The Just Craft

In honor of Plastic Free July, I thought I would stick close to home and interview someone who inspires me a great deal. He has made a huge impact on the amount of plastic waste in our home by creating almost all the soaps we use in our household from scratch. Listen in as I interview my husband, Bob, about soapmaking, the magic of science, and how to save money while saving the world! (It's not as dangerous as you might think.) Learn more on Bob's blog: DIY Liquid Castile Soap. Learn more about reducing your plastic waste at plasticfreejuly.org.If you enjoyed this episode, you can support me by buying me a kofi at ko-fi.com/thejustcraft. Be sure to say hello, and let me know if you have ideas for topics for this podcast. Or email me at alissa@thejustcraft.com.Thank you for listening to The Just Craft. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow on instagram @thejustcraft and on twitter @justcraftcast.

In this follow up to the previous episode, Alissa visits with Charis Walker, Shepherdess at Tarheelbilly Farm in Southern Ohio. Charis talks about crafting with her Tunis wool, and shares her perspective as a woman of color on racism and the anti-racism movement in the knitting and fiber arts community. Finally, listen in, as Charis introduces Alissa to the gorgeous fleeces of sheep Clancy, Hollis, and Julie. Learn more about Tarheelbilly Farm at tarheelbillyfarm.com, and follow on Instagram @tarheelbillyfarmer.

In this episode, Alissa visits Charis Walker, Shepherdess at Tarheelbilly Farm in Southern Ohio, with a goal to meeting the sheep that made the wool for one of her favorite garments she knit. In part one, learn the history of Tarheelbilly Farm, and how Charis and her husband Ben manage their farm and flock holistically, and how this approach results in happier animals, healthier food, and fine fleeces. Learn more about Tarheelbilly Farm at tarheelbillyfarm.com, and follow on Instagram @tarheelbillyfarmer

What is a fibershed? And what impact does local fiber, local color, and local labor have on craft, community, and the environment? In this episode, I interview Jess Boeke and Sarah Pottle, twin sisters who co-founded Rust Belt Fibershed, a bioregional textile community in the Midwestern United States. Learn more about Rust Belt Fibershed at rustbeltfibershed.com.

In this episode I speak with Patricia Nightingale and Susan Kimanzi of Kenana Knitters in Njoro, Kenya. We talk about how the business started, the wool economy in Kenya, natural plant dyes, and homemade spinning wheels. Enjoy!

I was so fortunate to visit Kenya this month and experience the magic of Kitengala Hot Glass. Listen in and enjoy the Gallery Manager, Tom, sharing the story with us!Original air date February 26, 2020

Happy February and Valentine’s Month! I’m so thrilled to interview Jay Jasper from The Alchemist’s Studio this month about his collaborative approach to craft and the art of unpredicatability in raku pottery. Please enjoy the January episode of The Just Craft!Original air date February 3, 2020

In this episode of The Just Craft, I interview vendors and attendees at Craftin’ Outlaws in Columbus, Ohio about craft sourcing and fair trade. Enjoy, and Happy Holidays!Original air date December 24, 2019

Listen in as Deborah Niemann from The Livestock Conservancy tells us all about the Shave’Em to Save’Em Initiative, and why we should be crafting with heirloom wool.Original air date November 11, 2019