The Suffolk Craft Society - Friends & Makers of Craft, Suffolk UK

Welcome to the Suffolk Craft Society

Since its founding in 1970, the Suffolk Craft Society has championed excellence in contemporary craft, supporting makers from Suffolk and the surrounding counties. What began as a small group of pioneering ceramicists meeting at Snape Maltings under the leadership of the first Chairman, Commander John Jacob, has grown into a vibrant community of skilled craftspeople.

Among the founders was renowned ceramicist John Chipperfield, who still exhibits with the Society today as an Honorary Member. Over the years, hundreds of makers across a wide range of disciplines have been elected to membership, each bringing fresh ideas, inspiration, and creativity to the Society. If you share our passion for exceptional craftsmanship, why not consider becoming a Friend of the Society - or get in touch to learn more about joining us as a Maker Member.

Latest News & Events

Friends 2025 raffle drawn
Friends of the Suffolk Craft Society Annual Raffle – A Celebration of Handmade Artistry
Open Studio Weekend
Clare Gaylard, is opening her workshop and studio this weekend – Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th December.

The Guildhall exhibition closes

As our Winter Exhibition at the Guildhall, Bury St Edmunds comes to an end, we’d like to share our heartfelt thanks.

We are deeply grateful to the Guildhall team for their warm welcome and generous support. Exhibiting in such a beautiful historic space, right in the vibrant heart of Bury St Edmunds, has been a real pleasure.

A huge thank you as well to everyone who visited. Your enthusiasm, thoughtful feedback and genuine appreciation of our makers’ work have made this exhibition a truly memorable finale to our year.

Although this is our final exhibition of the season, many of our members continue to exhibit elsewhere. Do keep an eye on our E vents page and follow us on social media for updates. And remember you can still purchase unique, handcrafted pieces directly here on our website >>

Crossing Crafts

A new project of collaboration from the Society of Designer Craftsmen along with the Suffolk Craft Society, inspired by the Pairings projects led by Alice Kettle Hon FSDC.

This initiative will bring makers from the two societies together in pairs, each from different disciplines, to share aspects of their practice, exchange ideas, and explore new perspectives. The aim is to encourage creative dialogue, spark experimentation, and inspire fresh approaches within each maker’s work.

Each pair will choose how they work together, in person or online, and may be influenced by objects from the SDC’s historic collections at the V&A. Outcomes will be exhibited at SCS and SDC exhibitions in 2026. We look forward to seeing where these creative conversations lead, please check back for further updates.

Ickworth Summer Exhibition

As our Summer Exhibition at Ickworth House comes to a close, we’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the amazing National Trust team at Ickworth for their warm welcome and generous support. It’s been a real pleasure working alongside such a dedicated team in such a beautiful setting.

We’re also incredibly grateful to everyone who visited the exhibition and shared our joy for handcrafted items.

Shop online

Missing our exhibitions already? Discover a beautiful selection of handcrafted work by our talented craftspeople - from ceramics and textiles to woodwork, jewellery, every piece is made with skill, creativity, and passion.

Browse our online shop today and find something extraordinary >>