From the 8 to 14 May, London will be celebrating outstanding British and international creativity by bringing together 250 established and emerging makers, designers, brands and galleries from around the world

This annual festival of craft takes place across the city at over 200 separate locations including independent shops, studios, pop-ups, museums, galleries and even department stores. You can find the full programme of events for London Craft Week 2023 here, including a workshop for making sequins from seaweed and an exhibition of Vivienne Westwood corsets, but here is my selection of highlights.

Head to Design Centre Chelsea Harbour for contemporary craft fair Artefact (9 to 13 May) In its third year, the show provides the opportunity to meet leading gallerists from the vibrant craft arena and view outstanding work from established and emerging makers and artists. There will also be a talks programme, Conversations in Craft, curated by Material Matters host Grant Gibson.

Meanwhile, Future Icons Selects is taking over Oxo Tower Wharf’s Bargehouse (11 to 14 May) to present the works of over 70 leading artisans from all over the world. This will include a ground floor installation by paper artists B C Joshua, Fung + Bedford, NAT MAKS & Katja Angeli, plus daily workshops and of course you can view the exhibits and meet the artists. Register free here

And for London’s only event dedicated to French artisanal craft, The French Craft Collective is on Wednesday 10 May at the institut Francais. The event gives architects and interior designers the opportunity to discover hand picked French craftsmen renowned for their craft techniques.

Cox London is celebrating women in craft on 11 May at its Pimlico Road showroom with a panel discussion chaired by Elly Parsons, digital director at The World of Interiors. Nicola Cox, co-founder of Cox London, will be joined by three leading female makers: ceramicist and artist Phoebe Cummings; woven textile designer and maker Dalia James; and Sophie Sellu woodworker and founder of Grain & Knot. Book your free ticket here

And this event also caught my eye. The History of the Egg Chair, running at Fritz Hansen’s showroom until 14 May, explores the history and craft of this iconic chair originally designed by Arne Jacobsen for the lobby of the SAS Royal. On 10 May a demonstration by Hand & Lock will explore embroidery skills in the production of a limited edition piece. Further details here

(image at the top shows Hello Beautiful collection by Keeley Traae at Future Icons Selects)