Take a seat (together with your child) at an embroidery table and embroider without compromise, without prescribed rules or patterns.
Our tables were specially designed for small children to embroider on in a simple way. We find the ‘doing’ and the pleasure in doing it more important than the result.
Join in on these unique installations by Hausgemacht, a mobile craft workshop from Belgium.
You can either freely embroider or follow a special embroidery plan using these framed grids—it’s all up to you!
This installation allows every visitor to contribute to a giant circular loom.
Just roll up your sleeves, smile, and create something substantial connecting with all those who have gone before or are following you.
What do you think about the rise of artificial intelligence (AI)? Will AI breathe new life into craftsmanship, replace it, or do you have a completely different idea? We invite you to share your opinion in a unique and creative way! Join an interactive data visualization where we, together with other visitors of the Ambacht in Beeld Festival, design a carpet that reflects the diverse opinions on AI and craftsmanship. Your contribution will be part of a collective artwork. Come and show your voice in color and form.
Tufting is a craft where you create a carpet by inserting yarn into a fabric. It has been around for nearly 100 years and gained popularity during the corona pandemic in countries like the Netherlands, aided by social media. You can compare it to getting a tattoo, but on fabric with thick thread and a special device called a tufting gun. It is a creative and fun way to turn your own designs into a soft and colorful artwork. Hang it on the wall, make clothing out of it, or use it as a rug.
Sarah Ben Messaoud (1994) is a creator from Amsterdam Nieuw-West. With a background in digital design and sociology, she combines these disciplines in carpet and word art that reflect social experiences. Her carpet was featured in the ‘Hairpower’ exhibition at the Wereldmuseum in 2022/2023, and she will exhibit at DAY Collective at the end of 2024, where she will focus on the tolerance of queer Andalusia. With her word art, she has performed on various stages, including Melkweg Expo, Pakhuis de Zwijger, and Theater van Deyssel (Frascati). She has also given presentations on NPO Radio 1, including an ode to Amsterdam Nieuw-West, and expressed her concerns about the earthquake in Morocco.
Over 120 million people have been forcibly displaced across the world, driven from their homes by war, persecution or disaster. Amongst this vast group of people, there are incredible artisans that possess the talent, culture and heritage to create objects of true beauty.
MADE51 is a global brand, an initiative brought to life by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, who connects these artisans with social enterprises. By utilizing Fair Trade principles, they support the design, development and marketing of the unique products that make up the MADE51 collection. Through MADE51, those who have been forced to flee have an opportunity to earn an income while in the midst of displacement. For consumers, these pieces are more than beautiful examples of craftsmanship and heritage, they are expressions of hope.
During the festival we present an exhibition and sales stand with objects made by refugee artisans.
The Dutch Hat Association (NHV) has been active since 2004. The association aims to bring hats back into fashion, promote the quality of the hat-making craft, and support the professional development of hat makers.
This unique association brings together around 300 members from various backgrounds: people who are professionally involved with different aspects of hat making, hobbyists, and hat enthusiasts. The NHV aims to serve as a platform for all these members by focusing on education and organizing competitions, social events, and more.
One example of an event organized by the NHV is the annual NHV Hat Day. At such events, the hat takes center stage, and members, along with anyone interested in hats, have the opportunity to exchange knowledge, skills, and ideas about hats and hat making. By organizing competitions and exhibitions, the NHV seeks to profile and promote the hat within the fashion industry. In 2006, they started a series of annual NHV Hat Competitions.
Hatlines is the glossy magazine of the NHV that is published four times a year and sent to all members. In Hatlines, you can read all about the activities of the Dutch Hat Association, tips and techniques, interviews, photo reports of hat events, and more.
By participating in the Craft in Focus Festival, the NHV aims to showcase the hat-making craft and provide insight into the process of making hats. This includes measuring the size, using hat molds, different materials and finishes, and presenting a custom-made hat as the end result. Through demonstrations and discussions about hat making and wearing, the association aims to inspire visitors with the hat as a fashion accessory.
During a previous edition of Ambacht in Beeld Festival, our youngest visitors created this fantastic creature!
This year, children can once again join in for free to build and paint a life-sized, colorful fantasy creature made of paper-mâché, guided by visual artist Edson Bruno Filho.
Métier magazine is an independent publication that explores the intersection of art and craft, material and technique. At the festival, you can browse the magazine, purchase copies, or subscribe.
For centuries, people around the world have enjoyed paper cutting. It’s fun and relaxing, with people of all ages creating beautiful artworks. With so many cutters, there are countless variations. This unique craft is rightfully included in the Inventory of Intangible Heritage in the Netherlands. The Dutch Association for Paper Cutting is the meeting place for both hobbyists and professional artists.
Everyone has used scissors on a piece of paper at some point, but in this workshop, you’ll take it a step further. After a brief introduction, you’ll learn the basic techniques from experienced cutters. You’ll then apply these techniques to a simple project on your own. At the end of the workshop, you’ll take home one or two cut-out artworks. Success is guaranteed.
The workshop leaders are members of the Dutch Association for Paper Cutting, specially trained to teach interested individuals the intricacies of the craft. Most of them regularly exhibit their work.
In collaboration with Nieuwenhuijs & Peetoom, young millwright Stan Baltus will give demonstrations of windmill restoration. He will work on a mill blade and gears.
“I am Stan Baltus, 18 years old, I come from Limmen. I am in the final year of my training as a Wood and Restoration Technician. I have been passionate about windmills since I was 2 years old and completed my miller training last year. I am currently in my apprenticeship with the millwrights and hope to make it my profession. This year, I started working as a freelancer and have already taken on several jobs, including work on windmills. Last year, I restored the small mill Het Klaverblad at the Zaanse Schans. The cap needed to be replaced, and several structural beams in the upper house had to be replaced, along with some wood rot repair and painting. Since May, the mill has been operational again. I also completely rebuilt the windmill De Mol in Limmen, which I started working on when I was 12.”
Festival address:
NDSM Loods
NDSM-Plein 85
1033 WC Amsterdam
Postal address:
Stichting Ambacht in Beeld
Kalf 158
1509AH Zaandam
The Netherlands
