Maker Stories

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.  

In this episode Rose Sinclair of Goldsmiths, University of London, discusses her journey into craft and her research on the textile practices of Black British women. She describes the prevalence of craft in her upbringing and how her mum, when she migrated to the UK from Jamaica, was a professional seamstress but could not get a job because she was told "a white body could not be touched by black hands". Instead her mother worked on sewing machines in factories. Rose's own education spanned technology and craft, despite being told at school that she would make "a good hairdresser". She was determined to make a career out of creative work and she reveals her fascinating journey from textiles practice into teaching, then research. Rose says she decided to research craft because she did not see people like her in the industry. She talks about Dorcas Societies as examples of the importance of craft for identity and sociality. She finishes by talking about her role models in craft and future ambitions.

Jasmine Carey, a designer-maker based at Cockpit Arts in London, describes her journey into craft. From her education and work experience, to studying fashion at London Universities, Jasmine describes her experiences as a Black woman in craft and the challenges she has faced. These include not feeling like she belonged in certain organisations in the fashion and craft industry. She describes the importance of her friends and networks for support and encouragement, leading to her winning a prestigious Leather Sellers' award at Cockpit Arts. She argues that there needs to be a better representation of women of colour in craft, she says "I think it's important for people who are thinking of working in craft knowing that there's other people like you around, because representation does matter". You can find out more about Jasmine's work at www.deco22.co.uk.This podcast series is part of an RCUK/UKRI Innovation Fellowship funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and in collaboration with Crafts Council UK. This project, called ‘Craft Expertise’, aims to explore and raise awareness of the challenges facing women makers of colour as they try to establish a craft career. For more information visit the website craftexpertise.com. You can also follow us on Instagram at craftexpertiseresearch.