Collage Creative with Amy Small

Hi everyone! Today on the show I have Sari Shryack of Not Sorry Art. Her colorful paintings cover many different subjects and techniques including landscape, still life, portraits and disco balls! I can't wait to share her energy and message on creative living with you today. Show notes here.

Hi Everyone! Today on the show I have Rachelle, the creator of Moondrake yarns, where she is the chief dyer of the most incredibly vibrant yarns. Inside this episode she tells us about how she went from a board game cafe owner to creating the most gorgeous buzz worthy yarns ever. We dive into our collaboration yarns and my favorite, her top tip for sticking with your creative business idea and leaning into a creative life. To learn more about Rachelle and her incredible business, head to the show notes here.

Today on the show, I have Chantal of @knitatude. In this episode Chantal shares about how she manages to work a full time job at an ad agency AND run her knitwear pattern business. We cover how actually taking time to get dressed shifts the way she shows up each day, her love of knitting patterns that always speak to beginners and the design she's most excited about right now. Show notes here.

Today on the show, I have Jenna Rainey. Jenna is a watercolor artist, teacher and entrepreneur. For creatives with small business aspirations, this podcast is for you. Jenna dives into how she manages all the things she juggles in her business all the while, not burning herself out. Prepare to be inspired. Show notes here.

Hi everyone! Today on the show I have Karyn Lao, multimedia artist whose work explores interconnectivity through play. Karyn's work experiments with color, material, place, and participation. She believes pompoms have the power to bring communities together. To learn more abotu Karyn and to support her work, head to the show notes here.

Today on the show I have Madison Arnholt. She is an intuitive life coach where she helps her clients heal energy blocks and receive intuitive guidance so you can manifest more ease, and joy in your life. Show notes here!

Today on the show I have Betz White. Betz creates, patterns, curated kits and online classes. Betz is the author of three top-selling sewing and crafting books and has been featured on the Martha Stewart Show and in a variety of magazines such as Country Living, Where Women Create and Vogue Patterns. Show notes here. 

Today on the show, I have Alexa Martin. She is a teacher and life coach. I originally found her work because she taught a workshop at my yoga studio all about the art of saying no. How enticing is that! Show notes here!

Today on the show I have Rachel Burke and to say I'm a little excited is the understatement of the year. Rachel is a fashion designer with a speciality in TINSEL and pom poms, which makes me so happy. I know I'm not alone in this - I can't wait for you to hear her unique path to finding this specialty. Whatever it is you're working on or towards, I think this episode will inspire you to double down on it and keep going. Show notes here.

Bonus Episode alert! In this episode I do a deep dive into our Creative Knitters Membership. Learn more and show notes here.

Today on the show I have the Grocery Girls!!!! Also known as  Tracie Millar and Jodi Brown! If you're anything like me, you spend time with these ladies on YouTube and Instagram, know a fair amount about them and yet you WANT to know a lot more! That's where this podcast comes in...and we go deep. We cover their creative stories, how the YouTube channel came to be, what Rhinebeck was like for them, their feelings on authenticity and those people that give the thumbs down. There's a lot! I cannot wait for you to hear. Show notes here. 

Today on the show I have Cadence Kidwell, the owner and founder of Fuzzy Goat Yarn Shop. Fuzzy Goat is a delightful and eclectic yarn shop located in Historic Downtown Thomasville – knitting together the community by putting consciously chosen yarns into the hands of both the new and experienced makers. Show notes here. Sign up for the Knit Collage Newsletter here. 

Today on the show, I have Lydia Morrow aka @whatlydiamade. She is knitwear designer, a creative director and the list goes on. There was this strong message from Lydia to let go when you're gripping too hard and it's just not working – that you don't know what's on the other side until you do. Couple that with her boundlessly creative spirit and dang, inspiration city! Show notes here.

I'm getting back into the swing of recording every 10th episode as a solo episode. In this session, I share a little bit about what's in store for 2023 personally and for Knit Collage. Then I dive into the inner voice training I'm doing right now and tell you all what it's about...warning a little woo woo and out there but if that kind of thing resonates with you, please listen. We'll be back to regularly scheduled programing next week :) Show notes here. 

Today on the podcast,  meet Liza Laird. Liza is a spinner, knitter, yoga teacher and the author of a new book called the Yoga of Yarn. The Yoga of Yarn is a book of practices for the modern knitter. There are a total of 55 explorations - including knitting patterns, meditations, yoga movements, and breathing exercises. Show notes and details about our giveaway here.

Today is a special episode with Dylan Ayaloo or as he calls himself, the Inner Work Guy. Originally I planned to release this in a few weeks time but after we chatted I knew it had to go live sooner. When a new year begins, there's such a push to make goals, do more, be better etc. and what Dylan suggests is to slow down, go inward, find that story that's running your life and change it. That resonated so profoundly me as we begin 2023 and I just know it will with you as well. Prepare to be inspired!

Hi everyone! Today on the show I have Vanessa Vargas Wilson! She is the force behind Crafty Gemini. At Crafty Gemini she teaches and shares many of the things she love: sewing, knitting, quilting, cooking and gardening. It feels like there's not much she doesn't do! Let's dive in. Show notes here. 

Today on the show I have Shelbey Monae! She is the founder of Shelbey and the Bookstore, a black, female owned bookstore with a big mission; to share and get more folks reading books from diverse authors across all different genres. She dives into this in all the juicy details in this episode and gives anyone looking to start a creative business, wonderful advice on how to do that – so stay tuned till the end! Show notes here.

Today on the show I have Kelly Mason. She is the creator of Spindle and Co and Flock. Flock is an online membership and community for creative spinners who care deeply about the planet. With this she offers subscription boxes that include ethical fiber, guided mediation and a whole new way of feeling grounded. Show notes here. 

This week's episode is all about the spring make-along and I share a little behind the scenes into what is going on here at Knit Collage, including my new found love of MOUNTAINS! To see all the available designs, kits and details, click the link here.

Today on the show I have Brandi Cheyenne Harper. She is a knitwear designer, pattern writer, teacher and author of a gorgeous new book called Knitting for Radical Self Care. Show notes here. 

Hi everyone, today on the show I have Diana Wiley! She is the founder of Handspun Hope, a Rwanda based nonprofit that has a huge mission of improving the health and well being of women and families there. The women that Handspun Hope employs do it all – they take care of sheep, card, dye, spin and felt. What they make is stunning but what is going to blow you away is Handspun Hope's incredibly powerful impact – it's not just about yarn and knitting – it's about the metal and physical health of an entire community…. Show notes here.

Hi everyone, today on the show I have Ashley Mitchell! Ashley has all the super powers – she's a fitness instructor, an anti-racism and equity advocate and trainer, a blogger through her brand Black Girl Magic Mama and non-profit co-founder. I can't wait for you to hear about how she how she crafted a life where she gets to do all the things she cares about most. Prepare to be inspired!

Today on the show I have Reshma Alfus! Reshma is the founder and creator of Hello Lavender, a company where she designs and makes polymer clay stitch markers and jewelry. In this episode, you'll hear the long winding and super creative road she took to build her business. As I re-listened what struck and inspired me most is Reshma's willingness to not settle for a path that didn't fill her up and fit with what she wanted long term. She kept learning and experimenting until she found the thing that made her heart leap! Let's dive in!

Today on the show I have Emma Janet of Bloom and Create. She is a therapist, knitwear designers and soon to be mindfulness collaborator for our upcoming knitalong. She tells us the story behind how she came to knitting and impact it's had on her – get ready to be inspired. Stick around for the end where I'll share some detail into what she'll be diving into as part of our upcoming KAL - it's all new and I can't wait to begin. 

It's been a while since I got on here for a solo episode. Way back when I was more regular about releasing this podcast, I'd get on every 10th episode. My plan is to bring that back! In this episode you'll hear about why it's been tricky for me to release these every week or every other week and why life is pretty darn messy right now!

Today on the show I have Keith Leonard. Keith is the yarn designer and teacher behind Yarn Snob, his own hand dyed line of yarn. Keith tells us the story behind his yarns – how working at a yarn shop organically led into his business. He kept listening to what knitters wanted! I can't wait for you to hear his top tip for maintaining his sanity throughout a long work day. Show notes here.

Today on the show I have Suzan Colon. Suzan is a creativity lover just like I know many of you are - she's an author, creator of meditation (which while dive into), yoga teacher and an artist! I'm excited for you to hear about how she's woven all of her interests into a career and life that brings so much joy. Show notes here.

Today on the show I have Rebecca Whitaker, a creative who dove head first into a weaving career after becoming a mom. She takes us behind the scenes into her journey, book recs and of course her advice on living a creativity life and moving through failure! Show notes here. 

Today on the show I have James N Watts, musician and knitwear designer extraordinaire. From growing up in a creative household, becoming a musician (and playing recorder!), to finding knitting and embracing that absolutely perfect haircut – we cover it all. I can’t wait for you to hear all about this creative journey and maybe most excitingly, James’s plans for the future, which involve all of us knitters!

Today on the show I have Anne LaFollette! After years working in the corporate work and an unexpected layoff, Anne turned to the art supplies that had been collecting dust in her basement. She is now a surface pattern designer and teacher with a thriving business. AND if you're wondering just what surface pattern design is - we are going to get into it in all the details - because it turns out, it's a really big thing! Let's dive in. 

Today on the show I have Kelly Brooks, the owner and founder of Knitbrooks. She is a woodworker, and along with her partner they create gorgeous hand carved crochet hooks and knitting needles. She is also a crochet and knitting designer.  Kelly takes us behind the scenes into the many evolutions of her business throughout the years to where she is now – creating unique, hand crafted hooks and needles. From her take on failure to her morning routine and beyond. There is much to inspire you! Show notes here. 

Today on the show I have Jake Kenyon, the owner and founder of kenyarn where he dyes all the gorgeous handspun yarns and gets inspiration from wherever his imagination takes him. What I think might resonate with you most is what he’s learned about staying true to himself and finding that unique voice through his craft!    Show notes here.

Today on the show I have Becky Kevelson, the owner and founder of Clinton Hill Cashmere! Becky shares her story of growing up with creative parents, to diving into yarn full time at a very young age and then starting and building her own yarn line. Show notes here.

Today on the show I have Shala Jones of Black Purl Magic for Part 2! In this deeper dive into Shala’s story, we’ll talk about how the name of her company came to be, her morning routines and why she believes asking for help is so darn important. Let's dive in! Show notes here. 

Today on the show meet Shala Jones! Shala is the founder of Black Purl Magic, where she designs and sells all the knitting accessories like project bags, stitch markers, enamel pins and more! Shala takes us through her story, from having kids early to finding her tribe in the knitting community- and so much more! Show notes here. 

Today on the show I have Kristine Rodriguez, the designer behind the knitwear brand, Declarative, the label. As we go back in time and dive into her story, I think you’ll be inspired by her brave decisions that pushed her design company along. She says that she looks back on that first collection and cringes, just a little. I think what we can all take away from that is that maybe you have to do that stinky first creative draft of something to continue to improve and evolve. Show notes here.

Today on the show I have Safiyyah Talley aka the Drunk Knitter. There is a beautiful recurring theme that runs throughout her story and it’s a theme of creativity – coming out of the womb designing, needle to create – it never feels like work. It’s so beautiful and inspiring to see how she’s prioritized this within her own life despite the mom juggle she’s living in full force! Show notes here.

Today on the show I have Chirstine Chitnis. Christine is an author and photographer with a passion for all things floral and India. Her latest book Patterns of India is just a feast of color and beauty for your eyes! In this conversation Christine and I go far and wide, we talk about her creative roots and getting started as a writer as well as how she moved through a tough, at-first, book launch to create her best year career- wise yet. Show notes here.

Today on the show I have Marceline Smith of Hey BrownBerry. Marceline is a content creator, designer, event host and so much more. We talk about her creative roots, vulnerability, daily rituals and small business. After the show ended she summed up this conversation to me in an email as nourishing. I could not agree more and cannot wait for you hear it all! Show notes here.

Today on the show I have Anushka of the Crimson Stitchery. Anushka is a knitter, designer, youtuber, musician and writer.  We travel all over the place in this conversation – in the best possible way – from growing up with a family of creative dabblers, to lifelong learning, sock knitting, stream of consciousness writing…the list goes on. Anushka is equal parts fascinating and inspiring. Show notes here.

Today on the show I have Joji Locatelli – the designer behind countless knitting patterns that so many of us know and love - I know you’ll love hearing her unique story of growing up with one incredible mother to saying goodbye to the medical profession to embrace – KNITTING! Powerful stuff! Show notes here.

In today's episode I take you behind the scenes into what the heck is going on in my life. I tell you about juggling knitalong planning but some major life baggage I am trying to let go of. 

Today on the show I'm excited to welcome Lizzie Shriner, the brains behind cult yarn store The Mermaid's Purl in Wickford, RI. Lizzie tells us about buying the shop at age 35 and what her journey has been like including all the ups and downs, plus how she's coping in current, covid times. I cannot wait for you to hear about her favorite way to relax - it is a hoot! Learn more about Lizzie and support her business at the link here

Today on the show I have the Samantha Brunson, the founder of Bobble Club House, a social group that gathers around crafting and chillaxing (think Netflix binging!) She is also a blogger and designer too. What I’m most excited for you to hear about here is how from day one she built in fun, community and creativity into her business. So many times we think (or is that just me?!) having a business, starting and running a business – that can’t all be just for fun. Samantha completely proves this wrong. I cannot wait for you to hear. Show notes here.

Today on the show I have the Grocery Girls!!!! Also known as  Tracie Millar and Jodi Brown! If you’re anything like me, you spend time with these ladies on YouTube and Instagram, know a fair amount about them and yet you WANT to know a lot more! That’s where this podcast comes in...and we go deep. We cover their creative stories, how the YouTube channel came to be, what Rhinebeck was like for them, their feelings on authenticity and those people that give the thumbs down. There’s a lot! I cannot wait for you to hear. Show notes here. 

Today on the show I have Gavriella Treminio – she is a knitwear designer, natural hand dyer and much more – we’ll get into all of it! I’m excited for you to hear about the first sweater she knit and how that design by a previous podcast guest resonated with her. AND how scratching her own creative itch has served her business so well. Show notes here.

Today on the show I have Amanda Hsiao, the co-owner of the Observatory Shop – but really it’s a lot more than just a yarn shop and you’ll hear about that soon. Amanda’s story has this powerful theme of turning hard things into opportunities – from finding knitting in the wake of 9/11 to starting her business after she got laid off from her corporate job. I cannot wait for you to hear the details! Show notes here. 

Today on the show I have Jacqueline Cieslak. She is a knitwear designer with a passion for making the world more body positive – this means inclusive sizing, modeling all of her designs on herself and so much more. As usual, I am thrilled for you to hear this episode but also a little nervous. I get vulnerable her, Jacqueline gets vulnerable – it is a deep conversation. That is why I love this show so much- because the conversations are deep, juicy and fascinating. All of that said, if you do not want to hear about eating disorders, this may not be the episode for you. It's not one to listen to around kids - and I do swear once at the end! Show notes here. 

Hi everyone! Today on the show I have the insanely creative Alex Reynoso the creator of Alex Creates! He is a yarn dyer, hand spinner, potter (the ceramic kind!) and a crochet designer. I'm incredibly excited to welcome you to the show Alex. Show notes here.

Hi there! Today on the show I have Marisa Morisson Stein. She is the creator of the Neon Tea Party, a business that is all about celebrating your creativity in a colorful happy way. At the Neon Tea Party you'll find craft supplies and DIY kits. She also hosts virtual workshops where she teaches things like how to make fancy pom pom designs. YES, they are amazing. Let's dive in! Show notes here.