Crafted at Decorex 2011: 25th-28th September

Tue 23 Aug 2011

Crafted will be exhibiting at Decorex for the second year running. At Decorex 2011 Crafted will be on stand E161 showcasing the work of seven of the programme participants:

Alex Ramsay (Silverware & Interiors)
Breanish Tweed (Handwoven Tweed)
Chris Keenan (Ceramics)
Gareth Neal (Furniture Design)
Kelvyn Laurence Smith (Letterpress Typography)
Margo Selby (Textiles & Interiors)
Wayne Victor Meeten (Gold & Silverware)

In addition, Crafted is hosting ‘Pecha Kucha: Inspirations from Crafted’ as part of the Decorex 2011 Seminar Programme. Crafted mentor Bill Amberg will introduce the craftsmen from the Crafted programme exhibiting at Decorex – from silversmiths to weavers, ceramicists to letterpress printers – and each will share a unique insight into the practices and processes involved in their craft. In this rapid- fire, ‘Pecha Kucha’ session you will discover just how much skill and expertise is involved in such fine craftsmanship, after which you can join the makers on stand E161 and view their work.

Decorex International 2011 is a trade show bringing together a renowned selection of handpicked exhibitors, showcasing a unique display of exclusive, design-led interior products. Decorex is open to the consumer public for one day only: Tuesday 27th September, 1.00-7.00pm

Drop by and say hello! Book your tickets online at www.decorex.com.

Press release available for download.

Calling all craftsmen: applications for Crafted 2012 now open

Fri 29 Jul 2011
We are delighted to announce that the applications for the third year of the Crafted programme are now open.

Up to 12 craft entrepreneurs will be selected to take part in the Crafted mentoring project. They will be mentored by one expert from the luxury industry, have access to a range of industry experts with specialist skills through the Crafted Advice Bank and attend a series of six workshops about key business skills such as strategic planning, marketing, IP and brand protection and trade and export. In addition, we provide opportunities to profile and showcase the craft makers; for example a Crafted stand at The Walpole British Luxury Press Day, Decorex, and an annual debate at London Design Festival.

Applicants will each need to complete an application form to be submitted to Piers Lawson (piers.lawson@thewalpole.co.uk) at Walpole by Friday 19th August 2011 with a Curriculum Vitae, financial accounts for each year of trading, copies of any media coverage and a minimum of six images of their products across two bodies of work.

We welcome applications from all who meet with the eligibility criteria - please check that you are eligible before applying.

The application form and selection process/eligibility criteria documents are available for download from today. Please follow this link to download both documents.

We look forward to receiving your applications!

Crafted at The Walpole British Luxury Press Day 2011

Thu 07 Jul 2011


Crafted exhibited the work of all ten of the programme’s 2010-11 participants at The Walpole British Luxury Press Day in the beautiful setting of London’s Somerset House on Thursday 30th June.

Alongside the exquisitely hand crafted silverware, ceramics, textiles and millinery of the craftsmen on the programme, Jacqueline Cullen previewed her new ‘Luxe’ range, incorporating black and champagne diamonds in her Whitby jet jewellery line, whilst Gareth Neal showed ‘Love Seat’ – a fine wooden piece created entirely by man power using the traditional process of bodging.

The programme is now launching for the third year running. The applications, initial selection process and final judging will take place over July, August and the early part of September before the participants in the 2011-12 programme are announced in October. For information on applications for Crafted 2011-12 please contact:

Piers Lawson - Events & Special Projects, Walpole
piers.lawson@thewalpole.co.uk

Film: The Balvenie Masters of Craft

Thu 07 Jul 2011

The Balvenie Masters of Craft from The Balvenie on Vimeo.

Crafted's Big Win at The Balvenie Masters of Crafts Awards

Thu 02 Jun 2011

Crafted's importance to supporting the leading craft talent in the UK was underlined last night as four of its participants collected awards for their work at The Balvenie Masters of Craft awards ceremony at The Connaught.

The awards, judged by a panel of experts including TV presenter Kevin McCloud, celebrate the brightest and best craftsmanship in the UK across six discipline categories, alongside an award for your craftsmen and an overall winner. Winners who have benefited from Crafted's mentoring and business support included:

- Deborah Carre, bespoke shoemaker, carreducker (Winner; Leather)
- Iain Finlay Macleod, weaver, Breanish Tweed (Winner; Textiles)
- Jacqueline Cullen, jeweller (Winner; Stone)
- Wayne Meeten, silversmith (Winner; Metal)

For more information please download the full press release from our resources area.

A Crafted Royal Wedding Gift!

Sat 07 May 2011

We're delighted to be able to announce that Crafted had a place at the Royal Wedding gift table!

Crafted mentee Rauni Higson was commissioned by the people of Berkshire, via the Lady Lieutenant of the Royal County to make this stunning silver dish, with an engraving of her interpretation of the emblem of Berkshire; a stag encircled by an oak tree.

Congratulations both to the happy couple and the spectacularly gifted Rauni.

The Balvenie Masters of Craft Awards - Enter now! Deadline 21st April

Mon 28 Mar 2011

The Balvenie Masters of Craft awards highlights the wealth of often-hidden talent in the craft sector - those working in any medium from metal, leather, wood and stone, to glass, ceramics, textiles and even food and drink. Crafted and its partners feels passionately about preserving the skills of these very people, and we urge you to enter, or nominate a candidate for this year's awards.

The deadline is 21st April 2011 and you can download the entry form from the resources section on our website.

Good luck!

Crafted launches its second year: ten craft businesses selected to work with top names in luxury

Fri 04 Feb 2011


Ten craft businesses have been accepted onto the second year of the Crafted mentoring programme – an initiative which matches craft businesses with leaders from the luxury sector and which has already provided valuable opportunities for the next generation of craftsmen to access new markets.

The second year of Crafted launched on Wednesday 2nd February at an exclusive event generously hosted by Gieves & Hawkes of Savile Row, where Crafted 2009-10 participants carreducker – mentored by Mark Henderson (Deputy Chairman, Gieves & Hawkes) – have recently opened a fantastic new workshop space.  The event was supported by Nyetimber.

The ten craft businesses we welcome to the programme this year range from the exquisite handwoven tweeds of Isle of Lewis based Breanish Tweed, to the masterful mokume gane silversmithing of Wayne Meeten. We also welcome Georgia Fendley (Brand Director, Mulberry) and Stephen Etheridge (Group Chief Executive, Church’s English Shoes) to our ever-expanding group of expert mentors.

For the full list of partnerships please take a look around the website, or download a press release.

Bailey Tomlin's Christmas Open Studio

Tue 01 Feb 2011

Pop along next weekend to Clockwork Studios for their Christmas open-weekend, where you'll find Crafted 2009-10 participant Bailey Tomlin jewellery, headwear as well as some lovely press samples that need good homes.

Bridget Bailey, of Bailey Tomlin will be displaying her new collection of interiors pieces, which launched at Decorex in September - a collection of extraordinary objects: the Fly-Away Shoe (pictured above), the Bird of Paradise Flowers, and the Leather Wreath, all of which are also echoed and reflected in a series de-silvered and re-silvered mirrors.

Opening times:
Friday 10th December 6.00-9.00pm
Saturday 11th December 12.00-6.00pm
Sunday 12th December 12.00-6.00pm

Location:
Clockwork Studios
38A Southwell Road
London SE5 9PG
Link to map

Tel: 020 7274 9588

Email: hats@baileytomlin.com

Didn't get to Decorex 2010? Take a look at what you missed!

Wed 29 Sep 2010


All images © Rodrigo Orrantia 2010

Helen Amy Murray wins Best Craftsmanship at Decorex 2010

Wed 29 Sep 2010

We're thrilled to announce that Helen Amy Murray has been awarded The English Home Best Craftsmanship Award for her work on the Crafted stand at Decorex!

Kerryn Harper-Cuss, Editor of The English Home Magazine judged the award, and said of her decision:

"The English Home magazine is a passionate proponent of national talent in design and craftsmanship, so presenting the award for Best in British Craftsmanship was not only an honour but held intrinsic meaning to our team. We regularly champion brands which honour age old craftsmanship and build on inheritances of design within the pages of the magazine, and so I took this award as opportunity to highlight a new exciting talent. Helen Amy Murray’s beautifully sculptural three dimensional hand cut fabric effects for walls and upholstery stopped people in their tracks at the exhibition… the designs demanded to be touched and many were drawn impulsively to do so. Innovation is as vital to the continuance of English Craftsmanship as preservation of past skills and so I was thrilled to find a burgeoning talent. Helen Amy Murray is certainly one to watch."

For more information download the Decorex Awards press release here.

Crafted at Decorex 2010: 26th - 29th September

Wed 22 Sep 2010

(Image: HelenAmyMurray - 'Magnified Bloom')

At Decorex, Crafted will be on stand E161 showcasing the work of six of the programme participants:

Bailey Tomlin (millinery, textiles and jewellery)
HelenAmyMurray (textiles and upholstery)
Helen Beard (ceramics)
Ndidi Ekubia (silverware)
Ptolemy Mann (textiles)
shawstephens (bespoke furniture)

Decorex is a trade show displaying the best of what is new in interior design all under one roof, and is open to the consumer public for one day only: Tuesday 28th September, 1.00-7.00pm.

Drop by and say hello! Book your tickets online at: https://www.cts-online.co.uk/Shows/dec10splash/

Press release available for download.

Craft(ed) Afternoon Tea at 1901 Restaurant, Andaz

Wed 22 Sep 2010

During London Design Festival 2010, Crafted supporters Andaz Liverpool Street are hosting special craft afternoon teas in their British fine-dining restaurant 1901 - complete with hand-made tea service porcelain by renowned Crafted mentee Helen Beard!

Hotel guests and visitors can enjoy a traditional British high-tea from 18th - 26th September 2010 between 3-5pm for £18, £21 including a cocktail or £25 including a glass of champagne.

For reservations please call 0207 618 7000.

'Handmade - who pays?' debate kicks off LDF to a fine start

Tue 21 Sep 2010

One of 240 events taking place during London Design Festival 2010, ‘Handmade – who pays?’ was the second annual Crafted debate held in the state-of-the-art Hochhauser Auditorium at the Victoria & Albert Museum's Sackler Centre on Monday 20th September. The lively debate was led by an extraordinary panel of experts, joined by an audience of over 80 who included leaders from global luxury brands, partners and supporters of Crafted, craft makers and the media. Our expert panel included Bill Amberg, Priscilla Carluccio (Few and Far), Michelle Alger (Liberty), Ndidi Ekubia and Guy Salter (Walpole). You can read a little more about them all in the Chair & Panel Profile PDF available for download here.

If you didn’t manage to snap up a free ticket before they sold out, don't despair, you can listen again to the debate podcast here, and our Flickr set of the debate here!

A big thank you to our audience, both in person and on Twitter (#handmadedebate), and Rodrigo Orrantia for the wonderful photographs.

Handmade: who pays? - Debate at London Design Festival 2010 - book now!

Fri 03 Sep 2010
Monday 20th September, 3.00-4.30pm
Hochhauser Auditorium, Sackler Centre, Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Road
London SW7 2RL

In this so-called age of austerity, the luxury sector continues to flourish. What can businesses founded on principles of fine craftsmanship learn from luxury, and how can the handmade be best positioned in an era of more considered consumer spending?

Join leaders from global luxury brands, partners and supporters of Crafted, craft makers and the media on Monday 20th September for an exciting debate exploring the future of craftsmanship in a new economic climate, in the state-of-the-art Hochhauser Auditorium at the Victoria & Albert Museum's Sackler Centre.

Book your free ticket online at: http://www.vam.ac.uk/whatson/event/761/ (booking essential - places are strictly limited)

Eloise Grey Finalist for RSPCA Good Business Awards 2010

Fri 13 Aug 2010

Fashion designer and Crafted mentee Eloise Grey has been selected as one of only three small fashion businesses by high profile fashion judges such as Wayne Hemmingway for the small company category for best fashion.

Recognising the very best businesses in the UK, the RSPCA Good Business Awards 2010 reward companies for their ethical approach to animal welfare.

For more information, take a look at Eloise's blog and download the press release.

'Ettinger Flowers' - Bridget Bailey comissioned by Ettinger at Walpole Press Day

Tue 10 Aug 2010

Anyone lucky enough to have been invited to pop along to Walpole’s Press Day at Liberty back in July, might well have caught a glimpse of something quite remarkable. Pride of place on the Ettinger stand, sat the beautiful ‘Ettinger Flowers’ – a sculptural leather piece made entirely from Ettinger leather, designed and hand crafted by Crafted mentee Bridget Bailey of Bailey Tomlin, commissioned for the event by Ettinger and Crafted mentor Robert Ettinger.

(Photo credit Gareth Davies)

We're delighted to see this sort of collaboration developing organically through the Crafted programme.  We'll be announcing the second year of Crafted partnerships in the Autumn, drawn from an astounding short-list of candidates - watch this space!

Eloise Grey and carréducker at Goodwood Revival

Fri 13 Aug 2010

Crafted mentees Eloise Grey and carréducker are launching a new tweed shoe collaboration at the Goodwood Revival in September.

For more information, take a look at Eloise's blog and download the press release.

New on crafteduk.org

Wed 02 Jun 2010
Catch up on the Crafted Workshop series!
Adam Glass and Lulu Lytle in conversation on intellectual property law
Robert Ettinger and Glenn Tutssel discuss how best to develop your brand
Dominic McCarthy shares his PR top tips

The latest news from the Crafted makers!
Bridget Bailey's bespoke headpiece, inspired by a brand-new purple-blue iris, was centre of attention at RHS Chelsea Press Day on the award winning The Unexpected Gardener site.

Helen Beard launches her limited edition book of sketches - Observations of Humans - produced by Crafted advisors Foxall Associates.
carréducker collaborates with fellow Crafted maker Eloise Grey on their latest batch of the latest batch of bespoke Winkers.
Natasha Daintry launches her brand new website, developed by Crafted advisors Foxall Associates.

And don't forget to apply to take part in Crafted 2010!
You can download the application documents here.

Calling all craft makers... applications for Crafted 2010 now open

Wed 02 Jun 2010
We are delighted to announce that the applications for Crafted 2010 are now open.

12 Craft entrepreneurs will be selected to take part in the Crafted mentoring project. They will be mentored by one expert from the luxury industry, have access to a range of industry experts with specialist skills through the Crafted Advice Bank and attend a series of six workshops about key business skills such as strategic planning, marketing, IP and brand protection and trade and export. In addition, we provide opportunities to profile and showcase the craft makers; for example a Crafted stand at Decorex.

Applicants will each need to complete an application form to be submitted to Rose Enright (rose.enright@artsandbusiness.org.uk) at Arts & Business by Wednesday 30th June 2010 with a Curriculum Vitae, financial accounts for each year of trading, copies of any media coverage and a minimum of six images of their products across two bodies of work.

We welcome applications from all who meet with the eligibility criteria - please check that you are eligible before applying.

The application form and selection process/eligibility criteria document are available for download from today. Please follow this link to download both documents.

We look forward to receiving your applications!

Crafted makers at Handmade: A British Craft Exhibition - Fortnum & Mason’s

Tue 27 Apr 2010
Crafted makers Helen Beard and Ndidi Ekubia are showing at Handmade: A British Craft Exhibition, at Fortnum & Mason's from 22nd April to 20th June.

The exhibition, showing over 500 pieces hand-crafted by over 50 British makers combines a wide range of disciplines, from silversmithing to glass-blowing, and is accompanied by a 'Craft conversations' series, where featured craftsmen and women will demonstrate their practices to the public. The store will open early at 8.30am exclusively for these talks. Catch Crafted maker Helen Beard on Tuesday 4th May!

Craft Conversations at Fortnum & Mason's:
Tuesday 27th April - Samantha Sweet and Kenny Menczer
Tuesday 4th May - Helen Beard and Louisa Taylor
Tuesday 18th May - Kate Malone and Anna Barlow
You can book places by telephoning 0845 602 5694.

Crafted - the film

Wed 03 Mar 2010
We're delighted to present our brand new short film on Crafted, masterfully produced by SERGE FILMS.

Many thanks to everyone involved!

New on crafteduk.org

Tue 09 Feb 2010
Take a look at photographs of our launch event in November, generously hosted by Soane Britain.

Download a recording of the captivating conversation between Crafted mentors Bill Amberg and Anda Rowland, and Natalie Melton, Commercial Director at Arts & Business, held at our first Crafted workshop in January.

Catch up on the latest blogs from Jane Adam, Eloise Grey and carréducker – including a fascinating step-by-step tutorial on an important element of shoemaking.

Browse the recommended reading lists from workshop leader and Crafted advisor Anne Anne Gunther and mentor Bill Amberg.

New on crafteduk.org

Fri 04 Dec 2009
Feature on Crafts Magazine online

Feature on Fashion Monitor

New blog post from Eloise Grey

Press release: 'Adras' - Ptolemy Mann for Christopher Farr Cloth

Open Studios at Cockpit Arts and Craft Central

Thu 19 Nov 2009
Just one more week to wait until the ultimate shopping experience this side of Christmas!

Both Cockpit Arts in Holborn and Craft Central in Clerkenwell will be throwing open their doors for their Open Studios weekends. At these unique events you can see behind the scenes and buy your festive gifts directly from some of the best designer-makers working in the UK.

Cockpit Arts Holborn: Fri 27 Nov (11am - 9pm), Sat 28 - Sun 29 Nov (11am - 6pm)
View map here

Craft Central: Thu 26 Nov (5pm - 8pm), Fri 27 Nov (12noon - 8pm), Sat 28 - Sun 29 Nov (12noon - 6pm)
View invite and map here

And if you can't make it this weekend - never fear! You can catch Cockpit Arts Deptford Open Studios the following weekend.
Cockpit Arts Deptford: Fri 4 Dec (11am - 9pm), Sat 5 - Sun 6 Dec (11am - 6pm)
View map here

New on crafteduk.org

Wed 11 Nov 2009
New blog post from Miranda McCarthy

Short film courtesy of carréducker

Press release: Eloise Grey Launches Menswear Collection

It's all about education…

Tue 27 Oct 2009

Something that came out of the ‘Crafted: an essential luxury?’ debate in September was that there is some work to be done around education. Not the continuing education of skilled craftspeople around the UK – although improved practical tuition would be a good starting place – but the educating of potential purchasers. Luxury craft pieces take an enormous amount of time, skill and resource to create – but it is sometimes difficult to communicate that to a potential buyer.

This demonstration of what goes in to a luxury craft piece can sometimes be the difference between the purchaser moving off to buy from an established brand and the purchaser buying a beautiful handmade piece that they understand the worth of and therefore are glad to pay for. The Etsy website has produced a series of short films which explain the creative process and encourage people to buy handmade pieces.

Click to watch - Process: Sweet Peas with Kim Westad

Increasing awareness of the craft industry is something that craftscotland have tackled with their current campaign The C Word (it is, of course, ‘Craft’) which includes the inaugural national cinema ad campaign for contemporary craft – and features six craft makers.

Click to watch – The C Word

Craft: an essential luxury? - Debate is sold out!

Thu 24 Sep 2009

We're delighted to say that the session in the Hochhauser Auditorium at the V&A as part of London Design Festival is booked to capacity!

If you haven't been able to secure a space, don't fret - we're recording the entire session for podcast which will be available to download from our Resources section soon after the event.  You can also download a PDF document of profiles on our Chair for the debate, Guy Salter - Deputy Chairman of Walpole, and our panel: Janice Blackburn, Anda Rowland, Henrietta Thompson, Peter Ting and Peter York.

Craft: an essential luxury? - Debate at London Design Festival 2009

Thu 03 Sep 2009
Traditional craft skills are in decline in today's mass-market economy. Despite this trend, superior craftsmanship remains a marker of quality and distinctiveness and an expression of cultural heritage.

Can craft be revitalised? Can craft businesses not only survive but thrive?

On Friday 25th September leaders from luxury brands, craft makers and the media will join together for a debate exploring the future of craft, in the new state-of-the-art Hochhauser Auditorium at the Victoria & Albert Museum's Sackler Centre.

For more information or to book your place contact crafted@artsandbusiness.org.uk