Leah Faulks
Leah Faulks brings a fresh perspective to her craft as a young, female maker working with traditionally man-made objects. Her designs break from convention, drawing inspiration from both her jewellery background and the heritage of the materials themselves.
At its heart, Leah’s work isn’t just about preserving these objects—it’s about letting them evolve. She values how heritage pieces can transform beyond their original purpose, becoming something new while still honouring their roots.
Leah’s craft practice is supported by research into the historical craft and modern role of heritage objects. Through academic research and interviews with current craftspeople, she is working to map the field of modern Sgian Dubh making and understand the challenges faced by craftspeople of endangered heritage crafts.
Leah Faulks
Interdisciplinary maker of Sgian Dubhs and Quaichs
BA Hons Jewellery and Metal Design Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design
Statement
Leah Faulks is an interdisciplinary maker of Scottish heritage craft objects. Her practice reimagines the Sgian Dubh (sock knives worn alongside the kilt) and the Quaich (a two handled cup used to share a drink among friends). She crafts these objects to be contemporary and functional, seeking to reflect modern Scottish identity.
Leah integrates digital technologies like 3D printing and CNC milling with traditional handcraft techniques in wood and metal, embracing these technologies as tools within her creative practice but still centring each piece on hand making. She uses inlay techniques to combine metal and wood and emphasise their unique material qualities. Naïve line patterns based on abstracted tartan is inlaid into her Sgian Dubh handles in silver, catching the light as the wearer dances at a ceilidh.
The patterns trace across the surface of her Cup Quaichs, providing a tactile experience as the cup is held and matching as a larger image when gathered in a set. In pursuit of sustainability in her work, Leah creates heirloom pieces using native wood and recycled silver. Her offcuts from larger pieces are used to create jewellery and kilt pins, reducing waste in her workshop.
Leah’s craft practice is supported by research into the historical craft and modern role of heritage objects. Through academic research and interviews with current craftspeople, she is working to map the field of modern Sgian Dubh making and understand the challenges faced by craftspeople of endangered heritage crafts. She also engages in citational making to ensure the historical context of these storied objects is referenced and respected in her contemporary reimagining.
Materials and Techniques
| Recycled silver, copper and stabilised wood. Silversmithing Techniques Sinking silver and copper vessels: Shaping metal into hollow forms by hammering or pressing it into a depression to create bowls, cups, or other vessels. Casting from 3D printed models: Producing metal pieces by pouring molten metal into moulds created from 3D-printed prototypes. Other Making Techniques CNC milling: Using computer-controlled machines to cut, shape, or engrave wood with precision. Inlay: Embedding contrasting materials, such as metal, wood, or gemstones, into a surface to create decorative patterns or designs. |
Accolades
After graduating from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design with a first-class degree in Jewellery and Metal Design, Leah set up her business Faulks Metal, crafting unique contemporary Scottish jewellery and objects. She has exhibited and sold work across Scotland, working from her Glasgow workshop.
Leah has exhibited this work at shows and Highland Games across Scotland. She received The Society of Designer Craftsman Award for Outstanding Innovation in Craft and Design after exhibiting at New Designers in London and continues to exhibit as a Licentiate with the society.
In 2025, Leah received the Andrew Grant Scholarship to attend Edinburgh College of Art for a Craft MA to further develop her practice in wood and metal working, with a focus on Sgian Dubh making.