Buying craft

For many, the love of the hand-crafted has grown into a passion: the estimated value of contemporary craft purchases in England reached £883 million mid-decade. For some individuals, it is the uniqueness of the object that establishes its beauty and attracts them to buy; for others it may be the ethical importance of the continuation of the traditional trades.

The scope and wide price range of available craft allows people to purchase and commission original gifts, even when the fine art market is out of their reach. As craft offers one of the most affordable ways to own an original work of art, this is also a perfect route into collecting.

Buying craft offers great variety, from wearable items such as jewellery, and functional items such as tableware, to architectural pieces that can form part of your home for many years to come. As many kinds of craft object are available as there are locations where craft is for sale. Find out more about what you can buy and where to find it in our Where to buy pages.

• 

  Where to buy

  This section includes information on what to expect from craft fairs, galleries, craft and design shops and open studios. It explains the various ways to buy craft: via galleries, direct from makers or online.

  Find out more...
• 

  Collecting craft

  Have you ever wanted to start your own collection? Learn more about other people’s collections and get tips and advice on how to begin.

  Find out more...

For more guidance and information on buying and collecting, visit the Own Art website. They also provide interest free loans to enable people to buy art and craft