I met the Potter's wheel for the first time, and ceramics just completely overwhelmed me. Bugger painting. There was nothing airy-fairy about this. It was blood and guts and real. [laughter]

Object is a new podcast about design and contemporary craft in Australia, from the Australian Design Centre. Our first season is about masters of craft. Artists we call Living Treasures.

Before Living Treasures, we weren't on the map. We do have a really significant history to go with our shell necklaces.

Australian pioneers, mentors, nationally and internationally acclaimed and exhibited, highly skilled and highly creative. These leading craftspeople have downed their tools to talk with me, Lisa Cahill, about why they do what they do….

There's something about the material, just touching it. I just suddenly felt at home.

The spaces they work in...

Artists at the top of their game, the spaces feel complete in some way. They know their practice so intimately, they've evolved their life around them.

And, why they keep going….

It's a family story. It came from my grandmothers and most importantly, from my mother, me learning.

How they contribute to craft and design?

It gave me an insight into what I could do as a weaver, that could contribute back into weaving communities in various countries.

And their advice for other makers.

Never be fashionable.

Over 8 episodes you’ll meet acclaimed artists Prue Venables, Jeff Mincham and Les Blakebrough, Lola Greeno, Marion Hosking, Liz Williamson and Robert Baines. You can find Object in your podcast app or listen on our website http://australiandesigncentre.com/podcast