Me Being Crafty with Tsoniki Crazy Bull

Let's visit about what has been going on! I had tech difficulties, and we had friends visiting, and the end of the school year, and a quilt for a teacher. Stop by my instagram feed and let me know how you were creative today! https://instagram.com/tsoniki/ http://mebeingcrafty.com  

I am recapping a lot of episodes today - episodes 8-21! Here are the links to the previous shows: http://mebeingcrafty.com/2014/008-andrea-house-tickled-peach/http://mebeingcrafty.com/2014/009-alorha-baga/http://mebeingcrafty.com/2014/010-alison-dutton-alison-sews/http://mebeingcrafty.com/2014/011-tracey-wirth-swell-sewing/http://mebeingcrafty.com/2014/012-sandi-sawa-hazlewood-the-crafty-planner/http://mebeingcrafty.com/2014/013-nicholas-ball-quilts-from-the-attic/http://mebeingcrafty.com/2014/014-christa-watson-christa-quilts/http://mebeingcrafty.com/2014/015-julie-persinger-top-shelf-quilting/http://mebeingcrafty.com/2014/016-lee-monroe-may-chappell/http://mebeingcrafty.com/2014/018-tsoniki-crazy-bull-plans-for-2015/http://mebeingcrafty.com/2015/019-tsoniki-crazy-bull-happy-new-year-and-whats-to-come/http://mebeingcrafty.com/2015/020-tsoniki-crazy-bull-embrace/http://mebeingcrafty.com/2015/021-jennifer-ackerman-haywood-craftsanity/

Kerry Green of Very Kerry Berry and I visit about her sewing journey, she started sewing at a young age and was lucky enough to attend a school that put sewing as a part of the every day curriculum. She is a fantastic seamstress and also designs paper pieced patterns along with Penny for their Sew Ichigo website. You can find the show notes at: 048: Kerry Green: Very Kerry BerryStop by http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today.

Jess Van Den of Create and Thrive and I visit about her jewelry line, the Thriver Circle, and all that Create and Thrive offers. She offers various courses to help you build your creative business, such as running your mailing list, getting started with social media, and product photography. Stop by http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today.

Lisa Clarke of Polka Dot Cottage on her introduction to polymer clay, her knitting and crochet patterns, the beautiful crochet hooks she decorates, knowing when to end a business, and so much more. You can find the show notes at: 046: Lisa Clarke: Polka Dot CottageStop by http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today.

Slyvia Schaefer of Flying Parrot Quilts talks about her quilting journey, entering quilt shows, and patterns she has available. Check out the show notes for this episode here: 045: Sylvia Schaefer: Flying Parrot Quiltshttp://mebeingcrafty.com/2015/045-sylvia-schaefer-flying-parrot-quilts/Stop by http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today.

Today - an update on the 100 Days of Starquilts and the Year of Making. I am still doing the year of making though I fell off the sharing a picture of my making, I need to get back to that. And I recently started the 100 days project. I love this, a bite size amount of time (if you can consider 100 days a bite size) and I am really so happy to learn something new about myself. Links to what I mention in the show - Meighan's What's Your Story podcast, the 100DayProject on instagram, my 100DaysofStarquilts, more about the 100 day project, and the year of making.

Today I am directing you to an interview that I did with Sandi Sawa Hazlewood of the Crafty Planner. I am thrilled to be a part of the conversation she is having around diversity in the quilting and creative community. Link to my interview - http://craftyplanner.com/2015/04/20/tsoniki-podcast/Send me an email with your thoughts! tsoniki@gmail.com

Terri Ann Swallow, founder of QuiltAlong.net, and I visit about her quilting journey and the creation of the QuiltAlong.net website. She also writes at Childlike Fascination and shares tutorials and patterns she has written. Check out the show notes for this episode here: 042: Terri Ann Swallow: Childlike FascinationStop by http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today.

Debbie Jeske of A Quilter's Table is a prolific quilter and we visit about her learning to sew as a young girl, majoring in Home Economics in college, and the wide variety of sewing she does now. She updates her website frequently, showing the quilts and quilt blocks she makes for bees, as well as occasionally sharing recipes in Tuesday's at the Table.  Check out the show notes for this episode here: episode 041: Debbie Jeske: A Quilter's TableWhat Would Awesome You Do - http://mebeingcrafty.com/awesomeStop by http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today.

Here are my favorite apps that are currently getting a lot of use - flixster, the podcast app, pic stitch, a beautiful mess, pocket, amazon music, evernote, and dropbox. Stop by http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today.

Today's episode is all about saying no so you are available to say yes to your creative work. Stop by http://mebeingcrafty.com and sign up for the free newsletter so you are the first to know about the baby quilt pattern club, other business products for your creative business, and don't forget to let me know how you were creative today.

Getting Past The Fear - Fear of missing out, fear of putting something out there, fear of getting started. How can you move past the fear to create something amazing. See this episode's show notes here: 038: Tsoniki Crazy Bull: Getting Past The FearStop by http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today.

Allison Dutton of Allison Sews shares her experience as an attendee at QuiltCon 2015. She also gives tips for first time attendees. I share what I do to stay connected to the quilting community when I don't live near anyone who also quilts. Check out the show notes for this episode here: episode 037: Allison Dutton: Allison SewsStop by http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today.

Carina Envoldsen-Harris of Carina's Craftblog and I visit about her embroidery work and the subscription based Alphabet Motif Club. This is a great model for craft based businesses because we all know how difficult it can be to get a fair price for the actual handmade items that we make. Check out the show notes for this episode here: episode 036: Carina Envoldsen-Harris: Carina's CraftblogStop by http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today.

Jessie Keating of Tiny House on what it was like to be a super volunteer during QuiltCon, a now annual event held in a different location for the next couple of years. Jessie spent four days volunteering for sixteen hours at QuiltCon, in addition to hanging out with friends, meeting new people, enjoying Austin, TX, and attending lectures. Volunteering can be a really great way to meet even more people than you usually would and you can sometimes do cool things like touch all the quilts. Stop by http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today.

Being Creative When You Want To Lay On The Couch - when laying on the couch means you are sick (or your family is sick), you have no motivation, or you are battling burnout. We had a couple of weeks of being sick and it was tough to still be creative because I am working on the year of making and I didn't want to miss a day. Maybe the easiest way to get some motivation back is to get out of the house for a bit, even a fifteen minute walk can be great. And fighting burnout can be tough, but you can work through it by taking time for yourself. This is so important no matter what your hobby or job is, take time for yourself. Stop by http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today.

Renelle White Buffalo grew up on the Rosebud Reservation in White River, SD, and is now living in New York City. She is an artist and has been creative since she was a child. Renelle has worked with various collaborators on new products, the latest is a tote bag created with her drop cloths and sold by Chop Siouxy. Renelle has great advice for young Native artists as well. Renelle's website is http://www.whitebuffaloart.com/, stop by and check out the prints that she has so you can add something to your collection! She also has some paintings available and the products she has collaborated on. Stop by http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today.

Today let's talk about inspiration.  that can be so cliche to ask someone or to have someone ask you - what inspires you? But if you change the phrase you can get new answers, and think of something different to say yourself. A subscription service can be a great addition to your creative business. I've written about this recently - see 5 Mistakes to Avoid, 4 Advantages, and 3 Questions to Ask - and I encourage you, creative business owner, to offer subsctiptions! Stop by http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today.

Join me for a look back to some of the early episodes, this time I am talking about episodes 08-014. It's fun to look back on who I have talked to and again I am thankful for my friends for agreeing to be on the show!Stop by http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today.

Charise Randell of Charise Creates and I visit about her early start with textile art and a beginning in designing and sewing clothes for Barbie dolls. Charise kept her love of sewing and designing and after attending design school she had a 20 year career as a women's wear clothing designer. She has been designing paper pieced quilt blocks, handbags, clothing, and more for several years and sharing these on her website and through her etsy and craftsy shops. She is focusing on designing clothing for her own company and I am excited to see her work as she publishes it. Stop by http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today.

Angela Pingel of Cut to Pieces and I talk about her book, the Quilting Arts DVD she filmed, and about taking time off. She mentioned a few things she has planned for the year such as a vacation and attending Sewtopia. Retreats are a great way to take time off, even if you come home tired, you also come home refreshed from hanging out with people that love the same creative stuff you love. Stop by the website at http://mebeingcrafty.com for the show notes and also for some motivational and inspirational words from solopreneturs. I'm sharing Solopreneur Take Aways this week so don't miss it! 

Allison Harris of Cluck Cluck Sew and I talk about her business, her support of other small businesses, her experiences at Quilt Market, and upcoming plans. I love that Allison allows items (in small quantities) made from her tutorials or patterns to be sold by other small busines owners. It's a great business move because it allows her patterns to be shown to an even wider audience. We also talk about how having too many plans can be overwhelming. Any plan that you make needs to be one you will follow. Stop by the website at http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today.

Welcome to episode 27 of the me being crafty podcast. In this episode I am recapping some of the early episodes I recorded and talking about what my guests and I visited about. They shared great words of advice and wisdom, so I hope you learned something from each of them.  Stop by http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today.

Alyce Blyth of Blossom Heart Quilts and I visit about her experience online with having various tutorial series' available as well as running a new quilt bee. She and a friend were not fully prepared for how popular the bee would end up being and they had to end the sign ups early. Alyce also has a great series on blog sponsors - valuing yourself as a creative blogger, what sponsors are looking for, and experiences people have had with their sponsors. Stop by http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creatve today.

Elizabeth Dackson of Don't Call Me Betsy and I talk about her choice to take up sewing as a hobby and her design process with creating her quilt designs. It is important to know your own process and what works for you, and just as important to know the programs you need to use to get your design into a file to sell on your website or through another site such as craftsy or etsy. Stop by http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today.

Lisa Jacobs of Market Your Creativity and I talk about building your business and the changes that need to happen in order for you to succeed. Lisa started out with planning something that didn't work out and she has grown personally and professionaly into a place that has allowed her to be able to be a part of a retreat that will be held February 2015. The Mover and Makers Summit is something she thought of and looked for others to participate with her to create and hold the summit. Lisa has great business resources for creative people so stop by her website today. Stop by http://mebeingcrafty.com and sign up for the free weekly newsletter, and don't forget to let me know how you were creative today.

Lee Heinrich of Freshly Pieced on her journey from quilting as a hobby to quilting as a business. We also visit about the first projects she worked on, WIP Wednesday, the quilt alongs she hosts, and her recommendations for what to learn to do if you are interested in being a pattern designer. Stop by http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today.

Diane Stanley on preserving your story, sharing on a blog, and keeping track of what you make in whatever method works for you. She uses a quilt journal as well as her website to write about what she is making, her garden, vacations and trips she takes, and so much more. Passing along your story and your family history is so important, how are you saving information about what you are making? Stop by http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today.

Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood has been producing the CraftSanity podcast since early 2006. She has tried many crafts over the years and is currently loving screen printing. One thing Jennifer said is you don't have to pick just one thing to like or do. "Just because you are a professional writer or a firefighter or a nurse, it doesn't mean you can't do other things." So many of us love multiple crafts and she offers great advice to just do something every day. When we are able to practice and not worry about the mistakes that are going to happen, we are able to learn and grow in our art and craft. Jennifer also produces the CraftSanity magazine, available in the CraftSanity etsy shop.Stop by http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today.

Welcome to episode 20 of the Me Being Crafty podcast! This is just a quick episode but I have some great links for you! Check out the show notes for the links to what I've mentioned: http://mebeingcrafty.com/2015/020-tsoniki-crazy-bull-embrace/I have also mentioned the tools I am using for 2015 because I have a lot going on! I love the Year of Making ebook and the Creative Business Planner so check those out to see if they will work for what you have planned. http://mebeingcrafty.com/2014/018-tsoniki-crazy-bull-plans-for-2015/Stop by the website at http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today.

Let's talk about planning for 2015! I am talking about three things in this show - the bullet journal, Your Best Year 2015 Productivity Workbook and Creative Business Planner http://mebeingcrafty.com/2015creativebusiness, and the Year of Making ebook. Head on over to http://mebeingcrafty.com/2014/018-tsoniki-crazy-bull-plans-for-2015 for links to everything and show notes.Episode 018 of the Me Being Crafty podcast, http://mebeingcrafty.com

Tsoniki Crazy Bull and a short holiday message from my family. Enjoy the holidays, however you may celebrate them!

Lee Monroe of May Chappell and I visit about her creative journey from changing her major in college to becoming a graphic designer and falling in love with quilting five years ago. Lee is the President (soon to be Vice President) of her local modern quilt guild and has turned her creative love of quilting into a business. She has published quilt patterns and is also teaching quilting classes.Stop by http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today.

Julie Persinger, of Knitpickin' Chicken and Top Shelf Quilting, and I talk about pattern design, her new long arm quilting business, Project Linus, and more. Listen in as she tells the story of an epic quilt made in just one day, her experience with donating to Project Linus, teaching, and starting a business. Leave me a message at http://mebeingcrafty.com/message, and stop by the website at http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today.

Christa Watson of Christa Quilts and I talk about being confident in your sewing and quilting, as well as how accessible quilting is and tips for tools you need to get started. We encourage you to just go for it bceause whatever you are making, in the end it is going to be a functional piece. It's also important to not get caught up in feeling like you need the latest and greatest tools - buy what you need to be creative and save up for the more expensive items. Stop by http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today.

Nicholas Ball of Quilts in the Attic shares his advice for anyone being creative - don't be afraid to just do it. This is great advice - simple yet also sometimes hard for us to follow. Nick is creating amazing quilts and really changed his style after just a few short years of quilting. Stop by http://mebeingcrafty.com for links on where you can find Nick, and let me know how you were creative today.

Sandi Sawa Hazlewood and I talk about the process of being creative. In today's snap a picture and instantly share it online fast pace, the process can sometimes take a backseat to the creating part of our lives. We love interacting with friends and want to show them what we've finished, but it's also important to share what and how and why we are making something. Stop by http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today. Stop by http://mebeingcrafty.com/2014/leave-me-a-message/ and leave me a voicemail!

Tracey Wirth reminds us to not let technology hold us back when we want to be a designer. She talks about her experience with surface design and reinventing herself in this new to her genre. We also talk about the influence our parents have on us and our artistic venture. She has attended weekend workshops which is just a great way to find people interested in the same thing you are interested in, and to get to know other designers and makers in the same arena as you. Stop by http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today.

Alison Dutton, of Alison Sews, is my guest this week and we talk about her experience being a pattern tester for different people writing patterns as well as her new blog. She has been active on social media but only recently started her website as a way to share more about the projects she is making. Alison also wrote her first tutorial for a quilt pattern and is interested in sharing more tutorials and patterns. I encourage her to do so, because even if we feel like there are just too many out there, someone looking for something you are offering can only come to you for that. There are a lot of quilt patterns already written, but not the ones that you have created. Stop by http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today.

Alorha has been teaching beadwork classes for over four years and this year she opened a studio in her home. She teaches the basics of beadwork and moves into specific stitches and projects. She loves teaching people to bead and sharing her knowledge. Alorha is also very involved in the local youth groups near the reservation where she and her family live and she has been for many years. I am happy to see her so involved with working with our young people, this is very important. Stop by http://mebeingcrafty.com for show notes and links for where you can find Alorha.

Andrea House, Tickled Peach, and I visit about having little kids and trying to stay creative when we need to be there for our tiny babies. We are often in a season of life that is all about our kids, which is okay. Andrea struggled with post partum depression after her children were born and for her that meant she felt alone. She talks about her experience with this struggle and coming out of it. Andrea is a very crafty and creative person, she decorates for any and all holidays so be sure to stop by her website for great ideas on crafting with your kids. Stop by http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today.

Rebecca Roach, a quilt designer living in Austin, TX, and I talk about how the first thing she sewed as a young girl was not fun and thus she turned away from sewing until years later after that experience. She has one quilt pattern out right now and is dreaming up a fabric collection that she would produce. Rebecca and I also talk about symbols used in quilting and how her culture influences her designs. It's an important conversation to have because of what is out there about Native American people. Visit the website at http://mebeingcrafty.com

Andrea Rennick of Quilti.com and I visit about her creative journey from sewing with her Grandmother as a young girl, to refashioning her clothing as a teenager, to making clothes for her kids when they came along. She loves the modern quilt movement and does all of her own free motion quilting. Andrea also recognized that she needs a creative outlet so she schedules time to sew and quilt, using her calendar so she is sure to have that time available. Visit Andrea at Quilt.com. Stop by the website at MeBeingCrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today.

Rachael Gander is the owner of Imagine Gnats, a website offering sewing tutorials and patterns. We talk about her "I can make that" moment, when she started working at home, and the paper patterns she just had made this past summer. Go to http://mebeingcrafty.com and let me know how you were creative today.

Heather Mann owns the Dollar Store Crafts website, as well as Craft Fail, and is the author of the book Craft Fail. She shares tutorials and projects made with supplies you can find at any dollar store. Heather and I talk about the projects you can find on the Dollar Store Crafts site, crafting and making with kids, and how the Craft Fail website and book came to be.  Subscribe to the podcast at http://mebeingcrafty.com/itunes

In this episode I talk to Anne Sullivan of Play-Crafts.com. We had a great conversation about the art and crafts that Anne creates, the Quilt Design a Day group on facebook that she created, how Play Crafts came to be, and a lot about how Anne has created a community because of being a creative person. She talks about the time in her life when she took a break from crafting, and how once she came back into crafting, she won't take a break again. Anne is also writing a book, which is exciting!

Julie Dueck learned how to sew from her Grandma's teaching her when she was just six years old. Today Julie owns The Intrepid Thread quilt shop in Milpitas, CA.

Being creative with kids doesn’t need to be a lot of work, just share some supplies, some ideas, and watch them show you amazing things. Listen to a short interview with my kids and ideas I have for you to be creative with your kids.

Introduction to the Me Being Crafty podcast. Today I'd like to share my story around creativity and being a creative person, and let you know what the Me Being Crafty podcast is going to bring.