making it

Meet the Makers: Chatting with Making It Australia's Dan

From pottery, pyrography and macramé, to carving, crocheting and even a Chris Hemsworth lampshade, Making It Australia is currently hitting Aussie screens on 10 and 10 Play.

The program showcases the connoisseurs of craft – exceptional people who possess the knack for creating something totally resourceful and mind-blowing out of a few pieces of string and a bandsaw.

After every episode, Chattr will be speaking to the Maker who was eliminated the night before. Today we spoke to Plumber, Dan.

What made you apply for Making It?

“I had an enormous amount on my plate at the time, but let’s face it: when 5 independent loved ones contact you saying you should apply, that’s a pretty clear message. I remember reading the application and thinking WOW this is about me. Now top that with a lust for Adventure / Distraction, and a recent EOPD diagnosis I saw the chance to prove to Kye (my wife), Australia, and MYSELF, I am still the Dan, Kye married!”

What was your time on the show like?

“This experience was like being picked up by a Cyclone. From the minute I pressed send on the application my feet have barely touched the ground. I still feel so humbled to be selected from so many applicants!! Remember though when the wind stops it’s not the fall that will hurt, it’s the sudden STOP! The most unexpected facet is the instantaneous kinship the 13 Makers felt and displayed on and off Set!  The good vibes were also extended between cast and crew. Time and time again I was gobsmacked and in awe of the achievements of my new Family. I took a huge amount of genuine support and encouragement for me except that I legitimately deserved to stand among these Olympians of the Making world. Three of the contestants and I formed a particularly Strong Bond that I affectionately named #TeamRADD.”

There are some very personal creations on the show, what was it like showing some of those more personal crafts on TV?

“I have always broadcast the enormous sense of duty that accompanies my insatiable internal drive to create. Furthermore, all of my creations are absolutely soaked to the core with Story, thought, meaning and purpose. I am truly thankful I was able to convey how much my wife Kye means to me in the form of Incredibly rushed ART haha. I must also express my thanks for the kind way my Early Onset Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosis was sent out into the world.”

What would you say to people who don’t believe they’re crafty enough to try something like this?

“Make sure your home life is sorted before you apply and be comfortable with your narrative (point of difference) then try and enjoy the Ride!!”

What’s next for you?

“Keep showing Kye I love her! and developing the OCG (Obsessive Compulsive Garden) and I hope I can complete my Electric Hotrod by March 2022.  Work wise I’ve been making deliberate choices to consolidate and focus on what makes me happy. This has inspired me to launch DeleurDesign. In order to combine, my passion for the environment and minimising our impact, Making Skills, Knowledge of a broad and growing array of materials and Ability to design and create unique, practical, and beautiful solutions to problems for waste management in particular. Lastly, I am going to raise some funds for Parkinson’s Disease Research. If you are familiar with the #CARBAR I Created while on Making It Australia? IT WILL SOON BE COMPLETED AND UP FOR GRABS!!!”

I encourage you to join me on this Journey @DeleurDesign on insta or find me on Facebook.