Jenny, Solange and Liz get philosophical at the end of the season and talk about object use, facsimiles, and the human connection. 00:33 Straight into philosophy 06:21 What do we value? 10:14 But use is damage, right? 14:20 What about future use? 15:55 Renaissance Disneyland 20:38 Interacting with collections 32:17 Familial connections 35:11 Message from Jenny Support us on Patreon! http://www.patreon.com/thecword Hosted by Liz Hébert, Solange Masher, and Jenny Mathiasson. Intro and outro music ...
Jul 03, 20250•Season 14Ep. 135
Jenny, Solange and Liz share their thoughts on finding clients, while some of our listeners in private practice reveal what really works for them. Also tune in for a book review from Phedra! 00:53 Let’s get into it! 05:05 Bragging about yourself can be hard 06:28 Listener contributions 08:07 Business cards, fairs and open studios 18:36 Should we tell people where we are? 21:27 Listener contributions 23:03 Social media 33:25 Websites and price transparency 42:59 Old-fashioned advertising 47:05 Li...
Jun 11, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 14Ep. 134
Liz is joined by Isabella Rossi and Sophie McAloone for another emerging professional special – this time about being in private practice! Or freelance. Or whatever you’d like to call it! (We talk that one out too.) Can you go at it alone as an ECP? Spoilers: yes! 00:36 BevArt chat with Jenny and Solange 08:28 New kids on the block 11:26 The appeal of going solo 17:28 The delicate balance of working with clients 23:08 Learning from each other 29:39 Getting started 41:49 Changes seen and hoped fo...
May 29, 20250•Season 14Ep. 133
Jenny and Solange are joined by conservation scientist Panagiotis Morfis as we talk bioplastics: what are they, where do they crop up, and how can we look after them? Also tune in for a review of ‘Experimental Design and Scientific Data Analysis’ from Jenny. 01:03 Feeling out of our depth is okay 05:00 What ARE bioplastics? 07:25 Information and identification 14:09 Bringing in the science 17:06 3D printing 25:28 Survey time! 29:46 3D printers in every home 31:07 The place of 3D printers in cons...
May 14, 2025•54 min
In this takeover special folks from the Heritage Trust Network Youth Forum get real about being emerging and early career professionals in heritage: sharing thoughts on resilience, broad skill sets, and whether or not we’re over the whole ‘digital’ thing. Are we maybe done with instant gratification? Also tune in for a book review from Liz! 00:13 BevArt update! 01:45 Introducing our takeover crew 02:55 Meet Grace, Becca, Emily, and Kate 13:46 How do you get experience? 20:01 Discovering a hidden...
May 01, 2025•52 min•Season 14Ep. 131
Join us as we all share the love for the smaller museums out there by visiting somewhere local (to each of us) or ditty (if we were on holiday). Come along to five wonderful little museums! 01:03 Solange visits Derwent Pencil Museum 09:52 Phedra goes to the Museum of Greek Refugees 24:33 Liz visits the Our Lord in the Attic Museum 34:17 Kloe goes to Shibden Hall 44:00 Jenny visits the Dylan Thomas Boathouse Show Notes: - Derwent Pencil Museum: https://www.derwentart.com/en-gb/c/about/company/der...
Apr 16, 2025•54 min•Season 14Ep. 130
Jenny, Liz and Solange tackle the age old question: how do you choose a conservation specialism? How did we find ours and what should you consider? Also tune in for a review of the new edition of ‘Culture is Bad for You’ from Jenny! 00:31 Kloe and Phedra are on maternity leave 01:24 How Solange found books 05:57 Do we begin with the craft? 08:55 Solange accidentally introduces someone to conservation 13:09 Let’s teach kids repair skills! 15:28 How Liz found paintings 19:25 Jenny’s refusal to sti...
Apr 02, 2025•51 min•Season 14Ep. 129
Liz and Solange are joined by Mary Lewis, head of craft sustainability at Heritage Crafts. Where does conservation and craft overlap? Let’s talk it out! Also tune in for a book review from Jenny. 00:24 Sponsorship news, hooray! 01:57 Meet Mary 05:53 Kindling crafts and their benefits 07:44 Intangible cultural heritage and the fetishisation of objects 11:45 Endangered crafts 17:19 Being human and using your hands 24:40 Overlap between making and repairing or maintaining 30:32 Woes of making a liv...
Mar 20, 2025•53 min•Season 14Ep. 128
Ho ho ho! In this festive special the team assembles to play a game of ‘Would you rather?’ and make some predictions for the year ahead – plus an exciting announcement from Phedra and Kloe! 00:05:13 A game of ‘Would you rather?’ 00:31:07 Predictions for 2025 00:38:04 The announcement! 00:41:01 Songs on YouTube 00:41:34 Thank you, listeners! Show Notes: - S09E08 Dyes in Conservation: https://thecword.show/2021/06/30/s09e08-dyes-in-conservation/ - S06E03 The One with the Arduino: https://thecword....
Dec 21, 2024•43 min•Season 14Ep. 127
We consider a few different takes on apprenticeships: Liz has been an apprentice, Jenny has hosted one, and Kloe is keen. Kloe also talks to Jane Henderson about the potential pitfalls, and Solange interviews stone carvers Nina Bilbey and Charlotte Howarth about how apprenticeships work in their industry. Don’t forget to tune in for a Dear Jane about choosing a specialism at the end! 00:02:11 Recent keynote on the topic 00:08:38 Liz’ experience of apprenticeships 00:15:30 How do you get to host ...
Dec 11, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Season 14Ep. 126
In this takeover special the conservators at the National Trust take us behind the scenes: telling us their stories, sharing their hopes for the future, and smashing myths about NT properties! 00:00:12 Have you heard of BevArt? 00:02:12 Sarah and Siobhan introduce the National Trust 00:08:18 Urban gems 00:10:14 Managing collections in houses 00:17:04 Changing approaches to preservation 00:22:30 Anita and Rebecca go for a walk 00:27:34 Saying hello to Sarah and the book conservation volunteers 00...
Nov 27, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Season 14Ep. 125
Kloe and Solange give an update on their respective journeys while Liz and Phaedra talk to Bethany Jo Mikelait and Mariana Onofri about how the profession (and accreditation) works in Canada and Brazil. Also tune in for a Dear Jane about gently refusing to work on an object. 00:00:23 Solange and Kloe’s updates 00:15:29 Who are our co-hosts? 00:16:32 How it works in Canada 00:31:28 How it works in Brazil 00:45:48 How can we be regulated BUT also inclusive? 01:01:51 Dear Jane Show Notes: - S13E02 ...
Nov 13, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Season 14Ep. 124
Echoes of the past, dead objects, and creepy stores – Solange, Kloe and Jenny have a lot on their minds in this year’s spooky special! Jenny also visits a newly opened paranormal museum, Liz reviews an enchanting chapter from a sumptuous tome, and Jenny reads a book of ghost stories set in heritage locations. 00:34 Have you heard of BevArt? 04:59 What are ‘ghost signs’ exactly? 16:17 Solange’s haunted attic dwelling 21:19 We get philosophical about the lives of objects 27:52 Spooky stores 33:01 ...
Oct 31, 2024•48 min•Season 14Ep. 123
What’s it like to work on glass? Jenny and Phedra are joined by emerging conservator Terri Costello as they explore this fragile but ancient material. Also tune in for Solange’s interview with artist Freya Laughton about preserving memories in glass. 01:40 Phedra’s adventures with Roman glass 04:30 All the exciting places we find it in collections 11:36 Trying out glassblowing and involving expert makers 19:03 Chemistry, imperfections and tools 34:00 Colourful chemistry and stresses in glass 41:...
Oct 16, 2024•56 min•Season 14Ep. 122
Fess up: when did you last lose something? Liz, Phedra, Kloe and Jenny explore what ‘loss’ can mean in collections, in heritage generally, and in conservation. 00:01:10 What do we mean by lost? 00:02:13 Misplaced, disassociated, data loss 00:05:59 Kloe is a fan of the hard copy 00:11:53 Theft in museums 00:15:37 Does loss enhance the value of art? 00:17:56 The motivation behind a theft matters 00:21:30 Freeports and their implications 00:29:09 ‘Redistributed’ or looted heritage 00:34:09 Climate ...
Oct 03, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 14Ep. 121
We recap our experiences at Icon24: Conservation for Change as we reflect on the conference and our first nearly-full-team meet-up! Phedra also interviews Patrick Whife from Icon about organising the event. Finally we all share our various summer adventures and plans for the autumn! 00:02:07 We went to a conference (you might’ve guessed) 00:08:11 Audio adventures from Icon24 00:42:41 Phedra has a great idea (please steal it) 00:44:13 Creating a better experience online 00:50:32 We’d have Icon Lo...
Sep 18, 2024•1 hr 26 min•Season 14Ep. 120
In this year’s travel special we go on FOUR individual journeys: a sort of deconstructed road trip. Kloe goes to sunny Spain, Liz takes her bike to the Rijks Museum, Jenny darts between museums in Sweden, and finally Phedra goes on a watery adventure in Cyprus. Don’t miss the return of Cass Fino-Radin at the end of the episode, when they interview emerging conservation professionals at the recent AIC conference in Salt Lake City. Sit back and enjoy the journey! 00:00:36 What’s a deconstructed ro...
Jun 26, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Season 14Ep. 119
Kloe and Phedra are joined by Jill Carruthers in an episode all about newer, fresh-faced museums. What’s it like opening a brand NEW museum? Phedra talks to Matt Turtle from the Museum of Homelessness AND Eleni Loizides from the Cyprus Archaeological Museum, while Solange sits down to chat with James Hogg from the Yorkshire Natural History Museum. Also tune in for a review of ‘Conservation Skills for the 21st Century’ from Jenny! 00:01:20 What’s a new museum? 00:12:34 How Showtown came to be 00:...
Jun 13, 2024•1 hr 35 min•Season 14Ep. 118
Liz and Phedra are joined by Jonathan Santa Maria Bouquet as they talk about the conservation of musical instruments: from tuning and treatment considerations to ethics and philosophy. Also tune in (pun somewhat intended) for an interview from Solange with Emma Hardy, violin maker and repairer. There’s even some lovely music at the end! 00:22 More announcements! 02:26 Origin story 07:01 The perils and pleasures of working in a fishbowl 09:38 Tuning and a crash course in ‘temperament’ 17:10 Worki...
May 30, 2024•52 min•Season 14Ep. 117
Jenny, Solange and Phedra are joined by Luisa Casella as we talk about AI: how can conservators use these tools and what are their pros and cons? Luisa tells us about CRAIG, a large language model for conservators, while Jenny frets about the climate impact. Also tune in for a review of a recent lecture on AI usage from Solange and Phedra! 01:35 What do we mean by AI? 04:11 Building a LLM for conservators 13:33 Climate impact and ethical concerns 20:28 Sophisticated users needed 24:13 Future imp...
May 15, 2024•49 min•Season 14Ep. 116
Jenny and Liz talk to Dr Marysia Tarnowska about their journey into heritage science from a background in chemistry: from molecular bonds to leather deterioration! Jenny also talks to Dr Josep Grau-Bove from the Icon Heritage Science Group about how we can communicate better as both conservators and scientists. Finally, tune in for a review of ‘Soft Paint and the Care of Paintings’ from Liz! 00:01:10 From chemistry to museum adventures 00:07:35 A project is born 00:14:53 Scientific papers are an...
May 01, 20240•Season 14Ep. 115
Join Jenny, Kloe and Liz as they explore historic houses across the world, their unique charms, and quirky challenges. Phedra whisks us away to a sun-soaked historic house museum in Cyprus, while Liz delves into the meticulous conservation efforts at Sir John Soane's Museum with Jane Wilkinson. Finally, Kloe has a chat with Helen Antrobus about what it’s like working in the National Trust. 00:00:28 What’s a historic house? 00:03:18 Are all of them posh? 00:07:03 Nature and heritage in harmony 00...
Apr 18, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Season 14Ep. 114
Liz and Phedra join forces with freelance paintings conservator Alexis Drapanas as they tackle an ECP special! Phedra also interviews conservator Kerith Koss Schrager and intern Adrienne Gendron about health and safety for emerging professionals. And don’t forget to tune in for a Dear Jane about getting into some more unusual specialisms! 00:00:45 Introducing our ECP hosts 00:08:02 Straight from university to private practice 00:09:15 What does ‘emerging’ mean to you? 00:16:01 Let’s talk money! ...
Apr 03, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 14Ep. 113
Meet the dream team! It’s a crowded recording session today: Jenny and Kloe ask their new colleagues Liz, Phedra, and Solange about their new roles and their favourite objects, tools, and adhesives. What ARE a few of our favourite things? Also tune in for a review of ‘Conservation of Books’ from Solange! 00:02:16 Who’s Liz? 00:04:22 And who’s Phedra? 00:07:00 Aaand who’s Solange? 00:09:38 Experimentation ahead 00:14:10 Favourite Instagram accounts 00:17:08 Favourite objects 00:25:31 Least favour...
Mar 20, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 14Ep. 112
In this special bonus episode we make a couple of overdue announcements, take you with us to an award ceremony in Cardiff, and profess our undying love for our listeners. Would you like to join us on The C Word team? Get in touch! 00:57 We’re having a break - and we’re recruiting! 07:31 We’ve got an award 09:21 Recording from The 30(ish) Awards 17:50 Dear Jane teaser 18:51 Patreon shout out Show Notes: - Recruitment page: https://thecword.show/recruitment/ - The 30(ish) Awards winners: https://w...
Nov 09, 2023•21 min•Season 13Ep. 111
In this one we talk to Professor Aviva Burnstock about what paintings can be and we chat with Polly Saltmarsh about communicating conservation and the joys of sticky toffee pudding sauce. Also tune in for a review of ‘On Canvas: Preserving the Structure of Paintings’ by Stephen Hackney from Kloe. 03:48 When is a painting a painting? 10:05 On the nature of painted surfaces 13:13 How students might approach a painting 16:20 A chat about varnish 27:39 The joy of microscopy 28:39 Gut feelings and fo...
Jun 28, 2023•55 min•Season 13Ep. 110
We’re joined by special guest host Cass Fino-Radin as we talk about time-based media: what it can be, what the challenges are, and what we can do to preserve it. From mechanical components to maintaining software, we geek out about everything that’s wonderful about this type of conservation. Also tune in for a review of poetry pamphlet ‘Accessioning’ by Charlotte Wetton. 00:21 A long-time spreadsheet idea 02:44 A potted history of time-based media (maybe) 05:41 Conservation of performance art 10...
Jun 15, 2023•47 min•Season 13Ep. 109
In this episode Jenny and Kloe address a correction before launching into a takeover special: join Kloe, Nerys Rudder and Jane Henderson as they go to the ‘Changing the World: Approach, Strategy and the Future of University Museums’ UMG conference and run around the newly refurbished Manchester Museum. 03:55 A correction from Jane 07:13 Other comments from listeners 12:19 Three conservators go to a conference 55:28 Patreon appeal Show Notes: - Manchester Museum: https://www.museum.manchester.ac....
May 31, 2023•57 min•Season 13Ep. 108
Together with special co-host Alison Lister we explore the private sector: from our workspaces to how we learn on the job. Join us for a catch-up on Jenny’s adventures in business, along with Kloe’s commercial experience and Alison’s passionate call for us all to share more. Bridget Mitchell tells us about finding joy in your business and the power of positive thinking. Also tune in for an audio tour of Jenny’s workspace and a round-up of the Museums + Heritage Show in London. 00:00:42 Wait, are...
May 17, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Season 13Ep. 107
We’re joined by special guest host Stella Toonen as we explore a topic with many synonyms: public programming, outreach, adult learning, and so many more! We get enthused about ideas for events that conservation can get in on, and talk about the many pitfalls – and benefits – of co-creation in museums. 01:06 What’s this episode about? 03:52 Stella’s outreach journey 05:50 Kloe’s experiences facilitating events 09:39 Jenny’s experiences working with the public 13:27 Growing audiences and differen...
May 03, 2023•55 min•Season 13Ep. 106
