Held as part of London Craft Week 2026, Crafted at Sotheby’s (May 11-17) celebrates British artisanship in diverse fields. For one week, the auction house’s New Bond Street galleries will be taken over by a raft of exhibitions dedicated to all things craft-related, including the 2026 House & Garden Craft Prize finalists' showcase. But the event isn’t just about pop-up displays and charity auctions: the auction house's Festival of Craft programme also brings time-honoured skills to life with a series of demonstrations by master artisans, plus a raft of talks and panel discussions.
Julia Fischel, director at Sotheby’s, points to a renewed focus on longevity, sustainability and ‘slow making’ that is driving a resurgence of interest in craft. ‘We know that behind every exceptional artwork is a supremely skilled artist who has honed their craft, often through decades of work,’ she says. ‘We want to celebrate the legacy and heritage of craft in many different forms - from textiles to leather work, picture framing, ceramics, glassmaking, needlework, thatching and woodwork.’
If, as Fischel advises, you come to Crafted not just to see, but to make and learn, there are plenty of opportunities to try your hand at a new skill. Sotheby's Festival of Craft takes place on Saturday, May 16 and includes a workshop on historic textiles with the Royal School of Needlework, in which attendees will learn how these delicate artefacts are handled and studied. You can also join design duo Elvis & Kresse to make a cardholder or passport cover by hand-weaving leather remnants. Alternatively, sign up for one of four talks: highlights include The Future of Craft, where an expert panel will discuss how vital skills such as stonemasonry, glassblowing and weaving can be preserved, and why they still matter; and The Crafted House: Keeping the Great House Alive. Moderated by Pratyush Sarup, House & Garden's director of content strategy, the latter explores how artisans help historic homes survive.
During the Festival of Craft, visitors will also be able to see makers at work, thanks to a series of live demonstrations. Derek Tanous of Fulham studio Tanous Fine Art Frames, which was founded in 1905, will reveal how traditional picture frames are made using the company’s hand-carved antique moulds. For a glimpse of the centuries-old world of thatching, don’t miss master thatchers Robert Radcliffe and Joe Thornton making two cabinets, while offering insights into the craft’s cultural heritage and how they bring it into modern interiors via furniture design. Lastly, bespoke maker Silverlining will explore the design possibilities of leather with a demonstration of hand-hammering, wet-moulding and other craft techniques. By putting these practices in the spotlight, it is hoped that visitors leave with a renewed sense of the relevance of craft in the here and now – the most important take-away from London Craft Week 2026.
For more information and to book tickets, visit FESTIVAL OF CRAFT
