Crafted at Christmas Exhibition at Millennium Gallery 🎄

Throughout October, I’ve been supporting the Crafted at Christmas initiative at the Millennium Gallery, one of Sheffield Museums’ flagship annual retail exhibitions. This experience has allowed me to engage with both the collections care and display preparation processes for this large-scale seasonal event.

My work involved condition checking, documentation, and cross-referencing delivery notes, ensuring that all artworks and handmade items were correctly recorded and safely stored before installation. Each piece—from ceramics and jewellery to textiles and glass—required careful handling and detailed record-keeping to maintain conservation standards while preparing them for public sale.

Alongside the retail and exhibitions teams, I’m also supporting the gallery setup, helping to move, position, and display over 35 makers’ works from across the UK. This role offers a valuable insight into how curatorial and retail teams collaborate to merge aesthetics, storytelling, and accessibility in a dynamic museum shop environment.

The exhibition will be on display and on sale at Millennium Gallery from 24th October to 24th December 2025.

Key Skills Developed:

• 💍 Collections Care – Applied museum-standard object handling techniques across mixed materials including ceramics, textiles, jewellery, and glass.

• 📦 Documentation and Condition Checking – Recorded condition details, verified against delivery notes, and ensured accurate inventory management.

• 🖐️ Adaptability and Practical Handling – Gained confidence working with diverse materials and adapting to the physical and logistical needs of a live exhibition setup.

Bespoke pen by Acorn Pens

Glass Showcase Display

Textile Showcase Display

Supporting Crafted at Christmas has strengthened my confidence in collections handling, curatorial preparation, and collaboration within a live exhibition environment. This project has deepened my understanding of how museum-based retail initiatives balance collections care, public engagement, and commercial support for artists—skills that directly align with my career ambitions in museums and heritage.

It was rewarding to see the completed Crafted at Christmas display open to the public, knowing I helped with both the preparation and installation stages alongside the Retail and Technician teams.

🗃️ Check out my Archival and Collections Project Page

🖼️ Check out my Exhibition Project Page

💡 Enjoyed this post? Subscribe!

✨ Learn more about my work and aspirations here: My Portfolio