Season’s Greetings from Craft Scotland
As this turbulent year comes to a close, the team and Board at Craft Scotland would like to thank you for your support, as we continue to adapt our programme to meet the changing needs of the craft community.
During 2020, we have facilitated conversations with makers, curators, funders, partners and suppliers, and it has been heartening to be part of a craft community that rallies together, shares resources and knowledge, and embraces new possibilities.
Key projects this calendar year include our showcase at Collect 2020, our responsive Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources, advocacy and support for the sector including the Financial Toolkit and COMPASS 1:1 Finance Surgeries.
We hosted over 25 online workshops for makers, curators and craft destinations. In 2020, we also launched two new projects: the Jorum Craft Award and Craft Week Scotland, a nationwide initiative to celebrate Scottish contemporary craft. We continued to share opportunities and insightful stories on our website.
Festive opening hours
The Craft Scotland office will be closed from 5pm, Friday 18 December, and will re-open on Monday 11 January 2021. We will also be taking a break on our social platforms. In the meantime, please feel free to email us at hello@craftscotland.org and we will get back to you upon our return.
The team and Board hope that you have a restful and restorative festive break.
Image: Alison Thyra Ceramics / Photography by the artist
2020's top inspiring articles from makers all across Scotland
Ceramicist Viv Lee shared her inspirations behind her minimalist vessels, growing up in Hong Kong, exploring Zen Buddhism and her recent TOAST residency, in our most recent article.
In our Make It Green series, in collaboration with Creative Carbon Scotland, we learned how artist and researcher Joanne B Kaar solved the 50-year old mystery behind Angus McPhee's woven textiles.
Read about Paisley’s lesser known domestic weaving heritage as textile designers Heather Shields and Shielagh Tacey reflect on their Sma’ Shot part-time residency from 2017 to 2019.
Explore how makers have adapted their craft business during lockdown, with this four-part series of Making in Lockdown, as well as in-depth interviews with four makers who look back on their experience in our Reflections on Lockdown series.
Each month we round-up the exciting news from the craft community with The Craft Edit. In our latest edition, read inspiring stories about Fife Contemporary, discover the Scottish graduates selected by Klimt02.net and learn about the new Collective Matter x KMAdotcom collaboration.
COMPASS: Online Workshops Launch!
Realise your craft business ambitions this spring, with the return of Craft Scotland's COMPASS: Online Workshops (January to April 2021).
Our trusted workshop leaders are excited to share their experience, wisdom and practical tips with you. To allow you to choose your area of focus, these workshops are available as three individual workshop series at £25 each; Finance & Funding, Maker Journeys in Focus and Brand Storytelling. Or you can book a Multi-Workshop Pass to attend all nine sessions together for the limited time offer of £65.
COMPASS is Craft Scotland’s learning and development programme created specifically for makers. COMPASS focuses on developing talent and equipping individuals with the necessary skills to create a resilient craft career and business. Supported by the William Grant Foundation and Creative Scotland.
Stay tuned! We will be announcing Craft Scotland's full programme for 2021/22 in the new year.
Shop beautiful, handmade craft this festive season with the makers and craft destinations on our Craft Directory.
From ceramics to textiles, jewellery and bookbinding, this month's Featured Craft Directory profiles are sure to have the perfect gift:
Iona Hall, Double Door Studios, Candy Coated Accessories, Natalie Baker Jewellery, Studio Brae, Gillian Stewart, FOLD, and Stròm.
What's On in Scotland
Support makers and craft businesses, and shop handmade this Christmas, with a selection of events taking place across Scotland and online.
Visit Custom Lane's reception retail unit, HRBR, to discover their newly opened Christmas 2020 Gift Edit and buy directly from makers. For those unable to visit, Custom Lane has created a series of still life images featuring pieces from each participant (until 17 Jan 2021, Edinburgh & online).
There is still time to explore Christmas markets across the country: visit Hayshed Gallery’s Christmas Pop-Up Shop (until 25 Dec, Tighnabruaich), the Alternative Giving Christmas Exhibition at The Barony Centre (until 16 Jan 2021, West Kilbride), or the Tea Green’s Pop Up Design Store at the V&A Dundee (until 31 Jan 2021).
Online, explore the many stalls at the Summerhall Christmas Market, (until 25 Dec, online) or the makers featured in the very first Wasps online shop (until 11 Jan 2021, online).
More resources for your creative and business practice
Explore the Maker Community section on our website, regularly updated with the latest opportunities and resources from Scotland, and beyond.
You can also find these helpful sections; maker opportunities, Organisations to Know, a collection of craft research and more.