Magazine

‘Craft’, which use to mean ‘making by hand’, was originally an Anglo-Saxon word that meant ‘skill’. At Rose Uniacke we actively celebrate craft in both these senses. Skill in hand-making is the thread that runs through everything we do, twisting down through the long artistic tradition of the world’s first craftsmen and weaving itself into the most refined techniques of today.   

London Craft Week, which took place at our stores on Pimlico Road, between May 12^th – 17^th, was a celebration of extraordinary craftsmanship and an ideal opportunity to showcase some of our brilliant makers. 

Renowned for her passionate championing of traditional crafts and in partnership with the Heritage Crafts Association, Rose Uniacke is the annual sponsor of the Young Weaver of the Year Award. Scarlett Farrer, winner of the 2024 accolade, was in residence at our Fabric Showroom throughout London Craft Week, spinning alpaca fibre into yarn and demonstrating the most traditional way of spinning.

Working only with natural materials, sheep and alpaca wool sourced from small farms, Scarlett relies on the natural colour of the fleeces for the subtly inventive patterns and textures of her finished fabrics. She is a master of every aspect of her process from washing, scouring, and carding, to spinning, designing, and finally weaving. 

Visitors were able to participate, as Scarlett showed how she created the unique wall hanging, on display, and available to purchase.

On Wednesday May 14^th we had the apprentice to England’s only remaining master silver beater, making bowls at 76 Pimlico Road. Silver beating is an art that is practised now by only one man, in Sheffield, and his apprentice, a precious skill that we at Rose Uniacke are proud to foster and were delighted to be able to share with visitors to Craft Week. Representing the brand’s deep relationship with the beauty of wood, the maker of our Chinese chequers boards was making his solid, gently dimpled boards.