Craft Expertise and Maker Stories podcast

In this episode I speak to Brian Parkes, CEO of Jam Factory, a craft social enterprise in Adelaide. This interview took place online, and is a follow up to my visit to the Jam Factory in Adelaide. Brian talks about the history and ethos of the Jam Factory, which celebrated its 50th birthday in 2023.

I would like to acknowledge the Kaurna people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land, and I would also like to pay respect to the Elders past, present and emerging.

In this episode I talk to Dewi Cooke, who is the CEO of The Social Studio in Melbourne. The Social Studio is a social enterprise which was founded in 2009 by a group of community members, local designers and fashion industry professionals, who joined together with a common idea: to embrace up-cycled fashion as a vehicle for social change and uplift youth from migrant and refugee backgrounds. The Social Studio have grown from a small enterprise to having a shop and an accredited course in textile manufacturing. Dewi talks about how The Social Studio adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic, how they foster a sense of inclusion in their space, and their future ambitions.

This podcast episode was recorded in Melbourne. I would like to acknowledge the Wurundjeri people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land, and I would also like to pay respect to the Elders past, present and emerging.

In this episode we speak to Sahr Bashir, a craft practitioner and researcher based in Adelaide. She is currently studying her PhD at the University of South Australia. . In this episode Sahr will talk about her experiences in the craft sector in her home town, Lahore in Pakistan, and her experience in Australia and particularly in Adelaide. She talks about the influence of place on her making, and the aesthetics of what she did, and the impact on her own identity as a maker.

This podcast episode was recorded in Adelaide. I would like to acknowledge the Kaurna people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land, and I would also like to pay respect to the Elders past, present and emerging.

In this episode we talk to Susan Luckman, who is Professor of Cultural and Creative Industries at the University of South Australia. Susan talks about issues of diversity and inclusion in the Australian professional craft sector, and key areas for further research.

This podcast episode was recorded in Adelaide. I would like to acknowledge the Kaurna people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land, and I would also like to pay respect to the Elders past, present and emerging.

In this episode we talk to Kassandra Gordon, an ethical jeweller/Goldsmith and jewellery content creator based in East London. In June 2020, Kassandra wrote an open letter to the jewellery industry highlighting how current practices and systems limit accessibility and entry into the trade for Black people; and a five-point plan to help increase the visibility of Black jewellers in the industry and amplify their voices. She also launched a Go Fund Me page to raise money to support Black jewellers facing hardship. She is host of the 'Created For You' podcast, where she interviews business owners and creatives providing excellent experiences to their clients. https://anchor.fm/kassandra-gordon. Kassandra also runs the Black Jewellers Network which produces mentoring opportunities and support for Black Jewellers, a monthly newsletter and free event www.facebook.com/blackjewellersnetwork. For more about Kassandra visit http://www.kassandralaurengordon.com.

In this episode we talk to Pratima Kramer, a ceramic artist. Pratima recently appeared on the BBC television show ‘Home is Where the Art is’ where three artists compete to win a commission. Pratima talks about her experience filming the show, and her journey to becoming a ceramic artist.

Find out more about Pratima at: https://www.pratimakramer.co.uk

Watch her appearance on ‘Home is where the art is’ on BBC iPlayer here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000ky16

In this episode we talk to Onome Otite, who is based at Cockpit Arts in London. Onome works with textiles to create three-dimensional figurative collages. Drawing on her Nigerian heritage, she explores colourful traditional clothing as a means of female empowerment. Find out more about Onome’s work at www.onomeotite.com and follow her on Instagram at www.instagram.com/onomeotite.

This episode was recorded during a week of accelerated activity around Black Lives Matter following the death of George Floyd, who was killed while in police custody in Minneapolis, and the continuing police brutality during subsequent protests. While this happened in the USA, racism, discrimination and injustice towards Black people also happens in the UK, and around the world on a daily basis. This is why Black Lives Matter is so important. Here is how you can support the fight against injustice:

Find out more about Black Lives Matter: https://blacklivesmatter.com/

Justice for Belly Mujinga https://www.change.org/p/govia-thameslink-justice-for-belly-mujinga-justiceforbellymujinga

Justice for Ahmaud Arbery https://www.change.org/p/liberty-county-distric-attorney-justice-for-ahmaud-arbery

Justice for Breonna Taylor https://www.change.org/p/andy-beshear-justice-for-breonna-taylor

George Floyd Memorial Fund https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd

We talk to Rose Sinclair, a Design Lecturer (Textiles) in the Design Department at Goldsmiths, University of London, where she teaches Textiles and Design related practice at Postgraduate level. You can find out more about Rose at https://www.gold.ac.uk/design/staff/sinclair

In this episode we talk to Jasmine Carey, who is the Designer-maker for Deco22, a craft-based label producing leather and fashion accessories, with a focus on leather bags. Jasmine talks about her career and the challenges she has faced as a Black woman in the craft industry. You can find her work at www.deco22.co.uk.