course, Tobias plans to follow the tradition of the journeyman, travelling and working in his craft across Europe for three years, before establishing himself as a stonemason in the UK.

Tobias’ bursary is funded by the Newby Trust, set up to enable young people to access artistic and sporting activities, to nurture ability and talent, to improve the quality of life and health for disadvantaged groups, and to protect the environment.

Tobias said:
“Without funding from Heritage Crafts it would not have been possible for me to start this course. I have a passion for this craft and some prior experience, but need the right qualifications and proper training to become commercially viable stonemason. This funding allows me to focus completely on the one year of training and also purchase good boots, work clothes and PPE.”

Over 29 days we will be profiling the recipients of our recent round of training bursaries.

Marcia Vidal @marciavidaljewellery, from London, is a jewellery maker who wishes to develop her silversmithing practice in order to produce larger sculptural forms. She will train one-to-one with Russell Lownsbrough and Charlotte Desyllas, to be able to create highly sculptural pieces of wearable art, where the sculpted lines of the cast gold meld with the carved gemstones.

Marcia’s bursary is funded by the @cityandguildsfoundation. With a focus on high-impact social investment, recognition and advocacy programmes, the Foundation aims to support everyone to succeed, no matter who they are or where they come from.

Marcia said:
“I’m so excited and honoured to receive this bursary to enable me to study one-to-one with two masters of their craft, which will have such a massive impact on my ability to progress in my work. As a predominantly self-taught jeweller, it can take a while to figure out the best way to go about fabricating designs when working with a new technique (currently wax carving for me) and I know that studying with Russell and Charlotte will give me a much deeper understanding of the sculpting process and stimulate my imagination in new ways”

Over 29 days we will be profiling the recipients of our recent round of training bursaries.

Celina Sawicka @cgs_ceramics, from Leicestershire, set up a small studio in her mother’s shed, originally as a safe space to find some peace, and has since discovered her talent for pottery. She will attend classes at Coombe Farm Studios and Whichford Pottery. Celina’s short-term plan is to set up her own business, before gaining enough experience to share her skills with others.

Celina’s bursary is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and made possible by money raised by National Lottery players.

Celina said:
“Being awarded the Heritage Crafts training bursary is a huge step forwards for me and my pottery journey. Not only will I be able to learn from highly-skilled ceramicists, but I will also have access to the tools and space I need to develop my practice and explore my potential. I am immensely grateful for this opportunity and excited for what the future has in store”