Crossing Crafts
A New Collaborative Journey
We are delighted to announce Crossing Crafts, an exciting joint project between the Society of Designer Craftsmen (SDC) and the Suffolk Craft Society (SCS). Inspired by the influential Pairings projects led by Alice Kettle Hon FSDC, the initiative was launched at the SDC show in November, and we are thrilled to see where these creative conversations lead.
What is Crossing Crafts?
Crossing Crafts is a celebration of the uniqueness and shared spirit of makers in both societies. The project brings together SDC and SCS members from different disciplines and encourages them to learn from one another’s materials, processes and creative approaches. By stepping briefly into another maker’s world, participants may find new insights, fresh ideas, and unexpected inspiration.
How does it work?
Selected makers will be paired across different disciplines. Each participant chooses a clearly defined aspect of their own practice to share with their partner, giving both the chance to experience a new material, a different technique, or an unfamiliar way of thinking.
How the pairs collaborate is entirely up to them: meeting in person or online, exchanging ideas once or repeatedly, working hands-on or reflectively. They may also choose to draw inspiration from the SDC’s rich heritage by exploring objects from the V&A’s extensive collection.
This cross-fertilisation may spark experiments, temporary diversions, or even long-lasting shifts in creative direction. Some makers may produce individual work subtly influenced by the exchange; others may choose to create a collaborative piece together. Each pair will keep a brief log of their process and share occasional updates with the project team.
The first showcase
The first glimpse of Crossing Crafts in action was shared at the Society of Designer Craftsmen’s Celebrating Collaboration event on Saturday 18th April 2026 in London.
SCS was delighted to be part of the day, which brought together makers, artists and creative thinkers to explore the meaningful relationships that can develop between craftspeople, communities and commercial partners. The programme offered a thoughtful and engaging exploration of collaboration, how it can challenge established ideas, open new creative pathways and enrich individual practice.
A series of insightful talks from leading makers provided personal perspectives on collaboration in action. Speakers included Alice Kettle Hon FSDC, textile and fibre artist; Simon Jewell FSDC, furniture and box maker; Christine Spencer MSDC, textile artist; and ceramicist Emma Lacey. Each shared their experiences of working across disciplines and the impact collaboration has had on their work.
The Next Showcase
Visitors can discover Crossing Crafts as part of the SCS Summer Exhibition at Ickworth Estate and explore the stories, experiments and collaborations behind the work. Visitors can view work from:
Marie Coomber, SCS – Ceramics with Julie Harper, SDC – Stitched & Constructed Textiles
Liz Chester, SCS – Woven Textiles with Libby Daniels, SDC – Ceramics
Sarah Woodcock, SCS – Leatherwork with Sophie Ambelas, SDC – Ceramics
Raeleen Gladwell, SCS – Leather with Sarah Waters, SDC – Feltmaking
Hassina Khan, SCS – Glass with Margaret Jones, SDC – Woven Textiles
Cindy Gidney, SCS – Basketry with Ellis Stacey, SDC – Furniture
Diane Levitt, SCS – Jewellery with Fiona Wyse, SDC – Woven Textiles
Mary Anstee-Parry, SCS – Sculpture / Wood Carving with Moira Searle, SDC – Feltmaking
Neville Tatham, SCS – Ceramics with Sylvie Millen, SDC – Stitched & Constructed Textiles
Ruth Holt SCS – Woven Textiles with Wendy Greaves – Stitched & Constructed Textiles
Naomi Jacques, SDC – Glass with Ksenia Semirova, SDC – Stitched & Constructed Textiles
Alexandra Motiu, SDC – Printmaking with Mandy Nash, SDC – Feltmaking / Jewellery
David Rodgers, SDC – Woodturning with Diana McKinnon, SDC – Stitched & Constructed Textiles
Carlyn Lindsay, SDC – Woodturning with Sam Gleeson, SDC – Bladesmithing
Anne Amosford, SDC – Mixed Media with Harriet Walford SDC – Metalwork
Molly Williams, SDC – Feltmaking with Claudia Luque SDC – Ceramics
Sumi Perera, SDC – Paper / Printmaking with Jessica Palmer, SDC – Paper
Together, these partnerships celebrate the value of sharing knowledge and crossing the boundaries between different craft disciplines. The resulting work demonstrates what can happen when makers step outside their familiar practice, exchange ideas and allow another craftsperson’s skills and approach to influence their own.
How Will It Conclude?
While the benefits of Crossing Crafts will undoubtedly extend far beyond any single outcome, the project will culminate in a series of exhibitions and events, including:
Society of Designer Craftsmen Annual Showcase Exhibition (November 2026)
Further presentations and events to be announced in 2027
We look forward to sharing more as this exciting project develops, and to seeing how these creative exchanges continue to inspire new work, new thinking and lasting connections.
We hope you are as excited as we are to see where this new collaboration leads, and we look forward to sharing updates as the project unfolds.
