Craft Leftovers

What if you don't take breaks because you are so in love with what you are doing every day? Welp. Suck it up buttercup, you need a break too.  I'm borrowing today's topic from a post I wrote back in 2010! Apparently (funny what we forget) I've been into talking about crafty business topics (aka small biz ownership topics) since near the beginning of my career. Also note, I'm switching to the1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month and a new time! 1:30-2:00pm Central Stop by and ask me just about anything related to art, craft, and entrepreneurship. Check out the show notes: https://craftleftovers.com/craft/ep-16-take-a-break-from-work/ Buy me a cuppa tea: https://ko-fi.com/kristinmroach Podcast Archive at: http://www.craftleftovers.com/podcast Follow me on Instagram to check out the crafty projects I'm crafting. Mend it Better (signed copy / digital edition) See the whole Craft Leftovers Podcast Series Intro/Outro music credit: Coma-Media

The number one book I recommend to creatives entrepreneurs is Profit First by Mike Michalowicz. Today I'm going to share the story of how reading this book transformed how I run my businesses' finances and allowed me to pay myself a wage + make a profit for the business. Little Woods Herbal has been using this method since 2018, and I'm implementing it this year for my art business and I'll show you how even the most micro biz can benefit from using this simple method of financial planning. Also note, I'm switching to the1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month and a new time! 1:30-2:00pm Central Stop by and ask me just about anything related to art, craft, and entrepreneurship. Profit First Book by Mike Michalowicz (affiliate link) Tea Feature: Buy me a cuppa tea: https://ko-fi.com/kristinmroach Podcast Archive at: http://www.craftleftovers.com/podcast Follow me on Instagram to check out the crafty projects I'm crafting. Mend it Better (signed copy / digital edition) See the whole Craft Leftovers Podcast Series Intro/Outro music credit: Coma-Media

Before making a plan for the next year, (Ep 01 of Craft Leftovers), let's take an hour to consider this past year. What went well? What could have been better? What just totally missed the boat? Do you try again next year or let it go? I'm taking you through the process I use to reflect, celebrate, mourn, and regroup before launching into the next year. Did you make a year plan with me earlier this year? Dig up that big 'ol sheet of paper, grab some post it notes and let's go. Buy me a cuppa tea: https://ko-fi.com/kristinmroach Podcast Archive at: http://www.craftleftovers.com/podcast

After a year of work I'm taking the Junk Mail Migration Paintings & Tapestry on the road! How did I create a traveling exhibit? And what are the essentials to coordinating with multiple partnering institutions? As a curator at an art center, I received and installed hundreds of works of art. Leaning into that experience I was able to secure a fully booked schedule for the upcoming year. Today I'm going to share what I did (and what my partnering institutions are doing) to make it go as smooth as possible. Buy me a cuppa tea: https://ko-fi.com/kristinmroach Download the Transcript: https://mailchi.mp/5a475d5c07e0/w06923s7ci Podcast Archive at: http://www.craftleftovers.com/podcast

Over the last two decades I've coordinated, participated, and volunteered at over 100,000* art and craft festivals, fairs, markets, and tabling events. Having just come back from a weekend at the mdwfair (artist run art fair at Mana Contemporary in Chicago, IL) it got me thinking about the role of fairs in fest in my -- and your businesses. Why do a fair at all? What is the best fit for your creative practice/business? How do you do one well? What can success at a fair look like? *completely made up number, it's just what it feels like. Get the Shownotes & Free Market Worksheet at: Episode 11 Show Notes Podcast Archive at: http://www.craftleftovers.com/podcast Visit Craft Leftovers.com for show notes, pattern links, and the whole Craft Leftovers Podcast series.  Like, subscribe, and leave a review to support the Craft Leftovers podcast project. 

Enjoy Episode 10 of the Craft Leftovers Podcast (an abridged recording of the August 17 livestream) in audio form. Pull up a project and craft along. Having a foot in craft and the other in art, I often get asked "what IS the difference between art and craft?" I love to contemplate this question, but also dread answering it. There is always a fear I'll get one or both of those art/craft feet planted squarely in my own mouth. I'm sure I did in this episode where I get fired up about art school bias and knitting in public. Get the Shownotes at: https://craftleftovers.com/craft/ep10-art_vs_craft/ Podcast Archive at: http://www.craftleftovers.com/podcast Visit Craft Leftovers.com for show notes, pattern links, and the whole Craft Leftovers Podcast series.  Like, subscribe, and leave a review to support the Craft Leftovers podcast project. 

As a small business owners Summer breaks can be one of the hardest time of the year. Lack of childcare and, if you employ students, all their vacation time leaves you working more than ever. How to keep from burning out, create quality time with kiddo(s), and keep your expectations grounded in reality. Full disclosure, I do not have this figured out, especially that last one. I DO have a FEW things that work for my family and I am going to share them with you. Get the Shownotes at: https://craftleftovers.com/craft/ep9-three-ways-to-thrive-in-summer-as-entrepreneur-with-kids-craft-leftovers-live/ Podcast Archive at: http://www.craftleftovers.com/podcast Visit Craft Leftovers.com for show notes, pattern links, and the whole Craft Leftovers Podcast series.  Like, subscribe, and leave a review to support the Craft Leftovers podcast project. 

Enjoy Episode 8 of the Craft Leftovers Podcast! Sherri Lynn Wood talk online community building during the pandemic and quilting and how craft brings people together to heal fabric, themselves, and each other. Contributor to Mend it Better, Sherri Lynn Wood has been BUSY in the last decade. Visiting her portfolio, I knew we would just be scratching the surface of her passionate, creative life. Grab a cup of tea and your mending basket and settle in. Shownotes: http://www.craftleftovers.com/podcast Visit Craft Leftovers.com for show notes, pattern links, and the whole Craft Leftovers Podcast series.  Like, subscribe, and leave a review to support the Craft Leftovers podcast project. 

Enjoy Episode 7 of the Craft Leftovers Podcast (an abridged recording of the June 8th livestream) in audio form. Pull up a project and craft along. I intended to mend Lucy's baby blanket, but ended up just talking about this topic I LOVE -- the differences between owning a physical vs online store. A BRICK vs a CLICK. Thanks for the company! Visit http://www.craftleftovers.com for Shownotes. 

I'm talking all about how grant funding can assist any creative solopreneurs project and my grant funded project (Tapestry of Migration). Join me for this abridged replay of the May Livestream.  Visit Craft Leftovers.com for show notes, pattern links, and the whole Craft Leftovers Podcast series.  Like, subscribe, and leave a review to support the Craft Leftovers podcast project. 

It's my birthday this week! What's different about being an entrepreneur when I'm 39 vs 29! I'm going to be reflecting on how the definition of success has changed over the years, and what I'm still struggling with as a creative professional. Visit Craft Leftovers.com for show notes, pattern links, and the whole Craft Leftovers Podcast series.  Like, subscribe, and leave a review to support the Craft Leftovers podcast project. 

Join Crispina Ffrench and I as we explore a lifetime using sustainable practices to inspire and inform our work and how you can too! Her newest project, the launch of the Rags to Riches Summit! Learn how this new HUGE project has come about and sign up. Tickets are on sale starting this week: https://crispina.eco/rtr-summit-eb/ Show Notes: https://craftleftovers.com/craft/ep-4-textile-upcycling-in-creative-businesses-for-environmental-healing-with-crispina-ffrench Craft Leftovers Podcast Series: https://craftleftovers.com/podcast/ Sign up for the Craft Leftovers club to see what's been recovered in the archive each month + new patterns and podcast transcripts sent right to your inbox.: And of course, if you make something inspired by a pattern or episode of the podcast, just tag it (#craftleftovers). I love seeing what you've made with your unique resources!

No matter your Cleaning or Cluttering Style, the thing that matters most is if it's supporting you or holding you back. In this episode I talk about my decluttering journey while mending my favorite spring jacket and share the two methods of declutter that have helped me the most over the last decade. Show Notes at: Craftleftovers.com/podcast

A full decade has passed since my book Mend it Better rolled off the presses. And this really got me thinking, where am I now? How did I get here? Over the next year, I'll be posting a new monthly interview with the contributors of Mend it Better, answering the questions you all probably have starting with… ME! Show notes: https://craftleftovers.com/craft/ep-2-blog-to-book-beyond-craft-leftovers-podcast/ See the whole Craft Leftovers Podcast Series Sign up for the Craft Leftovers club to see what's been recovered in the archive each month + new patterns and podcast transcripts sent right to your inbox. And of course, if you make something inspired by a pattern or episode of the podcast, just tag it (#craftleftovers). I love seeing what you've made with your unique resources! Music Credit: Matthew of Chicago Coma-Media

The debut episode of the Craft Leftovers Podcast is an unabridged recording of the Craft Leftovers Livestream introducing what's on the horizon for Craft Leftovers and walking you through my method for annual planning and then implementing that plan ANYTIME of year. The featured project was mending a side seam of my favorite retro vintage dress that I had to emergency mend on site while hosting a Zinefest! AH. Fishhooks, duct tape, and safety pins kept me modest that day. New Livestreams every 2nd Wednesday at 2pm Central -- come say hello and ask questions about creating a sustainable living and life.  Check out the show notes for this and all future episodes at: https://craftleftovers.com/podcast