In 2024 Tinsmiths of Ledbury celebrates its twentieth anniversary. The business was opened in 2004 by Phoebe Clive, with the aim of presenting a carefully curated range of timeless fabrics, lighting and homeware. Phoebe, who studied Furniture Design at Leeds Polytechnic, has a broad knowledge and understanding of textiles and how they can be applied to the home with over 25 years of experience to draw upon. At the root of Tinsmiths is a passion for good design with longevity, both practically and stylistically.
Twenty years on and our initial aims remain the same, to offer a range of natural fabrics and wares for the home which are timeless, well designed and are sourced within the UK as far as possible.
Tinsmiths’ idiosyncratic shop buildings are set in the heart of the Herefordshire market town of Ledbury which has a particular town plan dating back to medieval times based on long thin burgage plots. The idea being that your shop was on the “high street” with your workshop behind, living above and garden (complete with pig sty) at the very back of the plot. Tinsmiths has just such a plot. The original timber framed Tinsmiths workshop – a place to bring a saucepan for a new handle, an umbrella for a new spoke or a carriage light for a new lens – was sensitively renovated and opened as the first Tinsmiths in October 2004. Since then, we have expanded considerably, and this building now serves as our Fabric Showroom.
Tinsmiths Homewares Shop
Our distinctive double-fronted shop can be found at 8 High Street, Ledbury. Here, as a result of the strong relationships we have built with artists and makers from across the UK, we are able to offer a unique range of homewares, stationery and ceramics, many designed and made exclusively for Tinsmiths. Tinsmiths is also well known for the excellent range of ceramics sourced from some of the UK’s best potters. Alongside these choice pieces you will also find antique and folk textiles, wool blankets from heritage mills, artisan made baskets and woodware.
Tinsmiths Fabric Showroom
Our designated fabric showroom is located a short walk up the Dickensian alleyway adjacent to the homeware shop. It is housed in a 17th century timber framed building once used as a Tinsmiths workshop. It is a very special building for us as it gave us the Tinsmiths name.
Tinsmiths’ Fabric Showroom is a portal to our full fabric range and bespoke Made to Measure service. Here you can view our range of furnishing fabrics and discuss your project requirements with a fabric and soft furnishing specialist.
20th Anniversary Year
This year to mark our 20th anniversary, we are hosting a series of exhibitions and events with artists and makers who have shared our story and a few who are new to the fold. Here is what you can expect. The first event took place last month, an exhibition of cookware pieces in porcelain and wood by local Ledbury maker, Stuart Houghton, which was very warmly received.
21st June – 6th July ‘Lines & Lyrics’ – an exhibition of illustrated stained glass by Herefordshire artist, Tamsin Abbott. This exhibition coincides with Ledbury Poetry Festival and Tamsin has taken inspiration from some of her favourite poems and myths.
26th July – 17th Aug ‘Willow with Roots’ – an exhibition of woven willow baskets, trays and impressive lampshades by Herefordshire-based mother and daughter, Jenny Crisp & Issy Wilkes. Jenny Crisp is one of the most respected willow weavers and craftswomen working in the UK today.
5th September – 7th October ‘Papercut Pigeons and Brass Boots’ – will be a group exhibition by artists for whom folk art is at the heart of their practice. It also celebrates Tinsmiths’ enduring and special relationship with Tilley Printing, as 2024 also marks Martin Clark’s 60th year as a Master Printer. Exhibiting artists will include original artwork and letterpress prints by Mark Hearld, Jonny Hannah and Marion Elliott, ceramics by Paul Young and Katie B Morgan, and sculpted pieces by Matt and Amanda Caines. It’s going to be a fantastic show and the culmination of a busy and exciting year for Tinsmiths!
