A gathering of makers, designers and industry leaders shaping the future of British craft, furniture making, interiors and design.
Now in its fifth year, Inspiring Makers 2026 is a not-for-profit event hosted and organised by Artichoke and the Furniture Makers' Company, taking place on Wednesday 13th May at the historic Guildhall in Bath.
Artichoke and the Furniture Makers' Company believe in the future of craftsmanship. Despite the decline of master furniture makers - from 90,000 to just 1,000 over the past 150 years - we are leading the commitment to inspire the next generation of skilled makers.
The event brings together rising talent, established designers and influential voices in furniture-making and design to inspire, educate and connect.
This year's thought-provoking speakers include Bill Amberg, Caroline Till of FranklinTill, artist and furniture maker Fred Baier, Belinda Joslin from Women in Boatbuilding, Freddie Armstrong and Joseph De Ferranti of Slow Ways, as well as speakers from Artichoke, with a discussion to end the day.
Book your place to help shape the future of craftsmanship and forge connections that will support your journey in the industry.
Ticket includes lunch and refreshments.
Speaker Lineup:
Bill Amberg, founder of Bill Amberg Studios
'Using leather in interiors and architecture'
For more than forty years, Bill Amberg Studio has explored the aesthetic and material possibilities of leather across furniture, interiors and architecture. Bill’s work demonstrates how deep knowledge of a material, combined with expert craftsmanship, can open new avenues within the craft industries and shape a distinctive and enduring practice.
In his talk, Bill will share his vast depth of knowledge, exploring the remarkable range of possibilities leather offers within interior and architectural projects - from the variety of materials and the craftsmanship required, to its sustainability and rich history.
Belinda Joslin, founder of Women In Boat Building
'The power of community'
Women in Boat Building is a growing community dedicated to supporting and uplifting the representation of women in the hands-on boatbuilding and marine industry, offering mentorship and guidance to help women grow in the industry.
Belinda’s talk will explore the importance of building a voice for diversity in the industry, what it has been used to achieve and how this can be used to encourage similar efforts in furniture and craft.
Caroline Till, founder of creative consultancy FranklinTill
'Materials futures in design'
Caroline Till has long been a leading voice for sustainability and circularity in design, with accolades including her career as a director at UAL alongside major curations for the Barbican. Her company FranklinTill has supported huge brands with future proofing their efforts, providing top insights into sociocultural shifts, technological innovation and environmental change to ensure their work remains impactful, connected and inspired.
Caroline’s talk will delve into the role of material innovation in designing positive futures for people and planet.
Fred Baier, renowned avant-garde furniture artist
'Captain Veneer’s journey into the future of form'
Well known for his playful postmodern designs, with pieces in significant public collections such as the V&A, conceptual furniture artist Fred Baier will lead us through his sixty-year career, illustrating his unique way of working and sharing his expertise on how to gather your own unique perspective and skillset to generate original creative ideas.
Slow Ways, a project by Edinburgh graduates Joe de Ferranti & Freddie Armstrong
'Slow Ways: A walk across Britain for heritage crafts'
Slow Ways was born as a project to explore, document and map heritage makers across the country whose crafts have become increasingly fragile, bringing awareness to artisanal practices that offer us generational wisdom and culture. Their craft pilgrimage took them from Cornwall’s Lands End to John O Groats, with their work now planned for display at London’s Craft Week this May. Their talk will lead us through their journey and experiences.
Artichoke, with Technical Director Tim Hellier & Apprentice Charlie Moss
'Does craft have a succession problem? Learning to make the future'
What happens when the masters retire and no one is ready to replace them? Across many heritage crafts, the greatest risk is not lack of demand - but a shortage of skilled makers. As industries evolve and technology accelerates change, the future of craft depends on how we educate and train the next generation.
This talk explores how education - both formal and informal - acts as the critical infrastructure of heritage making, ensuring that craft remains not a relic of the past, but a living, evolving and sustainable profession.
Jessica Alexander, on behalf of the Furniture Makers' Company
A long standing member of the furniture industry, Jessica Alexander has been a Liveryman of the Furniture Makers' Company for over 20 years, elected to serve as the 64th Master at its helm for 2026.
Jessica will start the day off with some insight into the Furniture Makers' Company.
With thanks to sponsors: Artichoke, The Furniture Makers' Company, Sykes Timber, Halstock, Wolf Components, Castelan and Ergochair.
A gathering of makers, designers and industry leaders shaping the future of British craft, furniture making, interiors and design.
Now in its fifth year, Inspiring Makers 2026 is a not-for-profit event hosted and organised by Artichoke and the Furniture Makers' Company, taking place on Wednesday 13th May at the historic Guildhall in Bath.
Artichoke and the Furniture Makers' Company believe in the future of craftsmanship. Despite the decline of master furniture makers - from 90,000 to just 1,000 over the past 150 years - we are leading the commitment to inspire the next generation of skilled makers.
The event brings together rising talent, established designers and influential voices in furniture-making and design to inspire, educate and connect.
This year's thought-provoking speakers include Bill Amberg, Caroline Till of FranklinTill, artist and furniture maker Fred Baier, Belinda Joslin from Women in Boatbuilding, Freddie Armstrong and Joseph De Ferranti of Slow Ways, as well as speakers from Artichoke, with a discussion to end the day.
Book your place to help shape the future of craftsmanship and forge connections that will support your journey in the industry.
Ticket includes lunch and refreshments.
Speaker Lineup:
Bill Amberg, founder of Bill Amberg Studios
'Using leather in interiors and architecture'
For more than forty years, Bill Amberg Studio has explored the aesthetic and material possibilities of leather across furniture, interiors and architecture. Bill’s work demonstrates how deep knowledge of a material, combined with expert craftsmanship, can open new avenues within the craft industries and shape a distinctive and enduring practice.
In his talk, Bill will share his vast depth of knowledge, exploring the remarkable range of possibilities leather offers within interior and architectural projects - from the variety of materials and the craftsmanship required, to its sustainability and rich history.
Belinda Joslin, founder of Women In Boat Building
'The power of community'
Women in Boat Building is a growing community dedicated to supporting and uplifting the representation of women in the hands-on boatbuilding and marine industry, offering mentorship and guidance to help women grow in the industry.
Belinda’s talk will explore the importance of building a voice for diversity in the industry, what it has been used to achieve and how this can be used to encourage similar efforts in furniture and craft.
Caroline Till, founder of creative consultancy FranklinTill
'Materials futures in design'
Caroline Till has long been a leading voice for sustainability and circularity in design, with accolades including her career as a director at UAL alongside major curations for the Barbican. Her company FranklinTill has supported huge brands with future proofing their efforts, providing top insights into sociocultural shifts, technological innovation and environmental change to ensure their work remains impactful, connected and inspired.
Caroline’s talk will delve into the role of material innovation in designing positive futures for people and planet.
Fred Baier, renowned avant-garde furniture artist
'Captain Veneer’s journey into the future of form'
Well known for his playful postmodern designs, with pieces in significant public collections such as the V&A, conceptual furniture artist Fred Baier will lead us through his sixty-year career, illustrating his unique way of working and sharing his expertise on how to gather your own unique perspective and skillset to generate original creative ideas.
Slow Ways, a project by Edinburgh graduates Joe de Ferranti & Freddie Armstrong
'Slow Ways: A walk across Britain for heritage crafts'
Slow Ways was born as a project to explore, document and map heritage makers across the country whose crafts have become increasingly fragile, bringing awareness to artisanal practices that offer us generational wisdom and culture. Their craft pilgrimage took them from Cornwall’s Lands End to John O Groats, with their work now planned for display at London’s Craft Week this May. Their talk will lead us through their journey and experiences.
Artichoke, with Technical Director Tim Hellier & Apprentice Charlie Moss
'Does craft have a succession problem? Learning to make the future'
What happens when the masters retire and no one is ready to replace them? Across many heritage crafts, the greatest risk is not lack of demand - but a shortage of skilled makers. As industries evolve and technology accelerates change, the future of craft depends on how we educate and train the next generation.
This talk explores how education - both formal and informal - acts as the critical infrastructure of heritage making, ensuring that craft remains not a relic of the past, but a living, evolving and sustainable profession.
Jessica Alexander, on behalf of the Furniture Makers' Company
A long standing member of the furniture industry, Jessica Alexander has been a Liveryman of the Furniture Makers' Company for over 20 years, elected to serve as the 64th Master at its helm for 2026.
Jessica will start the day off with some insight into the Furniture Makers' Company.
With thanks to sponsors: Artichoke, The Furniture Makers' Company, Sykes Timber, Halstock, Wolf Components, Castelan and Ergochair.
Line-up
Bill Amberg
Caroline Till
Belinda Joslin
Fred Baier
Slow Ways
Artichoke
Good to know
Highlights
- 8 hours
- In-person
Refund Policy
Location
Guildhall
High Street
Bath BA1 5AW
How would you like to get there?
