Our last podcast in Australia was with the lovely Alison Jackson and Dan Lorrimer. We featured their story in Ed.3 of the We Are Makers Magazine. We were so delighted to finally meet in person in Braidwood where they live and work. Alison Jackson and Dan Lorrimer are metalsmiths, partners in both life and business. Known for their shared love of working with their hands, they often describe their roles as "Dan does big metals, and Alison does small metals," though their world of making is much more intertwined than that. Alison's background is in traditional silversmithing and jewellery, while Dan is trained in contemporary sculpture, tool-making, and machining. Together, they run Ferro Forma, a metalsmithing workshop specializing in handcrafted, small-batch edition objects for both individuals and homes. The name "Ferro Forma" reflects their craft, with "Ferro" meaning ferrous or iron, and "Forma" representing form. This name captures the essence of their work, as everything they create or shape begins with iron. Whether it's the tools they use or the materials they employ, iron serves as the foundation that makes their craft possible. WANT TO SUPPORT THIS PODCAST? Head over to https://www.wearemakers.shop and pick up a copy of our printed publication. Filled cover to cover with amazing makers from around the world. We Are Makers Insta: @weare_makers Website: @www.wearemakers.shop Ferro Forma (Alison Jackson and Dan Lorrimer) Insta: @ferroforma.studio Website: https://ferroforma.com.au

On our Australia trip we took a bus to Braidwood to visit Lea Durie, who we featured in Ed.9 of our We Are Makers Magazine. It's always great to connect with someone who you've spoke to so much online and over email to then meet in person. We are so thankful for these experiences and connections we get to have through our mission. From Lea's early experiments with clay in fifth grade to her current life as a full-time ceramicist in Braidwood, Southern New South Wales, her journey is one of continuous discovery and dedication. Initially trained as a landscape architect, her love for pottery was rekindled through a night class during a lonely stint in Melbourne. This reawakening led her back to clay after various life detours, including a significant career shift and raising a family. Her professional turning point came with a visual arts degree focused on ceramics and a transformative mentorship that guided her into taking her craft from a passionate hobby to a serious business. We hope you enjoy this incredible chat we had with Lea in her home studio! WANT TO SUPPORT THIS PODCAST? Head over to https://www.wearemakers.shop and pick up a copy of our printed publication. Filled cover to cover with amazing makers from around the world. We Are Makers Insta: @weare_makers Website: @www.wearemakers.shop Mud Dept (Lea Durie) Insta: @mud.dept Website: https://muddept.com

On our Australian journey, we visited Doug and Danika in Albury, NSW, whose story graced the cover of our seventh edition of We Are Makers. Meeting them and their family was a highlight of our trip.

Danika and Doug met while studying design at the College of Fine Arts in Sydney in 2005. Their passion for letterpress began in the UK, where they started collecting wood type blocks from charming markets. Back in Australia in 2011, they won a fierce eBay auction for a 1920s Chandler & Price letterpress named 'Wendy', previously housed in a soon-to-be-demolished hospital.

With little experience but plenty of enthusiasm, they learned the art of letterpress from Des, a former printer and mentor who taught at a printing museum in Sydney. Des, who once taught letterpress through a rigorous five-year apprenticeship, generously shared his weekends to help them master the craft.

WANT TO SUPPORT THIS PODCAST? Head over to https://www.wearemakers.shop and pick up a copy of our printed publication. Filled cover to cover with amazing makers from Around the world. We Are Makers Insta: @weare_makers Website: @www.wearemakers.shop D&D Letterpress Insta: @ddletterpress Website: @https://ddletterpress.com.au