The CraftSanity Podcast: Recent Episodes
Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood
CraftSanity is a place to escape the daily grind and renew your creative spirit through interviews with creative people.
In honor of Juneteenth, the day that celebrates the end of slavery in the U.S., I’m posting my conversation with Dano Wall, the artist who created the Tubman Stamp that allows the likeness of American hero, Harriet Tubman, to be printed on the $20 bill.
Artist and activist Diana Weymar discusses how was one of many artists who took note of President Trump’s “stable genius” pronouncement and got inspired to create a stitching project that has includes many others.
Making a living as a professional artist can be tricky with the cost of art school on the rise and lucrative art jobs hard to find. Despite this challenging backdrop, Dayna Walton, a 21-year-old Grand Rapids artist has set herself up well to hit the ground running after she graduates from Ferris State University's Kendall College of Art & Design this spring.
Liz Hilton discusses her 3D knit products she makes at her KNITit studio in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Check out the show notes at craftsanity.com
Learn how Beryl Bartkus created meaningful work for her daughter, Erin, and others with developmental disabilities.
Check out the show notes at craftsanity.com
On this episode of the podcast I geek out about wood type and paper and ink with letterpress printmaker Amos Kennedy, owner and chief printer at Kennedy Prints in Detroit.
Check out the show notes at craftsanity.com
Interview with Lori Evesque, owner of Natural Cycles Farm in southern Allegan County, discussing raising fresh food, fiber and plants to sell at local farmers markets and her yarn dyeing workshops.
Check out the show notes at craftsanity.com
Interview with 22-year-old Martin Schneider, an art student in Cologne, Germany who designed a 3-D printed printing press and shared his design files for free online. Check out the show notes at CraftSanity.com
Interview with Mark Newport, known for his hand embroidered comic book covers and knitted superhero costumes.
Check out the show notes at CraftSanity.com
Interview with Katrina Rodabaugh, fiber artist and author of the forthcoming book, “Mending Matters: Stitch, Patch, and Repair Your Favorite Denim & More.” Rodabaugh is one of the zen stitchers on the front lines of this important and gentle movement that bucks the trend of overconsumption and throw-away fashion.
Check out the show notes at craftsanity.com
Mike and Terry McGarr discuss Mike's plan to revive a bit of family weaving history. The 27-year-old is the great-grandson of Wallace and Melvina McGarr, who were owners of the Norwood Loom Co. for more than 40 years beginning in 1951.
Check out the show notes at CraftSanity.com
Practicing psychologist and crochet designer Sandra Eng recognizes discusses her new book “Crochet Kaleidoscope: Shifting Shapes and Shades Across 100 Motifs,” and the role handcrafts can play as a means of coping with stress and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Interview with Josie Gamper, who sells her own brand of popular watercolors under the name RedwoodWillow. Josie shares the story of how she built her business as a side gig and now operates it full-time from the living room of her Connecticut home.
We go behind the scenes of the fascinating art career of Drew Sheneman, a nationally syndicated political cartoonist who started writing and illustrating children’s picture books a couple years ago.
Bethany Nixon, owner of Reware Vintage and co-organizer of the upcoming Detroit Urban Craft Fair (DUCF), discuses last-minute tips for handmade business owners who are vending this holiday season and talk about what it takes to produce a large-scale craft fair like DUCF which is celebrating its 12th year.
The Detroit Urban Craft Fair is at the Masonic Temple Dec. 1-3.
Check out more at craftsanity.com
Interview with Gloria Kirk-Hann, who takes us behind the scenes of her 2017 ArtPrize entry “Fragments of Old Bones; New Soul” a fiber art installation that is a visual manifestation of her artistic journey through divorce, loss and grief and finding love again.
Check out more at craftsanity.com
Interview with Patricia Constantine, who entered a piece titled “Sineater” in the 2017 ArtPrize competition that makes a bold statement about American politics and education.
Melodee Jackson discusses the creation of her intricate ArtPrize 2017 work, “Early January on the Pearl Street Bridge.”
Some artists make art to entertain and amuse, while activist artists like Ti-Rock Moore and Keyon Lovett make art to challenge and raise awareness about injustices in society. Both artists discuss their ArtPrize entries inspired by the continuing Flint water crisis.
Self-taught West Michigan abstract painter Mary-Catheryn Baker discusses her life and her entry into ArtPrize 2017.
Interview with Jeana Eve Klein, about her surprising path to ArtPrize 2017 in Grand Rapids.
Angela Smith, owner of Houston, Texas-based tool and supply business Purl & Loop discusses the unexpected turn of events that led to her start business.
Interview with Marlee Cook-Parrott, who used the Instagram app to promote her business and amassed a strong following quickly.
Heidi Fahrenbacher discusses creating the whimsical Bella Joy Pottery line in a former veterinary clinic-turned-clay studio just outside of Plainwell, Michigan.
Alessandra Hayden shares the story behind her impressive new book, “Modern Tapestry Crochet: Techniques, Projects, Adventure.”
Today is Donald Trump's 100th day in office. One of my secret weapons to cope with this seemingly alternate reality has been to follow the.daily.don feed on Instagram, featuring the satirical artwork of Jesse Duquette.
With studio space in New York and a home base in Australia, Maryanne Moodie has quickly become a household name among weaving enthusiasts around the globe. But many may be surprised to realize that the Australian artist who recently published On The Loom: A Modern Weaver’s Guide ($27.50, 144 pages) stumbled across her first loom only about five years ago.
On this episode of the podcast we go behind the scenes of Barrett Wool Co., the new yarn business that Susan B. Anderson launched with her son, Evan Anderson.
When thousands of protesters gather for the Women’s March On Washington January 21, 2017 the day after Trump takes the helm of our nation, there will be a sea of pink that just might inspire the former host of “Celebrity Apprentice” to once again regret speaking so freely while on wearing a hot mic.
Jane LaFazio is a watercolor and mixed media artist, art quilter and all-around creative force with a passion for travel and teaching others how to draw and paint. However, with a background in graphic design and technical illustration, this is not the combination of work LaFazio thought she would ever pursue full time.
Stacey Trock discusses how she went from grad school to launching her own crochet business, freshstitches.com and community Ami Club.
Maria Alexandra Vettese and Stephanie Congdon Barnes discuss their long distance friendship, collaboration and their new book “A Year Between Friends 3191 Miles Apart: Crafts, Recipes, Letters, and Stories” (208 pages, $24.95).
Stacie Tamaki discusses what got her started folding tiny and what lead her to downsize her life and relocate to Michigan, where she is building her dream art studio.
Interview with Kathy Nida, the artist behind a quilt recently removed from a recent American Quilter's Society show in Grand Rapids for after a complaint that doesn't seem to add up.
On this episode, blogger, knitting pattern designer and author Wendy Bernard talks about her creative roots, social media and her new book, “The Knitting All Around Stitch Dictionary: 150 New Stitch Patterns to Knit Top Down, Bottom Up, Back and Forth and in the Round.”
On this episode of CraftSanity, we're going sheep to skein to unravel the story of how wool from a West Michigan flock is being spun into a lovely, new independent yarn line called Welcome Home.
Creativebug CEO Ursula Morgan talks about how she shifted careers from magazine publishing to lead the charge to make the business profitable by the end of 2016.
Maya Pagan Donenfeld tells the story of how she healed herself and wrote a book in the process. “Hope, Make, Heal: 20 Crafts to Mend the Heart” is a thoughtful and inspiring book that aimed to help readers create their way through life’s most trying times.
Interview with Clara Parkes, author of the newly released “Knitlandia: A Knitter Sees the World.”
An interview with Yulia Brodskaya, the artist who designed the 2016 Love stamp for the U.S. Postal Service. She's also featured in CraftSanity Magazine Issue 10, that's now for sale.
I can think of no better way to wrap up another year of podcasting than to bring you an interview with Lisa Congdon, a fine artist, illustrator and author who has inspired countless people to be true to themselves, love without regret, do the work, follow their hearts and have the courage to call themselves artists – even if it’s just in a whisper at first.
If you live in the Midwest U.S. and have noticed that most of the craft con action happens on East and West coasts, Grace Dobush (co-organizer of Crafty Supermarket) has some good news for you. She joined forces with Brit Charek (organizer of Crafty Mart) and Megan Green (organizer of Craftin’ Outlaws) to plan and invite you to Midwest Craft Conslated for Feb. 19-21 in Columbus, Ohio.
Artist and author Valerie McKeehan tells the story behind the 2012 launch of her Lily & Val hand-lettered art business that now employees both her and her husband full-time.
If you think bigger is better when it comes to weaving looms, Syne Mitchell may convince you otherwise if you page through her new book that explores the vast potential of the rigid heddle loom.
Lotta Jansdotter, the Brooklyn-based Swedish designer of items ranging from home goods to textiles, discusses her new book “Lotta Jansdotter Everyday Style.”
If you like knitting, sipping tea, building forts and watching the clouds roll by, this episode was recorded just for you. My guest is Lea Redmond, author of the sweet new book, “Knit the Sky: Cultivate Your Creativity with a Playful Way of Knitting.” She is also the creative force behind LeafcutterDesigns where you’ll find an fun selection of the clever things she dreams up including the Knit the Sky scarf project and the World’s Smallest Post Service.
Like many of us, Anne Weil got urge to quit her day job and follow her handmade dreams. But it didn’t all fall into place over night. On this episode of the podcast, Anne talks about what led her to walk away from a finance career in New York City and settle out West. Even after launching her Flax and Twine blog was there were hiccups and even a temporary return to the career she left.
Artist Jedediah Johnson found a interesting way deal with a “life long fear of kissing people.” After scheduling a makeout appointment, he applies a lot of lipstick and kisses women (and sometimes men) and then photographs the big messy aftermath.
Those who admire Anna Joyce’s beautiful textile and design work from afar might assume that these things come easily to the artist and textile designer. But Anna, 38, of Portland, Oregon and author of the new book, “Stamp, Stencil, Paint: Making Extraordinary Patterned Projects By Hand,” has dealt with her share of setbacks. And some thing tells me that after listening to her story you’ll want to give her a high five and buy her book.
In five short years, Heather Jones, 39, has transitioned from a rookie quilt maker to founder of the Cincinnati Modern Quilt Guild and an accomplished designer exhibiting her work and teaching on the national quilt scene.
Interview with Rosa Rojas, a quilter from Spain helped me improve my appliqué game with her Apliquick tools.
Interview Erin Paisley, 34, a self-taught artist whose painted, fiber and ceramic art I have admired online for quite some time.
When Jesse Genet was about 16, she launched a t-shirt business from the basement of her parent's house in suburban Detroit. She started researching ways to print photographs on textiles and traveled across the country to track a guy down who owned the rights to a product that flopped on the market before her time. Initially, the man blew her off, but she didn't give up. Determined and business savvy, Jesse kept in touch with the man who couldn't understand why she wanted to buy the formula for an unsuccessful product. But she had a plan to improve the formula and eventually she got her chance.
On this episode of the podcast I have a lovely chat with a kindred spirt Sonia Lyne. A fellow embroidery enthusiast, list maker, Sonia is a delight to chat with and her handmade Dandelyne business has been inspiring stitchers around the globe since 2011.
If you attend national quilt and craft trade shows, chances are good that you've run into Michele. She is a craft industry insider with a generous spirit who gets a real kick out of connecting other creatives with the people who can make big things happen.
Erin Beckloff, 31, of Ohio, recognizes that there is something very precious about the knowledge and skill letterpress printers accumulate during a lifetime of printing and she's on a mission to preserve it for future generations as co-director of "The Letterpress Film."
On the this episode of the podcast, you’ll meet Liz Reed, co-creator of the Cuddles and Rage comic featuring humorous hand drawn and clay characters.
In honor of National Stress Awareness Month, San Francisco-based crochet designer Twinkie Chan has teamed up with the Craft Yarn Council to help all of us reflect on the stress busting wonders of knit and crochet.
I wanted to help Mary Colucci, executive director of the Craft Yarn Council, spread the word about the organization's 30 Days of Creative Ways to #StitchAwayStress campaign that kicks off today and runs through the whole month of April.
A self-proclaimed cat lady who studied fashion design in London, Sara, 30 of Nashville, Tennessee started Scooter Knits, an Etsy shop featuring handknit hats for cats in 2009. The hats were a hit and six years later, Sara is still knitting like the wind for feline friends and their owners around the globe. This week is an exciting one for Sara, whose first book, "Cats in Hats: 30 Knit and Crochet Hat Patterns for Your Kitty", will be hitting local bookstores.
In her book, Rebecca Ringquist presents “embroidery as just a way of drawing” and instructs stitchers to “loosen up and try to disregard their idea of embroidery as a really uptight, precise sort of art form and introduce the idea that embroidery is easy and accessible.”
Abby Glassenberg shares her thoughts about blogging, launching her podcast, the future of publishing and her experience with self-publishing ebooks and patterns on her website.
The story behind Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood's last column for The Grand Rapids Press and MLive.
If you're sad about missing QuiltCon, cheer up because QuiltCon is coming to you during this episode featuring Sherri Lynn Wood, author of "The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters: A Guide to Creating, Quilting & Living Courageously." I interviewed Sherri before she left for the convention where she is teaching and signing books.
Erica Lang has always known she is an artist at heart. But she was worried she would never find a job, so she pursed several other careers.
"I actually purposely avoided (art classes in high school) and took math and science because I was so worried about not being able to get a job," Lang said.
Check out the podcast to find out what convinced her to follow her heart and start a printmaking business called Woosah.
Born a day apart, Jacob Vroon and Elyse Marie Welcher crossed paths for the first time in the Butterworth Hospital nursery in June of 1988, completely oblivious to each other.
It would be 23 years before the two Geminis would actually meet when they reported for their first day of work at the Buckle at Woodland Mall. He was the freight guy and she was the seamstress. And when they were introduced, the manager suggested they talk because they both made leather bags.
They ended up inspiring each other to greatness, but not without a few twists in the story.
Check out their sites:
• Harbinger Leather Design on Etsy
• Littlewings Designs
• Parliament The Boutique
• And my latest column about them
• And I also wrote about Elyse in 2013.
If inspiration to take your handmade business to the next level is what you seek, tune in for my conversation with Anne-Marie Faiola, CEO and founder of Bramble Berry, the Bellingham, Washington-based online soap-making supply company and creator of the new Handmade Beauty Box, a monthly DIY project subscription service.
As a screen printer and designer, Marcy Davy, of Ypsilanti, knows the joy of printmaking and repeats the process daily as a professional artist producing prints for her All Things Grow product line.
For years Grand Rapids fiber artist Megan Roach has been experimenting with natural dyes and crocheting and knitting. She was having fun with her creative work, but struggling to tie it all together. And then she started weaving about a year ago.
With deliberate lines and tiny stitches, Megan Eckman is a fine artist and a creative writer behind Studio MME who became an embroidery designer soon after realizing craft stores were still selling the same patterns she stitched with her grandmother.
In her new book, “Novel Living: Collecting, Decorating and Crafting with Books,” Lisa Occhipinti once again pays homage to the printed word.
Hear how three men have realized their long-term goal to transform the Dinderbeck collective space into a community printshop – a project that has been four years in the making.
Last month I recorded a lovely chat with Meredith Crawford, a stylish craft blogger who documents her creative life at onesheepishgirl.com. Tune in to find out how she landed a book deal during her job search and kept the faith that things would work out when her post-college job hunt felt like it might last forever.
More than three decades after macrame permeated the American craft landscape, it’s once again growing in popularity and Sally England has had a hand in that. However, becoming a nationally recognized macrame artist is probably most surprising to England herself.
A fine art painter with a soft spot for crafting, Kelly, 35, just opened the Wisemaker Creative Reuse Store and Studio at The Geek Group, the maker space at 902 Leonard St. NW in Grand Rapids. Part craft supply thrift shop, part drop-in studio, Wisemaker is a place where local creatives can go to take workshops, use the studio space and buy unique reclaimed supplies donated by local businesses and individuals.
Ryan Spencer Reed’s quest to understand the life of a soldier and his family’s own tradition of military service led him to immerse himself in this documentary project and pursue a true understanding of war – something average citizens can’t get from mainstream media.
Interview with ArtPrize artist Anila Quayyum Agha, whose work “Intersections” casts opulent 32- by 34-foot shadows onto the walls, floor and ceiling of the exhibition space at the Grand Rapids Art Museum.
Sometimes, handmade business partnerships start in the most unlikely ways.
Sean Maginity was working in the maintenance department at the Grand Rapids Public Library when he fell for Marianne Gardner, a woman at the reference desk.
Their relationship and cross-country relocation may have surprised some friends and relatives, but “it worked out,” Gardner said. Little did Gardner know she was about to fall in love again — this time with plants.
I met Jamie Malden at the quilt show and fell hook, line and sinker for block printing and the lovely blocks she sells on her Colouricious website.
Eric Hoffman is a kind printmaker I met on Instagram while attempting to soak up all I can from more experienced printmakers creating inspiring work.
Caitlin Myler was turning left out of the parking lot of the Ottawa County bank call center where she worked when she spotted another motorist traveling fast over the hill. Their cars collided and the impact of the November 2011 crash changed the course of Caitlin's life.
Support CraftSanity at http://www.patreon.com/craftsanity
When Chiaki O’Brien rolls into Allegan County and sets up her SAORI weaving looms at the Michigan Fiber Festival this week, her students will learn right away that they are part of one of the happiest growing fiber art movements.
I have not studied SAORI in any official capacity, but I ran to my loom after interviewing Chiaki about this contemporary Japanese hand weaving approach designed for everyone regardless of age, gender, disability or intellectual aptitude.
Support CraftSanity at http://www.patreon.com/craftsanity
Interview with Nancy McRay, who went from fiber artist to yarn shop owner and back again.
Support CraftSanity at http://www.patreon.com/craftsanity
Letterpress artist Michelle Terry, of Runaway Press, demos making a print at Not Design Studio in Grand Rapids.
More info on Runaway Press:
-- https://www.etsy.com/market/runaway_press
-- https://www.facebook.com/Runawayletterpress
This episode of CraftSanity features mini-interviews with Patricia “Trish” Hoskins and Rebecca Yaker, Twin Cities authors of “Little One-Yard Wonders: Irresistible Clothes, Toys, and Accessories You Can Make for Babies and Kids.”
A summer camp romance and a $5,000 grant have given arts education a boost in West Michigan where a small business is providing opportunities for kids to express themselves creatively. This is what happens when cupid and a creative guy named Adam Weiler cross paths with a lovely lady on a basketball court.
After a bit of a hiatus, I’m back recording podcast interviews with artists and crafters. On episode #130, I’ll introduce you to California garden writer and fiber enthusiast Chris McLaughlin.
Interview with Diane Morgan, a great cook, culinary instructor, restaurant consultant food writer and author of "Gifts Cooks Love."
Soft sculpture artist Abby Glassenberg is back to chat about her new book, “The Artful Bird: Feathered Friends to Sew and Make.” On this mini-episode of the podcast, we catch up on the latest exciting developments in her life including the birth of third child and the experience of becoming a published author.
On this episode of the podcast you'll hear from Anna Hrachovec, a 29-year-old Brooklyn-based artist who really knows how to bring her knitting to life.
We’re going to time warp just a tad on this episode of the podcast. We’re going back to a coat closet inside the Grand Rapids Public Art Museum (GRAM) where I interviewed artist Betsy Timmer this past fall about “Rag Rug,” the piece that she entered in ArtPrize, the international art competition held annually here in West Michigan.
After Chris de Longpre “retired” from a career in information technology she decided to make the most of her free time.
She started knitting – a lot.
And Chris, of Kentwood, Mich., wasn’t content to follow a pattern, so she kick up the degree of difficulty and started writing her own patterns. She kept designing and taking notes.
Within months of her retirement, she launched a pattern business, called Knitting at KNoon Designs featuring eight original. Eight years later de Longpre has amassed a strong following for her pattern collection that features designs ranging from stuffed toys, socks and shawls to knitted garments for babies, children and adults.
Now her designs are stocked by 700 knitting shops across the country as well as in Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
This episode of CraftSanity was recorded before a live audience at the Creative Conference of Entrepreneurs in Seattle. My guest was the Megan Reardon, creator of the popular Not Martha blog she launched in 2001 as a place to keep track of her many crafty projects and lifestyle interests.
Nine years later, Megan’s blog has received mentions from high traffic sites including Daily Candy, Fred Flare, Boing Boing, Apartment Therapy, and Metafilter, and has been nominated for several Bloggie awards. Megan’s site was named one of the Coolest Websites of 2006 by Time magazine.
On this episode of CraftSanity, you’ll find out about Megan’s creative life that has included stints sewing opera costumes in Santa Fe, building corporate websites in San Francisco, and running a small knitting supplies business in her current home of Seattle, where she is a founding member of the Grassroots Business Association.
She has published patterns in Knitty.com (The Hallowig ranks among my favorites!) and in several knitting books.
She contributed projects to ReadyMade and FamilyFun magazines, and has also blogged for ReadyMade and Design Sponge. Megan also creates awesome projects for Holidash.com, including this Felt Dahlia Brooch.
Thanks to Megan for being the first guest to record with me before a live audience and for sharing her story with us!
Also thanks to the conference organizers who hosted the conference. It was great to be a part of the event and meet so many talented and creative people in person. I will be posting more little bits about people I met in the coming weeks. I have a little project to finish in the meantime.
Sue Hausmann says sewing is a life skill. And after you listen to her story you’ll understand what she means.
As a young mom, she sewed everything for her family from housewares to matching swim suits her family of six. She also sewed to earn extra money doing alterations out of her home. Years of practical sewing experience and a passion for the craft eventually lead Sue into the workforce where she excelled at hooking budding sewists on the craft.
Tune in to CraftSanity episode 118 to hear how this Midwestern seamstress used her sewing skills, Tupperware sales experience and supermom powers to canapult herself into the corporate world where she went on to become the Executive Vice President Consumer Motivation at Husqvarna Viking and the host of “America Sews” a show that aired on PBS in the U.S. until last year.
At long last I bring you a podcast interview with Lisa Price, a crafty printmaker and one of West Michigan’s most successful handmade businesswomen.
Tune in for the story of how Lisa used job loss as a springboard to start artgoodies, the art business she operates out of her basement studio in Grand Rapids.
Her business is the perfect blend of art and craft with a side of vintage flair. Her block printed tea towels are wildly popular and especially appealing for those who want to adorn their homes with functional art.
On this episode of CraftSanity you’ll meet West Michigan fiber artist Beth Ann Williams, an accomplished quilter, teacher and author who never ceases to inspire the people around her. Tune in to hear the story of how Beth Ann turned to quilting after serious health problems forced her to edit her life plan.
Beth Ann, of Grand Rapids, is very skilled when it comes to making art and helping others set out on their own creative journeys. And she excels at figuring out ways to get around life’s biggest obstacles with grace and humor. With the deck stacked against her Beth Ann has continued to make art, teach and work as the creative director for Lakeshore Sewing.
If you’re struggling with a road block in your life, don’t miss this episode and the chance to be inspired by a woman who turned her wheelchair into a fashion accessory and reminds us all to hold our dreams lightly.Want to learn more from Beth Ann? She teaches regularly at Lakeshore Sewing and will be teaching at Fabrications at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo, Mich. at the end of the summer. She will present Fiber Collage & Three-Dimensional Embellishment on Aug. 30 & 31 and Machine Quilting and Thread Painting on Sept. 1, 2 & 3. She will also be co-hosting a “Storytelling in Fabric” retreat in November. Read more workshop details here.
On this episode of CraftSanity you’ll hear from Kristen Rask, owner of Schmancy, a Seattle shop featuring fun and quirky handmade toys. Just a few minutes into the interview you’ll probably begin to wonder when Kristen finds time to sleep because operating a cool shop is only one of her many creative projects.
Kristen is also the creator of the wildly successful Plush You! show that features over a hundred plush artists from around the globe, planner of Urban Craft Uprising (Seattle’s largest indie craft show) and the upcoming Conference of Creative Entrepreneurs. She’s a committee member for the Grassroots Business Association and just curated the Lost at Sea Show in New York City, too.
In her spare time, Kristen has also written three books: “Plush You! Loveable Misfits to sew and stuff” (based on the annual Plush You! show she has at her store), “Creature Crochet” and “Button and Stitch.”
If you’re looking for some motivation to get cracking on some of your own projects, something tells me that hearing from Kristen will give you a helpful kick in the Schmancy pants to get out there and take a crafty risk or two.
If you want a chance to meet Kristen and soak up some crafty business tips, head out to the Conference of Creative Entrepreneurs, Aug. 13-15 in Seattle. Register by June 1 and save money. I’m heading to the conference to be on a panel about podcasting and do a live recording of my show and I’d love to see you there. (Email me if you’re interested in a CraftSanity meet-up.)
Before the world recognized Wendy Mullin’s Built By Wendy clothing label, she was just a girl sewing her heart out hunched over a machine stacked up on milk crates. She cut her fabric on the floor of her cramped apartment and worked at record stores to pay the bills. And long before she started calling herself a designer, she had become one.
On this episode of CraftSanity, Wendy shares the inspiring story of how she built her own creative business one design at a time. Originally from Chicago, Wendy is now one of New York’s most established independent fashion designers. She sells her Built By Wendy line at her two retail stores in New York, at boutiques across the country and online.
Budding designers got to know Wendy when she released her first book “Sew U” and follow-up book “Sew U Home Stretch.” Her third book, “Built by Wendy Dresses: The Sew U Guide to Make a Girl’s Best Frock.” just came out and demystifies the satisfying art of making a fun and flattering dress.
Tune in and get inspired to build yourself a brand new frock.
I made you all wait way too long for this episode, but I think it’s going to be worth it. My guest is a fabulous storyteller who shares a wealth of info that I hope will serve as an audio springboard for all of you dear listeners out there dreaming of launching your own handmade business.
You can do it! You can do it! You CAN do it!
Now that I’ve got you pumped up a little bit, grab a project and settle in for a nice long chat with Kari Chapin, author of “Handmade Marketplace: How to Sell Your Crafts Locally, Globally and Online.”
I interviewed Kari for my craft column right before the book launch and then I interviewed her again for the podcast because I wanted you to get to hear the full story. With experience as a maker, marketer, stylist and retail manager (among many other things), Chapin has done a fine job of rounding up helpful information for creative people dreaming of making a handmade living. And I’m not just saying that because she interviewed me for her book. (Some of my comments about podcasting are one on page 206, but you’ll be way more impressed with the famous crafters she interviewed to fill the other pages.)
Kari covers everything from pricing and taxes to social media and starting your own craft fair, so this book is pretty cool and includes a lot of info that I wish I would have known before I decided to launch my own crafty biz.
Speaking of which… ENTER TO WIN a copy of Kari’s book by posting a craft business tip below. What do you wish you would have know before you got started? If you haven’t launched a handmade business yet, please post a question. What do you want to know before you get started? The deadline to enter the random drawing is March 21. Good luck!
This week my guest is Minneapolis based designer Rebecca Yaker. I’ve been wanting to interview Rebecca since we met at the Detroit Urban Craft Fair a few years ago and she did not disappoint. This episode traces Rebecca’s unconventional creative path to becoming an independent designer, artist, handmade business owner and published author.
In 2005, Rebecca left the corporate world to start Hazel and Melvin’s Room, a custom baby bedding and accessories business that offers expecting parents a fabulous alternative to the mass produced products listed on many baby registries.
Rebecca made a huge splash in craft circles when images of her unforgettable sock monkey dresses hit the web. She continues to make wearable sock monkey creations for people of all ages and takes custom orders for award winning sock monkey dresses. (Those must be an absolute blast to wear. I would love to run a road race wearing a sock monkey apron someday.)
In February 2008, Rebecca and her pal Trish Hoskins had lunch with the president of Storey Publishing. A year and a half later, Rebecca and Trish where holding copies of their first book “One-Yard Wonders!”
This week my podcast guest is Rashida Coleman-Hale, 33, of Atlanta, who writes the I Heart Linen blog. A busy mama and super talented designer, Rashida’s story is sure to inspire you run to your fabric stash for a quick patchwork project fix.
We chatted about her creative journey to becoming a craft project designer and published author and the challenges she’s encountered along the way. Rashida has a contagious laugh, so we did plenty of giggling. But we also had a serious discussion about how making beautiful things helped Rashida through postpartum depression. So if you’re going through a rough patch, this episode might be particularly helpful.
Rashida’s first book, “I Love Patwork: 21 Irresistible Zakka Projects to Sew” just hit bookstores and features great designs including instructions to make the lovely blossom pincushions pictured above. (p. 71) Projects in the book include a combination of machine and hand sewing and feature lots of linen (no surprise there!) and the English paper piecing techniques that I find so fantastically additive.
Rashida’s designs carry a strong Japanese influence reminiscent of the time she spent living abroad as a child. So if you love Zakka craft, you’ll enjoy making Rashida’s designs to adorn your creative space.
Meg McElwee’s star has risen fast since I first chatted with her on episode 80 and it’s great to have her back as part of her blog tour to fill us in on her life as a new mama and published craft book author. (Go, Meg!)
During our first chat, Meg was teaching at a Montessori school in Mexico and planning to return to the States to expand her pattern design business and start a family.
She’s now living in North Carolina with her husband and son and continuing to expand her pattern line which includes my favorite apron pattern of all time, the Emmeline.
Her new book “Sew Liberated: 20 Stylish Projects for the Modern Sewist” is packed with fun projects that highlight the fantastic possibilities that come with incorporating easy applique techniques. The book comes with a packet of patterns glued inside the back over so you have everything you need to get started right away. Projects for the home, babies, children and you are include.
The Teacup Corset Apron, Funny Animals Children’s Totes and reverse appliqued Jersey Garden Skirt (cover photo) rank among my favorites patterns in the book, but I plan to try out several other patterns as time allows.
So settle in with a project and tune in to this week’s show to hear Meg’s story.
Maya Donenfeld joined the craft blog scene about two years ago with the creation of her Maya*Made blog and has been inspiring readers ever since with her sustainable craft project ideas.
A self-taught artist, Maya, 40, loves to create with items straight from the recycle bin. One of her favorite materials is repurposed burlap coffee sacks, but anything in the recycling bin is fair game. She turns newspapers into festive banners and she works wonders with toilet paper tubes. Above is a glimpse of her latest advent calendar design, which builds on last year’s design which was also created out of cardboard tubes. (She more or Maya’s designs on Flickr.)
Maya lives in rural upstate New York with her husband and two children. She cooks up new designs daily while maintaining a regular dialog with her blog readers. Tune in to this week’s podcast to hear her tell her story in her own words.
Susan B. Anderson is back again to update us on the latest developments in her successful knitting career, namely her new book, “Itty-Bitty Toys.”
I asked Susan to give a brief overview of her knitting career on this episode, but if you want to hear the whole story, I invite you to go back and listen CraftSanity episodes 46 and 64.
Susan’s Itty-Bitty series including “Itty-Bitty Hats” and “Itty-Bitty Nursery,” have been very popular and the latest knitted toy book went into it’s second printing within weeks of the release date. The success this 45-year-old, married, mother of four from Madison, Wis. has lead opportunities to travel and teach in knit shops across the country.
It also helped her land a fun gig with a great title as the curator of the Spud and Chloe blog where Susan frequently posts free patterns for knitters to download and stitch.
Tune in to this episode for down-to-earth inspiration that just might inspire you to launch a handmade business of your own. And speaking of free patterns, check out the Susan’s Santa Baby pattern that I posted after our first chat. It’s perfect for last-minute holiday crafting.
Grab your latest project and settle in for a long chat with clothing designer and author, Cal Patch, the creative force behind the Hodge Podge clothing label.
Immediately after opening Cal’s new book, I knew that it was going to be one of those books that would change my creative life. I want to sew more of my own clothes and often get disappointed when my projects don’t pan out. Enter Cal and her fabulous book, “Design-It-Yourself Clothes Patternmaking Simplified.” Cal has been teaching sewing and pattern making in New York for years, so this book is especially great for those of us who live too far away to take one of her classes in person.
On this episode of CraftSanity, Liesl Gibson shares the story of how she started her Brooklyn-based pattern company, Oliver + S. If you lurk around sewing blogs or frequent an independent fabric shop, you’ve probably seen her classic line that features darling designs to sew for girls and boys.
Each pattern comes with a paper doll that sports the designs featured in the patten. And to boost the cute factor even higher, Oliver + S just released a spool dog cut-out as seen in the photo above.
From the fashion district to Wall Street, Liesl’s path to launching her own line of children’s clothing patterns is entertaining and inspiring. Tune in to hear Liesl chat about everything from her childhood days watching her mother sew to working in the fashion industry, and the challenges of running a handmade business.
This episode is about spreading hope one quilt at a time.
Tune in to meet Carin Vogelzang, and her mother, Carol Peters, two women who turned a family tragedy into an inspiring cause called Margaret’s Hope Chest.
Carin, of Toronto, and her mother, Carol, of Grand Rapids, co-founded the quilt charity Margaret’s Hope Chest in honor of Peters’ mom, Margaret Herrema, who died after she was critically injured during a purse-snatching in 2005. The first quilt they gave away was to the mother of one of the women convicted of Margaret’s death.
Carin and Carol have given away 102 quilts since founding the charity in Margaret’s name in 2007. Now they’re asking quilters around the globe to help them make 400 quilts to give to homeless children living in the Grand Rapids Public School District here in West Michigan during the Christmas holiday.
Sally Melville has been on the knitting scene for years, demystify the craft for all the rookies and self-taught knitters she cheerfully coaxes along at her workshops.
Tune in to this episode of CraftSanity to find out how Sally became a knitwear designer and author years after she discovered the wonderful world of knitting as a 7-year-old Brownie.
Trond Anfinnsen is the inspiring sort of guy who gets an idea, commits to it and sees it through to its creative end. And then when he’s done, he starts the process all over again.
On this episode of CraftSanity you’ll hear Trond, 42, of Stavanger, Norway tell the story of how he became a ravenous knitter just a few years back and ended up knitting more than 200 one-of-a-kind hats for people in his life.
Tune in to find out how a Flickr gallery of photos of people wearing his hats led to a book deal. (Trond’s friend Klaus Nilsen Skrudland took all the photos.)
Fifty of his hats are included in his book: “HatHeads: 1 Man + 2 Knitting Needles = 50 Fun Hat Designs.” I posted the Silje pattern featured on the lower right of the book cover and p. 116 inside on this blog a while back and still have big plans to make that hat.
Trond’s book is cool because it gives 50 examples of how a simple knitting pattern can be customized for each individual. He even shares some great tips about how to design a one-of-a-kind hat of your own.
Unlike most craft books, Trond’s introduces us to all the people who modeled hats for the book. Under each photo is a brief intro to these people and explanation of their connection to Trond. I love the sense of community that Trond created with his knitting. It’s lovely, really. And it so makes me want to knit a hat. Right now.
On this episode you’re going to meet the inspiring Beerhorst family headed up by Rick and Brenda Beerhorst, the artist parents of six creative kids ranging in age from 5 to 17. Rick is an oil panter. Brenda is a fiber artist. And the kids, well, they’re all artistic, too.
On this episode of CraftSanity you’re going to hear a conversation with Justine Telfer, editor and publisher of the Melbourne, Australia-based zine, MixTape. I love this self-published craft zine because it’s put together with passion and offers interesting commentary on the world of art and craft.
Mixtape started publishing in 2007 and is all about “making time for the small things.” It’s mission is to document the “collision of craft, eco-cool and pop culture kitsch.” Three hundred copies of the first issue were photocopied and sold out. The demand forced the purchase of a home laser jet printer. Now the 1,500 copies are printed professionally in full-color and shipped to subscribers around the world.
Justine, 36, shares the story of how she started MixTape with a friend and continues to grow the publication on her own two years later. This podcast was especially fun for me since making a zine of my own is on my to-do list.
If you want to contribute to MixTape, find out how to subscribe and check out the submission guidelines for issue 11. The theme is “Thinking Outside the Square.”
Abby Glassenberg, 33, of Wellesley, Massachusetts, makes one-of-a-kind soft sculpture birds in her home studio and documents her her adventures in mothering and bird-making on her blog, While She Naps, because, like many of us, she works while her children sleep.
Nancy Minsky is a fashion designer living in Brussels, Belgium, who is blurring the lines between high fashion and DIY craft.
A graduate of Parson’s School of Design and a former assistant to Calvin Klein, Nancy, 55, worked in the fast-paced fashion industry for years churning out new designs for her Paul Alexander line before “retiring” from fashion design to focus on her family.
On this episode, Nancy reassures us all that we will not lose our creativity if we take a break from our professions to parent or go another direction. In fact, Nancy, appears to be as creative as ever.
This week I'm bringing you a lively discussion with Jen Segrest. She's a multi-talented graphic designer and crafter from Middletown, Ohio who isn't afraid to speak her mind.
I got in contact with Jen when I came across her fantastic bottle cap pincushions online. Her pincushion tutorials featured in the book "Pretty Little Pincushions (Lark 2007) and CraftStylish, changed my life. Months later, I'm still excited about covering bottle caps with felt. So fun!
Rob Bliss bills himself as a just a regular guy. But his ability to use Facebook to mobilize people of all ages to participate in urban experiments is nothing short of intriguing.
I met Bliss, a Grand Rapids Community College student, at the Chalk Flood he hosted in April. My daughters and I were among thousands of people who gathered downtown to doodle on the sidewalk that Saturday afternoon and we had a blast. It was a real kick to see so many people ranging from kids to professional artists coloring the city streets. And we were all there because of Rob Bliss. He invited us and secured 30,000 pieces of free chalk. He announced his plan on Facebook and then waited to see who showed up.
If you've ever dreamed about moving to the country and living off the land, you need to listen to this podcast featuring Jenna Woginrich, the author of "Made from Scratch: Discovering the Pleasures of a Handmade Life."
Laurie Sharp discusses Wool Pets, her needle felting kit business, her book “Wool Pets: Making 20 Figures with Wool Roving and a Barbed Needle” and the path that led her to pursue her creative dreams.
Hear a conversation with Jennifer Paganelli, 50, the owner and creator of the Sis Boom Collection. From her home in Wilton, Connecticut, Jennifer creates vintage inspired home furnishings including pillows, lamps and festive banners, as well as whimsical designs for women and girls. (She designs three of my favorite things: aprons, peasant tops and jumpers.)
Interview with Walter Olson about the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act's testing and certification for makers of products intended for children 12 years old and younger.
Daniel Vosovic shares the story of what it’s been like to build a name for himself leaving West Michigan, becoming a reality TV star on "Project Runway," budding designer, author and businessman. Tune in for some inspiration to push you toward your dream career.
Interview with Alicia Paulson of “Posie Gets Cozy” blog fame. Alicia and I first chatted in 2006 on episode 17 of the podcast. She’s been very busy making beautiful things in her lovely home studio and writing books. Her first, “Stitched in Time: Memory-Keeping Projects to Sew and Share From the Creator of Posie Gets Cozy” (Potter Craft, 2008, $22.95) is in bookstores now.
Back for an encore performance, Anna Maria Horner and I chatted again recently about her lovely new book, “Seams to Me: 24 New Reasons to Love Sewing.” If you missed our first conversation, I suggest you check out episode 73 for the full story of how Anna Maria got to where she is today. (This latest episode assumes you know all that stuff. : )
Forget those frumpy crochet patterns of old, and let twin fashion designers Erika & Monika Simmons help you sass up your stitching.
On this episode of CraftSanity, Erika shares the story of how she and her sister built a custom crochet apparel design business from their Chicago home. We also chat about the fun designs in their book “DoubleStitch Designs For The Crochet Fashionista” (Interweave 2008), that includes several pattern designs guaranteed to stop traffic and several that are just plan fun.
Like many of us pursuing our own creative dreams, Amy Butler built her business one small step at a time. She designed and stitched and designed some more and before long fabric lovers across the country knew her name.
On this episode of CraftSanity, designer Amy Butler, 42, of Grandville, Ohio, takes us back to her creative roots and shares her story, one sure to inspire those of you working to build a creative business of your own.
On this episode of CraftSanity I chat with Kayte Terry about her creative life and inspiring first book, " Complete embellishing Techniques and Projects."
Kayte, 31, of Brooklyn, is a talented stylist, writer and crafter who worked for several magazines including: Adorn, Cutting Edge, Vogue Knitting, Parents, Craft Stylish and Quick & Simple. She has also contributed to HGTV Ideas magazine, Getcrafty.com and Etsy's Storque. If you're a fan of Anthropologie, you'll enjoy hearing Kayte talk about working as a stylist for the company.
It's my hope that this podcast and Kayte's book will inspire you to look at the clothes in your closet with renewed interest and help you summon the courage to refashion your wardrobe. Who needs brand new store-bought clothes, when Kayte can inspire us to shop our own closets and local thrift shops to craft something fabulous on the cheap? I love it when my crafting saves me money.
Leah Peterson, Natalie Zee Drieu, Kathy Cano Murillo and Amy Sedaris discuss the Art of Crafts at BlogHer 2007.
Interview with Amy Karol, blogger and author of "Bend-the-Rules Sewing: The Essential Guide to a Whole New Way to Sew."
Jessica Vitkus is the author of "AlternaCrafts: 20+ Hi-Style Lo-Budget Projects to Make." She also worked for Sassy magazine and "Martha Stewart Living TV," "The Daily Show," "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" and "Craft Corner Deathmatch."
This week's guest is Tsia Carson, author of "Craftivity: 40 Projects for the DYI Lifestyle" and founder of SuperNaturale.
This week’s guest is Betty Christiansen, a 37-year-old freelance writer, editor and knitter living in Lacrosse, Wisconsin. She is the author of an inspiring new book called “Knitting For Peace: Make the World a Better Place Once Stitch at a Time.”
Melissa Alvarado and Hope Meng discuss the store they own and book they wrote with their friend, Melissa Rannels.
This week's guest is Matthew Stinchcomb with the art and craft selling web site, etsy.com.
Marie Kare is the brilliant creator of the Sampler, a marketing and promotional tool designed to help indie business folks get exposure.
Claudine Hellmuth has worked very hard to make a life for herself as a professional artist and the cool part is she’s willing to tell us how she did it. Claudine travels the country teaching art workshops and makes art in her home studio.
Rhonda Simmons talks about all kinds of wild stuff: art parties, body casting, artist trading cards and her latest venture... Outsider Art in a Box.
Melanie Falick is editorial director STC Craft Melanie Falick books. We chat about her popular knitting books, her adventures in writing, her career in publishing and we even talk a little bit about the flying trapeze.
Today we’re going to hear from Nilda Callanaupa, (Calanyopa) 46, the wonderfully skilled weaver who founder The Center for Tradicional Textiles of Cusco, Peru, Richard Ashford, the managing director of Ashford Handcrafts and Jane Patrick, former editor of Handwoven and author of “Time to Weave.”Jane is currently the sales manager for Schacht Spindle Co.
Debbie Stoller, the co-creator of Bust magazine and author of the Stitch 'N Bitch books, including her latest crafty publication, "Stitch 'N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker."
Amy Karol has several craft Web sites, including the Angry Chicken craft weblog documenting her creative life.
Linda Permann is living the ultimate crafty girl's dream in the Big Apple. She's 26-year-old craft and decorating editor for Adorn magazine, the new craft SOHO publication that just hit newsstands this summer. Tune in to find out what it's like to be a craft trend-spotter who gets to bring funky and fun crafty goodness to the masses. Linda is going tell us how she landed her cool gig and how you can be published in her magazine.
This week I’m going to bring you a chat with Heidi Kenney, the crafty woman behind the web-site and online shop My Paper Crane. She’s a mother and maker who creates whatever she wants out of fabric.
Interview with Betz White, a fashion designer, knitter and felter, who creates her products with recycled sweaters.
Tune in this week to hear a chat with Gayla Trail, designer, photographer and creator of www.YouGrowGirl.com, the fantastic everything-garden website. She's a crafty girl with a green thumb growing her own in Toronto.
If you knit and you own an iPod, this week's guest needs no introduction. Pour yourself some tea and grab your knitting because you’re about to hear from Brenda Dayne, producer of "Cast-On, a podcast for knitters."
Ted Anderson carves beautiful walking sticks. Recently I took my little show on the road to Sparta, Michigan, where I visited his basement workshop and learned a thing or two about crafting with wood.
This week we’ll hear the story of a fine artist living a creative life on the outskirts of Marfa, Texas. Her name is Katherine Shaughnessy and she’s the 36-year-old fine artist making a name for herself in the craft world and as the creator of the hip Wool & Hoop Crewel Embroidery Kits. She’s also the author of a fabulous embroidery book called: “The New Crewel.”
From Canberra, Australia, Kathreen Ricketson has created a new crafty portal that highlights the latest and greatest in the artsy world -- whipup.net.
So have you heard about the Red Thread Project yet? On this episode you'll hear from Chicago fiber artist Lindsay Obermeyer, creator of the fantastic Red Thread Project, which is under way in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Alicia Paulson lives with the lasting effects of an accident, but has worked hard to craft herself a beautiful future. She shares how she became a successful crafty designer and businesswoman.
Leah Kramer, the woman who launched Craftster in 2003 and has watched its member base grow to more than 60,000 crafty people around the globe, shares her story.
Drew Emborsky is a shy man who loves to crochet. He loves it so much that he crochets from morning till night, six days a week working very hard to build his reputation as a pattern designer. On this episode of CraftSanity, Drew will share the story of how he landed in Houston, Texas and began to make a name for himself as The Crochet Dude.
If you’ve ever considered launching your own podcast or you want to know more about what goes on behind the scenes, you’re in luck. This week CraftyPod producer Diane Gilleland, a.k.a. Sister Diane, and I chat about what goes into creating a crafty podcast.
Greg Der Ananian is the 30-year-old proud founder of Bazaar Bizarre, a punk rock craft fair that features crafty venders with talent and attitude. Greg is also the author of “Bazaar Bizarre Not Your Granny’s Craft Book” featuring projects ideas from Greg and several of his crafty friends.
Textile designer and fiber artist Melanie Testa is going to inspire us with the story of how she crafted her way out of a bad situation.
Today she’s an up and coming artist living in Norwalk, Conn. Her freezer paper resist project is featured in the spring issue of Quilting Arts magazine. After the show please visit CraftSanity.com where you’ll find Melanie’s project instructions for the Wonder Under foil surface design technique she talks about during the show.
Leigh Radford didn’t set out to be a knitwear designer. She's been knitting since age 13, but it wasn't until a layoff from a graphic design job that she found her bliss and realized she could make a living off of her knitting by coupling the crafty skills she had learned as a child with her professional design experience. Instead of pounding the pavement in search of another 9-to-5 gig, she got a part-time job at a yarn shop and soon discovered her fabulous talent for creative pattern design.
Now, at age 45, Leigh lives in Portland, Oregon, where she happily creates wonderful knitting patterns and enjoys success as a knitting book author.
AKrylik and PolyCotN are the founders of Knitta, a 10-member crew of yarn and needle-toting graffiti artists who are tagging the streets of Houston, Texas with vibrant knitted art.
Denyse Schmidt, of Bridgeport, Conn., learned to sew as a child, but she didn’t set out to revolutionize the world of quilting. That just the way it worked out.
Thanks to Claire Garland we all can knit a super cute alternative to the mass produced, virtually unattainable stereotype of the female form. It’s time to meet a hip new crew of spectacular “Knitted Babes.”
This week we’re going to sample Kathy Cano Murillo’s glittery world. She’s the Crafty Chica and she’s crafting everywhere these days.
This 41-year-old working mother writes a nationally syndicated craft column for The Arizona Republic, designs and sells latino artwork from her home studio, and just came out with a new book called “Crafty Chica’s Art de la Soul, Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life.”
This fixes an earlier version of episode 5. Craftsanity is a place to escape the daily grind and renew your creative spirit through interviews with artists. Fasten Your Craft Fairy Wings and tune in for an interview with one of the freest spirits on the planet. Her name is Violette Clark and she is an extremely brave woman. She’s an illustrator and folk artist who isn’t afraid to stand out. She lives in British Columbia, Canada in the purple house she named the “Magic Cottage” and travels about in the “Glitter Girl” van, a ride she pimped out with a wild paint job and inspirational sayings.
Renée Rigdon and Zabet Stewart aren't ashamed of their anger. They're so comfortable with it, in fact, that they made it their inspiration for The Anti Craft, their online craft zine where they celebrate the darker side of crafting. You won't find any foo-foo patterns or girlie, girlie designs on their site. What you will find an assortment of cool craft patterns to channel your rage against whatever is that ticks you off.
Craftsanity is a place to escape the daily grind and renew your creative spirit through interviews with artists.
Today's episode features John Murphy, the artist, illustrator, comic author and sock collector who makes creatures out of socks. You can, too, with his book, "Stupid Sock Creatures."
Craftsanity is a place to escape the daily grind and renew your creative spirit through interviews with artists.
Today's episode features Jeffrey Yamaguchi, a 35-year-old writer, website publisher and author of the inspiring book, "52 Projects: Random Acts of Everyday Creativity."