Can the physical resistance of stone or wood be taught through an online screen? How do physical limits and budgets fuel creativity? And as artificial intelligence ushers in an era of "mind-made" objects, how do we ensure that handmade craft does not  become a luxury only for the wealthy?

Learning a craft is often romanticised as a beautiful, intuitive process. But as Swedish swordsmith Peter Johnsson points out, true mastery actually means getting comfortable with disappointment, and learning to navigate the constant "mismatch" between the perfect vision in your head and the reality in your hands.

In this episode of Craft Matters, Adriana Campo speaks with three guests,  who approach the realities of craft education from different angles.

We hear from Peter Johnsson, a world-renowned master swordsmith; Sébastien Mainil, an architect leading heritage training centres in Belgium to keep traditional building skills alive; and Siyu Liu, an emerging contemporary designer and basket weaver based in Barcelona.

Together, they explore,  what it actually takes to master a craft.

In this episode

• Peter Johnsson, Master swordsmith, Sweden To see Peter’s work, visit https://swordreflections.com/

• Sébastien Mainil, Acting Director (Directeur f.f.) at the Walloon Heritage Agency (Agence wallonne du Patrimoine), Belgium Learn more about the training centres: https://be.linkedin.com/company/agence-wallonne-du-patrimoine-awap

• Siyu Liu, Architect, contemporary designer, and basket weaver, Barcelona To explore Siyu’s projects, visit http://www.creatforfun.com

Learn more

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More about the European Crafts Alliance: europeancraftsalliance.org

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Credits

Host and producer: Adriana Campo

Continuity announcer: Rachel Kelly

Story editor and dramaturg: Ana Kuntarič Brodersen Executive producer: Laura Miguel Baumann

Produced by the European Crafts Alliance

Music: The Walking Song by Adam Ben Ezra (album: Hide & Seek)

Disclaimer

Co-funded by the European Union. The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority. 

Furthermore, any views or opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent those of the European Crafts Alliance.

About the European Crafts Alliance

The European Crafts Alliance is an independent non-profit network representing over 40 member organisations across 25 European countries. It works to strengthen and support the crafts sector across Europe.

The podcast

Craft Matters is a podcast by the European Crafts Alliance exploring the people, policies, and practices shaping craft across Europe — from independent makers to cultural institutions and decision-makers. Through interviews, stories, and field recordings, the series reveals how craft lives, evolves, and contributes to Europe’s economic and cultural future.