In celebration of the launch of the craftscotland website, which took place in Aberdeen last week during the Challenging Craft conference, a selection of designers from across Scotland were commissioned to recreate the new logo in different mediums.  These ranged from traditional crafts-based processes to techniques using new digital technology.

Textile artist, Claire Heminsley, who was at the launch, used linen and black cotton organdy with linen thread to recreate the logo.  Claire, who is based in Fife, works in textiles and illustration and trained at Glasgow School of Art.

Michael O’Donnell, who has been a woodturner for the last 30 years, turned, polished and sandblasted the logo from Perthshire oak.   Based in Caithness, he usually works with local woods.

Frances Pelly cut the logo from Caithness flagstone.  A graduate of Duncan of Jordanstone in Dundee she has lived and worked in Orkney for over 15 years and is a member of the Scottish Lettercutters Association.

The final form was created by Len Smith of Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen from plastic electroformed in silver using rapid prototyping.  Len is a jeweller and senior lecturer at Gray’s School of Art and his work is held in the national Crafts Council collection.

The ‘craftscotland’ brand will now form the foundation for promoting Scottish craft both at home and internationally.  A charitable company has been established to oversee this exciting new concept.

Professor Ian Pirie, Dean of the Faculty of Design and Technology at Robert Gordon University and Chair of the craftscotland Board, said: “The website and the brand have the potential to make a real difference to the future of crafts in Scotland both by promoting the skills and creativity of our world-class makers, and by establishing a focal point for the crafts community.”

Dr Helen Bennett MBE, Head of Crafts at the Scottish Arts Council, added: “www.craftscotland.org gives every maker in Scotland the opportunity to promote and sell their work nationally and internationally and will make their work visible to everyone interested in Scottish craft.  The new site demonstrates the quality and professionalism of the crafts sector in Scotland and we were proud to launch it at the Challenging Craft international conference in the presence of craft professionals and policy makers from around the world.”