Podcasts about craftcation

Nicole Swartz is the attorney and founder behind Sprout Law, a law firm for women business owners. She's also a business owner as well. In 2015, she started a skincare line that was featured in hundreds of stores around the world and even the Golden Globes gift bags. After two years, she had to rebrand the entire business because she didn't have a trademark. Now, she helps other women trademark their brands to avoid the same situation.Nicole is featured as an expert in Forbes, the Washington Post, Girlboss, and speaks at events like Alt Summit, Craftcation, and South by Southwest. Plus her Reels and TikTok about celebrity trademark gossip are pretty darn fun:)Michelle & Nicole talk about her journey into the skincare business, aspects of the trademark process, common mistakes & why trademarking is so important.This episode sponsored by Fine Lines, a west coast wholesale rep agency with showrooms in Las Vegas and Seattle representing over 50 fabulous gift, fashion + home lines.WebsiteInstagramTikTok

Let's take a dive into the vibrant world of crafting! Dave shares his adventures from the Craftcation Conference on the west coast, where he not only attended as a speaker but also participated in various hands-on workshops. He recounts his experience creating a stunning glass etching, designing custom rubber stamps, and weaving a heartfelt wire-woven pendant. Inspired by Dave's journey, Reese chats about reviving her popular craft nights. Grab yourself a craft cocktail and join us for this craft-tastic episode! Go behind the scenes, help shape our shows, and more. ⁠Subscribe to the Manic Joy email list⁠.

Nicole Stevenson and her team curate events, education, and community for creatives and passionate small business owners through Dear Handmade Life (DHL). Nicole started with her aunt, who has since moved on, by initially creating a tiny holiday craft show called Patchwork Show. Over the next decade, Patchwork Show evolved into a multi-city biannual festival. In 2011, they launched Craftcation Conference, giving small business owners and creatives support and education through four magical days of craft, business, and wellness workshops at the beach. With the additions of a blog, podcast, online shop, workshops, and a thriving virtual community, the brand became Dear Handmade Life in 2013. In this episode, Nicole chats about why she decided to build a creative community, and she provides tips on how you can too. We get into the business of Craftcation to include her decision to start delegating more after her son was born and the mental impact of having to cancel a fully planned conference due to the pandemic. Lastly, we discuss productivity tips for organizing large events and how Camp DHL will differ from other virtual spaces for creatives. Show notes: https://nachesnow.com/129

Hey friends! With the world being such a visual place, more and more of our customers are relying on product photography to tell them a story. We only have a few seconds to quickly grab our customers’ attention and get them engaged in what we’re selling. That’s why in this episode I’m talking with Chaitra Radhakrishna. Chaitra is the founder of PinkPot Studio, a Shopify design and photography studio specifically for product-based business owners.  Chaitra shared so much valuable information in this episode about how to nail your product photography. You’ll hear about the 7 different product shots that you can take (and tips on deciding which shots to take). She also shares her 5 step process for taking photos with your smartphone which, spoiler alert: you don’t need to invest in fancy equipment or tools.  Be sure to listen with a notebook handy because she gives us so many insider tips on using the “rule of thirds”, apps she recommends for editing photos and her secret formula for editing photos in lightroom: making the whites low, turning the highlights up, going high on shadows and low on blacks.    ON TODAY’S EPISODE: Common mistakes business owners make when it comes to product photography The 7 different product shots all business owners need to know about Her 5 step process for taking product photos with your smartphone Why she recommends shooting on cloudy days What the “rule of thirds” is and why you need to keep it in mind when shooting product shots Her app recommendations for editing photos Chaitra’s opinion on using Lightroom presets What tools she suggests you use in Lightroom instead of presets Her advice on not over editing your photos What services she offers in her business, PinkPot Studio RESOURCES:Rifle Paper Co. Instagram Bloomwold Studio TikTok Snapseed Adobe Lightroom Free 5 Day Product Photography Course   MEET CHAITRA: Chaitra is the founder of PinkPot Studio, a Shopify design + photography studio for product-based businesses. With over 4 years of experience in web design & development in the software industry, she started her own design studio in 2015 when she moved from India to the United States. New country, new business - it was nerve-wracking, but luckily her business took off and she never looked back. She thrives on helping women entrepreneurs create a bigger visual impact online and grow their businesses through conversion focused Shopify design and product photography. She has been featured and spoken at Alt summit, Craftcation, Snap conference, ConvertKit and Creative market among others.   CONNECT WITH CHAITRA:  Website: https://www.itspinkpot.comInstagram: @pinkpot.studio Facebook: @pinkpotxo Pinterest: @pinkpotxo   SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT Building a business is a long game, won with patience, fortitude, intentional decisions and passion.​ Inside Proof to Product LABS, you’ll receive the support, education and accountability to move your business towards your goals.   ​Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners.   SUBSCRIBE To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.  WRITE A REVIEW Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies. FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates. JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST If you'd like to receive more information about our upcoming episodes of Proof to Product including show notes and information about our guests, head over to www.prooftoproduct.com and sign up for our email list.   SHARE Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!  ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT: Proof to Product is hosted by Katie Hunt. Since 2011, Proof to Product has worked with thousands of product based businesses to help them up level, scale, and build profitable sustainable companies. You can find our show notes and additional resources at ProofToProduct.com. If you like what you heard today, please head over to Apple Podcast to leave a five star review and subscribe. Thanks so much for listening. We'll be back next week with a new episode!

Happy #SeekTheJoy Tuesday! We're so excited to share the ninth episode in our new series, “Lessons In”. Nicole Swartz joins us to share a lesson she’s learned about knowing our worth beyond how productive we are, in both her career and personal life, the growth that came from this experience, and the joy she’s found. Her reflections, honesty, and vulnerability will leave you feeling inspired, and remind you that we are so much more than the businesses we build, the promotions we do or don’t receive, and how successful we might appear from the outside. What matters is who we are, and not what we achieve. Nicole Swartz is an attorney for women business owners. She helps women start and grow their business with formation, contracts, trademarks, copyrights, and funding. Nicole is featured as an expert in Forbes, the Washington Post, Girlboss, and at events like Alt Summit, Craftcation, and SXSW. She lives in Austin, TX with her husband and two pitbull rescues, Gator and Russell. To learn more and connect with Nicole visit her website www.sproutlaw.com and www.celestinesocial.com and on Instagram @sproutlaw @celestinesocial and you can find her Podcast “Cash is Queen” here We'd love for you to check out this week's new episode and join the conversation ✨ Instagram instagram.com/seekthejoypodcast Facebook fb.me/seekthejoypodcast Twitter twitter.com/seekthejoypod E-mail sydney@seekthejoypodcast.com  Show Notes: www.seekthejoypodcast.com/show-notes

You will grow so much as a creative by stepping out of your comfort zone and doing the things that aren’t easy. In this episode, I was thrilled to have on a friend and fellow creative, Dianuh Aerin. Dianuh is an artist and the owner of Chasing Linen, a design studio specializing in watercolor and live art. We explore how Dianuh got into live art, the missteps she took on her journey of becoming an artist and how she’s learned to create boundaries with clients. She shares her candid advice for people who want to pursue creative endeavors but are afraid of being labeled a “starving artist”. She also talks about why it’s so important to take breaks, learn to say no and to remember that we’re human beings, not human doings. (This episode was pre-recorded on February 14, 2020) What’s in this episode: Being a workshop instructor for Craftcation and her memory of meeting Amy Growing by stepping out of your comfort zone What Dianuh would say to someone who is afraid of being a “starving artist” What advice she’d give to someone who feels like there isn’t a market for them How Dianuh got into doing live art What missteps she took on her journey to becoming a full-time artist Building your creative confidence muscle with clients Learning to say “no thank you” and create boundaries with clients What inspires her and her work How she handles feeling unmotivated and why she takes breaks often Dianuh’s feelings about giving up things Why Dianuh created a course about watercolor portraits Why art isn’t selfish and the power of connection that comes from art About Dianuh:Dianuh Aerin is an artist & owner of Chasing Linen, a Los Angeles based design studio specializing in watercolor illustration and live art. What originally started as a creative hobby, Chasing Linen has turned into her full-time job and a multiple 6-figure business. With her team of artists, she paints thousands of people through on-site live art events and online custom portrait shop. Dianuh is also passionate about helping others pursue their own creative dreams and shares weekly tips on the Modern Creative Podcast. Connect with Dianuh:Website | Dianuh's Instagram | Chasing Linen Instagram Links:Craftcation Patchwork Show Watercolor Portrait Course The Modern Creative Podcast The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. GerberDo Less: A Revolutionary Approach to Time and Energy Management for Ambitious Women by Kate Northrup Hope you’ve enjoyed this episode! Would love to hear from you. What is one thing you can do with the wisdom and guidance you’ve extracted from this episode to make a positive and lasting change in your own life? Connect with me on social media. You can find me @amytangerine on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and pretty much anywhere. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please rate and review on iTunes, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and let your friends know about it too! The more we spread the creativity and happiness that comes from pursuing our passions, the better off our amazing community will be. Hope you feel uplifted, energized and inspired. You are awesome! I’m Amy Tangerine encouraging you to embrace the fullness of your life!

You may remember that while at Craftcation, the gang met Jennifer Perkins, a fellow podcaster who hosts Creative Queso. She is a fantastic maker and a seasoned television host, but most importantly, Jennifer is just filled with the most incredible creative advice. You're going to love her-- such a fun hang. Check out Jennifer Perkins online. Creative Queso website: creativequeso.com Creative Queso Instagram: @creativequeso Jennifer Perkins website: jenniferperkins.com Jennifer Perkins Instagram: @jenniferperkins   - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Be a Craft Hangout Patreon! https://patreon.com/crafthangout ------------------------------------------------ Our snazzy theme song is by Scott Making Cents: https://m.soundcloud.com/scottmakingcents  ------------------------------------------------ Oh! And don’t forget to join our tribe! www.crafthangout.com www.instagram.com/crafthangout https://www.facebook.com/crafthangout

Craftcation is a phenomenal makers conference in California that runs for four days. This year, Eliza and Jessie attended, and they are bringing YOU with them on their adventure. Whether you want to feel like you attended, or re-live the glory if you did attend, this episode is going to hit the spot. Start off at the airport with your crafty hosts, spend some time at the conference, and then fly back on an airplane with the Craft Hangout gang. You'll get to hear from other makers, leaders in the crafting world (yes, Amy Tangerine pops in for a quick sec), and feel like you're on the adventure with our team. So, grab your boarding pass, and let's roll! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Be a Craft Hangout Patreon! https://patreon.com/crafthangout ------------------------------------------------ Our snazzy theme song is by Scott Making Cents: https://m.soundcloud.com/scottmakingcents  ------------------------------------------------ Oh! And don’t forget to join our tribe! www.crafthangout.com www.instagram.com/crafthangout https://www.facebook.com/crafthangout

Kathy Cornwell has over 15 years of editorial experience across numerous fields, including the art and craft industry. She has experience writing blog posts, newsletters, worksheets, and other content for artists and other creative entrepreneurs. Kathy has copyedited books, quilt patterns, brochures, websites, and many other types of creative content. She has over a decade of editing, writing, and business experience; hands-on experience with art and craft businesses as an employee as well as a hobbyist and a fervent collector; and she has kept up with technological changes as they’ve come. In this episode, we discuss why and how Kathy was able to make a pivot in her business, what brand voice is and why it’s important for your business, and how to find an editor. We also recap the Craftcation conference.   Show notes: NacheSnow.com/86

Welcome to The Wanderings episode! What does that mean? Well, we interviewed 75 fantastic makers at Craftcation 2019 who wandered into our hotel room and agreed to talk into our microphone. They are all so amazing, and we are excited for you to meet them. Also, can we win some kind of world record for number of guests in a single podcast? Somebody call Guinness!! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Be a Craft Hangout Patreon! https://patreon.com/crafthangout ------------------------------------------------ Our snazzy theme song is by Scott Making Cents: https://m.soundcloud.com/scottmakingcents  ------------------------------------------------ Oh! And don’t forget to join our tribe! www.crafthangout.com www.instagram.com/crafthangout https://www.facebook.com/crafthangout

Today’s episode of Pimp Your Brilliance is extra special because it was partially recorded during a podcasting workshop that I taught at Craftcation: Business + Makers Conference. I asked for volunteers from the audience to offer their best tips for Spring cleaning their lives and business.  Thankfully, I had 7 brave ladies step up to the mic and this episode is a result of this collaboration. I’m literally so giddy listen to the audio because this was a fun change of format for me. All of the participants' details are below and I hope you’ll look them up. Show Notes- www.keepchasingthestars.com/59 Join Star Chasers United - A private membership for side hustlers and creative entrepreneurs who want to crush their goals with structured accountability and community support. Become a member by visiting www.starchasersunited.com Craftcation Guests Becky Helms - @thepinksamurai Marcella Hill - @beingmeonpurpose Marie LeBaron - @makeandtakes Anna Newman - Booty Vintage on Etsy Francesca Berrini - unusualcards.com Yelena Figueroa - @kindofknit Colleen Heath - @topatopatradingco

My guest today is Nicole Stevenson, and she makes my new favorite crafty business retreat, Craftcation, possible. Not just Craftcation, Nicole also produces a vendor based event called The Patchwork Show, has her own podcast Dear Handmade Life, dabbles in illustration, designs and sell T-shirts made for ADD crafters like me that say “make all the things”. Honestly, Nicole is just one of those people constantly spreading inspiration and valuable information with everything she does.Host: Jennifer Perkinshttp://creativequeso.comhttp://jenniferperkins.comGuest: Nicole Stevensonhttps://dearhandmadelife.comPodcast: Dear Handmade Lifehttps://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dear-handmade-life/id957276203?mt=2Craftcationhttps://dearhandmadelife.com/craftcation-conference/Patchwork Showhttps://dearhandmadelife.com/patchwork-show/PRODUCER: Myrriah GossettMUSIC: Chris Boehk See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Delilah and Nicole discuss a few of their favorite moments from Craftcation Business + Makers Conference 2017 and share what they've learned during 10+ years of event production. Topics include building a solid team, scheduling downtime, putting your customer's happiness ahead of your own and more. To view photos, read our Craftcation recap, or for the show notes visit www.dearhandmadelife.com

Delilah and Nicole talk to Portland-based community organizer and event planner Isaac Watson of the Academy of Handmade about the importance of in-person connections in an online world. They offer advice to help introverts make connections, share how they maintain those relationships, chat about places to meet fellow creatives, and more. PLUS - In celebration of their 50th episode they're giving away access to ALL FOUR of their online workshops to a couple lucky winners. If you love the podcast and want to enter the giveaway go to the iTunes store to leave a review of the podcast. They'll be announcing the winner on Episode 51, so be sure to listen. Visit www.dearhandmadelife.com for the show notes…

Delilah and Nicole talk to artist, designer and Craftcation 2017 presenter Robert Mahar about diversifying your income streams as a freelancer in the DIY world. They discuss Robert’s path to making a living through juggling several different projects, saying yes or no to prospective opportunities, keeping your eyes open to new possibilities, the importance of finding your own way to hustle, and never being bored! Visit www.dearhandmadelife.com for the show notes...

Delilah and Nicole discuss a heated subject: sharing about your personal beliefs and politics in your business. We know this is a sensitive topic for many people. While our goal in this episode is to address balancing your personal beliefs and politics with your business, some political ideas emerged during our unscripted conversation. If you’re feeling emotionally raw or don’t want to potentially hear views that may be different than your own, we urge you to skip this episode. The views shared in this episode do not reflect the views of our sponsors or necessarily reflect those of Dear Handmade Life.    The ladies talk to artist, author, mother, and Craftcation 2017 presenter Anna Joyce about why she doesn’t shy away from not only sharing her political views and personal life on social media, but about adding products to her collection that reflect her views. Visit www.dearhandmadelife.com for the show notes...

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I've asked quilter Thomas Knauer to talk about the state of the quilting industry right now. Knauer is an academic as well as an award winning quilter and he views the industry in a way that I feel is unusual and thought-provoking. He talks about the relationship between the quest for perfectionism and quilting and how that leads to consumerism. Thomas also feels that "the quilting industry has nothing to do with quilts," a statement I ask him to unpack for us. Finally, Thomas shares a new model for local quilt shops going forward - one that I've never heard before and that definitley made me think. I hope this interview prompts some new ideas to circulate as the business of quilting changes. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Craftcation. If you’re maker, blogger or creative business owner Craftcation Conference is the perfect place for you to get all the tools and resources you need to start the business of your dreams, take your existing business to the next-level, make life-long friends and build your community, and discover or rediscover your inner artist and crafter.Come to Craftcation: Business and Makers Conference on April 27-30 2017 in Ventura, California for four life-changing days of 80+ hands-on DIY craft workshops and business classes as well as special events like happy hour, keynote dinner, morning yoga, a dance party and more.Craftcation sells out every year, so don’t miss this chance. Go to dearhandmadelife.com and use the code: whileshenaps to get $20 off and register for four days you’ll never forget. +++++ Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same. To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

Delilah and Nicole send their warmest wishes to you for a lovely and drama free holiday season. Catch up with them and a new batch of episodes on January 7th. Visit www.dearhandmadelife.com for the full archive and blog posts on everything business and creative.

Craftcation Conference 2017 is coming around again and the time to start planning is now. craftcation 2017Networking with other creatives, crafters, and business owners is important to continually grow your online business. Whether you attend meet-ups, masterminds, or conferences, getting out of your comfort zone and meeting new people is one of the secrets that many small business owners and entrepreneurs use throughout their businesses to maintain consistent growth and help drive sales. My guest on the show this week is Nicole Stevenson, co-founder of the Craftcation Conference in Ventura, California. You may remember her from Episode 116 back in February. Nicole rejoins me to talk about the importance of attending conferences throughout the year and how they can impact your business. We also discuss what inspired her and her business partner, Delilah Snell, to plan and organize a conference specifically for small, creative business owners. As Nicole says, “You have to put yourself out there and make connections”. She shares some valuable tips for entrepreneurs about what they should consider before registering to attend a conference, how to put yourself out there and connect with people before the conference takes place, and also how to determine how many conferences you should aim to attend in a given year. Nicole also shares the inside scoop on exactly what the upcoming Craftcation Conference 2017 has in store for attendees, how you can register to attend this exciting and rewarding event, and what fun activities are planned before and after the conference. [bctt tweet="Making connections with people before an event gives you a way in" username="ConvoMePodcast"] Craftcation Conference 2017 – Topics Discussed Different types of conferences available to business owners Logistics of planning and developing a conference, and specifically Craftcation How many conferences Nicole recommends business owners attend annually Nicole explains why assessing your business goals can help you determine which conferences to attend – and how many Why it is important to build and sustain an online presence before attending a conference The importance of researching and connecting with conference presenters Resources Mentioned Free Business Cards: Moo Contact Nicole Website: DearHandmadeLife.com Facebook: Craftcation Conference Use promo code: EtsyConvo to register for Craftcation Conference 2017 Conference and get $20 off your registration fee! Register to attend the exciting, educational, and rewarding Craftcation 2017, held at the beautiful beach-side hotel – Ventura Beach Marriott in Ventura California from April 27 through 30, 2017! This four-day conference is jam-packed with over 80 different workshops and presentations to help you learn everything from building and growing your social media strategies and branding your business to learning new skills like block printing and embroidery. At Craftcation 2017, in addition to the amazing presentations and workshops, you can also enjoy: Fun networking lunches A dance party Morning daily yoga A Fun Run And much, much more! Don't forget to enter the discount code – EtsyConvo – to receive a $20 discount just for being an amazing Etsy Conversations Podcast listener! Visit Dear Handmade Life to register. Please take a minute to subscribe and leave an honest review of the podcast in iTunes and Stitcher. That really helps to get the word out about the show. Connect With Me: Twitter: Follow @ConvoMePodcast Facebook Group: Etsy Conversations - This is where I'm connecting with you after the podcast. Lots of fun convos here too! Facebook: Like the Etsy Conversations Podcast Facebook Page Pinterest: Etsy Conversations Podcast Instagram: @EtsyConvo Google+: Etsy Conversations Podcast Email: Use the Contact Form OR interview [at] convome [dot] com For more help growing your Etsy-based business, check out these resources:

Have you ever wondered what it takes to launch a conference? Today Tara sits down with Nicole Stevenson, the cofounder of the popular craft and maker conference Craftcation. Nicole is also a write, illustrator, maker, teacher, creative business consultant, and the producer of Patchwork Show a modern maker’s festival. Tara wanted to shed some light […] The post Episode 56 – Hosting a Conference with Craftcation Founder Nicole Stevenson appeared first on What Works.

Delilah and Nicole talk with Rachel Smith of The Crafted Life about comparison and authenticity online. The ladies share times when they’ve fallen into the comparison game as well as tips for dealing with moments when you’re feeling less-than. They also touch on how much to share about your personal life with your online audience and stay authentic when working with sponsors. Visit www.dearhandmadelife.com for the show notes...

Delilah and Nicole talk with maker, sewist, creative entrepreneur and Craftcation presenter Sonya Phillip about crafting a wardrobe that fits your style and body. We discuss how Sonya created an ‘accidental business,' breaking the rules of sewing and fashion, and learning to love your body as it is right now. Visit www.dearhandmadelife.com for the show notes...

A quick update for our podcast listeners. The Dear Handmade Life podcast will return after a summer intermission on August 11th. We cannot wait to connect with you again. Cheers!

Delilah and Nicole return to the podcast after a long break. The ladies talk about how this year's Craftcation Conference went, what they've been doing to decompress, and begin planning for next year already! Visit www.dearhandmadelife.com for the show notes...

Things are gettin' crazy over here at Dear Handmade Life - we're preparing for Craftcation, Spring Patchwork Shows and Delilah is opening her new store! We're so excited to share these experiences with you, but we have to take a quick break beforehand. We'll be back on April 21st and this Intermission Show will give you some rich content to check out in the meantime. Happy Spring!

Join the RYHSY facebook group 100 Rejection Letters kits in Tiffany's etsy shop Show Notes: Connect with Tara: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest Tara's podcast, Explore Your Enthusiasm Elise Blaha Cripe's progress tracker Tiffany Han on CreativeLive Tara Swiger on CreativeLive Tara's Spotify playlist Craftcation

Join the RYHSY facebook group 100 Rejection Letters kits in Tiffany's etsy shop Show Notes: Connect with Tara: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest Tara's podcast, Explore Your Enthusiasm Elise Blaha Cripe's progress tracker Tiffany Han on CreativeLive Tara Swiger on CreativeLive Tara's Spotify playlist Craftcation

Lisa Solomon, an amazing Craftcation presenter, who is also a veteran teacher, artist and entrepreneur. They discuss what makes a good teacher and will help you determine if teaching is the right path for your business.

Catching Up: (0:19) Jen got a new job (new position, same company) and she's really looking forward to starting it. She did some serious spring cleaning at home. She went to Craftcation and had a great time. She even got to hang out with Kim Werker, who is an awesome crochet designer and Amy Tangerine was also there. She has been doing a lot of gigs with Ron. And she's continuing to work on Firefly sampler from Watty’s Wall Stuff. She has a lot of tiny detail work left. Laura also got a new job! This one is at a different company than where she previously worked. She has a few weeks off while she transitions and will get to spend some time with family, including helping her mother-in-law clean house for remodeling and visiting with her step-daughter and her family. She got some new lovely yarn in the mail from Annie Modesitt's yarn club and it's super pretty. In the Knitting Bag: (12:10) Jen hasn't had a lot of knitting mojo for various reasons. She worked on her blanket inspired by the Baby Yours Sweater by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee out of Cascade 220 Superwash Sport in Winter White. She finished all the knitting on her Customfit tunic top out of Cascade Heritage in Deep Plum.  Now she needs to block. Laura worked on her Yggdrasil Afghan by Lisa Jacobs out of Berroco Vintage Chunky in Mocha. She also worked on her Swirl Hat (Crochet) from Patons out of Knit Picks Gloss Fingering in black.  She worked on her Ink by Hanna Maciejewska in Dizzy Blonde Studios Superwash Sock in Applegate and she swatched for her Carson Shawl by Romi Hill out of Forbidden Woolery Pride Fingering. We thank our listeners for the good crochet swatching advice. Finished Objects: (18:36) Jen hasn't finished anything because of no mojo and no blocking space. She also seriously needs to update Ravelry. Laura has finished another preemie hat and all the crocheting on her Quinty by Bernadette Ambergen. She blocked it and wove in ends and it just needs photos. We mention Caro Sheridan's Photography Class on Craftsy. Devil's Tower: (24:46) Jen just has lots of stuff waiting on blocking and finishing. She misses her mojo. Laura had a block party and blocked Quinty, her Night Blooming Shawlette, and her Clapotis. Frog Pond: (26:07) Jen had to rip back to fix a split stitch in the sleeve cap of her tunic. She also had a sad mishap with an order from a company--just a minor mistake and the company had great customer service to fix the problem really quickly, it was just a sad disappointment to open the package and find the incorrect order. Basically, she just isn't very patient. Laura didn't have any issues, luckily. On Deck: (30:58) Jen is having trouble thinking about it because she has lost her mojo, but she wants to make some baby sweaters for various baby-having people in her life. She wants to make one sweater out of the White Birch Fiber Arts. This was inspired by Jasmin of the Knitmore Girls's sweater for her new baby. She has a lot of other stuff, including the Hitofude Cardigan. Laura wants to do a crescent or semi-circular shawl with some of her lovely new gradient yarns. Other than that, she has the same list as previously detailed in other episodes ( Knit Culture: (34:06) We review A Head for Trouble: What To Knit While Catching Crooks, Chasing Clues, and Solving Murders by Julie Turjoman from Passiflora Press. The book retails for 19.95 for a Ravelry download and starting at 20.03 for the hard copy book on Amazon (regular price $26.95). We both LOVE this book. The styling, photography, and patterns are all gorgeous. We love the details on all the patterns and can't wait to make them. The patterns are inspired by the 20's but not costumey. There are patterns for 10 hats and each hat has a matching accessory. Also each hat/accessory combination is inspired by a fictional woman detective and each hat has a paragraph describing the character who inspired it. We like it just as much as the designer's other book, Knits That Breathe. And we are really excited about the fact that this one is called "Volume I" and can't wait for "Volume II". Geek Culture: (45:37) We talk about Con Man, a new project from Alan Tudyk and Nathan Fillion and also the return of the X-Files (and Twin Peaks and Full House--so it's apparently the 90's again). Also Hot Topic and Torrid have an Orphan Black collection. Events: (50:51) Vogue Knitting Live, April 17-19 at the Pasadena Convention Center. Laura is taking Amy Herzog’s class. Camp CogKNITive is August 21-23, Camarillo, CA. It's a great and relaxing weekend. Knit Dizzney will Sunday, September 13th, 2015. There will be T-shirts, project bags, and exclusive yarn available for pre-order. The meetup will be at 2pm at the Hearthstone Lounge in the Grand Californian. Yarnopshere is October 17-18 EXPO Art Center in Bixby Knolls, Long Beach. Laura is vending.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I'm talking with Deborah Balmuth, the publisher at Storey. We recorded this podcast at Craftcation 2015 in Ventura, California. In this conversation we talk about what makes a great how-to book and how Storey selects authors, including what Deborah is looking for in a book proposal. We also talk about how craft publishing can create something that sets it apart from all of the free content available online now and we discuss the future of publishing, including an in-depth discussion on ebooks and digital marketing. And, of course, I ask Deborah to recommend great stuff she's enjoying right now. Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same. To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

Delilah and Nicole put their feet up after two insane weeks prepping, running, and closing down Craftcation 2015. They remember favorite moments and plan for next year. Visit www.dearhandmadelife.com to see the show notes.

Oooh, you guys. I've been dreaming of having Amy Tan on the show since it's inception, and I'm excited to finally bring you this episode. I met Amy a few years ago at my first Craftcation (and where I'm speaking this weekend!) and was blown away by how cool and sweet and smart and lovely she is.  Amy is a scrapbooking superstar but started out with her own clothing company. Through her experiences running her own clothing company, becoming a scrapbooking guru, and figuring out what works, Amy has learned a LOT and I love talking to her about all of it. Tune in to find out how Amy found her creative voice, what happens when her ego gets in her way (and how she bypasses that), and how she's created this magical life for herself.  Amy, I'm such a fan and can't wait to spend some time with you at Craftcation. You're gonna get a great big hug! Thank you for being awesome!  PS. Thinking about applying for It's Business Time? Applications close Friday and there are currently on 3 spots left, so don't delay!  Show Notes: Connect with Amy: Website | Blog | Instagram | Facebook Amy's new YouTube series, Design on Time Craftcation Conference Amy Poehler's Yes Please Amy's Handbook Right Brain Business Plan The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama Spirit Junkie by Gabrielle Bernstein

Oooh, you guys. I've been dreaming of having Amy Tan on the show since it's inception, and I'm excited to finally bring you this episode. I met Amy a few years ago at my first Craftcation (and where I'm speaking this weekend!) and was blown away by how cool and sweet and smart and lovely she is.  Amy is a scrapbooking superstar but started out with her own clothing company. Through her experiences running her own clothing company, becoming a scrapbooking guru, and figuring out what works, Amy has learned a LOT and I love talking to her about all of it. Tune in to find out how Amy found her creative voice, what happens when her ego gets in her way (and how she bypasses that), and how she's created this magical life for herself.  Amy, I'm such a fan and can't wait to spend some time with you at Craftcation. You're gonna get a great big hug! Thank you for being awesome!  PS. Thinking about applying for It's Business Time? Applications close Friday and there are currently on 3 spots left, so don't delay!  Show Notes: Connect with Amy: Website | Blog | Instagram | Facebook Amy's new YouTube series, Design on Time Craftcation Conference Amy Poehler's Yes Please Amy's Handbook Right Brain Business Plan The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama Spirit Junkie by Gabrielle Bernstein

  Delilah+Nicole chat with Carrie Nardini of I Made It! Market and Neighborhood Flea in Pennsylvania and Brittany Charek of Pop Shop in Texas about their holiday shows in 2014.   The conversation reveals the unique persective of an event organizer on everything from trends in makers, expectations in vendor applications, issues that arise while putting on an event and much more. Oh, and there's tequila.   For show notes, visit www.dearhandmadelife.com  

Ahh, I love Nicole and Delilah from Craftcation so so much and was thrilled to have them on the show this week!  We talked a LOT about partnerships and creative collaborations, but we also talked about how to (creatively) make the best of a shitty situation, what to do when things go wrong, and how to let things go to make room for the new in your life.  Nicole and Delilah, you are the best and I can't wait to hug you like crazy in March!  PS. Speaking of April, did you know that I'll be speaking at Craftcation 2015 along with some of my other creative friends (and podcast guests!) including: Kari Chapin, Emily McDowell, Elise Blaha Cripe, Mati McDonough...and so many more! Early bird tickets are still available. Get yours now, and we can sit on the beach together and have cocktails. It's gonna be The Best.  Show Notes: Craftcation 2015: March 26-29 in Ventura CA Register Here (Early-bird registration available until 2/15) Patchwork Show

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about producing craft conferences and shows with my guests, Nicole Stevenson and Delilah Snell. Nicole and Delilah are the co-founders of Patchwork Show, a series of indie craft fairs in California, and Craftcation, a yearly craft and business conference. In this conversation we talk about how these two shows came about and what lessons Nicole and Delilah have learned about producing excellent events for the indie craft community. And, of course, we recommend great stuff we're enjoying right now. Visit Crafcation online to register for this year's conference (March 26-29, 2015, in Ventura, CA): http://dearhandmadelife.com/craftcation-conference/ Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same. To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

Don't forget the March stashdown theme is "Madness." Post your finished objects in the thread for a chance to win a copy of Sock Yarn Shawls by Jen Lucas (Thank you to Dorothy for donating it to the podcast!) Also thank you Brenda T. for your donation to the podcast. The April Stashdown theme will be April Showers. Catching Up: (2:33) Jen is doing a show at the Found Theatre. It's parody show that spoofs telethons and medical marijuana. She also saw The Umbrellas of Cherbourg which she loved for the story, the fashion, and the knitwear. She's also taking an acting class at South Coast Repertory. She and Ron have finished watching Star Trek: Voyager and now they have started classic Star Trek. She also watched Pacific Rim and she really enjoyed it. It's not high art, but it's really good silly fun. Laura has been working on her new website and it almost ready! She is working with Furry Logic. She finally saw Catching Fire and The Dark World. She finished Broadchurch. Her granddaughter had her first birthday and Laura made cupcakes. She and Tony are considering adopting another dog. And now that she is no longer doing Nerd Wars, she is hoping to work more on designs. In the Knitting Bag: (23:41) Jen has been doing a lot of knitting. She has been working on her Rocky Coast Cardigan by Hannah Fettig out of Fibre Company Organik in Highlands. It's from the book Coastal Knits. She just started a Leah’s Lovely Cardigan out of Malabrigo Sock in Eggplant. She is working on a 2x2 rib scarf for Interval House out of Patons Wool Classic in the colorway Kimono. She's swatching for Chickadee by Ysolda's book Little Red in the City in Quince and Company Chickadee in Slate, Egret, Lichen, and Rosa Rugosa. She is also working on her Watership Down KAL in Unique Sheep Selene in the colorway Nature Walk. Laura has been making a lot of blanket squares for a Firefly afghan out of various scrap yarns. She's also working on a Nigh Side Hat by Preita Salyer for her brother in Broncos colors of Knitpicks Brava (blue, orange, and white). And she is working on a Leftie by Martina Behm, out of a Miss Babs kit in slate and reds. Finished Objects: (30:50) Laura has finished three blanket squares: the Teddy Bear Wash Cloth by Elaine Fitzpatrick in Berroco Comfort DK in brown, the Steggie Wash Baby Bib by Elaine Fitzpatrick (modified to be a square) out of Berroco Comfort DK in brown, and a feather and fan square out of Dizzy Blonde Dirty Blonde miniskeins in Meg and Pussyfootin'. Devil's Tower: (32:48) Jen is kind of annoyed with vanilla socks right now, so she's not working on them. And she's not weaving in the ends of her Mustachioed blanket. Laura may have Jen test knit some non-vanilla socks. Laura's Leftie may go in...it's hovering around. We mention the Knitmore Girls. Frog Pond: (35:06) We both are lucky and have no sad knitting stories. On Deck: (35:28) Jen wants to make a Leftie of her own and will pull stash out to make it. She also wants to make a Hitchhiker and Brickless. She might use some of the Sunnydale Yarn Club yarn for one and some Abstract Fiber for the other. She also wants to make a pair of Water for the Elephants socks by Rose Hiver in some Knitpicks Stroll in a bare (natural) and Summer Blooms (pink). She also wants to make a Lauriel Cardigan by Ysolda out of Wollmeise DK in Pesto. Laura wants to make a Leaf on the Wind "Wash" Cloth by Becka in Berroco Comfort DK in Celery. She also wants to do a Hand to Hold Dishcloth by Rachel van Schie in Dizzy Blond Studios Dirty Blonde DK in Jessica. And she wants to make a pair of mitts of her own design (it will be released as a free pattern eventually) out of a mystery alpaca yarn, for her husband. Jen talks about Edie Eckman’s Where Do They Get Those Numbers? class. Knit Culture: (44:43) We review Hank and Gracie Save the Day from Cooperative Press by Stacy Klaus, illustrated by Molly Wade. It retails for $9.95 for PDF only and $15.95 for print and PDF. We think it's great for kids, so if you have little ones in your life, we recommend it. We do the prizes for Team Knitmore for the Podcaster Throwdown. Winners for the Most Actual Hats: 1st Place: Karen E (she wins a custom dyed skein of Dizzy Blonde yarn) 2nd Place: Cozycouch (she wins a gift certificate to Cards by Erika donated by EricaR) 3rd Place: Seajaneknit (she wins a bag sewn by Jonilvsneddy) Winners for Virtual Hat Donations: Deborah C. and Stacy M. tied for the most virtual hats. They each win a kit with a skein of Imperial Yarn and pattern for Fingerless mitts. Thank you to Imperial Yarn for the generous donation. Random Drawings: punkconformity, steamlolita, Cozycouch, preylek, fraksmom, Kwerkykwilter, Kathleen M, Lifewithmonkey each win a needle case donated by Knit Totes. pbaxter wins a tote bag donated by Knit Totes. Thank you to Knit Totes. Seajaneknit wins a sampler set of needles donated by Knitters Pride. Mimisneedlebasket wins a Knitters Pride Karbonz Size 1 40" Circular Needle. KimHammons wins a Knitters Pride Karbonz Size 3 24" Circular Needle. eatwildsalmon wins a set of Knitters Pride Karbonz DPNS in Size 2. Thank you to Knitter's Pride. Preylek wins a bag sewn by JoniLvsNeddy. Thank you Joni! dpeach, Lifewithmonkey, and allison1031 each win one of Brenda Castiel's patterns of their choice. Thank you Brenda for the donation. Karen E. wins Dizzy Blonde Gift Certificate, donated by Erica R. Carolyn wins three skeins of Green Mountain Spinnery yarn. Thank you Green Mountain Spinnery for the donation! Diane P. wins a kit donated by Bijou Basin Ranch with yarn and one of Marly Bird's hat patterns. Thank you to Bijou Basin Ranch. And Kathy R. wins three skeins of Manos Serena donated by Fairmount Fibers. Thank you to Fairmount Fibers! And thank you to EVERYONE who donated hats (both real and virtual). Geek Culture: (59:28) We talk about geeky etsy stores! Jen loves the microbe cross stitch from Watty's Wall Stuff. Laura loves Self Expression shop, which sells geeky keychains. We also love Black Market Buttons and Catlore Designs for fandom buttons. And we love TheSistersBrimm shop for cosplay/vintage/steampunk hats. We also mention Giant Microbes and Nova Albion. We also talk about GeekGirls.com for some really good computer tutorials. Events: (1:06:00) The Los Angeles Yarn Crawl is April 3rd-6th. Laura is having a meet and greet on Friday, April 4th (this is a correction from last show) from 6:30 to 0:30 at Alamitos Bay Yarn Company. She is having a second meet and greet (also at Alamitos Bay Yarn Company) on Saturday, April 5th from 12pm to 3pm. The Yarnover Truck will be at Alamitos Bay at the same time on Saturday. Laura will have a custom colorway at Alamitos Bay Yarn Company. Jen is not crawling (she is out of town at Craftcation). We will be doing something for WWKIP, so watch this space for details. The date of our event will most likely be on one of the weekends (not on a weekday). Jen will most likely be at the Retzlaff Winery Fleeces, Food, and Fun event on June 7th. Our next milestone prize will be at 1000 members, so join the Ravelry Group.

Catching Up: (1:07) Laura has been basking in the afterglow and trying to recover from Stitches West. She's also been dying custom colorways for two stores for the Los Angeles Yarn Crawl. She's been watching Broadchurch. And she's been working with her nephew to design a new Dizzy Blonde website. And she's really wanting a Disneyland trip. Jen wants to go to Disneyland too, but her back needs to recover from Stitches. She's been doing some music with Ron (who's been nicely recovering from his surgery). She's been reading Sandman Overture. And she's been watching a lot of West Wing and Star Trek. In the Knitting Bag: (8:04) Laura has been working on her Leftie by Martina Behm, out of a Miss Babs kit in slate and red. She's also been working on a Teddy Bear Wash Cloth by Elaine Fitzpatrick in Berroco Comfort DK in some shade of brown. Jen has been working on her Rocky Coast Cardigan by Hannah Fettig out of Fibre Company Organik in Highlands.  She's also working on a vanilla sock out of Opal Sock Yarn (Petticoat series in greens and purples and yellows).   She's worked a bit on her Watership Down KAL shawl.  And she finished the Mustachioed blanket by Christina Behnke out of Cascade 128 Superwash in Aporto and Black. She might want to line it, because she hates the backside of intarsia. We mention the Playful Stripes Cardigan by Alana Dakos, 60 Quick Baby Knits, 60 More Quick Baby Knits, and 60 Quick Baby Blankets. Finished Objects: (16:46) Laura finished the Scallop Hat by JT creations out of Knitpicks Brava Sport in Sienna Brown. Jen finished her shawl for the Ravellenics out of Mean Girls Yarn Club. Frog Pond: (18:16) Jen had some trouble designing her shawl because she kept realizing she was going to run out of yarn and having to change the way she was going to knit it. She realized that designing a pattern for Ravellenics is probably not the smartest thing. Devil's Tower: (20:07) Laura has put Assquack into Devil's Tower.  It needs to be assembled, but she is sick of hats. On Deck: (20:37) Laura will be making a Nigh Side Hat by Preita Salyer for her brother in Broncos colors of Knitpicks Brava. She will also do some blanket squares for some of her Browncoat Nerd Wars friends who are expecting. Some will be in the Dizzy Blonde DK. Jen wants to make the Water for the Elephants socks by Rose Hiver in some Knitpicks Stroll in a pink and a natural. She also wants to make Chickadee by Ysolda out of Quince and Company Chickadee. She wants to make more baby things for the new niece or nephew, but she will have to buy more yarn because she does not have a lot of baby-appropriate (aka SUPERWASH) yarn. Knit Culture: (23:45) We do a little more of a Stitches West recap.  Jen loved all of her classes, even though recommends Edie Eckman’s Where Do They Get Those Numbers? class for mathphobic knitters. She makes it really easy. Laura loved her Brooke Nico class about German and Japanese lace. We mention Brooke Nico's new book, Lovely Knitted Lace: A Geometric Approach to Gorgeous Wearables. We mention the Yarnover Truck. We are proud to be knitting aunties to the youngest of the Knitmore Girls. We loved meeting Miss Kalendar's baby, Steve from It Takes Balls to Knit, Pam from Halos of Hope, Tammy and Ben from Fiber Hooligans, Rick Mondragon, and all the listeners we got to meet. And one final special huge thank you to the girls from Namaste for their support of the Podcaster Throwdown. And Laura wants to thank Erika, Donna, and Liz for the help in the booth. Jen wants to thank Melissa for being a great travel companion. We talk about the Podcaster Throwdown. We WON! Despite having a lot fewer listeners than some podcasts (which just makes our listeners even more awesome!). But everyone put up a great fight. Thank yous to all of you who sent hats, donated money or prizes, to Pam, Ben, Purlescence Yarns, all the podcasters, Steve Haschke (who coordinated all the hats), and the El Segundo Slipt Stitchers. Finally Tally: Team Knit Knit Cafe: 126 + 26 = 152 Team CraftLit: 280 + 20 = 300 Team Knitmore Girls: 802 + 125 = 927 Team Knotty Girls: 876 + 89 = 965 Team Sock-A-Holic: 442 + 165 = 607 Team Ready, Set, Knit: 300 + 8 = 308 Total Podcast Throwdown contribution: 2,826 + 433 = 3,259 General hats, on Stitches West show floor: 289. Previous 10 virtual hats were identified as belonging to Team Sock-A-Holic and now appear in their totals. GRAND TOTAL for Stitches West, 2014: 3,115 actual hats + 433 virtual hats = 3,548 For the Ravellenic Games, Laura didn't even cast on. She was too busy with Stitches West prep. Jen finished, but just barely, because she frogged the shawl too much. We talk about the Stashdown. March's theme is March Madness. Post a finished object on the theme in the thread to win a prize! We announce winners for February.  Jill Serenity wins the love challenge with her two cowls. She wins a copy of Cascadia by Amanda Milne and Fiona McLean, courtesy of Cooperative Press. Buzzedangel won the Red flash challenge with her red Hexipuff. She wins a set of conversation hearts stitch markers from k8erpillar. Geek Culture: (42:29) We point out some amazing math-geek knitting articles by Evelyn Lamb. Go read "The Stunning Symbiosis Between Math and Knitting" and "Roots of Unity: Knotted Needles Make Knitted Knots. We're also a big fan of the infographics that Casey put together in celebration of Ravelry reaching 4 million members. Events: (43:55) The Los Angeles Yarn Crawl is April 3rd-6th. Jen is not crawling (she is out of town at Craftcation). Laura is having a meet and greet on Thursday April 3rd from 6:30 to 8:30 at Alamitos Bay Yarn Company. She is having a second meet and greet (also at Alamitos Bay Yarn Company) on Saturday April 5th from 12pm to 3pm. We will be doing something for WWKIP, so watch this space for details. Our next milestone prize will be at 1000 members, so join the Ravelry Group.