The Red List
of Endangered Crafts
The Heritage Crafts Red List of Endangered Crafts, first published in 2017, was the first report of its kind to rank traditional crafts by the likelihood they would survive to the next generation, based on intangible cultural heritage safeguarding principles, led by Heritage Crafts, the only UK UNESCO-accredited NGO working primarily in the domain of traditional craftsmanship.
The list attracted extensive media coverage both in the UK and abroad, shining a light on heritage craft practices under threat from a number of identifiable issues. It is our hope that this research will act as a call to action to those who have it within their power to resolve or alleviate these issues, and that this project will mark the start of long-term monitoring of heritage craft viability and a shared will to avoid the cultural loss that is borne each time a craft dies.
Heritage Crafts committed to updating the list on a regular basis, and so between September 2022 and May 2023 over 900 organisations and individuals were contacted directly by email and telephone and invited to contribute to the research. Participants were asked to provide background information about each craft, such as its history, techniques and local forms, as well as current information relating to the number of skilled craftspeople and trainees, and the ongoing issues affecting the viability of the craft. In May 2023 the fourth edition was published, increasing the number of crafts examined to 259, with five new critically endangered crafts and 17 new endangered crafts added.
Each craft was then classified into one of four categories of endangerment using a combination of both objective criteria (such as numbers of crafts people and trainees) and subjective criteria (issues affecting the future viability of the craft including training opportunities and market trends). Issues affecting the viability of heritage crafts vary on a craft-by-craft basis, though many can be grouped, and possible solutions devised that will help many crafts practices become more viable.
For the purposes of this research, a heritage craft is defined as ‘a practice which employs manual dexterity and skill and an understanding of traditional materials, design and techniques, and which has been practised for two or more successive generations’. The research focuses on craft practices which are taking place in the UK at the present time, including those crafts which have originated elsewhere, and on those aspects of each craft with a high reliance on hand-work and which involve high levels of hand skill.
If you have any queries about the research, are aware of a heritage craft that is not listed, or have further information to add about any craft, please contact [email protected].
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This week`s #craftfocus is bookbinding.
Bookbinding is the assembling and fixing of the loose leaves of a book between a cover, either by gluing or stitching.
Techniques have altered throughout the centuries. The differentiation in materials, binding technique and style of the book may help make it possible to trace the date and origin of the book. Perfect binding was introduced to bookbinding in 1931: a form of binding books with glue instead of sewing.
Cold glues were first used in perfect binding until a ‘hot-melt adhesive’ was used to bind books, making the binding last longer than cold glue binding.
Binding systems excelled after the Second World War. Spiral binding had been in evidence since the 1920s, but it was not until later that this technique became an important part of office stationary.
While bookbinding is currently listed as viable on our list of crafts, threats to the practice include a lack of training facilities in the UK and the pulling of bookbinding courses at universities and colleges.
Those students in the UK who wish to become professionals have to pursue their training through short courses. Apprenticeships, traineeships and internships are few and far between.
Images: @boundbyhand
#heritagecrafts #craftfocus #bookbinding
If you are a weaver aged 25 and under who has done something to be proud of in the last 12 months, please consider applying for this year’s Young Weaver of the Year Award, a partnership between Heritage Crafts and @roseuniacke. Or if you know another young person who might deserve the award, why not nominate them?
There is a £1,000 prize for the winning entry to be presented at a high-profile Winners’ Reception in November.
To apply, complete the nomination form via the linktr.ee in our bio before the deadline of 5pm on Friday 6 September 2024.
📷 2023 winner @larapaintextiles
#membermoment #Repost @guernseywillowbaskets with @use.repost
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This week… meeting Their Majesties The King and Queen in Guernsey 🇬🇬
On Tuesday, my family and I had the wonderful opportunity to celebrate Guernsey’s heritage and traditions, with a visit from Their Majesties The King and Queen.
My Dad @gaudionmax was super-proud that his family had been invited to demonstrate crab pot and fishing basket making for the King and Queen, and the opportunity to show how this endangered craft is being continued by his family.
The King spoke to each of us (and to Dad for quite a while!) about our local heritage and the craft of making willow crab pots and fishing baskets. He was very interested and he encouraged my family to continue making and keep this heritage craft going. He then addressed the nearby crowd asking if they all owned a Guernsey basket!
What a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the island’s unique traditions, with a visit from the King and Queen.
My niece, Phoebe, was also invited to present The Queen with a posy of @jamblinflowerfarm flowers and a Petit Ponier (made by me!).
@lasocieteg, @letricoteur guernsey jumpers (as modelled by Phoebe), @guernsey.ice_cream and @rocquettecider were amongst the other participants on The Crown Pier meeting Their Majesties. My brother @timgaudionartist also displayed one of his amazing local paintings.
It was really nice to hear The King mention that he is Patron of @heritagecrafts. His enthusiasm for our willow craft was evident. 🙌
#royalvisit #kingcharlesiii #queencamilla #guernsey #guernseywillowbaskets #heritagecrafts #royalfamily #kingandqueen
If you are a building craftsperson or conservator aged 25 and under who has done something to be proud of in the last 12 months, please consider applying for the inaugural Young Building Craftsperson of the Year Award, a partnership between Heritage Crafts and @englishheritage.
Examples of eligible crafts include, but are not limited to, timber framing, stonemasonry, gauged brickwork, heritage tiling and many others.
Or if you know another young person who might deserve the award, why not nominate them? There is a £1,000 prize for the winning entry to be presented at a high-profile Winners’ Reception in November.
To apply, complete the nomination form via the linktr.ee in our bio before the deadline of 5pm on Friday 6 September 2024.
📷 2023 training bursary recipient @llechen_lan
Our #mondaymaker Ali Holloway is a hand weaver with over 35 years of experience. She makes one off woven pieces for exhibition or for commission. These are often generated from walks through particular landscapes exploring the traces left by human habitation on a particular terrain and also reflecting on the relationship between her body and these landscapes. Using mainly plant dyed yarns and natural fibres she strives to make pieces that are always exploring the possibilities of the craft and at the same time honouring its history and long traditions.
Dying is integral to her process and as well as space dying the yarn she uses she also will submerge an entire cone of yarn in a dye bath so that as this yarn is woven the colour gradually leeches out. As well as making her own work Ali also teaches weaving classes from her studio, in schools and other community venues.
Ali’s profile can be found on our maker’s directory: https://www.heritagecrafts.org.uk/maker/ali-holloway/
#heritagecrafts #mondaymaker #craft #weaver #weaving
If you are an upholsterer aged 25 and under who has done something to be proud of in the last 12 months, please consider applying for this year’s Young Upholsterer of the Year Award, a partnership between Heritage Crafts and @sonnaz_. Or if you know another young person who might deserve the award, why not nominate them?
There is a £1,000 prize for the winning entry to be presented at a high-profile Winners’ Reception in November.
To apply, complete the nomination form via the linktr.ee in our bio before the deadline of 5pm on Friday 6 September 2024.
This week`s #craftfocus is button making.
Needlework techniques are the most common method for making this type of button. Threads are wrapped, wrapped and woven, or stitched to create the many varied designs. The yarn is repeatedly bound over a disc or a ring. The process follows casting, slicking, laying and rounding.
Button making is currently listed as viable on our list of crafts. However, threats to the longevity of the craft include a lack of awareness, market issues, a dilution of skills and no universal standard for button making.
#heritagecrafts #craftfocus #buttonmaking
If you are a traditional woodworker aged 25 and under who has done something to be proud of in the last 12 months, please consider applying for this year’s Young Woodworker of the Year Award, a partnership between Heritage Crafts and @axminstertools. Or if you know another young person who might deserve the award, why not nominate them?
There is a £1,000 prize for the winning entry to be presented at a high-profile Winners’ Reception in November. Plus, we will also award an @axminstertools Woodworker of the Year Award, chosen from nominees of any age, with a prize of £2,000.
To apply, complete the nomination form via the linktr.ee in our bio before the deadline of 5pm on Friday 6 September 2024.
📷 2023 winner Harry Morris @htmorrisfurniture
