M asterful, sustainable and eminently collectable, authentic crafts hold profound value in a world so often detached from the tangible and tactile. Such objects, deeply connected to their makers, honour cultural heritage while shaping a contemporary aesthetic, set to stand the test of time.
This May, Sotheby’s is supporting London Craft Week with ‘Crafted’, a celebration of talent working across diverse media. Curated by Sotheby’s specialists, it is designed to shine a light and deepen insight into the realm of craft of all kinds. Sotheby’s will host the FiredUp4 charity auction and its ‘Secret Ceramics’ fixed-priced sale of anonymously donated pieces, to raise funds that provide ceramics classes for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Intoart will present a bold display of new craft commissions alongside works from its vast collection. Intoart is a pioneering visual arts organisation championing learning disabled and autistic people as visible, equal & established artists and designers. Elsewhere in the galleries, shortlisted candidates for House & Garden’s inaugural craft prize will be exhibited and Sotheby's will present a selection of leading commercial galleries showcasing the most exciting fine crafts being made today.
A major public programme will include demonstrations by master framers, needleworkers and conservators and a series of thought-provoking talks and workshops over two days: in the London Craft Week Symposium on 13 May, and at Sotheby’s own Festival of Craft on 16 May.
Image © Barnaby Ash (of Ash & Plumb) at the atelier's workshop in the South Downs. Photo by Andrew Montgomery courtesy of House & Garden.
Festival of Craft | 16 May 2026
- Sotheby’s Talks
- 10:30 AM–1:00 PM | Hand Embroidery Class with the Royal School of NeedleworkSpend your morning learning how to embroider with the Royal School of Needlework. In this special workshop you will embroider a motif inspired by a stunning 20th-century suzani in the Royal School of Needlework's Collection. You will learn a variety of international embroidery stitches, such as Bokhara couching, originating from northern Germany, and Romanian couching, widely used in Central Europe. The design is edged with chain stitch, a versatile stitch used all over the world and found in ancient textiles from China to Egypt. The stitches all come together on the red shot silk to result in a vibrant motif.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced stitcher, this workshop provides a chance to learn from an expert Royal School of Needlework Tutor in a supportive and inspiring environment.
£50 per ticket
Book Now - 11:30 AM–12:00 PM | A Framing MasterclassJoin Derek Tanous and his team of Tanous Fine Art Frames based in Fulham and founded in 1905 as he demonstrates and explains how traditional frames are made using their collection of unique hand-carved antique moulds.
Free
Book Now - 1:00 PM–2:00 PM | Thatching Futures DemonstrationExperience the fascinating world of traditional thatching, and learn how this centuries old craft is evolving and finding new relevance today. Robert Radcliffe’s work focuses on bringing thatching into contemporary interiors through furniture design and craft. His practice celebrates the history, culture and textural forms of this remarkable practice.
At this demonstration, Robert Radcliffe invites Master Thatcher Joe Thornton to create two new cabinets live, while sharing insights into the artistry, techniques and cultural heritage of thatching.
Free
Book Now - 2:00 PM–2:45 PM & 3:30–4:15 PM | Handling Textiles with the Royal School of NeedleworkGet up close and personal with a variety of historical textiles from the Royal School of Needlework's Handling Collection. These embroideries, which span centuries and continents, are used by the Royal School of Needlework students to understand how embroidery is made and used. Session attendees will get to handle these textiles, learning how to study these objects and getting hands-on experience with textiles usually behind glass.
£10 per ticket
Book Now - 3:00 PM–3:30 PM | Sculpting Leather: From Material to FormJoin Silverlining for a live demonstration exploring how leather can be shaped, layered and transformed beyond its traditional use. From hand-hammering to wet-moulding and stacked construction, the session reveals the techniques behind Silverlining’s sculptural pieces.
Free
Book Now - Design Your Own Cardholder or Passport Cover with Elvis & KresseJoin Elvis, one of the luxury pioneers who founded Elvis & Kresse and design your own cardholder or passport cover. Whatever colour or pattern you choose, it will be entirely your own. Their system transforms leather fragments from the production of luxury leather goods into components which you will hand weave. The crafts team at Elvis & Kresse will then hand-craft your final design and send it to you within 6 weeks in wonderful reclaimed packaging.
Whether you’re a seasoned maker or simply curious, it’s an experience that suits anyone who loves creativity, design, or discovering how things are made.
Cardholder: £150.00
Passport Cover: £180.00
Book Now
