Heritage Crafts and Skills

Basketry Weaving

Basketry Weaving – Glenys Newton

“My name is Glenys and I have lived in the Saffron Walden area for over 50 years. I started basketry weaving following illness and used it as a form of recovery. I went on to do a City and Guilds and have been weaving now for almost 4 years. I make creations from willow, from coffins to little stars and everything in between, and also work in schools, hospitals and prisons in a bid to share the craft, its benefits  and as a way of bringing people together.”

Basketry is ancient, one of the oldest crafts, apparently, and speaks of the socio-economic story of the land, in this country and across the world. I am inspired by the surrounding landscape and often incorporate hedgerow materials in with the willow along with wood and leather. I love mending old baskets. hearing the stories behind the baskets and sending them back out into the world to live another day. I am part of the Repair Café movement that strives to repair household items in a bid to stop them ending up in landfill.

Blacksmithing

Blacksmith – Peter Williamson aka Petefire

Peter Williamson will be demonstrating the art of the blacksmith on his portable forge. He will explain the different aspects of blacksmithing and metalworking.

Blacksmiths have had a central role in village life for hundreds of years until quite recently: in farming, (cottage) industry, churches, and domestically.

Brick & Flint

Flint is used extensively in local church and vernacular building, as it is widely available and there is little else. Brick was used in Roman times and then again since the 15th century.

Brick & Flint – Lynn Mathias

Mathias Brick and Flint is a well-established family-run business, with over 50 years experience being passed down to current generations. Our company specialises in the repair and restoration of brickwork and flint work.

We use only traditional methods, materials and lime mortars. We understand the importance of historic buildings and are very sympathetic when repairing/restoring any building. We understand that incorrect use of materials and/or approach can dramatically alter the character of any historical structure. We often work closely with conservation officers and local authorities when work is carried out within conservation areas.

We carry out a wide spectrum of projects ranging from small privately owned properties to listed buildings, churches, National Trust properties and large country estates throughout the Home Counties and London.

Ceramic Bowls

Ceramic Bowls – Katharine Collins

“I live in Flamstead and make decorative bowls and trinket dishes inspired by the stunning countryside that surrounds this special village.

The organic curves of the clay are a wonderful canvas for bright flowers, as unique, imperfect and beautiful as the people who give them a home.

I love working with my hands and bringing a block of grey clay to life into something that will last for many years.”

Chainsaw Sculpture

Chainsaw Sculpture – Tim Atkins

Tim Atkins is a masterful British chainsaw sculptor and craftsman who transforms raw logs and tree stumps into highly detailed life-like art.

Based in Suffolk, Tim is also the co-founder of ArtisanStructures, a company specialising in bespoke natural wood carpentry, outdoor classrooms, tree houses and play structures. For over 22 years, he has created iconic, large-scale wooden great apes for the UK outdoor adventure company GoApe.

Despite using industrial chainsaws, Tim achieves remarkably fine detail. His large-scale public pieces can be found in national parks, schools, historic estates and numerous private gardens.

Indian Block Art

Indian Block Art – Jesline Kirubajinie

“My story began in Sri Lanka, with my family, I emigrated from the war-torn country in the 90s and it led me to the USA and finally to the UK where I – Jesline Kirubajinie, mother-of-three – am looking to introduce a little Eastern flair to a Western audience.”

Hand block printing involves several stages, including designing the patterns, carving the wooden blocks accordingly, where the number of blocks per design is determined by the pattern and the level of detail. Next comes preparing the dyes to get the desired colours. Each colour requires a separate block and then meticulously printing the fabric using those blocks.

Nature Art

Nature Art – Emilie Griffin

I’m Emilie, an Ecopsychologist who helps children discover who they truly are by guiding them back to the quiet wisdom of the natural world. Through sensory exploration — feeling the earth beneath their feet, listening to the rhythm of the wind, noticing the small wonders often overlooked — I support young people in building a deeper connection to themselves, their communities, and the environment they’re part of.

Our work unfolds through creative, nature-inspired activities that allow them to express their inner landscapes, gently process their emotions, and find their own sense of belonging. Like a forest finding balance through diversity, this journey helps children regulate, grow, and root themselves in a lasting sense of wellbeing.

Pottery

Pottery has been a traditional craft for thousands of years, locally and throughout the world

Pottery – Emily Good

I discovered the wonderful world of ceramics whilst I was in my final year at university. I was looking for something to distract me from the intensity of preparing for finals and it was the perfect antidote. Ceramics is such a primitive, tactile art form and methods of making have hardly changed in thousands of years. I find this immensely comforting in a world where it is hard to keep up with the pace of the digital information age. It is a wonderful thing to really focus on using your hands – you can get totally lost in the moment and, at the same time, be intensely focused on the present.

When I moved to Hertfordshire ten years ago, I joined the Dacorum and Chiltern Potters Guild and have benefitted greatly from the numerous workshops, firings, exhibitions and demonstrations that the Guild offers on a regular basis. A number of years ago I was able to set up a small garden studio at home and I haven‘t looked back. I am greatly enjoying any spare time that I have at my potter‘s wheel or in the garden – I am at my happiest with mud or clay on my hands!

At the moment, the ceramic ware that I make is rather dictated by the size of my kiln and shed, i.e. small! I focus on making practical items for the home, often inspired by what we need ourselves. The patterns and decoration techniques that I am drawn to are often taken from a seed of an idea planted by the natural environment that surrounds us, which we can so easily take for granted. I also welcome commissions.

Pottery – Tara Dolby

Tara Dolby sells handmade pottery which is packed with personality. Her inspiration is colour and the fun in making people smile. She uses colourful slips and intricate designs and makes all her pieces in her garden studio in North Bedfordshire.

Stained Glass

Stained Glass – Karen Davies

I have lived and worked in Hertfordshire for over 30 years. My business involves designing and making traditional stained glass, largely using the same methods devised over 1000 years ago. I employ both traditional leading and glass painting and firing techniques. I also repair and restore old and damaged windows.

I also use the copper-foiling techniques devised by Tiffany to make a range of glass decorative items; these are exhibited at shows and fairs as well as being sold through galleries and gift shops.

Wood Turning

Wood Turning – Adam Blackie – Herts and Beds Woodturners

We are a well-established club with around 100 members. We meet on the second Tuesday of each month.

The club was started in 1988 by a handful of turners to share enjoyment of their hobby and to develop individual skills. Membership has grown steadily and, with larger premises at Adeyfield, we now have capacity for up to 150 on club nights.

As usual, several of our members will be selling their work at Flamstead this year, and our speciality this time will be pens, spinning tops, bottle stoppers, bottle openers and of course lots of beautiful bowls and textured turnings.