Heads Up – a hat making symposium for endangered crafts
The @britishhatguild and Heritage Crafts present a two-day symposium to celebrate Britain’s specialist millinery and hat making techniques that now feature on the Red List of Endangered Crafts. Hosted in the heritage-inspired surroundings of The Founders’ Livery Hall, and in partnership with the Worshipful Company of @feltmakers , the event will bring together makers, historians, designers and enthusiasts to honour skills deeply rooted in the nation’s cultural and fashion history.
Across a programme of talks on 16 and 17 May, the symposium will explore the craftsmanship, techniques and stories that define traditional hat-making. By shining a light on these remarkable skills and the people who practice them, the symposium offers an opportunity to appreciate their enduring relevance and to respect the rich legacy they represent within today’s British craft and design industry.
.uk/events/heads-up/
Heritage Crafts Weekend at the Cutty Sark – Saturday 16 May 2026, 11am to 4pm
Join @royalmuseumsgreenwich and Heritage Crafts at the Cutty Sark as we shine a spotlight on the heritage craft skills used to build and maintain this historic tea clipper.
Join us for drop-in activities, where you’ll learn about crafts such as rope-making, fender-making and traditional caulking. You’ll also have the opportunity to take a closer look at and handle a range of historical objects and contemporary craft objects. Recommended for ages 5+.
.uk/events/cuttysark/
Wonderful to catch up with current Heritage Crafts Emerging Weaver of the Year @leonie.textiles demonstrating all this week at @roseuniacke as part of @londoncraftweek . The collaboration is raising funds for Heritage Crafts through the sale of Leonie’s weaving.
Rose Uniacke have generously supported this award for the past three years, and the 2026 award is now open for nominations via our website. They have also supported our work to safeguard traditional craft skills with profits from their Remnant Weave project.
Thank you so much Rose Uniacke and well done to the hugely talented Leonie!
Heritage crafts at the core of the day!
Words cannot describe how proud we are to have hosted such a wonderful event in collaboration with @heritagecrafts the @theleathersellers and @saddlerscompany.saddlershall for @londoncraftweek this year.
From the beautiful pieces contributed to the auction, to the makers who spoke about their work, to those who gave demonstrations and answered questions. We were thrilled to see so many showing an interest and especially grateful to those who bid on the silent auction.
We ended the day with some inspiring speeches and hope to keep the conversation going.
#londoncraftweek #heritagecrafts #craft
What is a heritage craft? @maryeluned_craft talks about the history of the Red List of Endanger Crafts and its role in the future. Great thoughts for @londoncraftweek .
Thank you to our incredible speakers, none of this would be possible without you!
#heritagecrafts #londoncraftweek #redlistofendangeredcrafts
Our wonderful Trustee Jonathan Reid from @ernestwrightltd talking about the critically endangered craft of scissor making at our Living Legacies event at Leathersellers Hall for @londoncraftweek .
We could listen to our makers talk about their passion for their craft all day. ✂️
#scissormaking #heritagecrafts #londoncraftweek
Valeria Leonova @artvaleria talking about the endangered craft of petrykivka.
We’ve had so many of you coming through the doors and it’s been wonderful sharing heritage crafts with you.
#petrykivka #ukrainianfolkart
Devin Valentine @valentine_instruments speaking about Luthiery their time at @westdeancollege and the skill of bow making.
Come along to Leathersellers Hall and meet the makers - we’re here until 16.30.
#heritagecrafts #luthiery #endangeredcraft
James Ducker from @carreducker talking about shoemaking as part of Living Legacies exhibition at Leathersellers Hall as part of @londoncraftweek .
They’ve contributed two items to our @heritagecrafts auction which closes this evening. So get your bids in!
Come along and see some of the other speakers today.
The wonderful Jessica Light talking about passementerie at the Living Legacies exhibition at Leathersellers Hall.
We have a full line up of talks by our makers.
Auction Item 3: Bespoke handsewn shoes by @carreducker
The item:
This incredible commission offers the chance to design the bespoke shoes or boots of your dreams while uniquely supporting three endangered crafts: handsewn shoemaking, last making and oak bark tanning. Your custom footwear – ranging from sneakers to low boots with a maximum 1.5” (4cm) heel – will be built upon bespoke lasts crafted by Springline in Northampton. They will be constructed using the finest oak bark tanned leather from Devon’s historic Bakers tannery. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a wearable work of art and champion the vital survival of multiple at-risk heritage skills simultaneously.
The maker:
Your shoes will be masterfully created by Carréducker, one of London’s leading independent bespoke shoemakers. James Ducker and Deborah Carré retrained as handsewn shoemakers over 30 years ago, driven by a profound passion for the craft. Based in the iconic Oxo Tower near London’s historic Cordwainer Ward, they are dedicated champions of this heritage skill. Beyond crafting beautiful bespoke footwear, they actively share their expertise by teaching complete beginners the 200-plus steps required to make handsewn shoes. Their exceptional dedication was rightfully recognised when they won the Heritage Crafts Made in Britain Award.
The risk:
Handsewn shoemaking is officially classified as endangered on our Heritage Crafts Red List. While historic districts once thrived with artisans, the craft now faces severe threats from mass-produced imports, prohibitive material costs and a critical shortage of professional-grade hand tools. Crucially, this lot also supports last making and oak bark leather tanning, both of which face their own distinct survival pressures in a mechanised world. If we lose these dedicated makers and traditional suppliers, we lose centuries of distinctively British sartorial heritage and the incomparable standard of authentic custom craftsmanship.
Bid before 7.30pm tomorrow (Wednesday 13 May) at /heritagecrafts/. Proceeds to the makers and Heritage Crafts’ work to safeguard at-risk skills.
📷 @jonny.shoots
