Traditional Crafts That Deserve A Revival

There will always be something about crafting and making things by hand using centuries-old techniques that will be far more appealing than computer-controlled, mass-manufactured products.

Now more than ever, these British artisans need support and help to keep old crafts alive, keeping the stories alive, and the passion, skills, and work that go into each piece of work. We have some of the traditional crafts and skills here that need to be kept alive

Blacksmithing

Blacksmiths use fire, hammers, and an anvil to hot-forge iron and steel, shaping and forming the metal to make everything from gates and staircases to chairs, fire irons, curtain poles, doorknobs, jewellery and sculptures.

The skills needed to be able to use a 1,000C furnace, and all the cutting, shaping and bending tools take many years to perfect, but the results make it well worth it.

Calligraphy

Computer and smartphones have rendered the need to send handwritten letters pretty much redundant.

But the rarity of beautiful handwriting is part of its appeal. Calligraphy is an exacting but rewarding craft demanding knowledge of its history, an aesthetic sensibility, and a bold yet delicate hand. Modern, inventive hands are every bit as calligraphic as formal historic scripts such as gothic, copperplate or Spencerian.

Dry stone walling

There are over 125,000 miles of dry stone walls in Britain. Some are ancient, dating back to 3,500 BC, while most surround fields and were constructed in the mid-1800s, in the wake of the Enclosure Acts.

It was neglected for many years, but dry stone walling is making a comeback. Your only tool is a sharp-edged hammer, but good wallers aim to cut stones to shape as little as possible. It's arduous but satisfying work, generally undertaken in beautiful surroundings, and the result is something natural that properly looked after, should stand for centuries.

We are specialists in traditional Victorian plasterwork in London, so contact us today if you need expert help.