Buy Craft

1. I'm looking for a craft maker. How can the Crafts Council help me?

   Photostore is our online visual database of selected craft makers. You can search by the name of the maker, by discipline, and by keyword. You'll find images of work, contact details of the maker, and a brief description of their other work. To access Photostore, click on the link on the homepage of our website.
   
   The Craft Directory; makers lists of over 4,000 designer-makers based in the UK. You can search the online tool by maker's name, location, craft discipline, and a host of other search terms. If you're searching for multiple makers, the Research & Information Team can provide the search results in a pdf format. A small administrational charge is made for listings of over 10 makers.

2. I want to commission some craft work. How can the Crafts Council help me?

   The Craft Directory; makers has the facility to search makers by discipline and by work practice. You can search for makers that can help you design and realise an object.

3. Where can I buy contemporary craft?

   Go to our Craft Directory on our website you can find a gallery or craft outlet in your local region and throughout the UK.
   
   Why not visit Origin: The London Craft Fair. It's a rare chance to meet and buy or commission work from over 300 selected makers. Or perhaps COLLECT which is aimed at the international collectors market and showcases over 40 galleries exhibiting and selling work from across the world. Crafts: The magazine for Contemporary Craft lists craft outlets in every monthly issue. The July/August edition of the magazine contains a complete Craft Shops and Galleries UK Guide. Buy your copy from most newsagents, or subscribe online.
   
   You can visit the Crafts Council Research Library and use the directories; in particular The Crafts Galleries Guide (Ed. Caroline Mornement, BCF Books, 2006) provides details and a short review of UK and International craft galleries.

Make Craft

4. I want to set up a craft business. Does the Crafts Council have any advice?

   Regional agencies and crafts societies can help you build a network of contacts who can advise and support throughout your career. There are numerous agencies working for the creative industries which can help individuals realise their business plans.
   
   Find your regional agency and craft society in our Craft Directory where they can be searched by location and by the services they offer.
   
   Below are a range of publications that help designer-makers wishing to set up a business:
   
   You can visit the Crafts Council Research Library and use the Business Start-up Guide for Designers and Makers, 2005 Produced by The Design Trust in partnership with the Crafts Council, this guide covers everything from business plans to press releases.

5. I'm a maker looking for funding opportunities. How can the Crafts Council help me?

   Our Learning & Support area lists a range of funding bodies and advisory services.
   
   The Crafts Council runs two funding schemes for new and emerging makers - Next Move and the Crafts Council Development Award. Further details of our professional support schemes can be found within Our Work.

6. How do I price my work? Are there any guidelines to follow?

   The Craftscotland Business factsheet (2005) has an introduction to pricing your work. Subscribers to a-n: Artists' Information Company can access the report "Establishing a charge for a working artist" which draws on the experience of Chartered Accountant Richard Murphy.

7. Where can I find Craft outlets to sell my work?

   Search the Crafts Council's Craft Directory for retail outlets and galleries.
   
   Look at Crafts which has listings of craft outlets in every issue. The July/August edition of the magazine contains a complete Craft Shops and Galleries UK Guide. The magazine can be bought from most newsagents, or you can subscribe online.

See Craft

8. I'd like to go to a craft event or fair. Where can I find details of these events?

   The Crafts Council coordinate a range of contemporary craft events and exhibitions throughout the year. Details of all our current and forthcoming exhibitions can be found in the What's on area of our website.
   
   Origin: The London Craft Fair takes place at Somerset House on London's Strand every October. Housed in Ben Kelly's specially designed pavilion in the courtyard, the Fair brings together over 300 of the most innovative and influential international makers and is a rare opportunity to meet these makers and buy their work.
   
   Collect: The International Art Fair for Contemporary Objects, takes place each spring in London.
   
   Our Craft Directory can help you search for other organisers of craft fairs in the UK and internationally.
   
   Crafts magazine highlights forthcoming events and can be bought from most newsagents, or you can subscribe online.

9. I'm looking for a crafts person to lead a workshop. Can the Crafts Council help me?

   We host an Opportunities database. You can add your request to this database by emailing us at reference@craftscouncil.org.uk giving full details of the opportunity/workshop (e.g. craft discipline, location, dates, duration of workshop, responsibilities and fees paid). Please include a closing date by which time you would like to hear from interested makers.

10. I'm interested in finding out more about contemporary craft. Where can I find a suitable resource centre or library?

    You can book an appointment to access the Crafts Council Research Library by emailing R_Brockhurst@craftscouncil.org.uk or calling 020 72787502 on Wednesdays or Thursdays and the Research and Information Team are available to answer your queries by phone, email, and post every Tuesday to Friday 11.00am-5.00pm.
    
    You can search the Craft Directory for alternative libraries which hold materials on crafts and the decorative and applied arts.

11. I work in an area of visual arts not covered by the Crafts Council. Where should I go for similar advice and support?

    A number of organisations can offer you information and support.
    
    The Arts Council of England offers artists in England funding opportunities, and support and information about their practice. Other areas of the UK are covered by the Scottish Arts Council, the Arts Council of Wales and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, which can all offer similar advice and information.
    
    a-n: The Artists Information Company offers listings, networking events and information on artists' practice. There are many regional agencies which offer professional development services to those working in the creative industries. Further information can be found through the Craft Directory area of our website.