Make Works isn't just about where to get stuff made, we also list facilities and open access workshops where you can make things and suppliers where you can find your materials.

Sourcing your materials locally is a fantastic way to vote with your wallet – you can support local businesses and depending on the material, you might find locally processed and more sustainable alternatives. If you're short of time, you'll also be able to get your hands on the material far quicker or even on the same day in many cases.

Here are some of the many materials that you can source locally using Make Works, if there's something you're looking for that isn't here you can explore our materials section. If you still can't find it get in touch and let us know.

Rubber

Rubber is a really versatile material that's used across Textiles, Interiors, Furniture, Product Development and Art Fabrication. William Johnston & Co. are a gasket and seal manufacturer based in Glasgow. Whilst the bulk of their work is coverting sheet materials in rubber and plastics into gaskets, they also operate as a material supplier selling their sheet rubber.

You can see their full listing and contact details here

Leather

The use of traditional leather in clothing and accessories by independent makers has seen somewhat of a revival in recent years. You can see this in the work of makers like Backyard Denim and Dawson Denim. The good news is that there's a fantastic tannery right in the centre of Glasgow called Andrew Muirhead which can supply everything from one hide through to large orders specifically dyed and cut to size for the likes of British Airways. You can find Andrew Muirhead's listing here, and read more about their factory here. There's also J Hewit and Sons in Edinburgh who are a manufacturer or leather and leather goods. They sell leather pieces as small as those required for bookbinding which can be cut to the required shape and size. See J Hewit's listing here

Stone

Stone is a material that's frequently used by artists, sculpturs, architects and designers. Just this month, we've had James Rigler doing a Hospital Field residency at Fyfe Glenrock, working alongside their stone carvers with stone processing machines. Fyfe Glenrock are stonemasons producing utilitarian stoneware, bespoke sculptures and architectural stonework. They also supply sheet material, cutting Stone, Sandstone, Granite and Marble to the desired shape and size. 

You can see their full listing on Make Works here

Paper

Ordering in paper might seem like something reserved for your printer but it can be really useful to work with local paper suppliers, whether you're just looking to order in paper to avoid those costly trips to Rymans, or if you're using paper for something more exciting like a piece of artwork or sculpture. Unforunately the number of paper mills in Scotland are now few and far between. There's Macfarlane Packaging based in Glasgow who produce cardboard and package materials, Caledonian Mill in Irvine who produce lightweight coated paper (LWC) used for magazines and catalogues, and Stoneywood in Aberdeen where Arjowiggins manufacture their Creative papers range. For something a bit different you can also check out PULP Paper, a Glasgow based company producing handmade paper on commission. 

Wood

There are a number of really interesting organisations across Scotland supplying locally sourced wood from Scottish forests. In Dunfermline there's Scottish Wood, a sawmill supplying Scottish wood from sustainable, local sources. We've also just added Real Wood Studios to Make Works who are based in the Borders. Real Wood Studios are a wood workshop facility and sawmill that also supply sustainabily sourced Scottish Hardwood from the local area. In Dunkeld there's  Brodies Timber, a wood supplier who offer a 'cut to size' service, as well as bespoke joinery and wood fabrication. In Rutherglen we have Westfield Mouldings, a sawmill who supply a variety of sheet timber alongside their main service of timber fabrication producing moulded skirting, doors and windows.  

Glass

Whether you're an architect sourcing glass for a build, or a glass-blower looking for a supplier for your own practice we would recommend you get in touch with Dundee-based Ravensby Glass. Ravensby Glass are Float Glass processors specialising in the manufacture of insulated sealed units, glass tempering and painting. They also supply sheet glass in a range of widths and up to very large sizes.

You can check out Ravensby Glass on Make Works here

Textiles

Scotland has been enjoying a growing textiles industry in recent years, which is forecast to continue expanding, giving you plenty of choice for sourcing textiles. From textile and yarn dyers to garment finishers, you can find a wide range of textiles suppliers here on the Make Works directory , here are a just a few!

Scott and Fyfe in Tayport manufacture technical textiles.

Halley Stevensons in Dundee manufacture bespoke performance fabrics including waxed cotton

Robert Noble are a weaving mill in Peebles producing apparel cloth

MYB Textiles are a lace mill in East Ayrshire manufacturing luxury lace and madras fabrics

Plastics

For sheet plastic you'll find an impressive range at Adam Plastics in East Kilbride. Stockline Plastics also sell a range of sheet plastic in both Glasgow and Dundee. You'll also find that a number of digital fabrication studios and makerspaces keep a stock of sheet plastics. 

What next?

Now that you've figured out where to source your sheet material you may well need somewhere to make things. Read our guide to open access workshops in Scotland