Restoring Heritage one mould at a time: Fibrous plasterer Mary-Havana Little

Let me introduce traditional fibrous plasterer Mary-Havana Little, she shares her remarkable journey into the world of heritage plastering and restoration craftsmanship. As a passionate advocate for traditional trades and one of the few women in the traditional plastering industry, Mary opens up about the challenges she’s overcome, the beauty of working on historic buildings, and the importance of preserving artisanal techniques.

This episode dives into her standout restoration projects, creative collaborations, and how platforms like Instagram and TikTok have helped her showcase her plastering skills to a broader audience. Mary also discusses the importance of mentorship in skilled trades and why passing on knowledge is vital to the future of construction and heritage work. To wrap up, we get to know her even better with a fun and light-hearted quickfire question round. Be sure to like, download, and follow for more awesome episodes. 

Key Takeaways

• Mary started plastering at a young age, inspired by her family.
• Restoration work is a passion for Mary, as it brings history back to life.
• Mary emphasizes the importance of asking for help in a male-dominated trade.
• She has worked on unique projects, including work for films like Gladiator 2 and the Netflix series The Gentlemen.
• Social media has helped Mary connect with a wider audience and showcase her work.
• Mary believes in the importance of teaching and mentoring others in her trade.
• She faces challenges as a female tradesperson but remains determined to succeed.
• Mary values authenticity and only collaborates with brands she can provide value to.
• She enjoys the camaraderie of the trades and appreciates the respect from her peers.
• Mary hopes to inspire more women to enter traditional trades. 

Follow me:

Instagram: @lifeofafemaletradie_

Facebook: Life of A Female Tradie

Follow Guest:

Instagram: @mary.plaster.mouldings.direct

TikTok: @mary_pmd

Chapters

00:00 Mary's Journey into Traditional Plastering

06:05 The Art of Restoration and Craftsmanship

11:22 Unique Projects and Notable Collaborations

14:27 Legacy and Family Traditions in Craftsmanship

17:38 Empowering Women in Trades

19:14 Struggles in the Trade as a Woman

21:24 Customer Engagement and Business Growth

22:12 The Power of Social Media

24:03 Balancing Social Media and Privacy

25:47 Brand Collaborations and Authenticity

27:51 The Importance of Quality Workwear

30:40 Networking and Community in the Trade

34:58 Quickfire Questions and Personal Insights

39:10 1. Thanks for listening 

39:25 Outro

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