Craftspace

Craftspace Craftspace is a charity creating opportunities to see, make and be curious about exceptional contemporary craft.

?Here’s a round-up of what’s going on…We're highlighting some of our friend's projects this week:Abigail Villarroel .ar...
28/08/2026

?
Here’s a round-up of what’s going on…

We're highlighting some of our friend's projects this week:

Abigail Villarroel .art was part of our Crafting Pathways project, pairing young people with professional artist to discover creative careers. Now Abigail is leading a new project which brings exhibitions, workshops and artists into libraries across Sandwell bringing art into everyday community spaces. .uk is a touring exhibition programme which will travel between libraries in Great Barr, Smethwick, Thimblemill, Wednesbury and West Bromwich, showcasing the work of artists from across the West Midlands alongside opportunities for local people to make, discuss and experience art.

A Bovine Intervention by Abigail Villarroel
Until 17th Sept, Smethwick Library

Also, , another maker who told her story of making and migration as part of Made in the Middle, will be showing her ceramics in the group exhibition by Midlands-based Latin American collective .arts . Together, the works ask how identity is shaped by the places we come from, the traditions we carry with us and the new roots we grow elsewhere.

Raices / Roots
Until 14th September, West Bromwich Central Library

ELSEWHERE

Blackwater Polytechnic, who were in our We are Commoners exhibition,
are part of a new exhibition of work which "has been stitched, carved, drawn, painted, knitted, quilted and sewn by hand. It is made with skill and the improvisational ability that comes with it – a cheerful refusal, grounded and deliberate, unapologetic about being out of step."

SpaceTime:awkward;-)
57a Redchurch Street, Shoreditch, London E2 7DJ
6 – 23 August 2026

We’re celebrating 40 Objects for 40 years Courage Medal (2020) – Alinah AzadehAs part of Craft in Common online ‘lockdow...
26/08/2026

We’re celebrating 40 Objects for 40 years


Courage Medal (2020) – Alinah Azadeh
As part of Craft in Common online ‘lockdown’ workshop

This medal was made for one of the ‘how to’ instructional videos from a commission to artist Alinah Azadeh . She adapted an in-person residency, which was part of the We are Commoners exhibition, into a digital activity after we had to cancel the in person work owing to covid. We wanted to honour the commission and continue to support artists in lockdown.

She created five videos themed around the commons of emotion and values: Courage, Care, Loss, Connection and Repair. The project was an example of resilience and adaptation.

The courage medals encouraging the celebration of unacknowledged acts of everyday courage at a time of global crisis.

This object was nominated by our Director, Deirdre Figueiredo.

To celebrate Craftspace’s 40th Anniversary, we commissioned the artist Stewart Francis Easton to create an artwork which would explore the story of Craftspace through 40 objects. Stewart created a series of four beautiful graphic quilts. You can see them on our website via the link in our bio.

?Here’s a round-up of what’s on… : Women's Craft Collective, are excited to be popping up on Harborne High Street this ...
19/08/2026

?
Here’s a round-up of what’s on…

: Women's Craft Collective, are excited to be popping up on Harborne High Street this Saturday. They will be selling their jewellery collections in the fantastic shop. Hope to see you there!

22 August, 10.30am-4.30pm.
Reloved, 48-50 High Street, Harborne.
Drop-in. Free.

ALSO

Join us at Ikon Gallery to meet, their artist-in-residence, Roo Dhissou and visiting artist Shalini Dam for a day of creative activity and conversation.

First Floor Galleries, Ikon Gallery, Birmingham.
Thursday 20 August 2026, 12-3pm.
Drop-in. Free.

Roo's work is featured in the Break the Mould exhibition, currently on show at Ikon Gallery. You may remember her from in our recent Made in the Middle touring exhibition. This show also includes beautiful ceramic work by another Made in the Middle artist, Halima Cassell. The show focuses on ceramics, positioning clay as a site of experimentation.

Until 6 September.
Open Tuesday – Sunday, 11am-5pm.
Free.

ELSEWHERE

The International Festival of Glass has moved to St Helens. The theme for 2026 is ‘Local Innovation, Global Inspiration’ — encapsulating the Glass Art Society’s mission to showcase how UK-based and international glass artists are paving the way for a glassy future, while highlighting the significance of glass development within St Helens, both historical and contemporary.

World of Glass, St Helens, UK
28–31 August 2026
Free.

Olivier Jamin will be leading the BSL exhibition tour on Sunday 30 August at 11.00am.



Images:
1. Shelanu: Women's Craft Collective craft fair table.
2. Break the Mould, installation view, Ikon Gallery (2026). Image courtesy Ikon. Photo: Tom Bird.
3. Oh What a Tangled Web We Weave by Shalini Dam. Photo by Serendipity Arts Festival.
4. Raven by Halima Cassell. Photo by Jonathan Keenan.

Shelanu are excited to be popping up on Harborne High Street on Saturday in the fantastic shop.Shelanu & House of Yris ...
18/08/2026

Shelanu are excited to be popping up on Harborne High Street on Saturday in the fantastic shop.

Shelanu & House of Yris Pop-Up at ReLoved Brum
22 August 10.30am-4.30pm
48-50 High Street, Harborne, Birmingham B17 9NE

Members will be selling their collections from 10.30am – 4.30pm.

We’re also thrilled that Shelanu member Yeelah will be selling her origami cards and framed paper art alongside us.

Hope to see you there!

We’re really looking forward to working with ReLoved Brum. They’re such an inspiring shop, giving opportunities to local businesses and creatives. Hope this is the first of many collaborations.

We’re celebrating 40 Objects for 40 years Torcher Chamber Arkestra (2016) – Carrie Fertig As part of Craftspace Curates...
17/08/2026

We’re celebrating 40 Objects for 40 years


Torcher Chamber Arkestra (2016) – Carrie Fertig
As part of Craftspace Curates: exploring craft in an Expanded Field

Ten years ago we worked with artist Carrie Fertig to hold a dramatic performance of the Torcher Chamber Arkestra at Midlands Arts Centre - MAC .

In this unusual collaboration Carrie created a series of glass instruments, live, using the process of flameworking. Then, these newly created instruments along with others, made from recycled glass, were played by Carrie and other musicians and combined with electronic and digital sound.

This was part of season of projects which encouraged audiences to consider the role of craft and the maker in society: craft in an expanded field. We supported artists to think differently, experiment and take risks.

Visit our website to watch one of Carrie’s performances.

This object was nominated by our Learning and Engagement Manager, Deirdre Buckley.

She says; "I took my 3 young sons to see the performance at MAC. We were all mesmerised by the spectacle - making, performance and music - MAGIC!"

To celebrate Craftspace’s 40th Anniversary, we commissioned the artist Stewart Francis Easton to create an artwork which would explore the story of Craftspace through 40 objects. Stewart created a series of four beautiful graphic quilts. You can see them on our website via the link in our bio.

We’re celebrating 40 Objects for 40 years Marching Ant (c. 1998) by Rachel HigginsMade for our Devious Devices School’s ...
14/08/2026

We’re celebrating 40 Objects for 40 years


Marching Ant (c. 1998) by Rachel Higgins
Made for our Devious Devices School’s exhibition

In the late 90s we organised a large touring exhibition of automata called Devious Devices. Does anyone remember visiting it? It was created in collaboration with Croydon Clocktower and Ralph Steadman and Terry Gilliam!

Alongside the main exhibition we hired a small exhibition of automata exhibition out to schools, but when it wasn’t on tour, this little creature lived in our office. People loved to turn it, so it often needed mending.

It’s been a while since we’ve taken exhibitions out to schools and the piece had been packed away into our store. When we were packing up for our move, after the flood, we found it again! It now has pride of place on our window ledge. It reminds us of the unique skill of makers and the importance of creating opportunities for young people to experience craft.

Nominated by our Marketing Manager, Lisa.

To celebrate Craftspace’s 40th Anniversary, we commissioned the artist Stewart Francis Easton to create an artwork which would explore the story of Craftspace through 40 objects. Stewart created a series of four beautiful graphic quilts. You can see them on our website via the link in our bio.



?Here’s a round-up of what’s going on…Join us at Ikon Gallery to meet, their artist-in-residence, Roo Dhissou and visit...
13/08/2026

?
Here’s a round-up of what’s going on…

Join us at Ikon Gallery to meet, their artist-in-residence, Roo Dhissou and visiting artist Shalini Dam for a day of creative activity and conversation. They will use clay as a medium for experimentation and connection. Inviting reflection on collective wellbeing and the role of creative practice in fostering care, exchange and belonging.

First Floor Galleries, Ikon Gallery, Birmingham.
Thursday 20 August 2026, 12-3pm.
Drop-in. Free.

This event is in conjunction with Break the Mould exhibition.

ALSO

Join us for a combined artist talk, making activity, and discussion with visiting Indian artist Shalini Dam. Shalini will talk about her work, share a clay technique specific to her practice, and open a discussion around care for artists. This is an event for practicing artists, designers and makers at all career stages.

Wednesday 19 August 2026, 6 – 8pm.
Craftspace, Birmingham.
Free.
More info and booking details on our website.

A British Council International Creative Exchange.

Images:
1. Break the Mould, installation view, Ikon Gallery (2026). Image courtesy Ikon. Photo: Tom Bird.
2. Shalini Dam portrait.
3. Oh What a Tangled Web We Weave (Detail) by Shalini Dam. Image by Serendipity Arts Festival.

This film made by Indian artist Lokesh Ghai, is a beautiful story of a village of shoe makers in India, skills handed do...
05/08/2026

This film made by Indian artist Lokesh Ghai, is a beautiful story of a village of shoe makers in India, skills handed down for centuries and now dying out. He is learning from them to raise awareness and preserve skills

Craftspace is hosting a screening at mac Birmingham, Thursday 6th August at 6pm in Pinsent Mason room. Chat with the artist, see and handle shoes, refreshments available. This is a South Asian and LGBTQ friendly event so please come as an ally to these groups.

Contact Deirdre via WhatsApp to book 07483 656868

We’re celebrating 40 Objects for 40 years Hand-carved teaspoon (2023) Made at a carving for mental wellbeing group run b...
03/08/2026

We’re celebrating 40 Objects for 40 years


Hand-carved teaspoon (2023)
Made at a carving for mental wellbeing group run by by a member of staff as a gift to the office to celebrate 25 years of working at Craftspace.

This spoon looks delicate but is surviving well. It has been stained and smoothed from stirring many welcome cups of tea and coffee. We do love our tea!

We love it because it celebrates crafted objects and their purpose in our day to day lives. “An act of care, looking after each other and the people who work with us.”

Nominated by Marketing Manager, Lisa; and Administrative Assistant, Smilla.

To celebrate Craftspace’s 40th Anniversary, we commissioned the artist Stewart Francis Easton to create an artwork which would explore the story of Craftspace through 40 objects. Stewart created a series of four beautiful graphic quilts. You can see them on our website via the link in our bio.

?Here’s a round-up of what’s going on…This week we thought we'd highlight a couple of Birmingham based craft businesses...
31/07/2026

?
Here’s a round-up of what’s going on…

This week we thought we'd highlight a couple of Birmingham based craft businesses! If you're looking for craft supplies for your summer projects we'd love to hear about the places you like to get materials from.

We met Digbeth based Japan Crafts at last year's Festival of Quilts . They sell lots of lovely craft supplies, specialising in Japanese crafts. We love the story behind the Ōtsuchi Sashiko Bag Kits: women evacuated after a devastating earthquake who learned sashiko as way to recover and find joy and hope.

Do you know about Scrapstore?
They stop materials from businesses and individuals going to landfill and sell them, at reduced prices, to be crafted into something new. You can find lots of weird and wonderful things including by-products from manufacturing processes. Visit them in Northfield. More details here

SHOP

You can support Craftspace when you buy items from our online shop. Our 'Workshop in a Box' craft kits encourage you to learn skills which you can take in whatever direction you like. Learn about weaving, get creative with paper or explore mark making and collage. From £24.

You can also buy jewellery made by , our collective of migrant and refugee women.

https://craftspace.co.uk/shop/

ELSEWHERE

We were interested to read about the exhibition ‘Discovering Lisel Haas’, at the Library of Birmingham . Lisel Haas was a German-born Jewish photographer who was forced to flee in 1938. She settled in Birmingham with her partner, Grete Bermbach, and re-established herself as a photographer in the city. Her archive, now held at the Library of Birmingham, includes photographs, letters and documents connecting Haas's personal history with the wider life of the city.

At the Library of Birmingham until 12 December.

Address

Unit 204, 60 Frederick Street
Birmingham
B1

Telephone

+441216086668

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