The New Makers: Monique Lucas on British Craft, YouTube and the Future of Making

Monique Lucas is the founder and presenter of The New Makers TV, a YouTube series dedicated to telling the stories of British makers, craftspeople and independent creative businesses. After working across interiors, homeware, textiles and content, Monique created The New Makers to give craftspeople a platform to show how their work is actually made and why it matters.

In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson and Monique explore the changing world of British craft, the realities of running a maker led business and the growing desire for handmade products as AI and mass production accelerate. Monique shares why understanding materials and production can help people make more intentional purchasing decisions, while the conversation tackles greenwashing, sustainability, social media, influencer culture and the pressure on makers to become content creators.

Monique also reveals how The New Makers grew from fewer than 100 views per episode to one video reaching 54,000 views, and why patience, conviction and enjoying the creative process matter when building an audience online.

Key Topics Covered

✦ Why Monique Lucas created The New Makers TV to champion British makers and craftspeople

✦ The renewed interest in handmade products and endangered British crafts

✦ Why makers are expected to create, photograph, film and market their own work

✦ Understanding the true value and price of handmade products

✦ Greenwashing, sustainable materials and intentional consumption

✦ How social media can help independent makers build viable businesses

✦ The dangers of comparison, influencer culture and chasing algorithms

✦ Growing a YouTube series from fewer than 100 views to 54,000 views