Crafty Careers Fair, Sheffield | 11 July 2024

Young people in Sheffield were inspired by meeting makers and craft businesses at a recent event at Kelham Island Museum.

Hosted by Sheffield Museums Trust and QEST, the Crafty Careers Fair attracted school students and more than 100 young people aged 14-25.

The free event was an opportunity for young people to get hands-on with a new craft, learn about pathways available in the craft sector and gain advice from practicing makers.

QEST Alumni Leilah Vyner, Valérie Wartelle, Razwan Ul Haq, Barbara Jones/Straw Works, Lily Marsh, Tom Sands, Rachael Colley and David Morrish were all part of the fair, as well as partners from English Heritage, Anstey Wallpaper Company, K L Langton, and local makers such as Studio Budgie Galore and Simon Maillet.  

Alongside skills demonstrations, pop-up talks and some friendly competitions, there were lots of opportunities for attendees to have a go at making for themselves; Leilah showed visitors how to weave a bird using English willow, Razwan led a workshop on Nastaliq Arabic Calligraphy using bamboo pens and handmade inks, Barbara taught participants how to build with straw bales while Valérie guided young people through her wet felting techniques.

One lucky visitor won a crafty raffle prize which included a book from QEST, a School of Natural Building t-shirt, and a beautiful hand carved stone from Lily Marsh based on an object in the museum (pictured below).

To learn more about Sheffield Museums, click here: https://www.sheffieldmuseums.org.uk/

To find out more about the work QEST is doing to inspire the next generation of craftspeople, click here: https://www.qest.org.uk/crafting_tomorrow/