News

Internationally renowned and multi award-winning Craft Festival has just launched its latest craft venture – Find a Maker. The first cohort of the New Find a Maker directory and business school includes a carefully curated collection of 190 of the finest makers and galleries from both the UK and overseas.

During lockdown, those working at Craft Festival HQ realised there was a real need and a desire to stay connected with makers and our audiences, throughout the year, not just at Festival time. Holding recent Craft Festivals on a digital platform has provided an insight into how an online platform can be utilised to present makers online, in a meaningful way.

190 new and established makers, galleries and craft organisations, all chosen for quality and originality from across the UK and further afield. You can also find things to do, book workshops, listen to the latest episodes of the Craft Festival’s successful podcast 'The Capital of Craft', links to our real-life Festivals as well as the latest craft news.

What else?

All selected makers, galleries and craft organisations have access to the Find a Maker Business School with live tutorials, talks and advice on running their business. The Business School is delivered by a range of experts who will cover a wide range of important topics – from social media to taxation. 

"We wanted to create something positive out of lockdown," says Craft Festival and Find a Maker Director, Sarah James, "something useful and meaningful for our makers and audience. We’re very excited that so many amazing makers and galleries have joined the Find a Maker Family.”

One of the key Find a Maker members is Cornwall-based furniture designer, Christian O’Reilly, who creates distinctive and elegant, contemporary furniture for public and private clients. You can find his public seating at York Art Gallery, Westonbirt Arboretum and Royal Albert Memorial Museum, plus numerous other commissions. Founded in 2006, O’Reilly’s business ethos is grounded on sustainability, which underpins the fine and detailed finishing that is synonymous with his style.

Other notable makers include fine jeweller, Daphne Krinos, and potter, Sue Pryke. For further information and to search the directory for yourself, see www.findamaker.co.uk.