From My Kitchen Table with Jo Packham: Recent Episodes
Jo Packham
Our podcast series FROM MY KITCHEN TABLE is both inspired and created from my successful WOMEN CREATE magazines. These women consist of artists, foodies, entrepreneurs, and creators of the unusual and the exceptional. Their personal stores are filled with triumph, perseverance, inspiration, and a love and commitment to community. To share their stories join our fellow travelers, your kindred spirits, your very best friends, your new friends, and your yet unknown friends each week on our new podcast series: FROM MY KITCHEN TABLE.
Die-hard modern fabric fan Chelsea O’Hayre joins Editor in Chief Jennifer Blot for a conversation on finding a way to turn a passion into a thriving business and how to recognize and seize additional opportunities as they arise.
Chelsea is the owner of Pink Door Fabrics and Renaissance Ribbons. She started Pink Door Fabrics in 2011, and recently acquired Renaissance in 2023. A lover of fabrics from an early age, Chelsea taught herself to sew many years ago and has transformed her hobby into a growing enterprise that ships worldwide. She has found a niche offering fabrics from all the hottest designers in block of the month programs.
Learn more about Chelsea and her journey:
Website – Pink Door Fabrics
Instagram – Pink Door Fabrics
Instagram – Renaissance Ribbons
Craft ambassador and entrepreneur Isabelle Fish joins Editor in Chief Jennifer Blot for a conversation on bespoke travel experiences that allow creatives to discover the world through the lens of craft. Having made herself at home in five different countries, including Canada, England and South Africa, Isabelle retains a particularly French attitude towards les métiers d’art, along with her insatiable appetite for travel and cultural discovery.
Isabelle’s company Rue Pigalle is a travel and events-based community for women patrons of craft who celebrate and champion its place in everyday life — all with the purpose to support craft practice and practitioners.
Learn more about Isabelle Fish and Rue Pigalle:
Read Isabelle's Women Create Story
Rue Pigalle - Website
Rue Pigalle - Instagram
Rue Pigalle - Facebook
MillHouse Founder, CEO and Executive Director Beth Beck, PhD, joins Editor in Chief Jennifer Blot for a conversation on how her career at NASA helped prepare her for a post-retirement role helping creative (micro)businesswomen thrive.
MillHouse in the century-old Cotton Mill in McKinney, Texas. Designed as a space for women to collaborate, create and flourish, the nonprofit opened in 2019 with four artist studios. Today, MillHouse hosts 32 studios, plus photography studios, a co-working space, workshops, mentoring sessions and festivals to enhance women’s earning potential.
Learn More About Beth Beck:MillHouse McKinney - WebsiteMillHouse McKinney - InstagramMillHouse McKinney - Facebook
Fashion industry veteran, pattern designer and clothing brand founder Christine Lindebak joins Editor in Chief Jennifer Blot for a conversation on her transition from working in the fast-paced corporate fashion world to building websites and running her very own creative business.
Christine Lindebak is an American designer and creator based on the Mediterranean seaside in Valencia, Spain. She’s the force behind Sewing and the City, selling fashion sewing patterns online and in shops around the globe and inspiring people of all ages to sew their own clothes. Christine is also the founder of a bespoke homeware brand called Lindy Lindy, where she transforms vintage Spanish linens into one-of-a-kind, getting-ready attire for brides.
Learn more about Christine Lindebak:
Sewing in the City Website
Instagram – Sewing in the City
Lindy Lindy Website
Instagram – Lindy Lindy
Artist Megan Aroon joins Editor in Chief Jennifer Blot for a conversation on the beauty of living a nomadic life and creating on the go. For the past two years, Megan has traveled the U.S. in her tiny home, aka her van/mobile studio, with her cat Mikee, creating series of artworks along the way — including paintings inspired by the National Parks and other natural wonders. She is a conservation artist, striving to preserve and conserve the natural world, sharing the beauty of our planet as seen through her eyes in colorful, whimsical art.
Her art was featured on “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Good Morning America,” along with magazine features in WHERE Women Create, O, The Oprah Magazine, Good Housekeeping and even the cover of Interior Design. Products with Megan’s art can be found at Urban Outfitters, HomeGoods, Nordstrom and more.
Learn more about Megan Aroon:
Website
Sewing pattern designer and entrepreneur Sara Lawson joins Editor in Chief Jennifer Blot for a conversation on building an online community, the importance of using long-form video to support and inspire your customers’ creativity and more! Based in Chicago, Sara started her company Sew Sweetness in 2013, and today her team includes family members and pattern testers. In addition to designing sewing patterns for a wide array of tote bags, purses and pouches, she also produces full-length instructional videos to complement her patterns.
Sara has a popular live show on Facebook and YouTube called “Sewcial Sunday.” Topics for the show include new fabrics in the stash, a Bag Lab demonstration, book review and live question-and-answer session.
Learn more about Sara Lawson:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Internationally renowned surface pattern designer, entrepreneur and award-winning online educator Bonnie Christine joins Editor in Chief Jennifer Blot for a conversation on how to hit the ground running with pattern designing, methods to improve your productivity and much more!
Bonnie has been creating delicate and ethereal artwork for brands and products around the world since 2009. She’s a mama, artist and fabric designer living nestled back in the hills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Her goal is to help creatives earn a living doing what they love. Her journey of being a self-taught designer and learning “the hard way” is exactly what drives her passion for teaching others how to become a successful creative entrepreneur.
Learn more about Bonnie Christine:
Website
Immersion with Bonnie Christine - Course
The Professional Creative Podcast
Weaver, spinner, garment designer and entrepreneur Astrid Tauber joins Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Blot for a conversation on what led Astrid to textile arts, along with her favorite parts of the creative process, the advantages to her family’s unconventional approach to education, and MUCH more!
Astrid, whose story was featured in WHAT Women Create in 2023, is the youngest artist to be featured in our magazines.
When she was 7 years old, her mom signed her up for a series of craft classes at a local store. Little did Astrid know that all these years later (she’s now 14), she would be a girl who could “shear a sheep, spin balanced yarn, and weave her own fabric to create garments.” Fiber was the chrysalis that took Astrid from a painfully shy girl who looked like a deer in headlights any time someone approached her, to a young woman who has found her voice and the confidence to be heard.
Learn More about Astrid Tauber:
Website
Master Milliner Jenny Pfanenstiel joins Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Blot for a conversation on her journey from making hats in her basement as a hobby to founding her couture shop Formé Millinery in Louisville, Kentucky, and acquiring supply companies that provide materials for other milliners and help ensure that the craft of millinery continues to thrive. Jenny is a world-renowned milliner awarded for her skill of creating and sculpting hats by hand using the highest quality and rare materials from across the globe.
The art of millinery is a technique that dates back centuries through molding straw and wool over wooden hat forms. Taking from traditional millinery techniques, Jenny is known throughout the world for her unique process of sculpting hats on a braid machine from the 1800s. She is a five-time Featured Milliner of the Kentucky Derby. In 2019, she was 1 of 50 women entrepreneurs selected as a Tory Burch Fellow through the Tory Burch Foundation. She has three co-branded hat patterns through McCall Patterns, and leads hat-making workshops for all levels. Jenny is the author of the book The Making of a Milliner and has collaborated with exciting brands and dignitaries such as Woodford Reserve, Vineyard Vines, J Peterman, Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Madonna, and Barbara Cochran, to name a few. She and her husband Bart own four hat companies and just celebrated opening their third hat shop in Kentucky.
Learn more about Jenny Pfanenstiel:
Forme Millinery Website
Hat Box USA Website
Judith M Supply Website
The Hat Shoppe Louisville Website
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Forme Millinery Instagram
The Hat Shoppe Louisville Instagram
Judith M Supply Instagram
Cara Loffredo and Africa Rubio Pastor join Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Blot for a conversation on the importance of shopping local woman-founded businesses, especially during the critical holiday selling season. For the past six years, Cara and Africa have been running markets throughout the Boston area and have helped launch the careers of many women entrepreneurs, along with expanding their own business with new initiatives, including a popup brick-and-mortar shop earlier this year and a new series of Holiday Markets at the historic Faneuil Hall Marketplace.
A passion for entrepreneurship runs in Cara Loffredo‘s blood. She grew up surrounded by family members that all have had a small business at one point or another, from a dog and cat boarding kennel to an outdoor waterpark. After graduating from Suffolk University, Cara began working for a variety of organizations where she was able to get her hands dirty in all things small business, from running payroll, to event organization, to graphic design. Over the years she has come to realize she gets the greatest satisfaction and joy from helping others learn and succeed, and strives to bring this to the BWM community every day.
Africa Rubio Pastor is the co-founder of Boston Women’s Market. Africa is originally from Madrid, Spain. When she lived in Spain she spent a lot of time with her mother at markets (as a vendor) helping her with her business. Africa realized the hard work that goes into building a business, setting up for markets, selling products and the long hours standing. BWM was built to provide vendors with an incredible experience while being part of the markets and community. Africa loves that she can help businesses thrive and support makers’ journeys through Boston Women’s Market.
Website
Explore the Boston Women’s Market Events Calendar HERE
Artist and Interior Designer Kalen Mehlman of Kalen's Place joins Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Blot for a conversation on how our “creative selves” can transform over time, tapping into new opportunities and growth as professionals and artistic beings. Kalen shares the importance of recognizing our inner creative journey and how that can serve us professionally and personally.
A lifelong “creative”, Kalen Mehlman can be found in Phoenix, Arizona working as an artist and full-time interior designer…and taco slinger at her family’s local restaurant, The Beach House. Kalen’s scope of creative work includes providing custom pieces of whimsical artwork that were sold in boutiques and directly to clients throughout the Valley, teaching children’s art classes and inspiring workshops for many years, and designing interiors for both residential and commercial spaces. Currently, her primary focus as a creative and female entrepreneur is in the interior design world…but to her, there’s always room for new future “creative career” opportunities just around the corner!
Artist and author Kristina Henson joins Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Blot for a conversation on the Instagram phenomenon known as the 100-Day Project. Kristina provides insight on how and why she hopped on the trend, where to find inspiration for each day and how you can take your own 100-day project to the next level!
Kristina Henson is an artist, author and storyteller living in Central New York, surrounded by the Finger Lakes that provide endless inspiration for her artwork and writing. Her career in graphic design has provided her with the skills needed to design and self-publish her two books: One Hundred Birds Telling One Hundred Little Stories and Letters to Lily. In both books, she weaves her observations and imagination into art and stories that touch the human spirit; she makes you see the sunset, smell the flowers and hear the birds.
Co-founder and President of Craft Industry Alliance Abby Glassenberg joins Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Blot for a conversation on the benefits of a membership organization and various aspects of building a successful business in the crafts industry, including email marketing campaigns, collaborations and finding a compatible retail marketplace.
Abby is a sewing pattern designer, craft book author, teacher and writer. She has an undergraduate degree in history from Johns Hopkins and a master’s degree in education from Harvard. She taught middle school social studies in Mississippi through Teach For America and sixth grade in the Newton Public Schools before becoming a textile artist. Abby is the author of three sewing books and lives in Wellesley, Massachusetts, with her husband and three children.
In this episode, Abby shares the ins and outs of Craft Industry Alliance, advice on where to begin with email newsletters, a bit more on her creative work today and more!
Artist, author and entrepreneur Jane Pollak joins Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Blot for a conversation on setting aside excuses and doing what you love NOW. An artist throughout her life, Jane took a detour for a couple of decades as a coach for creative entrepreneurs. But she reclaimed her role as an artist at the start of the pandemic when everything shut down and she had just learned a new craft — Penny Rug Pillow-making. She re-created herself at warp speed (though it felt like millennia to her), accomplishing in less than three years (and getting the attention of high-end interior designers) what took decades to build the first time around when her art form was Ukrainian Easter eggs.
In this episode, Jane shares the fascinating story of her entrepreneurial and creative journey, including displaying her work at the White House and drawing the attention of a high-profile tech pioneer. She also provides insight into the importance of shutting out negativity and surrounding oneself with a team of supporters.
Learn more about Jane Pollak:
Website
Read Jane's full Art of Business story from our 2023 Spring Issue of WHERE Women Create
Welcome to our new podcast series, The WORLD OF WOMEN CREATE! Inspired by the WOMEN CREATE magazines and community, the women featured in these intimate conversations are artists and makers, entrepreneurs, foodies and creators of the unusual and the exceptional. Their personal stories are filled with triumphs, perseverance, inspiration and a love of and commitment to the spirit of creativity. We invite you to join us to get to know these very special women — fellow creators, kindred spirits and friends — through our new podcast series: The WORLD OF WOMEN CREATE.Jennifer Boone joins editor and chief Jennifer Blot for a conversation on creating women's circles. Jennifer is the creator of Deep Nourishment women's circles and Empowered Wellbeing groups for young women ages 18-25. In this episode, she'll be honing in on the background of her women's circles, plus how you can get started joining and creating your own circles. She has taught music and dance. She has also worked extensively as a newspaper reporter and editor. Jennifer is an avid collector and inventor of activities, games and practices that enhance growth, wellbeing, creativity, self-expression and play in work and life. She was born and raised in Missouri. She spent several decades in the San Francisco Bay Area. During the pandemic, Jennifer moved to North Georgia, where she loves spending time in nature. Her home away from home is a nearby national park with many miles of hiking trails.Jennifer is offering the Women Create community 20 percent off services through March 31, 2023.You can find out more about her offerings here:Deep Nourishment 2023 Monthly Women's Circle. Begins Feb. 28. Early bird price through Feb. 21.Women's Midwinter Retreat. Feb. 14-16. Early bird price through Feb. 7.Circle Starter. Launch your own customized women's circle.Join Jennifer's Email List!
In this episode of FROM MY KITCHEN TABLE, Jo Packham is joined by professional quilter-turned-weight-and-life-coach Dara Tomasson to discuss being weighed down physically and mentally by thoughts in our lives.
Dara helps women get to the root of the problem so they can shed the extra weight and start really loving and feeling accomplished with their lives. In Dara's professional quilting life she published free motion quilting books and did custom quilting. Since being certified as a life and weight loss coach she liberating women to change their relationship with themselves and their bodies. Her method is called Love Yourself Thin. When you learn to accept yourself as you are and understand how you got there you will be able to change.
"I teach women to feel comfortable getting to the root of their problems and solve them so food or people pleasing or procrastination or perfectionism isn’t such a problem."
Dara has 5 kids from 10-19 and lives on Vancouver Island. She was an elementary school teacher for 10 years. She turned her passion for teaching to teaching quilting with a specialty in free-motion quilting. She created custom quilts for women far and wide, taught across Canada and the USA, and published 4 books, one of which is the 12 Step Perfection Recovery Program. When she isn't helping her clients have more fun in their lives you can find Dara quilting for fun on her long arm, cheering her kids on in basketball, and making the most of this wonderful one life we all have been given!
Learn more about Dara:
Love Yourself Thin – Podcast
Join Dara's Weight-Loss Program
In this episode of FROM MY KITCHEN TABLE, Ki Nassauer, dubbed the “Martha Stewart of vintage” in media coverage from varied sources such as the Wall Street Journal, NBC’s “Today,” and HGTV, joins Jo Packham for a discussion on the ever-changing vintage scene and her journey as a vintage entrepreneur.
She has gained a loyal and engaged audience, with nearly 220,000 followers on social media. Ki has crafted a career from vintage since 1999, scouring antiques shops, flea markets, salvage yards and the occasional street-side pile of castoffs for objects to create decor that is functional, beautiful and unique.
One of Ki’s joys is connecting with a vast national network of vintage and antique aficionados — dealers, artisans and individuals who simply love vintage and repurposing. She was able to nurture and broaden that connection in her nine years as editor of Flea Market Style magazine. In 2006, Ki founded the vintage shopping extravaganza, Junk Bonanza, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Junk Bonanza showcases hand-picked wares from dealers nationwide and attracts 15,000 attendees.
As the creator of Lived-In Style online magazine, Ki continues to share her passion for all things old and authentic while chronicling the beauty and utility of the vintage-inspired life. Ki is currently working on her new book for Ryland, Peters & Small / CICO, which will be available Spring 2023.
Born and raised in Minnesota and now living in Los Angeles, Ki is a proud mother and friend to her two grown children, with whom she enjoys touring neighboring vineyards and chowing down at local restaurants. She is thrilled to be “Kiki” to three grandchildren.
Learn more about Ki Nassauer: Lived-In Style online magazine Lived-In Style Instagram Lived-In Style Facebook Ki Nassauer Website
In this episode of FROM MY KITCHEN TABLE, Jo Packham invites Wendy Batten to discuss the art of balancing being a creative — and having a vision and dreams — with the reality of being a CEO and all the “unsexy and unfun parts” that come with that role. As a business coach and creative herself, she understands what it takes to turn a hobby and passion into a thriving business.
Wendy Batten is on a mission to improve the lives of creative shop owners across the globe. Wendy works with established independent brick and mortars who have big hearts and passion for what they do and want to elevate their skills and reclaim their dreams, profits, and passion. She brings a collected mix of experience to the table, including decades of being in the self-employed trenches, learning the hard way how to run a business, she’s since sold 2 successful companies, franchised one, and co-founded a 3rd with her husband; has extensive leadership and customer experience and has worked with industry leaders as the primary educator and on their business teams.
Along the way…she realized helping other see what’s possible for them and thrives in her role as their guide - giving them the tools, resources and map along with a big dose of cheerleading. She became the coach she wished she’d had.
Learn more about Wendy Batten:
Website
Join The Retailer's Inner Circle - Wendy's popular monthly creative shop owners group
In this episode of FROM MY KITCHEN TABLE, Jo Packham and Kelly Rae Roberts join together to discuss elevating your artistic journey and taking what life brings you and running with it!
Kelly Rae is an artist, author, guide, and former social worker. She is obsessed with possibility (a Possibilitarian!). She is passionate about
creating art that uplifts, encourages, and inspires. I also love helping women nourish their souls and unleash their joy through creativity and self-kindness. As a seasoned entrepreneur, one of Kelly Rae's favorite things to do is radiate possibility with other creative entrepreneurs, mentoring them toward all that is calling. Along the way, Kelly Rae has created several well-loved e-courses and retreats, sharing all that she has learned by crafting a creative life and running a profitable art business.
Learn more about Kelly Rae:
Website
In this episode of FROM MY KITCHEN TABLE, Monica Michelle, the founder and CEO of BloomTV, joins Jo Packham to discuss "living bold" and letting your big ideas bloom into reality. Monica has a background in digital marketing and entrepreneurship, and has a special passion for bringing beauty to the planet. She is on a mission to help build connections between people, and to the planet, through innovative ideas and initiatives that combine technology with education.
Learn more about Monica Michelle and BloomTV:
Website
In this episode of FROM MY KITCHEN TABLE, Leslie Tucker Jenison joins Jo Packham on the mic. The two discuss Leslie's variety of different careers that finally led her down a path of being able to fully embrace a studio practice and her work with surface design on cloth.
Leslie is an artist who makes contemporary quilts. Surface design using dye and paint are integral components of her work and photography frequently informs her designs, literally or by way of inspiration. She has been a guest on numerous television and online shows. Leslie’s work has been the recipient of numerous awards and featured in magazines and books. Her work has been shown internationally and is part of corporate and private collections and she is a fabric designer for WishWell, a division of Robert Kaufman Fabrics. Outside of her studio, Leslie loves to travel, cook, garden, and paint, and she has recently become a novice beekeeper Living in both San Antonio and a ranch in the southern foot of the Hill Country, she is a happy member of a rather eccentric family of artists and nerds. What could be better?!
Learn more about Leslie Tucker Jenison:
Website
In this episode of From My Kitchen Table, Jo Packham and Krifka Steffey, the director of merchandise at Barnes & Noble, join forces to discuss finding inspiration and ways to invigorate your every life! Krifka explains how she looks for influence and vision in her day-to-day life, and provides resources and suggestions for those looking to get started in the world of magazines.
As Director of Merchandise at Barnes & Noble, Krifka has direct responsibility for all things related to the Barnes & Noble Newsstand and the Entertainment businesses. This includes buying activities such as determining what magazines and vinyl will be carried at the over 600 retail locations and creating and developing new products. The Newsstand department has even dabbled a bit in the creation of their own products including a 3-part series called “For the Love of Paper” which just reached over $1m in sales in partnership with Sterling Publishing (now known as Union Square & Co.), as well as a brand new magazine with A360 media called “The Ultimate Guide to Vinyl”.
Learn more about Krifka Steffey and Barnes & Noble:
TikTok
In this episode of FROM MY KITCHEN TABLE, Jo Packham and Donna Watson discuss how to find your own true, deep, personal, unique artistic voice in your artwork and bring it to a more conscious level of focus, thinking, and creating.
Donna Watson is a mixed media artist for 40 years. Her mediums include painting, collage, assemblage, textile and handmade books. Her paintings have been accepted into many juried international and national exhibitions and she has received numerous awards. Donna has extensive experience as a juror and workshop instructor all over the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Her artwork and studio have been published in magazines like American Artist, The Artist Magazine, and Where Women Create. Her art has also been published in numerous books including MASTERS COLLAGE. More recently, her paintings have been included in the book COLD WAX MEDIUM and her collages are included in the book FRAGMENTATION AND REPAIR. She has also published a number of her own books at Blurb.com.
In addition to discussing her paintings and handmade books, in a later conversation, Donna shared a beautiful story on collaging for the first time that she'd like to share with you all:
"I was painting with acrylics and a friend returned home from Japan and gave me some Japanese papers and bags and I was so excited to get anything from Japan because at that time I did not have much … that I collaged these papers right into my painting. It was the first time I had used collage ever."
Learn more about Donna Watson:
Website
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Perry and Carlson Gallery - Mt. Vernon, WA
Donna is the one and only featured artist at the Perry and Carlson Gallery. The theme of her show is The Beauty of Nothingness. The reception opening is August 6, 2-5pm PDT.
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Handmade Book Club by Ali Manning
Donna mentions this book club in her podcast: This is where Donna learned how to stitch the Coptic stitch and other types of handmade books.
In this episode of our podcast, FROM MY KITCHEN TABLE, Cathe Holden, a licensed designer working in the quilt and craft industries, joins Jo Packham to discuss her journey to designing fabric collections and gift items for Moda Fabrics, papercraft products for Spellbinders PaperArts, and craft stencils for iStencils.com. Cathe works and creates from her large and eclectic mercantile-style studio, which is featured in our Summer issue of WHERE Women Create. Listen now for insight from Cathe on not relying on traditional protocols when creating business partnerships — and more!
Learn more about Cathe Holden:
Stencils - iStencils Fabrics - Moda Fabrics Moda Fabrics is available at many independent quilt shops and online stores, FatQuarterShop.com, and Etsy Papercraft products - SpellbinderPaperArts Scrapbook.com Instagram: @catheholden
In this episode of FROM MY KITCHEN TABLE, Kenzie Elston joins Jo Packham for a second time, to discuss finding your voice as an artist, forming her own personal creative voice separate from her mom’s, who she works with at her parents' small design firm, Olika, advice for other artists, and much more!
Kenzie Elston is a born creative who loves color, whimsy and all things floral. With a degree in graphic design, she works for her parents’ small design Kenzie has licensed art to a variety of companies. Outside of illustrating, Kenzie is a notorious collector of sketchbooks, antique tchotchkes, and novels and she lives for daily dance parties with her 2 young sons.
Learn more about Kenzie Elston:
Website
In this episode of FROM MY KITCHEN TABLE, Sammi Thomas, the Content and Marketing Associate for Women Create joins Jo Packham for a discussion on growing up with creative influences and translating those learned creative skills to the corporate world.
As a young creative and professional, Sammi’s goal in her career, and life, is to always be implementing creativity. At Madavor Media, Sammi is the behind-the-scenes of our Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest accounts, produces our FROM MY KITCHEN TABLE podcast, manages and participates in our Maker Moments webinars, and much more. In her free time, Sammi frequents art museums, especially those in the Boston Area, enjoys fashion and thrifting, is a lover of the outdoors, including hiking, snowboarding, and camping, and most of all, enjoys time with family, friends, and her adorable dog, Jax.
Resources Mentioned by Sammi
The Dollar Eighty Strategy
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More About Sammi ...
Sammi is a huge advocate for community service … working with nonprofits such as Fresh Truck, Toys for Tots, The Greater Boston Food Bank, and more.
One organization that she would like to bring more awareness is to Artists for Humanity (AFH). AFH provides under-resourced teens the keys to self-sufficiency through paid employment in art and design. AFH is built on the philosophy that engagement in the creative process is a powerful force for social change, and that creative entrepreneurship is a productive and life-changing opportunity for young people.
Learn more: https://www.afhboston.org/
Please consider donating to or looking into the opportunities of this amazing organization. Or do some research to find an organization in your local area that supports providing opportunities for creativity to those who may not have creative influences and opportunities in their lives.
In this episode of FROM MY KITCHEN TABLE, longtime supporter of WOMEN CREATE Seth Apter joins Jo Packham for a second time to discuss developing collaborative projects with other artists, his experience teaching art, upcoming workshop opportunities and more! Seth carries a strong belief in the power of art to bring people together and strengthen our communities. Whether it is a one-day workshop at a craft store or a nine-day international cultural adventure – Seth’s events going forward will be filled with so much more than just technique and projects. He has also published two books of his own, The Pulse of Mixed Media and The Mixed-Media Artist.
Seth's Upcoming In-Person Workshops:
JUNE - A Case of Curiosities
A Case of Curiosities. "Twice a year I travel to the magical Mabel Luhan Dodge House in Taos, New Mexico to hold a retreat in collaboration with Roxanne Evans Stout. This June, beginning on the night of Sunday June 12th with a welcome reception and ending on Saturday morning June 18 with our final breakfast together, we finally reconvene after missing 5 straight retreats due to the Pandemic. Together Roxanne and I will lead you through 5 full days of creative workshops, incredible meals, and some very special events and adventures. You start with a case/container of your own choosing and during the week we work together to paint, collage, stitch, weave, connect, construct, book bind, build, sketch and write to create multiple projects that fill your case and fill your creative mind. Email me at shap97@gmail.com for specifics. Event is filled. Please contact me at shap97@gmail.com if you would like to be on the list to be among the first to hear about our 2023 dates."
JULY - Found and Gathered
Found and Gathered. "At the one and only Ephemera Paducah in Paducah, Kentucky - one of only nine UNESCO designated Creative Cities in the USA and home to the National Quilt Museum and annual Quilt Show - this is an all-new three-day workshop event that is so much more than just a class. We will gather together, both within the workshop space at Ephemera Paducah and at several surprise locations in the area, and spend time transforming materials into a series of what might loosely be called artist books. Some will be stitched and bound, some will be loose and some will simply be scraps floating in between. The instruction offered throughout, for the group as a whole as well as one-to-one, will cover the range of techniques used in mixed media: surface design, using paints and inks, hand stitching, bookbinding, mark-making, gel printing, collage, creative layering, and more. The workshop is designed to alternate between focused instructional demonstrations and uninterrupted art-making. Click here for all the details. Event is filled."
Listen to Jo Packham and Carrie Schmitt, WHO IS a full-time artist, author of THREE books, and runs an online shop with her paintings and products. JO AND CARRIE chat about THE IMPORTANCE OF listening to signs around you and surrendering to those creative forces/spirits. Carrie also talks about her upcoming project, painting her house pink ... yes, you heard correctly: PINK! You won't want to miss this emotional, encouraging, and ENGAGING episode.
Carrie also has an online monthly subscription class called Flower Painting Club, and she is opening an art retreat space in her home called House of Miracles for people to come and stay with her to reconnect with and romance their creativity.
Learn more about Carrie Schmitt:
Website
Patreon
Listen to the latest FROM MY KITCHEN TABLE episode as Jo Packham and collector and designer, Jill Schwartz, chat about knowing your why and staying Consistent with that, and your brand identity over the long haul. Jill, the creator behind Elements by Jill Schwartz, discusses representing yourself and your brand at events and conferences, how to refresh your brand without letting go of your true self, how growing up creatively inspired her love of collecting, and much more!
"I am a maximalist at heart and am so in love with all the little things that I collect. They are my treasures! I cannot help myself from falling in love with all the little bits and bobs of trims, vintage ribbons, sequins, metal stampings and semiprecious stones, tiny glass pieces, rhinestones, and vintage buttons and colors and…. that I use to create my work."
Looking for the perfect Mother's Day gift? Explore Jill Schwartz's unique, antiques-inspired jewelry line ... Elements!
Learn more about Jill Schwartz
Website
Listen in to our latest FROM MY KITCHEN TABLE episode as Jenn Bakos, a full-time freelance photographer residing in the seacoast area of New Hampshire, joins Jo Packham on the mic. Jenn’s focus is food, product, small business, editorial, and lifestyle photography with a few weddings on the side, as well as being a longtime supporter and photographer for WOMEN CREATE.
In this episode, Jenn provides background on her photography education, shares wonderful and funny shoot stories, and provides advice for those looking to begin, or improve their photography skills and career.
Learn more about Jenn Bakos:
Website
Listen to Jo Packham and Mary Engelbreit, a virtuoso in the art community, discuss what it takes to make it to the top, how to continue to create new and exciting work, and Mary's partnerships with other artists, like Lori Siebert, who is a featured guest on this episode!
Over 40 years ago, Mary Engelbreit launched her own company with a strong desire for creative freedom and a line of 12 greeting cards. The head of a highly successful business bearing her name, Mary is one of the country’s premier designers and artists. She is known throughout the world for her distinctive illustration style and design sensibility, modestly referred to as “eclectic traditional”. Mary’s signature art, imbued with spirited wit and warmth, appears on thousands of products, including greeting cards, books (design, gift, children’s, cooking, home, and art), calendars, stationery, fabric, crafts, kitchen accessories, dinnerware, and other home décor items.
Learn more about Mary Engelbreit:
Website
Listen to P. Marin (Rachel), and Jo Packham dive into the topic of finding hope during tough times, P. Marin's kidlit writing and illustrating process, and believing anything is possible! P. Marin is the author/illustrator of the acclaimed Pig and Chick Series. She’s an SCBWI honor award recipient and was recently featured in the Winter edition of Where Women Create. She lives in Huntington Beach, California with her husband and their son who she affectionately refers to as The Domestic Zookeeper. When not spending time with family and friends, you can find P. Marin in her studio
With much going on in the world today, P. Marin no longer believes it’s only the little ones in need of hope. So, with her latest book, The Goal is Hope, she’s trading in her children’s book hat for one with a wider brim big enough to cover us all.
Learn more about Rachel a.k.a P. Marin:
Website
You can be born with the gift of creativity and artistic abilities, but you can also gain these skills through determination and enthusiasm. Listen to Marian Parsons, and Jo Packham chat about art and creativity as learned skills. Marian is the creative force behind the blog Miss Mustard Seed, a paint enthusiast, artist, encourager, bibliophile & lover of all things home. She is also the author of Feels Like Home, a home décor book released in October 2021.
Marian lives in the Midwest with her husband, two boys, two cats, and a dog. She is the epitome of a multi-passionate entrepreneur with a spiderweb of creative endeavors including writing, photography, design, fine art, furniture refinishing and home décor. She has a habit of turning every hobby into a business, which can be simultaneously amazing and a problem, especially when it comes to creating a studio that accommodates all of her ideas.
Learn more about Marian Parsons a.k.a Miss Mustard Seed —
Website
Youtube
Listen to Lori Siebert, Kenzie Elston, and Jo Packham chat about all the ins and outs of what it is like working as a mother-daughter duo. In Lori's first podcast episode, she discussed her perspective of having a daughter who loves art just as much as she does. Now, Lori and Kenzie come together to share their story together.
Kenzie Elston is a born creative who loves color, whimsy and all things floral. With a degree in graphic design, she works for her parents’ small design firm Olika, who licenses art to a variety of companies. Outside of illustrating, Kenzie is a notorious collector of sketchbooks, antique tchotchkes, and novels and she lives for daily dance parties with her 6 and 4-year-old sons.
Listen to Lori's full episode HERE!
Learn more about Kenzie Elston —
Instagram: @snippetsofwhimsy
Website: Lori Siebert & Co - Kenzie's Work
Learn more about Lori Siebert —
Instagram: @lorisiebert.studio
Website: Lori Siebert & Co
In this episode of WOMEN CREATE’s FROM MY KITCHEN TABLE podcast, Jo Packham is joined by special guest Deanne Fitzpatrick, an artist renowned worldwide for her beautiful rugs and patterns. Learn everything from how Deanne first got into rug hooking to the ebb and flow of trends and techniques, what inspires her new collections, and more!
Deanne's work is in the permanent collection of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and the Canadian Museum of Civilization, and she is the author of seven books. She works from her studio in downtown Amherst, Nova Scotia where she writes and teaches on her website, hookingrugs.com, and creates beauty every day.
More From Deanne —
Instagram: @deannefitzpatrickhookingrugs
Website: hookingrugs.com
Meditations for Makers Deanne's New Book, Available NOW!
Listen to Jo Packham and artist, writer and founder of Curly Girl Design, Inc., Leigh Standley discuss celebrating a big milestone, 20 years in business in the next year. Additionally, Leigh dives into the topic of longevity and creativity in business for the long haul.
In its nearly twenty years in business, Curly Girl Design and Leigh’s line of clever and colorful greeting cards and giftware have changed the way we connect with each other with cards and gifts. Harnessing the power of language and humor to help people feel seen and understood, Leigh’s work has set trends in the industry, been distributed worldwide and most recently earned her the prestigious “Writer of the Year” LOUIE award from the Greet Card Association.
After 20 years in Boston, Leigh now lives in the mid-west with her husband and twin 8-year-olds. She believes firmly in the power of creativity and community to unlock our truest selves and is proudly “Living imperfectly with great delight.”
Links: www.curlygirldesign.com
IG: @curlygirldesign or @leigh.standley
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*Leigh shared a story of a conversation with business owner Jason Fried of Basecamp.
Listen to Jo Packham and author & artist Sabrina Ward Harrison as they discuss the importance of living a creative life. Sabrina dives into her motto of, "Our lives are just a handmade journey. Trust that the story is unfolding as it should," discussing her chosen path and how it has shaped her personal and professional life. Additionally, learn about Sabrina's love of books and her book writing process.
Bring Your Book to Life:
A FREE 3 part workshop with Sabrina Ward Harrison https://www.truelivingexperience.info/dreamit
Liberate Course 2022: The registration page will go live February 11th https://www.truelivingexperience.info/liberate-sign-up-2022 Instagram: @sabrinawardharrison Sabrina's Recommendations: Wonderful, soul-nurturing conversation with John O'Donohue https://onbeing.org/programs/john-odonohue-the-inner-landscape-of-beauty-aug2017/
Lori Siebert began her design business in 1987, just 3 years after graduating with a degree in graphic design. With her husband Steve, as her business partner, she spent the first 20 years focused on branding, packaging, and print materials for clients like Target, Nickelodeon, and Bath & Body Works. Her studio also spent a few years doing environmental graphics for the city of Ciniccinatti and for Universal Studios in Florida. About 14 years ago, her design firm switched focus to art licensing. Lori and her designers create art, pattern, and product concepts for licensing with a variety of manufacturers. These designs have been featured on ceramics, wall decor, stationery, rugs, pillows ... all kinds of gifts, and home decor products. Today, Steve and Lori's daughter, Kenzie, works as a designer with them. Lori is looking forward to supporting Kenzie in licensing while she concentrates on her loves ... painting and making and hosting art retreats in gorgeous locations.
Listen in to Lori Siebert and Jo chat about the many chapters and learnings from Lori’s 35 year career as a graphic designer, artist, product developer and retreat host. Lori shares her thoughts on having an agent, being a chameleon vs. having a signature look, and tips to building long-lasting client partnerships. She also talks about all of the exciting things that are part of her next chapter… including working with her talented daughter, Kenzie Elston and being a featured artist on Bloom TV Network!
Learn about Lori's Retreats Here:
Richwood on the River, Kentucky (October 17-20, 2022)
France (September 5-8, 2022)
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Visit Lori’s website, Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest!
Join designer Wendy Dunning as she and Jo talk about what goes on behind the scenes of the WOMEN CREATE magazines. Learn what we look for in the images we use in the articles: the best specs and sizes for print, tips to get the best lighting, what compositions work best in the magazine, and more! Wendy's secret: I’m a huge nerd from way back. I knitted my own Dr. Who scarf when I was in high school, probably my first foray into the world of cosplay. Some options for learning more about photography and lighting: * Check your library’s online resources. LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) is free through many libraries. Universal Class is also available through the library. * Craftsy.com has a number of classes for purchase, either monthly or per class. * Do a search on YouTube, especially for product photography or interior photography.
Michele Muska's approach to working with a variety of brands and designers is similar to how she lives her life. Surrounding herself with people she finds interesting, kind, and passionate about what they do is something she looks for in others and strives for personally.
Understanding what it means to be an artist has certainly given Michele insight into how other designers may feel vulnerable about reaching out to collaborate with larger brands. Her position as the Director of Content for Oliso has given her the opportunity to welcome many different types of designers and influencers to be part of the Oliso community as well as other communities … and her own community. She hopes what she shares with you in her podcast will be of some help.
Listen to Jo Packham and mixed media artist Seth Apter as they discuss topics ranging from the importance of developing and maintaining community to navigating the tricky balance between creativity and commerce. Seth tells the story of how a single, serendipitous meeting upended his life and redirected him into the world of art and shares how his prior career as a Psychologist has found its way into his current life as a creative.
Visit Seth's website, Instagram & Facebook for more!
Miriam Schulman, a graduate of Dartmouth College and M.I.T., will share her knowledge on how to paint portraits with watercolors, expand your business of painting portraits, expand your business into new but related areas, and love all that you do while you are doing it. Miriam is an inspiration and an immediate friend and confident! It is an honor to introduce you to her and her to you!
After listening to the podcast: If you're interested in learning how to paint in watercolors or want to expand into portraits, you can download Miriam's free watercolor supply list:schulmanart.com/supplies