Make Works Blog

Manufacturers working in wool in Scotland

Wool has a rich heritage in Scotland and so here is a list of some of the best places to get your textile designs made. Read more

Letterpress Printers in Scotland

Five places that specialise in printing with letterpress on Make Works. Read more

Artists and designers using rug tufting to make work.

If the whirr of tufting guns and clamouring up meters of scaffolding don't inspire you, these projects will. Read more

The Make Works Extension

We made a plug-in that shows you alternative ways to manufacture IKEA.com products locally. Read more

How to find a manufacturer in Scotland

Sourcing manufacturers is a constant challenge for creatives and small businesses alike. Here are some top tips for your factory finding research. Read more

What is Plasma Cutting and how can I use it?

The dazzlingly bright torch of a plasma cutter can be found in most metal fabrication shops. We explain what plasma cutting is and what you can do with it. Read more

8 incredible techniques and processes for working in Stone 

Always heavy, always long-lasting - stone can be rough, smooth, precise, complex, dry, brittle and is be found in an array of complex natural patterns and colours. Here are 8 stoneworking techniques and where you can find them on Make Works. Read more

Glass manufacturers in Scotland

Some of our most memorable factory visits are inside the world of oxides, gases, colour, viscosity and malleable shapes that is glass. Here are eight Scottish glass manufacturers listed on Make Works Scotland. Read more

How to understand factory jargon

We know that talking to manufacturers can be a bit tricky. Here’s a list of some of the manufacturing terminology that you might hear when having those initial conversations with a local manufacturer. Read more

Dundee Design Festival Residencies

A factory residency programme pairing designers and artists with manufacturers in Scotland. Read more

Factory Tour at Varma, Reykjavik

We speak to knitwear designer Hilary Grant to find out about knitwear manufacturing and design in Iceland. Read more

Made Works: Cathy Wade Star Map

Artist Cathy Wade worked closely with Clifton Steel to produce a new piece of public art for Longbridge. Ruth Claxton talks to her about the production process. Read more