QEST Youth Board Chats: Meet Youth Board Member Elizabeth Jarvis

In this Meet the Maker article we spoke with QEST Youth Board member Elizabeth Jarvis about her carpentry and woodwork practice, how she got started and what advice she has for people thinking about a career in craft.

Can you introduce yourself and your craft practice?

My journey began in 2021, aged 13, when I started working alongside a master carpenter regularly on weekends. Due to a Functional Neurological Disorder, which resulted in the loss of the majority of sensation and dexterity in my hands, I left school to go into homeschooling at the end of that school year and took a break from carpentry. Once I’d developed enough use in my arms and hands return to site work, I built my way towards working up to three days a week. We worked together for three and a half years.

In 2023, aged 15, I set up my own workshop to explore finer woodworking and began visiting furniture schools which gave me great motivation and a goal to work towards. At 16, I made various pieces like a box for Mika (the musician) filled with letters from fans and various 3D portraits. Combining art and woodwork seemed to be a good niche so I set up a business to take on commissions.

At this time, I was working on my Silver Arts Awards and visited Bovey Tracey Craft Festival for the first time and realised there was huge potential for a career in craft. I researched the event and interviewed makers and organisations to give myself an idea of what direction I’d like to pursue. This led me to joining QEST on their Youth Board and Heritage Crafts as a volunteer. I discovered a love for interviewing and asking questions about craft through event work and built-up opportunities to share mine and others experience of having a craft career. 

In your opinion, what are some of the barriers people face when pursuing careers in craft?

As you step into a craft career, many may ask: “What’s the point of craft?”. I think as a society we’ve slipped away from the enormity of what the word ‘craft’ encompasses and have diminished it to what you see at your local church fete. But it’s more than just at home knitting and sewing. Although there are very strong, bespoke industries within textiles, there’s also so much more to explore.

As a woodworker by trade, starting out on site and moving into the workshop has certainly faced its criticism. Many do not understand the hard work and creativity involved as so many are pushed into the construction industries because they are not suited to formal education and subsequently GCSEs were not suited to their way of working. This can build resentment, as even at college levels, it’s still a very narrow pathway for those with out of the box minds. Often, teachers are doing the best they can but with curriculum restrictions, reduced funding and understanding from the outside sectors, there are so many barriers to overcome to give a fuller insight into the scope of the construction industries.

Not everyone has to be a government housing site labourer- you could go into bespoke boat building, furniture or something further suited to your personal skills if provided with the knowledge of the access routes into your craft. Unfortunately, many will never find that opportunity because it’s becoming so pigeonholed. Why? Because no one understands the point and opportunities of craft.

What opportunities and benefits does craft provide?

Craft provides many job opportunities; you don’t even need to be hands on. You could run your own business, be someone’s social media manager (an equally as creative career), teach workshops, be a technician or even get involved with a craft organisation doing admin, research, events, etc. I set up my own woodworking business at sixteen but have also volunteered my way up to interviewing other makers at events, supporting craft organisations, writing articles like this one and so much more.

Regarding benefits, there’s always something to do. Craft careers can be quite full on (a point which is often overlooked) but there’s not much room for boredom which provides great stability even in the toughest of times. If you can find your way onto some kind of course/apprenticeship, the first few years of learning will be the toughest to stay focused but after that you can take it as far as you wish, in ways that keep you busy and your attention interested.

As well as this, craft careers often bring with them a sense of accomplishment and fulfilment many seek for most of their lives. Moreover, there’s often demand if you’re business savvy and support if you’d like to learn how to be.

Do you have any advice for those considering a career in craft?

There’s plenty of organisations offering small-large grants. Not sure where to start? You can take a look here on QEST’s Craft Your Future webpage or check out the Heritage Crafts Red List of Endangered Crafts for inspiration. Don’t be afraid to send an email to ask for some advice- you never know what opportunities might arise, even if at first you’re just pointed in the right direction. Don‘t be afraid to try several different crafts and avenues or expect to find the craft you love instantly. Build upon what you already enjoy and see where it takes you. The point of craft is to enrich daily life in ways that can’t necessarily be found in the traditional pathways for those with creatively interested minds. It can be tough but everyone has their own pathway. Sometimes all it takes is a daunting leap of faith to realise the potential of your life.

What aspirations do you have for your craft going forward?

I would like to train at Williams and Cleal in Somerset. I first visited there at fifteen and there’s such room for learning, creativity and support no matter how much experience you have in a very flexible setting. I’ve had the chance to visit on a few occasions and attended a carving course – every time I come away slightly starstruck and in awe of the knowledge and environment. From there, I’d like to teach woodwork in some form and find a way of balancing that whilst continuing my work for organisations at events and interviews with other makers to continue spreading awareness of craft.

Through my Gold Arts Award, I’ve been researching how to sustain the next generation of makers and have researched challenges schools across Devon and Somerset have faced and am in the process of creating guides to connect schools to access routes into craft careers. I’d like to further this in the future to create a greater awareness of what the future of craft could hold. I do not wish to be a full-time practising maker because I feel it would be too isolated for my personality, and I would struggle working alone for long periods. I’ve taken as many opportunities as possible to teach across the past two years and have found that is where I am happiest as it balances well with any craft events.

Elizabeth’s Portfolio on Voice Magazine’s YouTube

A creative and interactive sketchbook demonstrating Unit 1 C&D Silver Arts Award. Elizabeth has researched artists, arts organisations and opportunities and created a beautiful sketchbook with detailed reflection across the crafts world. Check it out in the video below!