In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson speaks with Joe Perkins, one of Britain’s leading garden designers and three-time Chelsea Flower Show gold medallist. Joe shares the behind-the-scenes reality of the 18-day build at Chelsea, his collaboration with the King’s Trust, and how garden design is evolving to meet the challenges of climate change and sustainability. From designing resilient landscapes in Tunisia to creating inclusive public spaces at Sheffield Park, Joe reveals how creativity, ecology and craftsmanship combine in modern landscape design.

Listeners will gain insight into the design process, the emotional depth of working on war cemeteries, and practical advice for transforming home gardens into green, vibrant spaces.

Key Topics Covered

• Behind the scenes of the Chelsea Flower Show and the 18-day build
• How Joe Perkins designed a garden for the King’s Trust
• The growing importance of sustainable and climate-resilient design
• The emotional and technical challenges of designing war cemeteries
• The value of collaboration between designers, makers and craftspeople
• Ecological planting and the role of fungi and native species
• Joe’s advice for young designers starting out
• Practical tips for improving your own garden

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Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson sits down with Andrea Felice, the Italian-born furniture maker behind Andrea Felice Bespoke Furniture. Andrea blends traditional joinery with sculptural design, creating handcrafted pieces that balance artistry, craftsmanship, and functionality.

He shares his journey from his family’s furniture business in Italy to building a bespoke studio in London, his collaborations with designers like Rebecca James, and the challenges of preserving artisan skills in a world dominated by mass production and CNC machines. Andrea also opens up about the pressures of running a small workshop, the role of tools in inspiring design, and why patience and persistence remain essential for anyone entering the trade.

Key Topics Covered

• Andrea Felice’s journey from Italy to London and starting his own studio
• The balance between artistic integrity and financial survival in furniture making
• Challenges of scaling a small artisan business
• The value of prototyping and one-off projects
• The future of bespoke craftsmanship in a technology-driven world
• The role of tools as inspiration and creative drivers
• Work-life balance and managing client relationships
• The skills gap in joinery and the importance of apprenticeships
• Collaboration with designers and creating unique collections
• Advice for young people entering woodworking and furniture design

Enjoying the show?

Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

Key Moments:

00:00 – Robin introduces Andrea Felice and his hybrid artisan approach

02:00 – Merging traditional training with sculptural design

05:30 – Complex projects and the value of prototyping

08:40 – Why bespoke work costs more than mass production

14:00 – CNC machines versus traditional craftsmanship

18:20 – Growing up in an Italian furniture-making family

22:50 – Starting a business in London and surviving the 2008 downturn

29:00 – Gentrification and the loss of artisan workshops in London

32:40 – The lasting value of handcrafted furniture

35:20 – Running a business with a partner and dividing responsibilities

43:00 – Work-life balance, filtering clients, and reducing stress

53:00 – The skills gap in joinery and training apprentices

1:02:00 – Sources of inspiration from tools, materials, and nature

1:08:40 – Collaboration with designer Rebecca James and their collection

1:15:00 – The obsession with tools and workshop life

1:18:30 – Andrea’s advice for aspiring woodworkers: patience and persistence

In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson sits down with Russell Birt from Birt Williams Bespoke Joinery in Eastbourne. Russell shares his journey from restoring a 1974 Volkswagen camper to running a thriving joinery business. He opens up about taking over a workshop at 31, surviving accidents and setbacks, and building a partnership that balances traditional hand skills with modern CNC technology.

The conversation covers conservation joinery, the challenges of pricing and time management, the value of apprentices, and why quality always wins over speed. Packed with insight for makers, joiners, woodworkers and anyone passionate about craft, this episode explores the realities of keeping traditional skills alive while adapting to the pressures of modern business.

Key Topics Covered

• Russell’s journey from VW restoration to professional joinery
• Buying and running a joinery business at 31
• Balancing traditional craftsmanship with CNC machines
• The importance of conservation joinery in heritage projects
• Pricing jobs and managing client expectations
• Running a small workshop with a business partner
• Work-life balance and flexibility in joinery
• Passing skills to apprentices and the next generation
• Why quality matters more than cutting corners
• Future goals for Burtt Williams Bespoke Joinery

Enjoying the show?

Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

Key Moments:

00:00 – Introduction to Russell Burtt and the joinery community in Eastbourne

01:00 – From VW restoration to pursuing joinery

02:00 – Buying a workshop at 31 and early challenges

05:00 – Business setbacks and recovery with new partnerships

09:00 – Adapting to quieter markets and investing in CNC technology

13:00 – Balancing tradition with modern machines

17:00 – Ownership of projects and importance of the finish

20:00 – Campervan interiors and CNC opportunities

25:00 – Pricing challenges and managing time effectively

33:00 – Balancing office work and workshop life

39:00 – The joy of making and rekindling passion

43:00 – Passing skills down through apprenticeships

46:00 – The future of conservation joinery

54:00 – Favourite parts of joinery and the love of timber

01:00:00 – Challenges of conservation work and heritage restrictions

01:06:00 – Partnerships, flexibility, and running a small workshop

01:10:00 – Why quality work builds reputation and wins clients

01:11:00 – Advice for young joiners starting out

In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson sits down with Guy Watts, Managing Director of Architectural Plants in West Sussex. Guy shares how his 32-acre nursery grows 60–70% of plants on site, using propagation, grafting and container growing to produce hardy, long-lasting trees and shrubs. He explains why the business invests heavily in apprenticeships, creative maintenance and AI-driven garden design.

The conversation also dives into Guy’s personal story, from rowing across the Indian Ocean to earning his pilot’s licence, and how extreme challenges shaped his leadership and resilience. Listeners will also hear about unusual projects like helicopter-delivered trees, solar-powered plant labs and why vocational training is key to the future of horticulture.

Perfect for gardeners, landscapers, horticulture students, sustainability professionals and anyone fascinated by the business of plants and the culture of making.

Key Topics Covered

• The origins and operations of Architectural Plants in West Sussex
• Propagation, grafting and why hardy plants matter in the UK climate
• Container growing, irrigation systems and customer garden design
• Apprenticeships, vocational training and inspiring young people into horticulture
• Creative maintenance and events like Clip Fest
• Use of AI and technology in nursery operations and customer experience
• Extreme adventures including rowing across the Indian Ocean and flying lessons
• Company culture, resilience and lessons from running a large nursery

Enjoying the show?

Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction to Guy Watts and Architectural Plants

04:40 How the nursery grows and propagates plants

08:30 Guy’s early gardening experiences in Rye

12:20 Creative maintenance and Clip Fest at Chelsea Flower Show

15:00 Apprenticeships and training the next generation

20:00 Challenges in recruiting young people into horticulture

25:00 Balancing technology with traditional horticultural skills

36:50 Solar power, plant labs and rare propagation

45:00 Designing gardens and customer experience with AI

50:00 Delivering trees by helicopter and extreme logistics

53:50 Why Guy got his pilot’s licence

55:30 Rowing across the Indian Ocean for 102 days

66:40 Lessons from Streetscape charity and resilience in business

70:00 Advice for young people entering horticulture

In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson speaks with Shaun Phelan, gilder and mirror maker, whose career began in 1996. Shaun explains the detailed craft of gilding, from preparing wood with layers of gesso to the flexibility of water gilding and the creation of burnished finishes. He shares how his work evolved from antique frames to convex mirrors, pigmented glass, and bespoke furniture.

Shaun talks about his early influences, the rise of social media in bringing new commercial commissions, and his collaborations with Asian factories that allow him to combine rare materials like onyx and amber into new designs. He reflects on balancing artistic creativity with commercial demand and the importance of innovation in keeping a centuries-old craft alive.

Key Topics Covered

• Shaun Phelan’s journey into gilding starting in 1996
• The process of water gilding and the role of gesso
• Transition from antique frames to convex and coloured mirrors
• Pigmented glass and experimenting with nitrate finishes
• The impact of Instagram on commercial success
• Collaborations with Asian factories on bespoke furniture and lighting
• Challenges of balancing artistic integrity with commercial projects
• Using materials like onyx, amber onyx and alabaster in design
• Plans for expanding visibility through online platforms
• Advice for young makers on failure and resilience

Enjoying the show?

Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

Key Moments:

00:00 – Robin introduces Shaun Phelan, gilder and mirror maker

01:18 – Explaining gilding and the role of gesso layers

04:14 – Why Shaun prefers water gilding to oil gilding

05:39 – Childhood influences and fascination with antiques

06:47 – Moving from gilded frames into mirrors

09:03 – How Instagram brought new commercial work

12:47 – Partnering with Asian factories and bespoke production

18:06 – Returning to gilding for artists and commissions

21:16 – The creative process behind pigmented glass mirrors

26:14 – Expanding into furniture and lighting design

34:08 – The challenges of retail versus commercial focus

41:25 – Where Shaun’s mirrors fit best and why exclusivity matters

47:29 – Advice to his younger self about failure and resilience

49:00 – Finding Shaun online and the role of Instagram

In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson speaks with Dan Caldieraro, executive chef and director of Brewing Brothers, the team behind some of Hastings’ best pizza and pasta. Dan shares his unexpected journey from plumbing with his father in Italy to finding his calling in the kitchen, inspired by his brother. He explains the realities of working in a high-pressure restaurant, the importance of quality ingredients, and why slow fermentation and wood-fired ovens transform pizza dough.

Dan also talks about fresh pasta, the difference between egg and semolina pasta, and why gnocchi holds a special place in his heart. He opens up about the balance of being a new dad while leading a kitchen, the creative buzz of seasonal tasting nights, and why simplicity and proper technique are at the core of Italian cooking.

Key Topics Covered

• Dan Caldieraro’s journey from plumbing to cooking
• The experience of working in a busy Italian restaurant kitchen
• Moving to Hastings and joining Brewing Brothers
• Why wood-fired ovens create the best pizza
• The science of flour blends, yeast, and slow fermentation
• Fresh pasta versus dried pasta and the secret of texture
• Gnocchi and the role of nostalgia in food
• Running tasting nights and using seasonal produce
• Balancing family life and the pressures of hospitality
• Future plans for Brewing Brothers and the Imperial

Enjoying the show?

Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

Key Moments:

00:00 – Introduction to Dan Caldieraro of Brewing Brothers

01:15 – From plumbing in Italy to cooking with his brother

03:35 – The intensity of a busy restaurant kitchen

05:20 – Falling in love with Hastings and joining Brewing Brothers

07:57 – Opening the Imperial and starting with pizza

09:36 – Why wood-fired ovens change everything

12:12 – Blending different flours and slow fermentation for pizza dough

17:08 – The science of heat and perfect crusts

21:38 – Fresh pasta versus dried pasta and cooking times

25:16 – The ritual and joy of making pasta at home

29:40 – Gnocchi and childhood favourites

31:45 – Hosting seasonal tasting nights with foraged and local ingredients

34:54 – Pizza as the winning model at the Imperial

37:17 – Favourite pizza toppings and experimenting with flavours

40:42 – Pasta, sauces, and the Italian food code

43:48 – Advice for aspiring chefs and the value of asking questions

45:17 – Where to find Dan and Brewing Brothers

In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson sits down with Alexis Camburn, the founder of Two Snakes Tattoo in Hastings, to explore her journey from graffiti artist to respected tattooist and studio owner. Alexis shares candid insights about the tattoo industry, from her early apprenticeship days in a father-and-son shop to building a thriving business that has become a cornerstone of the Hastings creative community.

She opens up about the realities of running a tattoo studio, the financial pressures of self-employment, and the supportive network of local makers, barbers, brewers, and butchers in Trinity Triangle. Alexis also discusses the importance of proper tattoo aftercare, her own fears of needles, and how tattoos shaped her confidence and identity. Alongside tattooing, Alexis talks about her catering venture Fed Box, her 20 months of sobriety, and how resilience and passion keep her moving forward.

This episode is a deep dive into creativity, community, and carving out your own path as a maker.

Key Topics Covered

• Alexis Camburn’s journey from graffiti to tattooing
• Founding Two Snakes Tattoo in Hastings and building a creative community
• Tattoo conventions and networking in the UK and abroad
• The reality of running a tattoo business and financial challenges
• The rise of tattoo culture and changing public perceptions
• Tattoo aftercare and the pain factor of placements
• The importance of sobriety, resilience, and creative freedom

Enjoying the show?

Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

Key Moments:

00:00 – Robin introduces Alexis Camburn of Two Snakes Tattoo

05:30 – From graffiti to tattoo apprenticeship in Sidley

13:10 – First tattoos, fears of needles, and building confidence

21:45 – Tattoo conventions and the global tattoo community

34:20 – Founding Two Snakes Tattoo and early financial struggles

47:00 – The Hastings creative community and Trinity Triangle collaborations

55:15 – Tattoo culture, celebrity influence, and customer perceptions

1:05:40 – Tattoo aftercare and the pain of placement

1:14:30 – Running Fed Box Catering alongside tattooing

1:21:50 – Sobriety, resilience, and personal growth

1:28:00 – Future plans for tattoo conventions and collaborations

In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson sits down with Richard Muddiman, the Joinery Foreman at Johnson Bespoke. With more than 45 years of woodworking experience, Richard has seen it all – from traditional hand tools to the evolution of modern machinery. Calm, collected and deeply skilled, Richard shares insights on the art of joinery, the lessons learned over a lifetime in the trade, and why true craftsmanship can never be replaced by shortcuts. If you’ve ever been curious about what it takes to stay at the top of your craft for nearly five decades, this conversation is packed with wisdom, humour and practical knowledge.

Key Topics Covered:

• Richard’s 45-year journey in the joinery trade
• How woodworking techniques have evolved over the decades
• Lessons learned from leading a workshop team
• The importance of patience, discipline and attention to detail
• Why craftsmanship still matters in a world of mass production
• Stories from a lifetime in joinery and bespoke furniture making

Enjoying the show?

Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

Key Moments:

00:00 – Introducing Richard: 45 years in joinery

06:45 – How the woodworking trade has changed over time

14:20 – Lessons learned from apprenticeships and mentors

23:10 – The role of patience and attention to detail

32:55 – Why mass production can’t replace craftsmanship

41:30 – Richard’s proudest projects in joinery

50:10 – What keeps him passionate about woodworking after decades