Thank goodness, then, for London Craft Week. Now in its fourth year, this London-wide festival celebrates exceptional craftsmanship from around the world. This year's programme is designed as a 'journey-of-discovery', curated not around price point but around substance — taking into account, above all, the underlying skills, connoisseurship and innovation of independent makers working across the creative industry today. Think hidden studios, rising stars, celebrated masters and a whole lot of luxury.
Expect to see everyone from woodworkers and perfumers, to diamond cutters and regional producers host interactive workshops, studio visits and behind-the-scenes demonstrations as part of the week-long celebration. Over the course of the week, you could blend your own perfume in one of London's most established perfumers, learn how to do calligraphy like a pro, or stumble upon a new cutting-edge exhibition of glass sculptures by contemporary Glass artist Jochen Holz.
With more than 220 different events across the capital, hosted in collaboration with international brands including dunhill, Georg Jensen, Purdey, Bamford, Penhaligon's, Loewe and Tom dixon, we've curated a nifty guide to this year's highlights.
The full programme of events is now available on the London Craft Week website. Please click here.
© Leah Jensen at Cockpit Arts, London Craft Week 2018
London Craft Week 2018: The Highlights you should make a beeline for
The 2018 Loewe Craft Prize Exhibition
Spanning ceramics, jewellery, textiles, woodwork, glass, metalwork, furniture, papercraft and lacquer, the 2018 Lowe Craft Prize Exhibition is an explosion of global technical and creative talent. The 2018 winning submission, Pale, Shadowed Speckled Traces, Fading Elipse, Bronze Specks, Tilted Shelf, 2017, by Scottish ceramicist Jennifer, is on display at the Design Museum alongside the submissions of her fellow shortlisted candidates.
Booking not necessary. Free. Please click here for more information.
Design Museum, 224-238 Kensington High Street, Kensington, London, W8 6AG
Make a Turkish Iznik Tile at the Yunus Emre Institute: Workshop, 9 May 17:00 — 19:00, 11 May 11:00 — 13:00, 12 - 13 May 14:00 — 16:00
For those looking for something a little different, this hands-on workshop at the Yunus Emre Institute is a must. Hosted by Iznik tile master, Ayşe Özkan, this workshop will introduce you to many of the eclectic stories behind oft-used classical patterns and show you what lies beneath the glaze, through an exploration of drawing techniques, transmitting, needling and colouring.
Booking necessary via londra@yee.org.tr. 12 places per workshop, £7. Please click here for more information.
Yunus Emre Institute, 10 Maple Street, London, W1T 5HA
Food Pairing Experience at Rémy Martin: Talk, 9 May 19:00
One for the foodies: discover the history of Rémy Martin and its most famous varieties of cognac at this multi-sensory food tasting experience. Enjoy a glass of Martin Cognac Fine Champagne followed by a variety of Rémy Martin Cognacs (and signature cognac cocktails) and delicious chocolates courtesy of Hotel Chocolat.
Booking necessary, 16 places, £20 + VAT. Please click here for more information.
Rabot 1745, Borough Market, 2-4 Bedale Street, London, SE1 9AL
© Daylesford Organic, London Craft Week 2018
Botanical Craft Exhibition and Workshop at Daylesford: Exhibition, 9 May - 12 May 08:00 — 20:00, 13 May 10:00 —16:00. Workshop, 10 May 18:30 - 20:30
For the duration of London Craft Week 2018, Daylesford's Pimlico Road Farmshop will explore botanical crafts in a 3-part workshop event. Marvel at an installation of vintage herbiers or take-part in a pressed flowershop with JamJar florists. Unfortunately designer and printmaker Pia Ostlund's talk on the lost art of nature printing is now sold out .
Exhibition, booking not necessary, free. Workshop, booking necessary, 15 places, £125. Please click here for more information.
Daylesford Organic, 44B Pimlico Road, Belgravia, London, SW1W 8LP
Mulberry: Celebrating the Passion of Making: Demonstration, 11 and 12 May, 10:00 - 19:00
Drop by Mulberry's flagship store in New Bond Street and see the in-house leather experts bring their most famous handbags to life: you will be able to see them hard at work during both demonstration days.
Demonstration: booking not necessary, free. Please click here for more information.
Mulberry, 50 New Bond Street, London, W1S 1BJ. Booking not necessary.
© London Craft Week 2018, Reiko Kaneko, SCP
Modern Society presents Venetia Berry: Exhibition, 9 -12 May 10:00 — 19:00.13 May 10:00 — 17:00. Workshop,
13 May 12:00 - 12:45, 13:00 - 13:45 SOLD OUT
Earlier this year, we singled out Venetia Berry as one of the young female artists to know now, so don't miss the chance to participate in a ceramic painting workshop hosted by the artist herself. Workshop attendees will learn about Berry's sketching techniques and have the chance to make one-of-a-kind ceramics on site.
Workshop: Now Sold Out. Exhibition: booking not necessary, free. Please click here for more information.
Modern Society, 33 Redchurch Street, London, E2 7DJ
Rodin: Drawing, Dance and Sculpture
at the British Museum: Thu 10 May, 2pm–4pm
The British Museum's current Rodin exhibition is one of the best London museum exhibitions on now (read our review here). If you make a beeline for the exhibition this Thursday, you can enjoy a special London Craft Week dance performance and a drop-in drawing workshop where you can try and capture the flow of movement in pencil (just like Rodin).
Booking is not necessary for the performance or the drawing workshop, free, first come first served. Please click here for more information.
Room 33, British Museum, Great Russell Street,
WC1B 3DG
© London Craft Week, Meissen Blumenmaler an Vase
Disegno and citizenM: Digital Drawing Workshops and Exhibition featuring 3D Printed Ceramics Laureline Galliot: Exhibition,
9 - 13 May, 9:00 - 17:00. Workshops, 9 May, 18:00 - 20:00, 10 May, 9:00 - 11:00
For LCW, Design quarterly Disegno and French artist Laureline Galliot have collaborated to present an exhibition of Gaillot's digital prints, 3D printed ceramic objects and textiles at CitizenM, one of the most Instagrammable hotels is London. They will also host two digital drawing workshops exploring the role of the modern discipline today.
Exhibition, booking not necessary, free. Workshops, booking necessary via citizenM@camronpr.com. Please click here for more information.
citizenM Tower of London, 40 Trinity Square, London, EC3N 4DJ
This bespoke showcase of workshops, talks, exhibitions viewings and drop-in sessions celebrates London's exceptional craftsmanship, cultural heritage, diversity, innovation and talent. With a bespoke online planning app, there really is no excuse.
Londoners, get your diaries out and start planning!
The full programme of events is now available on the London Craft Week website. Please click here.
| What | London Craft Week 2018 |
| Where | Various Locations | MAP |
| When |
09 May 18 – 13 May 18, Times vary |
| Price | £Prices vary |
| Website | Click here for more details |
