Heritage Crafts | A Tile to Honour the Keepers of Traditional Skills
Some projects go beyond craftsmanship; they become a celebration of the people working every day to keep heritage skills alive. This commission for Heritage Crafts, the UK’s national charity for safeguarding traditional craft, is one of those pieces.
Heritage Crafts is widely known for its Red List of Endangered Crafts, a vital ongoing survey that identifies which skills are thriving, which are fading and which are at real risk of disappearing forever. Their work ensures that meaningful, often centuries-old craft knowledge doesn’t vanish quietly but is recognised, supported and passed on.
To highlight this mission, I created two special encaustic tiles inspired by their logo, each one a small tribute to the organisation’s work and to the very craft of encaustic tile-making, itself listed as critically endangered.
The Red list of Endangered Crafts
More Than Just Tiles
Creating these pieces felt meaningful in a different way from most commissions.
Encaustic tile making is one of the crafts highlighted by Heritage Crafts as being at real risk and yet it’s a craft with deep historical roots across the UK.
By commissioning these tiles and by championing the work of people like me, they help ensure that the craft doesn’t just survive but continues to grow.
It’s a powerful reminder that heritage only lives if we keep making.
Two Tiles, One Message
1. The Heritage Crafts Logo — Black with Buff Inlay
The first tile mirrors the charity’s core branding: a black circular body with crisp buff inlay forming the distinctive lines from their logo.
The design is simple, bold and immediate; much like the message behind it. This tile stands as a reminder that crafts survive only when people choose to support the makers who keep them alive.
2. Heritage Crafts Scotland — Blue and White Edition
To honour the work being done in Scotland, especially through the work of Scottish makers, I created a second version in blue and white, echoing the colours of the Saltire. This variation represents not only geography but identity; a celebration of Scotland’s own tradition-bearers and the craft skills that shaped its cultural landscape.
The Heritage Crafts tile in magnificent blue and white - echoing the colours of the Saltire
How the Endangered Crafts Fund Made a Practical Difference
Thanks to a grant awarded from the Endangered Crafts Fund, I was able to purchase a piece of machinery that will be transformative for the studio and the craft: a 5-tonne hydraulic (ram) press, bought from the other end of the country and carefully installed in the workshop.
This press is normally reserved for larger scale factories but by bringing it into a small studio setting it will accelerate development, improve repeatability and free up time currently spent on slow, hand-formed production steps. The ram press allows clay to be formed precisely and under great pressure between moulds; ideal for producing consistent, high-quality encaustic tiles while retaining the handcrafted character of each piece.
The grant didn’t just buy equipment; it bought capacity. Firing and test runs will begin in the coming weeks and will see me start a new phase of experiments with slip formulations and production techniques. The press will be the cornerstone of this work; replacing a time-consuming hand process, improving quality control and helping bring well-crafted, heritage-rooted products to market more reliably.
Huge thanks to everyone who helped with the move and installation — especially my friend Stewart (for hauling it inside and getting it running). This new kit is uncommon in the UK at a small-studio scale and it’s already shaping the next chapter of the practice.
The new Hydraulic press being installed in the studio - ready to work
Why This Matters
Practical preservation: Funding supports not only teaching and awareness but also the tools that enable endangered crafts to continue in working studios.
Better product, preserved technique: The press increases consistency without sacrificing the traditional encaustic techniques and hand finishing that make each tile unique.
Sustainable growth: Improved efficiency helps me scale small batches responsibly and reach clients who want authentic, durable heritage products.
A small number of these tiles are available through my online shop, created in partnership with and in support of Heritage Crafts.
Each one is a piece of functional art, a conversation starter and a way to contribute to the survival of endangered craft skills.
Want Something Meaningful Made Just for You?
If you’d like to commission a bespoke encaustic tile; whether for a charity, a heritage organisation, your home or your own craft community, I’d be delighted to help bring your idea to life.
