A voice for craft
The national charity for heritage craft skills
Supporting craft heritage
We are the national charity set up to celebrate, support and safeguard traditional craft skills, and to facilitate a national conversation about their importance to everyone now and in the future.
We are passionate about ensuring that everyone has access to craft skills that have developed over generations, and which we believe will be vital in helping us tackle the challenges of the future – and to be able to enjoy making as part of a fulfilled life.
Our Patron is His Majesty King Charles III.
Latest stories
Heritage Crafts and Soane Britain launch matchMAKER
Craft skills remain under threat with 20 new additions to the Red List of Endangered Crafts
Trejayne in Conversation
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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, publishing the Red List of Endangered Crafts, and distributing 66 grants through the Endangered Crafts Fund. 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.
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.
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#matchMAKER opportunity!
Sewing apprentice (2 places)
Deadline: 14 July 2025
Senator International in Altham are recruiting for a Sewing Apprentice. The successful candidate will work towards completing a Level 2 Sewing Machinist apprenticeship over the duration of 18 months.
Visit #matchMAKER via the linktr.ee in our bio to find out more.
#matchMAKER is the online platform for work-based training and entry-level employment opportunities hosted by @heritagecrafts and supported by @soanebritain.
#matchMAKER opportunity!
Heritage Stonemason Apprentice (2 places)
Deadline: 1 July 2025.
Join Stone Edge as a Heritage Stonemason Apprentice and learn the specialist skills needed to restore and conserve historic buildings. You will gain hands-on experience working with traditional materials, developing craftsmanship that will preserve heritage sites for future generations. You will be working towards a Level 2 stonemasonry qualification.
Visit #matchMAKER via the linktr.ee in our bio to find out more.
#matchMAKER is the online platform for work-based training and entry-level employment opportunities hosted by @heritagecrafts and supported by @soanebritain.
This week’s #craftfocus is passementrie.
Passementerie is the making of elaborate trimmings such as tassels, braids, gold or silver cord, fringing or edgings for clothing or furnishings.
Skills involved in passementerie comprise dyeing, cord-spinning, weaving and tassel-making, which are coordinated to produce mainly bespoke work.
Dyeing – although usually carried out in independent dye workshops, the dyeing of silk yarn to match the furnishing fabrics on which the trimmings are to be mounted is integral to the design of the end product.
Cord-spinning – whereby component parts used in weaving and tassel-making are produced. The cord-spinner produces ropes, cords and gimps which can be immensely complex, and it is this aspect of passementerie which is most at risk, as it can only be learned by watching and following an already skilled craftsperson.
Weaving – bands, braids and fringes of a range of different formations are woven on a ‘trimmings’, ‘ribbon’ or ‘narrow’ loom.
Tassel-making – the making of tassels and tassel tie-backs, usually using a wooden mould in the centre and covered with silk or other threads, and with gimps and bullions made by the cord-spinner, and often made to co-ordinate with the woven trimmings. The tassel-maker, like the weaver, attaches handmade ‘hangers’, ‘drops’ and ‘jasmines’.
Passementerie is classified as endangered on our crafts list. Increasingly, passementerie is manufactured in greater quantities on power machinery by large manufacturers, and in many countries. While there is still a place for handmade pieces, the market is small, with competition between companies.
Training is often done in-house, without any system of qualification or professional recognition. Cord-spinning is considered the most at risk element and many practitioners are reaching retirement age.
Images: Elizabeth Ashdown @ashdowntextiles
#heritagecrafts #craftfocus #passementerie
#matchMAKER opportunity!
Furniture Making Operative Apprentice
Deadline: 16 June 2025
This is a fantastic opportunity to join the team at Collin’s Bespoke, a quality cabinetry making company, which includes designing kitchens and other interiors. Learning valuable skills from specialised craftsmen to lead on to a successful career in the carpentry industry.
For nearly 30 years, Nick Collins has been designing and making bespoke cabinetry. Collins Bespoke was borne from Nick’s passion for bespoke interiors, and is where his craftsmanship has been nurtured, refined and shared. The Collins Bespoke team is an array of skilled crafts-people, mostly trained in-house: from designing, planning and templating; to finishing, assembling and installing.
Visit #matchMAKER via the linktr.ee in our bio to find out more.
#matchMAKER is the online platform for work-based training and entry-level employment opportunities hosted by @heritagecrafts and supported by @soanebritain.
This week’s #mondaymaker is Kitty Griffiths – a bespoke goldsmith, working with precious metals.
Kitty studied a Metalwork and Jewellery degree at Sheffield Hallam University, where her love for metal began. Kitty works with colourful diamonds and carved gemstones, using traditional but playful stone setting styles to create a free spirited twist on classic fine jewellery. Since graduating in 2013, Kitty has worked within the trade for a number of bespoke jewellers and designers. Honing her skills and knowledge, Kitty has set up her own business and brand, ‘Kitty Griffiths Jewellery’, based in Brighton.
#heritagecrafts #mondaymaker #goldsmithining #jewellerymaking
Heritage Crafts’ Marquee of Endangered Crafts at @craftfestival Bovey Tracey featured on BBC Spotlight on Friday. Come and join us on Saturday and Sunday and find out more!
#matchMAKER opportunity!
Leather Craftsperson Apprentice (3 places)
Deadline: 18 July 2025
Established in Somerset in 1971, Mulberry has grown to be the largest maker of luxury leather goods in the United Kingdom. With a contemporary take on British heritage and a focus on responsible craft, its ambition is to create progressive luxury, which is made to last.
Mulberry is looking to recruit enthusiastic and committed apprentices with a desire to learn about this exciting industry! Apprentices will learn and understand the end-to-end process of how leather is produced and the manufacturing processes required to produce our luxury handbags whilst studying with Bridgwater College once a week.
Visit #matchMAKER via the linktr.ee in our bio to find out more.
#matchMAKER is the online platform for work-based training and entry-level employment opportunities hosted by @heritagecrafts and supported by @soanebritain.
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