Making

Hey there, fiber friends! This week on Making Conversation, I'm bringing you a chat that is full of color, creativity, and coastal charm. I sat down with Vanessa Fleming, the brilliant mind behind ōSHən Knits & Fibres, a one-of-a-kind yarn shop in Astoria, Oregon.Vanessa is a marine biologist-turned-knitwear designer and yarn dyer, and her love for inclusivity, sustainability, and vibrant design shines through in everything she creates. We talk about her journey from knitting at sea (yes, really) to opening a shop that's become a welcoming hub for all kinds of makers. From her hand-dyed yarns to her size- and shape-inclusive patterns, Vanessa is redefining what it means to build a truly inclusive craft community.✨ In this episode: – A peek into the cozy world of ōSHən Knits & Fibres – Vanessa's story of blending marine biology with fiber arts – A convo about community, representation, and colorful yarn magic

In this special episode of Making Conversation—originally recorded and posted on our YouTube channel in late 2024—host Jen welcomes two brilliant voices in the fiber arts world: Brit of KnotBadBrit and Bea of WoolDreamers. This episode is all about building inclusive, authentic community within the crafting space, and it's filled with warmth, wisdom, and a whole lot of yarn love.Brit shares her journey to becoming a crochet designer and the founder of the Makers of Color Collective, and talks about the importance of visibility and representation in the maker world. Bea gives us a beautiful look into WoolDreamers, a Spanish-based wool company committed to sustainable practices, preserving traditional wool production, and supporting local shepherds.Whether you're a knitter, crocheter, spinner, weaver, or just deeply into the fiber life, this conversation will leave you feeling inspired and connected.Listen now—and don't forget to subscribe on YouTube to watch full episodes and join our cozy, creative community. Share this one with your stitching crew!

I jumped in the car and headed to Portland for Sacred Sheep—a vibrant maker festival brought to you by the team at Ritual Dyes! If you love yarn, fiber arts, pottery, handmade jewelry, inspiring classes, and creative community, this festival is for you.In this episode of Making Conversation, I chat with some of the incredible makers who vended and attended Sacred Sheep (learn more here). From indie dyers to fiber artists, ceramicists, and beyond, this event celebrates the heart of the maker community.I feel so lucky to share these stories, and I hope you enjoy getting to know these amazing artists as much as I did! Don't forget to subscribe for more fiber-filled conversations, and if you love what you hear, share this episode with a fellow maker!

In this special episode, I hit the road to Portland, OR, to sit down with Rachel, the creative mind behind Ritual Dyes and founder of Sacred Sheep, a festival dedicated to makers, especially those passionate about the fiber arts. From discovering her love for knitting and hand-dyeing yarn to the creation of a highly curated, community-focused fiber arts festival that celebrates all things making, you'll love getting to know Rachel!Grab your WIP and hit play! Psssst...tickets are still available so I hope to see you there. ;)If you prefer to watch this episode, go here!Music by Despatches. If you'd like to give a shout-out, have a question that you'd like us to answer on the podcast, or are interested in sponsoring Making Conversation, email us at hq@makingco.com.

The world of crafting and making should be a space where everyone feels welcome and empowered. However, there are barriers—both visible and invisible—that can exclude or marginalize makers with disabilities. In this episode I am joined by the super fabulous Beth Gorishek, The Adaptive Knitter & Kira Dulaney of Kirk K Designs and we chat about the ways in which ableism manifests in our community and, more importantly, how we can actively work to dismantle these barriers. If you prefer to watch this chat, pop over to our YouTube channel. xoxoBeth Gorishek + The Adaptive Knitterhttps://www.adaptiveknitter.comhttps://www.instagram.com/adaptiveknitter Kira Dulaney + Kira K Designshttps://kirakdesigns.comhttps://www.instagram.com/kirakdesignsMusic by Despatches. If you'd like to give a shout-out, have a question that you'd like us to answer on the podcast, or are interested in sponsoring Making Conversation, email us at hq@makingco.com.

We're back with some wonderful Fall episodes to celebrate hunkering down with your current favorite WIP and enjoying an episode of the Making Conversation podcast. ;) Just a heads up, this episode is VERY visual. If you prefer to watch, pop over to our YouTube channel. xoxoIn this episode, I am so lucky to chat with Amy Swanson of June Cashmere and learn all about the special goats and farmers they work with to create their beautiful yarn. We then get to learn about knitting a wedding dress with Rachel Carleton! Rachel dives into the process (of sometimes lack there of) of creating her own dress for the special day! Amy Swanson + June  Cashmere https://www.junecashmere.com https://www.instagram.com/junecashmereRachel Carleton + Zee Zee Textileshttps://zeezeetextiles.comhttps://www.instagram.com/zeezeetextilesMusic by Despatches. If you'd like to give a shout-out, have a question that you'd like us to answer on the podcast, or are interested in sponsoring Making Conversation, email us at hq@makingco.com.ps- We talk about our values a lot. Just in case you're curious, take a peek.

To know Jess is to love Jess and Jess' love of this special fiber arts community is very evident in everything she does. From in her yarn shop on Bainbridge Island, WA to Flock Fiber Festival, a yarn show in Seattle, WA, celebrating a love of all things wool, the fibers arts community is so very lucky to have these two spaces to come together and celebrate these things that we love and bring us the more joy! Jen hopped on a ferry and headed to out Bainbridge to chat with Jess about La Mercerie and their new space (which... spoiler alert was the home of Churchmouse Yarns for years!) and also how Flock is growing in it's second year and the things that she's doing to keep it so very special.So grab your WIP and hit record and we hope to see you at Flock Fiber Festival! Get your tickets to Flock!Last year's episode w/ JessMusic by Despatches. If you'd like to give a shout-out, have a question that you'd like us to answer on the podcast, or are interested in sponsoring Making Conversation, email us at hq@makingco.com.ps- We talk about our values a lot. Just in case you're curious, take a peek.

The universe definitely brought this fabulous human to Making. Ashley chats with our crochet-loving engineer all about her journey in craft, her path to leadership and computer sciences, and how we were so lucky to have Abi join the team. To know Abi is to love Abi! Grab your WIP and hit play. :) Abi's crochet websiteIf you're in Seattle, catch her at these markets: Pride Market at Lifelong Thrift on June 15thCutiefest Pride on June 22Find us on the Making app:Abi @abisantiAshley @ashelyyouslingJen @knitpurlMusic by Despatches.

Award winning embroidery artist, mother, teacher, author, and all around lovely human! If you don't know of Emily Botelho aka Salt Stitches, you're in for a treat! (If you do, you are too!) Emily joins Jen and not only do they chat about her beautiful art, how her favorite places and values come through as inspiration but also her new book which is more than just a pattern book but a guide on how to release self-assigned boundaries of creativity that we can sometimes place upon ourselves. Emily's website Buy Emily's book: Abstract EmbroideryPrefer watching to your podcasts? MKNG - Jen + Ashley's consulting advisory biz!Music by Despatches.

Ashley and Jen share some really exciting features that are coming to Making VERY SOON. We kick off a new segment where we will share business and/or makers in our community that help spread our values and Ashley dives into the topic of fear and decision-making. Grab your WIP, your favorite snack, and hit play!If you are a designer, sell finished goods, make supplies for makers to create, or just love being a part of a beautifully diverse community in an app that wants to prove that you can build a business based on the idea of people over profit, join the community: https://themakingapp.comFind us on the Making app:Ashley: @AshleyJen: @KnitPurl  Watch this episode! The sweater Jen is wearing Coloring Book Raglan by Aimee Sher Loop Fiber Studio in Song and DanceThe sweater Jen is working onTumble Tee by Lydia MorrowJunkyarn in Side BoobMKNG - Our consulting advisory biz!Common Threads PressFlock Fiber Festival - Get your tickets for this year! Music by Despatches.

Hello, makers! Super excited to bring you this episode with our pal, Catherine. Just a heads up, there are parts of this episode that are a little more visual as we give a shop tour. Click to watch instead!Brooklyn General Store has been the go-to place for crafty supplies of all kinds for NYC makers since 2002. We sat down with the Queen of Union Street, BGS owner, designer, maker, event planner extraordinaire–Catherine Clark. Get to know her maker journey, the story of how Brooklyn General moved from the waiting room of Catherine's midwifery office to the current location, how her and Aimée of La Bien Aimée became besties and more! Brooklyn General Storehttps://brooklyngeneral.com128 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11231Brooklyn General Store is tucked away on a sweet block West of the Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill neighborhoods and North of  Red Hook.  This commercial block on Union Street used to be a thriving shopping block for all types of foods and goods.   Brooklyn General's home within the Old Frank's Department Store is a throw back to that era, with its preserved floor to ceiling shelves, rolling ladders and classic old wooden floors.  The vintage interior is not reproduced, just uncovered, cleaned and painted.Brooklyn General Store was created in an effort to provide the highest quality materials to a community of devoted artists and craftspeople and to promote making things by hand through inspiration and education.  Not only is it a place to feast your eyes and hands on glorious colors and patterns and textures but it is a place that respects and honors a time when a trip to the country store was a way of life.  It is a place where a quick trip for a yard of fabric or a skein of yarn turns into an hour of sharing, teaching, inspiring and encouraging all the amazing and creative makers that are also out for that quick trip to the General Store... Following its mission to promote all things handmade, Brooklyn General offers a wide variety of classes in knitting, sewing, quilting, felting, spinning, rug hooking and embroidery.  Classes are limited in size in order for students to have ample individual attention.  Studio time with our fantastic BERNINA classroom machines is also available. BrooklynGeneral.com was created to share our carefully picked goods with all the creative souls outside of Brooklyn, NY.Music by Despatches.

Author Jane Cooper joins us to talk all about her book, The Lost Flock: Rare Wool, Wild Isles and One Woman's Journey to Save Scotland's Original Sheep. Jane and Jen chat about why the Orkney Boreray sheep are so very special, Jane's maker journey, lambs...lots of lambs, and what it's like writing your first book.About The Lost FlockPurchase PaperbackPurchase AudiobookFrom Viking times to pastoral Highland crofts to odious research experiments, this is the untold, real-life detective story of the remarkable little horned sheep known as the Orkney Boreray and the determined woman who moved to one of Scotland's wildest islands to save them.About the Sheephttps://orkneyboreray.comhttps://www.instagram.com/orkneyborerayThe sheep who eat seaweedOrkney Science FestivalThe Lost Flock's launch eventYarnhttps://northronaldsayyarn.co.ukhttps://www.blackeryarns.co.ukhttp://www.woolsack.orgMusic by Despatches.

In the final episode of this series, we get to hear from a few more makers that we chatted with during our last visit to NYC! Get to know some very special humans that we invited to join us for our Brooklyn General Store booth Meet and Greets at Vogue Knitting Live and also from our special maker meetup that we hosted with Brooklyn General Store and La Bien Aimée!This episode's guests:Jennifer WeissWorkroom Social @WorkroomSocial Kassandra Sustaita@Kassandra.SustaitaAmanda Solomon Melanated Boho Bae@MelanatedBohoBaeFeaturing special guest: Aimée Gille of La Bien AiméeLauren IrelandByLaurenIreland.com@LaurenClaireIrelandIf you prefer to watch, check out our YouTube channel. Music by Despatches.

We're continuing our Making Meet and Greets from NYC with crafty friends, old and new!The lovely Catherine of Brooklyn General Store and Aimée of La Bien Aimée asked us to bring a bit of our Meet and Greets to their 2024 Vogue Knitting Live booth and we also co-hosted a maker meet-up at Brooklyn General Store. Lots of great conversation, stories, and even a dance break. We've got it all, folks!  And course, stay tuned for the next few weeks of more awesome NYC-created content to get to know more special people from the maker community. Hope you enjoy it. This episode's guests: Cris Bertoluci@CrisBertoluci  https://crisbertoluci.com.br Special guest appearance by: Nara Takeda of KnitLeaks@knitleaks https://www.knitleaks.comCris shouts out to Portfiber.Gregory Chrysler@GregoryChryslerStephanie Earp and Naomi Endicott@espacetricot @EspaceTricotPodcast https://www.espacetricot.comKnits from the LYS: https://www.espacetricot.com/us/knits... Images of Ernesto Neto by albert sanchez & tom dubrock via MFA houston instagram accountOur episode touching on the history of Art vs Craft: https://youtu.be/s7Fpe0ZEOAs?si=clGFt... Music by Despatches.

In this episode of the podcast, we're taking it back to New York City! If you've been following along for a while you know that we've been visiting events around the world, collecting and then sharing important stories. (Mostly fiber arts related but we want to expand that. Hey other maker events, hit us up!) This time we did things a little differently. The lovely Catherine of Brooklyn General Store and Aimée of La Bien Aimée asked us to bring a bit of our Meet and Greets to their 2024 Vogue Knitting Live booth. So we set up shop and gathered some crafty friends, old and new. We laugh. We cry. We get really honest. Stay tuned for the next few weeks of more awesome made-in-NYC content and get to know more special people from the maker community. Enjoy!This episode's guests: Mariah Stanford@mariahknitsMariah's Making Conversation Episode: https://youtu.be/kJF7rTbCGxQJulie Robinson @JulieAtWorkJulie's Making Conversation Episode: https://making.buzzsprout.com/1875689/10012761Sky@SeamsBySky +Marina@DesdeLaMarinaEmma@theNewYorkYear+Ally@AllyOoperLooperSidneyDerek Rollberg@Knit.Top89 Katia Yarns@KatiaYarns Music by Despatches.

During Vogue Knitting Live 2024, Jen took the stage with big names in the fiber arts and maker industry to talk about how we can adapt to the ever evolving world of craft-what has changed, where the opportunity is, and advice on what to do when things are challenging. Our PanelistsJonna Hietala is the co-founder, creative director and CEO of Laine Publishing and the editor-in-chief of Laine Magazine. Jonna has worked in lifestyle and crafts magazines both in Finland and in Sweden. Before Laine, she also ran her own yarn shop. In 2021, Jonna won the prestigious Taito-Finlandia award for her groundbreaking work on handicrafts and applied arts. Jonna lives in Tampere, Finland with her two children, cats and dogs.  Aimée Gille was born and raised in the United States, in Kansas, and later moved to France, where her passion for knitting was reignited. In Paris, where she now lives with her family, she first opened L'Oisive, thé a wonderful knitting café, and later La Bien Aimée. Established in 2015, La Bien Aimée is an artisanal dye studio located in Paris, France. Aimée and her team dye beautiful and sophisticated colors of yarn that reflect a unique and vibrant point of view.  Her book, Worsted, was published by Laine Publishing in the fall on 2021. Her latest book Neons & Neutrals was published in March of 2022.Ashley Yousling is the founder and CEO of Making and started our podcast back in 2014. She is an award winning designer with over 15 years of experience, leading and executing product + content vision and strategy in tech and consumer industries. Her work has been featured in outlets like The New York Times, Forbes, and Fast Company. She resides in Boise with her three boys, pup, and you can always find her in her art studio.Joji Locatelli is an Argentine knitwear designer living in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After studying as a physician, in 2004 she rediscovered knitting. She is a Mom of two boys, and a wife to a loving non-knitting husband. She hopes to inspire with her knitting patterns and loves draped fabrics, beautiful details, simple lines.ModeratorJen Joyce is the Head of Marketing and Podcast Host at Making. She's been a marketing professional for the past 14 years and has worked for tech startups, hospitality, fintech, and even an agency. She lives in Seattle with her partner, her dogs, and her 21-year-old cat. Jen can always be found knitting and watching “bad” TV, enjoying lovely Seattle but also traveling as much as possible and lifting heavy weights for that extra serotonin boost. Photo credit for Jen's pic: https://www.jacobpritchard.comIf you'd like to watch this episode...https://www.youtube.com/@making_coMusic by Despatches.

Liza Laird is a fiber artist, human mom, dog mom, cancer survivor and author of Yoga of Yarn, a knitter's guidebook to self discovery. (Don't worry dear maker! The book is for makers of all kinds. We chat about that too!) We journey through Liza's life--deciding to leave the corporate world to pursue her passions, how she approached writing a book (with good tips if you've been thinking about venturing into it!), her journey with cancer, and of course some of the wonderful learnings from her book.Oh, and make sure to grab one of your favorite supplies too. Liza leads us in an exercise and you'll need it. ;)THE AUTHORLiza Laird is a knitter, yogi, mama of a few little humans, and homesteader with alpacas, chickens, and a feisty shiba inu. She is a cofounder of Ragline Knits, through which she teaches knitting and mindfulness classes and hosts retreats online and around the world.She trained as a yoga instructor at YogaWorks, as a yoga therapist at Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy, and as a life coach with Coaches Training Institute. She has a BA in psychology from Lafayette College. THE BOOKUsing a unique combination of yoga philosophy, movements, meditations, breathing techniques and stitch patterns, Yoga of Yarn re-establishes our makers practice on a new, stronger foundation -- a foundation that not only enhances our experience as makers, but also helps us maintain a centered calm in every aspect of our lives.No prior yoga experience is necessary. All you need is a body, a chair, and a sincere willingness to care for yourself and try new things that will help you knit (or your art of choice!) with greater ease.Music by Despatches.

"How do I price my makes?" "How do I price my services?" "As a maker that does not sell...how can I help change perceptions so my community can get paid what they're worth?" "How do you price handmade items?"  Let's talk pricing. Out with the gatekeeping. Patterns, services, finished goods, etc. They name names, spill tea, get really real, and share numbers.  Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/pswl2xRPgZ4 Our guests:Quayln Stark - https://linktr.ee/QUOEAs an artist and designer, Quayln's passion for self-expression and inclusivity shine through each of his creations. From sewing and quilting to knitting and crochet, Quayln pairs traditional fiber arts techniques with imaginative designs, colors, and textures. (You can find his free Crochet Lentil patterns–an adorable amigurumi cat designed for Making in your Studio in the Making app.)Brittany Garber - https://www.knotbadbritt.comBritt does it all and with a TON of passion. Crochet designer and founder of Makers of Color Collective (https://www.knotbadbritt.com/makers-o..., Britt is committed to not only uplifting and supporting Black, indigenous, people of color makers and designers in the fiber industry but also making sure that the art of crochet is seen on the same level as all other fiber arts. Terry Streetman - https://www.etsy.com/shop/PeregrineWo...Always fascinated by woodworking, Terry's work is inspired by the memory of his grandfather, a master woodworker and a literal rocket scientist. Not only is Terry talented and created beautiful pieces will stand the test of time and brings joy into the lives of others...he's super loud about his values and works to weave them into every part of his business. #maker #knitting #crochetMusic by Despatches.

In this podcast episode, we're heading back to Barcelona Knits in…you guessed it…Barcelona, Spain! Get to know some of the vendors, artists, and vloggers who all share the love of all things fiber art, yarn, knitting, crochet, cross stitch, and more! This is a special group of people, dear makers!  :) https://www.barcelonaknits.comWho you'll meet:Laura Algarrawww.lauraalgarra.comA crochet teacher, designer, and woodworker from Spain who runs her own workshopsand classes and makes wooden crochet and knitting notions and accessories.Paloma Liranzohttps://palomaliranzo.bigcartel.comAn artist and dyer and bag designer who loves animals.Nina of Nina's Threadshttps://www.etsy.com/shop/NinaHandDyed Nina's Threads is an independent artisan dyeing studio, located in Budapest, Hungary.Paula of the Knitting Pitinglis Podcasthttps://youtube.com/@KnittingPitinglisA knitter living in Ireland that is working to make English patterns more accessible to Spanish knitters.Paula of the Knitting Pitinglis Podcast chats with Aimée of La Bien AiméeWe put out a call for vloggers and podcasters to partner with us and use our space and then also asked the vendors if they would be willing to be interviewed by a vlogger. Kind of a matchmaking, if you will. So here is a snippet of Paula's interview with Aimée!Ana of Alpacanahttps://alpacana.esAn alpaca farmer located in Cantabria, Spain that passionately cares for her alpacas and their fiber is turned into beautiful yarn.Meet Ana's Alpacas: https://alpacana.es/las-alpacas/Nara of Knitleakshttps://www.knitleaks.comThe latest in fiber-related news, trends, design, and contentAnd of course when you interview Knitleaks, Knitleaks will interview you! Enjoy Nara's interview of Jen!Astrid of Lazadashttps://www.lazadas.netAn independent, female-owned and operated business, Lazadas, knitting accessories is proud to provide crafters with high-quality accessories and tools for their projects.Stephania of Lavindole www.lanivendole.comA small yarn company from Genoa, Italy. Their aim is to create unique yarns containing noble local fibres.Kiara, Anna, and Eva of Barcelona Knitshttps://www.barcelonaknits.comBarcelona Knits will gather many national and international brands in a unique space to offer both products and services related with the art of fiber. Wool producers, small artisans, spinners, indie dyers, prestigious designers, accessory designers for knitters and publishers.Dana of Boredom Kills Designshttps://www.boredomkillsdesign.comYarn dyer, pattern maker, knitter, knitwear designer working out of her studio in Berlin.Lidia of Ovillováhttps://ovillova.com Music by Despatches.

In this podcast episode, we're heading back to the Sacred Sheep Fiber Festival in Portland, Oregon! Get to know some of the vendors, artists, and vloggers who all share the love of the act of making. The full meet and greet videos are coming soon, so make sure you are subscribed. :) https://thesacredsheep.comWho you'll meet:THE SHEEP.  Casanova AKA Larry & DaphneFiona of FionaKayKnitsVanessa of Ōshen KnitsJoanna of Stitching the High NotesChinua MatthewsEmily of Kitty with a CupcakeNicole - @professorpurl Hannah ThiessenStef of Three Fates YarnsShelli of ShellicanKemper of JunkyarnMusic by Despatches.

Ashley and Jen come together to share stories of their beginnings in the tech industry and how they discovered their passion for building authentic community with Making. Music by Despatches.

Chef Andreya is back to share so much amazing information about how to host a holiday party without the stress. She walks us through the planning stages that she has perfected as a chef, along with many valuable tips she has picked up over her amazing career. But what Chef Andreya really wants to remind you is that a holiday gathering (or any gathering with friends and family) should be about sharing space, love, and community, and a delicious meal is a great reason to come together.  Wait, what does this have to do with the act of making? As a multicraftual app and podcast, we love to celebrate making of all types, which includes cooking and baking!  So grab your notebook, WIP, and a snack (because you might get hungry with all this food talk), and hit play.  mortarpestlecooking.comMore about AndreyaFind Andreya on the Making app: @andreya. Her Making Marketplace shop offers menu templates for dinner parties year-round.  Potato Dumpling SocietyGather, cook, and have fun with your best pals for a monthly dinner party. As a paid subscriber, you'll get a seasonal menu with recipes, wine pairing recommendations, shop list, to-do/timeline list, hosting tips, and printable menus for your table à la Cookie Jar style.Cookie Jar (Andreya's SubStack)A virtual space to reclaim a joy for cooking, gathering, and setting our creativity free. Not by seeking perfection, but rather curiosity. Home of the Potato Dumpling Society, Cookie Chat Newsletter, and Andreya's writing on food, wine, and travel.Watch this episode (and don't forget to subscribe)!More good stuff:Allie PhelpsTime Article by Sean ShermanSean Sherman/ Sioux ChefLois Ellen Frank/ Red Mesa CuisineAutumn Harry/ Pyramid Lake Angler Guide and Native Rights ActivistTaste The Nation/ Episode 7 The Original AmericansKnife sharpening demoMusic by Despatches.

Jen and Val took Making on the road to Barcelona Knits this past weekend. It was a journey that further solidified our belief in the power of local unity, connection, and creativity. The vibrant sense of togetherness at Barcelona Knits is only magnified by our interview with Aimée Gille of La Bien Aimée. Jen and Val took Making on the road to Barcelona Knits this past weekend. It was a journey that further solidified our belief in the power of local unity, connection, and creativity. The vibrant sense of togetherness at Barcelona Knits is only magnified by our interview with Aimée Gille of La Bien Aimée. Aimée's passion for knitting transcends the craft itself to encompass the essence of community, reflecting the same values that have driven Making since the beginning. @aimeesknitlab labienaimee.combarcelonaknits.comStay tuned for more content from this amazing festival, so make sure you're subscribed to our channel to catch all of it. :)Music by Despatches.

We got a sneak peek of Sacred Sheep's setup the night before the inaugural festival and were honored to chat with these amazing vendors and artists! Hannah ThiessenJunebug and Darlin'Spincycle YarnsThree Fates YarnHandmade ReneeThe Wandering FlockPortFiberRitual DyesThe first year of the Sacred Sheep fiber festival took place on Saturday, November 4, 2023, and we were invited to show off a little of what set-up day looks like at a festival and share more about the amazing artists that made Sacred Sheep a success. From yarn dyers to sewists and cross-stitchers, get the details on what it's like to vend at a festival!Sacred Sheep: https://thesacredsheep.com/Prefer to watch your podcasts? Watch on YouTube!Music by Despatches.

Y'all are in for a treat. Terrance of Terrance Williams Designs joins Jen for an episode full of big laughs. :) Terrance shares his maker journey that was sparked by a love of fashion, which grew into learning how garments are made and the art of sewing, which led to launching his business! He then dives into tips for sustainability, talking to the media, and the absolute joy of building a supportive community by being authentic with every interaction. Terrance and Jen also explore cultural appropriation vs appreciation, especially in craft, art, and making through the real-life example of Terrance's product created with Ankara fabric. Prefer to watch your podcasts? Watch on YouTube!Find us on the Making app:Terrance: @TerranceWilliams_Jen: @KnitPurlterrancewilliamsdesigns.comZesty Couture Black Sewing NetworkMusic by Despatches.

Autumn is out here doin' the important work! She joins Jen to chat all about size inclusivity in the maker space.  We kick it off with the (not-surprisingly frustrating) history of sizing because if we want to change the world, we must know where we came from. Autumn tells us all about her passion project of sharing designers and patterns that are size-inclusive and yarn dyers that also support, and then she shares how designers can ensure they are inclusive. And in the year of our Beyonce 2023, if you are not size inclusive, we hope you might listen and consider! :)Prefer to watch your podcasts? Watch on YouTube! Find us on the Making app: Autumn: @AutumnEden-GoodmanJen: @KnitPurlSize Inclusive CollectiveSupport Autumn's Work: ko-fi, PatreonByAutumn.comDesigners Autumn recommends following to learn how to be more size-inclusive:YsoldaIndigodragonflyVictoria MarchantMedium Article: A Brief System of Sizing SystemsMusic by Despatches.

Ashley joins Jen to share all about what's happening with Making. We go pretty deep, get very real, and share honestly. A lot has happened this year...but also not (tbh), and we'll talk allllll about it. BUT MOST EXCITING: we will dive into what's next!

The oh-so-lovely Hannah Austin of Needle OR Thread joins Jen to discuss the good ol' topic of “fine art vs craft” and how the community is shifting the dialogue and understanding while touching on how art forms/crafts typically labeled as "female" have usually been considered inferior to those traditionally done by men and the intersectionality of it all.  Hannah also shares how she started her business and how her art has been healing through tough times.Prefer to watch your podcasts? Watch on YouTube!Find us on the Making app:Hannah: @needle_or_threadJen: @KnitPurlneedleorthread.comLearn more about the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. Music by Despatches.

Tina Tse joins Jen for episode 141! Tina tells us what it's like to go from industrial knitting machine operator by day to knitwear designer by night. Jen covers the history of the knitting machine, which...is comical? Yeah...that. They also dive into some reasons why they are both so very thankful for therapy. Prefer to watch your podcasts? Watch on YouTube!Find us on the Making app:Whit: @Tina.Say.KnitsJen: @KnitPurlTinaTseKnits.comMusic by Despatches.

The fabulous Whitney Marie Anderson joins Jen for Ep. 140! They cover how Whit learned to crochet and knit (a new one for this podcast!), going with the flow while also knowing your worth, the importance of representation, and then they dive into a brief history of Amigurumi, which is how Whit started her business. Oh, and how could we forget to mention that co-star Renee (Whitney's ADORABLE daughter) pops in to say hi! ;)Get Whit's crochet hooks, stitch markers, patterns, and more: whitneymarieanderson.comPrefer to watch your podcasts? Watch on YouTube!Find us on the Making app:Whit: @WhitneyMarieAndersonJen: @KnitPurlREAD: Making as Necessity: A Personal History of Black Representation in Craft by Marina ScottHow to get the free Lentil patterns:1- Download the Making app and sign up in the app!2- Open the app and tap on Profile (bottom right hand corner)3- Tap on Studio, scroll to "From Making" and tap on the >4- Tap on "Patterns" under "From Making"5- Enjoy! Make sure to tag the designers and share your progress and final Lentils in the Making app and beyond! (Make sure to tag us on IG too! @making_co)Music by Despatches.

SPOOKY SEASON IS HERE, Y'ALL and Kelley (owner and dyer at Dye Mad Yarns) joined Jen for episode 139. All things Dye Mad Yarns is inspired by all things weird Ohio, which includes cryptids! So let's kick off this blessed season of spooky together. Grab your project and buckle in! Prefer to watch your podcasts? Watch on YouTube!Find us on the Making app:Kelley: @DyeMadJen: @KnitPurlDye Mad Yarns Cryptid CollectionCryptid WikiFlock Fiber Festival 2023 Meet and GreetsMusic by Despatches.

Join us as we dive into the most twisted tales of espionage ever spun – literally! In this episode, Marina and Jen discuss the history and stories of spies who used stitches, notions, and needles to relay top-secret messages during wartime with their knitting. They also shout out a few awesome makers from the Making app and chat about their WIPs, and how to float on a lake AND knit. Prefer to watch your podcasts? Watch on YouTube!Find us on the Making app:Marina: @HeartBunKnitsandMoreJen: @KnitPurlMusic by Despatches.

Mariah Stanford (licensed physical therapist, maker, and all-around lovely human) joins Jen to chat about the importance of keeping our bodies happy so we can craft FOREVER!!! She goes over things to look out for, movements and exercises to help keep aches and pains away, etc! No matter your creative outlet, this episode will be super helpful. AND FUN...I promise. We have lots of fun. ;)Watch on YouTube: A few things we talked about:Finding a physical therapist (hosted by the APTA)The Makers of Color CollectiveAndrea - The Knitting PTFind us on the Making app:Mariah: @MariahKnitsJen: @KnitPurlMore about Mariah: Mariah is an experienced knitter of 16 years, certified knit instructor, and a licensed physical therapist.  She finds joy in helping others with their craft and uses her experience in physical therapy to keep her students knitting comfortably. You can find her teaching virtually through The Making App, in person at her local yarn store, and privately through her website, Mariahknits.com.Music by Despatches.

Pt 3 of our series that features Flock Fiber Festival meet & greet sneak peeks and the best wifi that Seattle's Parks department has to offer (lol) is here! This was our 1st festival partnership in this capacity. Meeting everyone and collecting their inspiring stories was so special, but we learned a lot! I cover some of those learnings and of course, you'll hear how these vendors we chatted with began their journeys as a maker! We also have a special peek into how 4 small businesses in WA work together to create beautiful fiber magic! Andrea of Apple Yarns-  With my husband, Andrew Evans, we started Apple Yarns in Bellingham, WA, in 2007 in a 700 sqft retail store.  Today Apple Yarns is made up of 4 unique divisions; in-person, online, subscriptions, and wholesale and we now occupy 4,000sq. ft. in Bellingham. In addition to loving colorful fiber, knitting, and crochet, one of the things that makes us unique is my love of small business.  Jeananne of Cerulean Orchid- An online yarnie boutique and pattern house. We explore our curiosities and nerdom through yarn, patterns, stickers, project bags, and other yarnie goodies in collaboration with our favorite creatives. Jean of Juni and Si - I started dyeing out of curiosity for how it was done and quickly realized I loved seeing my ideas put to yarn. Before I had a plan, I knew I wanted to name my colorways after songs I love. To me, music and color are a perfect match. Both can ignite inspiration, spark a memory or even convey a person's mood without words. Jessica of Purls and Postulates - Aside from inspiring the name for her small business, Jessica's passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and cultivating that passion in others helped her lead a successful career in education for almost a decade before she turned her focus to dyeing yarns and ensuring her two boys grow up with an enthusiasm for learning.Ashleigh of Sewrella - Based in Apex, North Carolina, thousands of skeins of our whimsical, magical colorways get dyed every week for our preorder collections and in-stock tonals. We believe in the maker's experience being an indulgent one, complete with curated tools, housemade wool wash, hand cream formulated for makers, and so much more.Reshma of Hello Lavender -  I launched Hello Lavender in 2016. I started by going to craft fairs and selling knitwear online but then transitioned into making polymer clay stitch markers and earrings in 2020, which took off in a way I could never have imagined. Fibershed Chat - Sarah from San Juan Woolworks, Jess from Skagit Woolen Works, Lydia of Abundant Earth, and Emily of Local Color - A chat about the ways their businesses collaborate to make local yarn and fiber in western Washington, from raising the sheep and dye plants to carding and spinning.Music by Despatches.

We're back with more super fun vendor meet & greet sneak peeks from Flock Fiber Festival, featuring the best wifi that Seattle's Parks department has to offer.

As you might have heard, Flock Fiber Festival's inaugural weekend went off without a dropped stitch. ;) What an energy in that place. Just a lovely fiber festival in an old airplane hanger filled with an incredible community of makers and the best wifi that Seattle's Parks department can provide.  ;)We sat down with some of the vendors and recorded meet and greets, in hopes of bringing a little Flock to those who could not make it or wanted to know more about the vendors that brought all their artistic beauty to year one.  Stay tuned for part 2!  Full meet & greet videos coming to the Making app soon!Rachelle of Moondrake Co. - An indie dyed yarn company, comprises a tantalizing array of colors and fibers. A Canadian now living a creative life in Oklahoma. A proud Asian maker, who loves knitting/crocheting/sewing. She is always interested in finding new materials and trendy colors for her dye work.Bethany and Rhys of Woolberry Fiber Co. - We are a family-owned yarn company specializing in hand-dyed yarns sourced from ethical farming practices. Bethany and Rhys run the business together along with our team of yarn assistants at our studio in the Denver metro area. Britt of The Makers of Color Collective and KnotBadBritt -  Britt Garber is the crochet designer behind KnotBadBritt. She focuses on crochet shawls with impeccable drape and unique construction. Unable to ignore the lack of diversity in the fiber industry, she was driven to establish the Makers Of Color Collective, which serves as a directory of black, brown, indigenous, and melanated people in the fiber industry. The Collective is a donation-funded resource hosted on her website that allows individuals to discover new ways of diversifying their craft.Kim of Indigodragonfly - Indigodragonfly yarns offers our individual and unique takes on traditional yarn dyeing, refusing to be a cog in the cookie-cutter yarn industry. We specialize in luxury yarns with an emphasis on finding the best yarns as well as developing custom yarns with our global-wide mill partners to bring you products no one else has. Veronica from Miss Babs -  Babs and the Miss Babs Team have been dyeing beautiful yarns in our studio in the mountains of eastern Tennessee since 2005. Miss Babs offers a wide variety of yarn bases from lace to chunky in a stunning range of colorways. For us, creating color is curiosity, joy, artistic expression, and often a quest to find that precise just-right hue. Courtney from Silly Goose Yarns - We're about spreading joy and wonder through our playful, unexpected approach to creating and naming our products. With a mischievous twinkle in our eye, we infuse every skein of yarn with a playful spirit that inspires and intrigues makers of all levels, encouraging them to approach their craft with the same sense of unexpected delight. Music by Despatches.

Jen sits down with the absolutely wonderful human, owner of La Mercerie, and organizer of the Flock Fiber Festival, Jessica Povenmire. They chat about opening a yarn shop, where La Mercerie started, and where it's going next. They then dive into all things Flock Fiber Festival: why Jessica decided to bring us this beautiful weekend, some things she's learned about creating a fibers arts festival, and how Making is partnering to bring a little Flock Fiber Festival to you!Flock Fiber FestivalAugust 4-6, 2023at Hangar 30 at Magnuson Park in Seattle, WASame-day tickets are available. More info here. We'll be hosting Flock Fiber Festival vendor meet and greets in the Making app! So no matter if you can make it to the festival this year or not, you can still get to know the amazing Flock vendors. How to get in on the fun:Download the Making app and sign up for an account. If you already have the Making app, make sure you have the latest version downloaded!Open the app and tap DiscoverTo access the Vendor meet and greets:iPhone users: Scroll down to Events and tap 'View All'.Android users: Swipe left on the Banner at the top to access the schedule and links! (We're working hard on a fix for y'all but in the meantime, let's try this workaround

In this episode, we touch on why thrifting, upcycling, and mending are so important. Charlotte and Pooja then give lots of great tips and tricks for those who want to do more in this space to show care to Mother Earth. (But also some great info for those who have been in this space for years!)Music by Despatches.

We're back from a mini summer break with an important message! This episode is a celebration of what creativity means to tiny humans. A way to remind us as adults that when we create, it's not about the likes or the pressure to create x amount of new things per year, and it's not about the perfection we often crave. It's about honoring the act of making, how it makes us happy and helps us feel whole.Thank you to the Making community that shared your little's voices with us.Finn and Callie aka @the_morningcrafterImogen & Sigrid and Carrie aka @maddermadeOrion and Amanda aka @craftyoddmommaAbby and Marina aka @heartbunknitsandmoreColtrane and David and Ashley aka @ashleyFind Jen & Carson in the Making app:@knitpurl@carsonAnd most of all! A special thank you to Jen's nephews, Carson and Ethan for sharing their love of creativity and inspiring this sweet episode. Music by Despatches.

Our friend Terry of Peregrine Woodshop joins us this week! Jen and Terry chat all about why he connected with woodworking, the importance of being loud and proud (personally and professionally) about your values, and the best practices of how to choose those organizations to support.  Finally, a plea for Terry: Is there such a thing as delicious vegan cheese? :( Organizations to support!Trans LifelineKaleidoscope Youth CenterAlzheimer's Association Find Jen & Terry in the Making app:@knitpurl@peregrinewoodshopMusic by Despatches.

 The queen of the curse pillows, Callie is here so let's talk marketing! From newsletters to off-social marketing ideas, we do our best to drop as much knowledge as possible in this one episode. Combined we have over 25 years of marketing experience and Callie also owns her own crafting business -- The Morning Crafter! So, listen now or listen later but even if you don't have to worry about marketing for a small business, you will enjoy this one because Callie is just so lovely. :)Find Jen & Callie in the Making app:@knitpurl@the_morningcrafterMusic by Despatches.

Tamanna joins Jen on the podcast this week to talk about the beautiful moments that can occur when the act of making is a part of our mental health toolbox. They get vulnerable and share their own journeys, cover how making can be beneficial for your mental health, and then Tamanna leads us in a lovely mini exercise where you'll create art that's connected to one of your meaningful memories.Tamanna owns her own psychiatry practice and has been working in the mental health field for over a decade.  She also runs workshops that connect crafting and mental health with Slow Work Sewing.Her current workshop is called Speak, Memory: Stitch a Botanical Sampler Rooted in Personal History.  Click to find out moreJen talks about her toolkit, which includes her ADHD Coach: Heather Pierucki!Music by Despatches.

Y'all...this episode is delish!Jen was joined by the wonderful Chef Andreya Nightingale and they make a great spread that you can make along with us to practice for your next gathering with family, friends, or your next making circle. (...Or just eat it as you listen, because it can also be the perfect snack!) While they make yummy food and accidental asmr, they also talk about a bunch of food-related things from accessibility to gardening.So grab the ingredients listed below, join your Making besties, and get ready to make something yummy!Sign up for Andreya's newsletter and get more info on all of the amazing things she's doing, including the Potato Dumpling Society! https://cookiejar.substack.com (OFFICIAL LAUNCH ANNOUNCEMENT at 1:27!)Assembly for PB&J Board: 34:40 - 1:07, snag your ingredients now or come back and make it with us!Ingredients for the PB&J board 1 pt strawberriesPickled ginger - aka sushi ginger (we'll only use a bit of it, but they're sold by the jar)1 lime1 lemon (for zest)1-3 tbs sweetener of choice (agave syrup, honey, sugar, stevia…We use honey)1/4 - 1/2 cup walnut oil or avocado oilsalt2 tsp ground cardamom1 baguette or bready thing of choice 1 cup cashew pieces (roasted if possible, but raw is good too) NOT salted // ALT: If you don't have a food processor or blender, find nut butter with nothing else added, just nuts (we want to be able to control all seasoning) you can also go to a store that has the but butter blender and get it there. Equipment 1 food processor or Vitamix-style blender1 microplane or any zesting tool (or a grater or a vegetable peeler and a sharp paring knife to get the job done & get your lil zesties)1 cutting board 1 knife for cutting strawberries 1 small bowl or container for green waste/ compost1 bowl or jar to store cashew butter1 bowl or jar for strawberriesWhatever you need to present this to your guests or just yourself ;) Point of Origin Podcast  - Food Apartheid: (And Why We Don't Call It a Food Desert)Orgs that were noted as examples in our areas: Plant-Based Food Share (Seattle)Slow Food (Lake Tahoe)Find Jen & Andreya in the Making app:@knitpurl@andreyaMusic by Despatches.

We've got a special episode today! These oh-so-very wonderful interviews you are about to hear specifically connect to this month's BRIGHT Collective member thank you e-zine. BRIGHT Collective is like our version of Patreon. Members support what we do every month-building the Making app, creating this podcast, etc. In return, we deliver a fresh multicraftual e-zine each month that can include anything from patterns to recipes, tutorials to interviews but also sometimes essays and crosswords. We also create member classes and events, offer members-only discounts, and more.  If you'd like to learn more and become a member, head to makingzine.com. If you are a BRIGHT Collective member (thank you, you amazing human, you!), enjoy this episode as a compliment to the following content that can be found in the Vol. 10 e-zine: Crochet Garden Hat PatternIsaiah MosesMaking app & TikTok: @isaiahmosesart isaiahmosesart.comIn the StudioSharon Chandler Correntymarigoldroots.comMusic by Despatches.

Jen's partner Lars joins her in this episode where they have a discussion about AI and art. Coming from the perspective of two creatives, they discuss the Victorian Industrial Revolution, the Beastie Boy's album Paul's Boutique, and technology's typical path in a capitalistic society. This all has a through line, we promise. ;)How can these times in the history of art and music creation inform where the future of AI and art will land?  ¯_(ツ)_/¯Find Jen & Lars in the Making app: @knitpurl@Mental4LentilAlso, they forgot to add in their moment of gratitude at the end so as to continue to spread goodness in the world, here they are: LarsI am grateful for my friends. I had a moment recently watching as the pandemic is starting to slip from our collective (short-term) memory and from our day-to-day lives — mask mandates are all but gone, popular restaurants and bars are full again, many of the once-pervasive visual cues of a global pandemic are disappearing — where I felt really lucky to have the friends I do, especially during the darkest moments of the lockdowns. Friends to share concerns with, friends to distract from the horror, friends to share art and music and poetry with, friends to talk with about the books we read together, friends to feel close to even as we FaceTimed from across the country or across the world.Anyways, yeah. Feeling really grateful to and lucky to know my chosen family.JenI am grateful for the opportunities that I have given myself to stop and celebrate wins. We move so quickly sometimes that it feels like we just have to go go go. Stop and give yourself a moment of cheer. Reflect back on how far you've come, even if it feels hard to give yourself that space. You're amazing and resilient and powerful and don't you forget it. ;) Music by Despatches.

Marina is back! This episode is all about tattoo art and talented tattoo artists. They also cover what has inspired them in the Making app, and what Marina and Jen are working on, including a little gardening chat!

Quayln Stark joins Jen this week! Quayln discusses fiber arts and magic and how it has been connected throughout time and Jen tells the tales from haunted art museums, and also ghost stories from our very own Making community.  But wait..is that another guest on the podcast that decided to insert themselves without us knowing?! You'll have to listen to find out. ;) Quayln is a knitwear and crochet designer. He has established himself as a strong presence in the fiber arts scene, designing for companies such as Red Heart Yarns, Clover Needlecraft, Interweave, Annie's, Knit Picks, and Making as well as celebrities like Tierra Whack.www.quoe.usFind them in the Making app!Jen: @knitpurlQuayln: @QuoeMusic by Despatches.

Buckle up, y'all! ;) Jen is joined by the fantastic Lo Shabino! Lo started her creative journey by going to university for sculpture and is now a master stylist, salon owner, educator, and coach.They dive into that part of her life along with career learnings from Lo's perspective as well as insights Jen has collected in her time working in tech and startups. They also go on many...let's call them side quests. Two besties chatting, if you will. Grab your WIP and join 'em, makers! Lo Shabino is a master stylist, salon owner, educator, and coach who loves creating sculptures and pottery. loshabino.comstrangebirdsalon.comFind them in the Making app!Jen: @knitpurlLo: @loshabinoMusic by Despatches.

Hey, buds! This week on Making Conversation, Jen is joined by Carrie. The theme that poppies up in this episode also blooms throughout this month's BRIGHT Collective e-zine. They cover the ins and outs of city foraging, go on a journey that begins at the intersection of florals in art and feminism, and then round out the episode with some facts about the California Superbloom. Flowers are art and art is making. We hope you dig this episode! ;) Music by Despatches.

Jen hits the road for a trip and decides there is no better time than now to record an episode all about makers and traveling, including TSA rules + silliness and travel stories and tips from the Making app community. Music by Despatches.