Handcrafting violins inspired by nature, tradition, and community

violin, viola, and cello making, offered by luthier Emma Hardy in Sheffield

Instrument Portfolio

  • "This is the most playable 5-string I've ever come across! Gorgeous balance and tone"

    – Rowan Piggott, D’addario Artist

  • I have been playing your lovely violin since I got home and it is sounding good! I am absolutely delighted with it

    – Alison P.  (Commission customer)

  • "Emma took good care of my violin and bows, helping me to play through 15 performances in 3 weeks with great sound and comfort"

    – Bar Markovich, International Violinist

  • "Great service all around. I will be back for all future needs"

    – Landon Peck, Music Psychology Researcher

  • "Excellent service! Brought in my grandad's old violin and Emma restored it beautifully. It's a joy to play"

    – Frida Green

  • "Emma is friendly, knowledgeable and passionate about making and repairing violins. She is also reasonably priced and honest"

    – Hazel Ferguson

  • "Emma did an amazing job with my daughters violin. We bought it used and it was in a bit of a poor state but Emma worked her magic and now it sounds amazing

    – Luisa Meco

A book titled "Folk Fiddle" by Emma Hardy is displayed on a cluttered workbench covered in wood shavings, with woodworking tools and a workshop wall with hanging tools and a shelf in the background.

New Book!

Folk Fiddle – Making, Crafting and Decorating is a richly illustrated guide for makers who want to step beyond classical violin conventions and create instruments that celebrate the artistry, storytelling and freedom of folk music.

Drawing on years of hands-on experience, my book takes you through each stage of the process, from choosing timber and designing body shapes to carving scrolls, decoration, crafting and applying distinctive varnishes.

Join my mailing list to be notified when the book is on sale in August/September 2026. Published by the Crowood Press.

Services

  • Side view of a vintage wooden upright piano with a polished brown finish, set against a plain gray background.

    New Making

    Using carefully selected materials and traditional techniques, I ensure exceptional tonal quality, playability, and aesthetic beauty in every instrument. Each creation is designed for both performance and longevity

    View instruments
  • A woodworking workshop with various tools, wood pieces, and guitar body templates on a wooden workbench.

    Classes

    Practical, small-group classes in violin making and tool restoration held on evenings and weekends at Portland Works, Sheffield.

    View Classes
  • Person playing a violin at a wooden workbench with bottles and art supplies nearby.

    Repairs

    Expert repair services for violins, violas, and cellos, including maintenance, and fine adjustments to ensure optimal sound quality and playability. I also provide bow rehairing using high quality hair prepared the traditional way.

    Prices

Violin Making & More Substack

Follow my Substack blog for updates in the workshop, musings on my making practice and other topics that pique my interest

Read now

Folk Who Roam

Independent, award making film maker Emma Crome, and ethnographic photographer Cat Vinton have been following my journey to design and make a folk fiddle inspired by the Peak District for the local folk players.

The film will be premiered in Sheffield 17th May 2026, click below for event information and booking.

Event Details

Follow me on Instagram: @HardyViolins

I feel like I’m still processing after our premiere of FWR last night. It felt so incredibly moving to be finally sharing the cumulation of a four year project with a room full of people. We ended up being a lineup entirely of women - From S&
This year I’m doing something a little different at the Sheffield Folk Sessions Festival - I’ve decided to team up with a group of fellow local luthiers to set up displays upstairs in the wonderful Perch Brewhouse. Luthiery can feel like
I’m so delighted to be hosting @rossgrantmusic & @soundsofhartwin at Portland Works next month as the first in a series of events organised in partnership with Hardy Violins. The gig will be held in Portland Works’ community space,
At the end of last year I began quietly working on the prototype for something I’ve long imagined: a violin that feels entirely traditional, but carries four sympathetic strings beneath the fingerboard. The real puzzle was the pegbox as I didn
The pochette I’ve been working on is officially up and playing! I decided to string it up in the white to see how it was sounding. It took a little getting used to, but I’m really pleased with it given its tiny size. At just 50.5 cm long