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Linda Permann is living the ultimate crafty girl's dream in the Big Apple. She's the 26-year-old craft and decorating editor for Adorn magazine, SOHO's latest craft publication that just hit newsstands this summer.

Tune in to find out what it's like to be a craft trend-spotter who gets to bring funky and fun crafty goodness to the masses. Linda is going tell us how she landed her cool gig and what it takes to get published in her magazine.

Check out Linda's crafty "Adorn" blog for more crafty news. (I love post she wrote about the student who knitted a Ferrari and a group of English folks who knitted a house.) And check out Linda's personal website Lindamade, too.

This Week's Project is a super easy how-to from Linda for polymer clay buttons.






Click here for a little crocheted flower power. It's an Adorn exclusive free pattern for you to try out.







Episode 26 part II: This week I added a little CraftSanity bonus. After the interview with Linda, we're going to Metro-Detroit for a short chat with Alicia "Lish" Dorset, a 26-year-old member Handmade Detroit, the group that is hosting the Detroit Urban Craft Fair at the Majestic Theater in Detroit on Aug. 5. I hope to see you there.

Book giveaway: If your craft budget is low, but your love of crafting is great - don't fret! Enter the latest CraftSanity book giveaway. I'll be posting my interview with Debbie Stoller in a two weeks and will be giving away a copy of her fabulous crochet book, "Stitch 'N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker," courtesy of Workman Publishing Company. To enter, simply e-mail me your name and mailing address and I'll enter you into our random drawing. The deadline to enter is July 29. Good luck!

Crafty Announ3cement: Mark your calendars. The Detroit Urban Craft Fair is coming up Aug. 5 at the Majestic Theater in Detroit. Visit the website to learn more about this one-day alternative craft show, and check out the cool Handmade Detroit blog, too.

Support the show! Vote for CraftSanity at Podcast Alley.

Taking Names: Who do you want to hear from next? Send your comments, guest and show topic suggestions to jennifer@craftsanity.com.

In March 1998, Alicia Paulson was happy with her life. She was a 29-year-old newlywed settling into a new editing job in a new city. Then the unexpected happened. She got hit by a garbage truck.

Restricted to bed rest between the multiple surgeries required to save her foot and ankle, Alicia stitched herself a distraction. She passed some of that difficult time decorating vintage pillow cases with silk ribbon embroidery, an act that signaled the beginning of her creative awakening.

Today, Alicia, 37, is happy again. On this episode of CraftSanity, she's going to tell us the inspiring story of how she triumphed over her injury and became a successful crafty designer and businesswoman. These days she makes lovely products including handbags, aprons, paper mache birds, whimsical wire "cagelets" and crocheted baby dresses that she sells via her online shop Posie: Rosy Little Things. She is also co-owner of Ella Posie: A Baby, Bridal, Birthday and Just-Because Boutique in Portland. You might recognize her from the wonderful Posie Gets Cozy blog she writes.

Alicia's story is one of creative determination and personal reinvention, so prepare to be inspired.

Below are some of the lovely items Alicia makes.



*The self portrait at the top of the page and photos of Alicia's creations were used courtesy of Alicia Paulson. (Thanks, Alicia!)

This week's project is a very simple crochet coaster pattern from me. Whip up some new coasters in fun summer colors to give your favorite glass a cozy place to chill.

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Taking Names: Who do you want to hear from next? Send your comments, guest and show topic suggestions to jennifer@craftsanity.com.

If you craft, you probably know all about Craftster.org, the
fantastically addictive web forum that's like an online craft night that never ends. On this episode of CraftSanity, you're going to hear from the one and only Leah Kramer, the woman who launched Craftster in 2003 and has watched its member base grow to more than 60,000 crafty people around the globe.

Hip crafters can visit the site at any hour of the day and search a massive database of project tutorials to figure out how to make just about anything from crocheted Wonder Woman power braclets to shoes decorated with Starburst wrappers or some funky fabric jewelry. Because of Leah's just-right blend of computer science knowledge and love of all things crafty, we can search for project tutorials, show off our latest creations and seek crafty advice from peer experts around the globe.

As if Craftster wasn't enough of a contribution to DIYers everywhere, Leah, 31, of Boston, is part-owner of a cool store called Magpie. The store, in Somervile, Mass., stocks original creations from artists, crafters and indie designers. She is also is an organizer of Bazaar Bizarre punk rock craft fair in Boston.

Leah and I recently chatted about the creation of Craftster, her decision to leave her day job to keep it running, her collection of vintage craft magazines and her fun new book, "The Craftster Guide to Nifty, Thrifty and Kitschy Crafts: Fifty Fabulous Projects from the Fifties and Sixties.

Check out that fantastic fabric necklace Leah and I were talking about during the podcast.

And here's an easy etched glass how-to from Leah.

This episode features a song called "Extraordinary Girl" by Jack in the Pulpit supplied by the Podsafe Music Network.

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Taking Names: Who do you want to hear from next? Send your comments, guest and show topic suggestions to jennifer@craftsanity.com.

Don’t be fooled by Greg Der Ananian’s tattoos and body piercings, he knows how to get his craft on. A punk rocker of craft, Greg knits and cross stitches. And he does it his way. Sure, he’s stitched those dainty store-bought kits, but that got old. He'd much rather create the humorous and slightly off-color cross stitch designs that he sells under the name “Dirty Pillows.”

And thanks to Greg, there is a venue for non-traditional crafters to showcase their wares. Greg is the 30-year-old proud founder of Bazaar Bizarre, a punk rock craft fair that features crafty venders with talent and attitude. He kicked off the first Bazaar Bizarre in 2001 near Boston. A wild success, the alternative craft event has spread to L.A. (the city Greg now calls home), San Francisco and Cleveland. California listeners can check out Bazaar Bizarre this Saturday and Sunday (April 22 and 23) at the Maker Faire at the San Mateo Fairgrounds.

And that's not all. Greg is also the author of “Bazaar Bizarre Not Your Granny’s Craft Book”featuring project ideas from Greg and several of his crafty friends. The book contains craft Q&A with each artist and clever instructions for fun goods like anarchy soap and vinyl record cuffs and, of course, a cross stitch project from Greg. Check it out and be inspired to craft outside the box.

Thanks to Greg for smashing the stereotype of crafting in America. By creating Bazaar Bizarre, he has freed crafters everywhere to be who they are and craft as they please. Rock on, Greg.

This week's musical selection is "Man Droid" by Greg's band Pretty Pony. Enjoy!

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Taking Names: Who do you want to hear from next? Send your comments, guest and show topic suggestions to jennifer@craftsanity.com.

Throw some glitter in the air, it’s time to get your craft on. Ever wondered what it’s like to live the ultimate crafty life? Well, you’re about to find out from one of the craftiest crafters around. This week we’re going to sample Kathy Cano Murillo’s glittery world. She’s the Crafty Chica and she’s crafting everywhere these days.

This 41-year-old working mother writes a nationally syndicated craft column for The Arizona Republic, designs and sells latino artwork from her home studio, and just came out with a new book called “Crafty Chica’s Art de la Soul, Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life.”

Kathy is one busy chica. She has a craft TV show in the works and big crafty plans for a creativity cruise that will be leaving port in September. In this show, Kathy will take behind the crafty of her life and tell how she’s managed to score one crafty gig after another.

Kathy’s new book is in stores now and Amazon.com, so check it out. It contains a little bit of everything from jewelry projects, love shrines and quilts to recipes for body polish and white chocolate sugar skulls. Personal essays documenting Kathy’s craft adventures are sprinkled throughout the book for added entertainment value and fun.

Visit Kathy on the web and be sure to check out her cool embellished bottle cap magnet how-to.

Taking Names: Who do you want to hear from next? Send your guest and show topic suggestions to jennifer@craftsanity.com

Photos used courtesy of Kathy Cano Murillo.



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Tune in to Learn How to Embrace Your Angst


Renée Rigdon and Zabet Stewart aren't ashamed of their anger. They're so comfortable with it, in fact, that they made it their inspiration for The Anti Craft, their online craft zine where they celebrate the darker side of crafting. You won't find any foo-foo patterns or girlie, girlie designs on their site. What you will find an assortment of cool craft patterns to channel your rage against whatever is that ticks you off.

cheating boyfriends
caddy girlfriends
condescending freaks
disease
death
materialistic society
war

It's okay to be mad about this stuff. With patterns like the "Curse Your Boyfriend Sweater," "Snowballs Chance in Hell" and "Flowers On A Grave," The Anti Craft can provide you with plenty of patterns to make you smile despite whatever ails you.

So what's up with these crafting Anti Craft chicks? Are they weird goth girls that hate everything? I'm not going to dignify those questions with an answer, it would only make them more angry. Either you get what they're doing, or you don't. The dark poetic verses that accompany several of the patterns are not for everyone, but neither are other artists' frilly doilies and rainbow dog sweaters. If you must know, Renée, a 26-year-old stay-at-home mom and writer, and Zabet, a 30-year-old graphic designer, are both married Stitch'n Bitch members who craft out their angst in Lexington, Kentucky. They're glad crafting is all rage. They just don't believe every craft has to be cute and perky.

So, forget what society tells you about managing your anger and not making a scene. Bottling it up only leads to bulging forehead veins and heart attacks. Instead of feeling pressure to smile with your teeth clenched while feeling like you just might implode, craft out your angst, discontent, disenchantment or whatever else is stewing inside. Own it. Make it your craft supply. Turn it into something dark and spectacular.

Then write down the pattern and submit it to Renée and Zabet. Who knows, your anger might just be enough to catapult you into one of their upcoming issues. Pretty cool, eh?

Here is an Anti Craft Valentine's Day surprise from Renée and Zabet.

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Taking Names: Who do you want to hear from next? Send your guest, product review and show topic suggestions to jennifer@craftsanity.com

Music in this podcast was used courtesy of freeplaymusic.com.