A new destination for London Craft Week 2024, Craftworks presents the past, present and future of craft.
 
The new trade show will take over three floors of the iconic Grade II-listed Shoreditch Town Hall during London Craft Week on 15-17 May to celebrate the best of arts, crafts and design. The event will bring together a diverse mix of 100 high-end makers to salute talent from all walks of life.
 
Presented by furniture restorer, co-chair of Heritage Crafts, and presenter Jay Blades MBE, and sponsored by Cox London. Craftworks will gather craft organisations and businesses, including QEST, Design-Nation and more, to honour the past by preserving traditional skills, showcase the diverse, thriving British craftsmanship, and secure the future of craft by giving a platform to dynamic new makers.
 
The circularity and sustainability of craft practices are essential to many of the exhibitors in the show. Bristol-based metalworker Willow Bloomfield is exhibiting a new series of vessels made from 100% recycled copper, primarily sourced from old hot water tanks, using a process of electrolysis typically associated with industrial practices in precious metal recycling and refinement. Glass artist Lulu Harrison will be exhibiting her 'Thames Glass' series which uses salvaged glass and waste materials sourced in and around the River Thames, including local river sands, wood ashes and waste quagga mussel shells.
 
Heritage Crafts, the national charity for traditional crafts, will showcase some craft skills that are in danger of becoming extinct in the UK. In my previous story linked below, you can read more about endangered crafts. Visitors can explore institutions such as Whitchurch Silk Mill (Britain's oldest working silk mill) and the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers.
 
Craftworks will also host topical talks and craft conversations from industry leaders and the country's finest makers, from circularity in making practices to how AI will revolutionise the craft industry. Nicola and Chris Cox, co-founders of Cox London, will join a line-up of experts sharing their insights and passion for preserving the British craft industry. Speakers will include Jay Blades MBE, Crafts magazine editor Debika Ray, QEST CEO Deborah Pocock, technologist Jude Pullen and presenter and ceramics conservator Kirsten Ramsey.