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When Lisa Kartus makes a knitting mistake, she revels in it. Tune in to this episode of CraftSanity to hear how this financial reporter turned knitting writer has emerged on the crafty scene with her debut kniitting book "Knit Fix: Problem Solving for Knitters"

Drop a stitch or cross your cables in the wrong direction? No problem, Lisa is here to help. Her book is a wonderful resource for DIYers looking to repair those annoying knitting mistakes and get on with their stitching. Lisa, 53, of Wheaton, Ill., details a variety of common knitting mistakes and their remedies. This is a great book to read, then keep on hand for those inevitable knitting emergencies.

Check out the rest of Lisa's"Get Your Knit Fix" Blog Tour.

WIN LISA'S BOOK!!!

WIN A COPY of "Knit Fix: Problem Solving for Knitters" courtesy of the folks at Interweave Press. All you have to do is e-mail me a photo and brief desciption of your knitting problem by 5 p.m. Sept. 19. I'll enter your name in the random drawing and forward your knitting problem on to Lisa, and she'll consider it for a possible write up on her website www.knitmaven.com,

Starting in October, she’ll also broadcast and discuss this weekly knit fix on Cast-On: A Podcast for Knitters, hosted by Brenda Dayne. (Brenda was featured on CraftSanity episode 22.)

We Have "Sweet" Challenge Winners!
We have four winners for collage artist Claudine Hellmuth's books. Check out the gallery of fabulous entries and see who won!

Get your craft on at the Renegade Craft Fair from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 16 & 17 at Chicago's Wicker Park.

Support the show! Vote for CraftSanity at Podcast Alley.
Or, buy a CraftSanity T-shirt or button.

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

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Looking for an easy way to get the word out about your crafty creations? You're in luck! On this episode of CraftSanity we're going to meet the one and only Marie Kare, the brilliant creator of the Sampler, a marketing and promotional tool designed to help indie business folks get exposure.

Since 2004, artists, crafters, zine makers, record labels and other creative entities have been shipping samples of their products to Marie, 28, of Sacramento, Calif. She photographs the samples to post on her website and then packages them up to ship off to subscribers, other Sampler contributers and the media.

Tune in for a fun chat with Marie (pictured to the left from a few years ago) honoring the second birthday of the Sampler, then head over to her website and see what you've been missing. Whether you have a crafty business or indie band to promote, or you just like the idea of getting cool stuff in your mailbox -- the Sampler is a crafty venture worth supporting. Is there really anything better than getting crafty goodness delivered straight to your door? Subscriptions are free for contributors, so it's a fun way to promote your business and enjoy samples from your crafty peers.

Be sure to read Marie's fun interviews with movers and shakers of the crafty world and check out some fab how-tos submitted by some fantastic crafters. And find out how to contribute and subscribe here.

WARNING: The Sampler IS VERY ADDICTIVE. Marie and Jennifer are not liable if you end up drooling on your front porch, awaiting delivery of your next Sampler. So, please Sample responsibly, folks.

This Week's Project: As a crafty haiku expert, Marie was kind enough to share this impressive how-to written in, you guessed it, haiku.

WIN FREE BOOKS! There's still time to enter the giveaway for one of collage artist Claudine Hellmuth's books, The folks at North Light Books have kindly donated copies of both Claudine's fabulous books for a CraftSanity giveaway, so don't miss your chance to win one of four prizes.

Bust out your craft supplies and take Claudine's 20-minute quick challenge. Make a piece of art in the medium of your choice (collage, knit, felt, sew, crochet, quilt, sculpt, whatever... ) inspired by the word "SWEET" and e-mail it to me along with your name, address and anything you'd like to say about your entry. Abby, a.k.a. CraftSanity's 2-year-old vice president of fun, will randomly select four lucky winners. Entries will not be judged, but celebrated in a gallery posting on this website.

The deadline is 12 p.m. EST, Monday, September 11. (Since this podcast posting was late, I'll let a the stragglers sneak in their entries if they arrive in my in-box by Tuesday.) So get to it! Have fun and good luck!

Get your craft on at the Renegade Craft Fair from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 16 & 17 at Chicago's Wicker Park.

Support the show! Vote for CraftSanity at Podcast Alley.
Or, buy a CraftSanity T-shirt or button.

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

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Laughter comes easy for Claudine Hellmuth, 31, a mixed media collage artist and author living the ultimate creative life in Orlando, Fla. Her humorous and whimsical artwork is fantastic, with her latest pieces including collage scenes featuring back and white photos. (Above are some of her recent commissioned pieces.) She travels the country teaching art workshops and makes art, including several commissioned pieces, in her home studio.

Claudine has worked very hard to make a life for herself as a professional artist and the cool part is she’s willing to tell us how she did it. In this episode, Claudine is going to share the story of how she became a professional artist. She’ll also share some tips about finding your artistic voice.

She’s written two books “Collage Discovery Workshop” and “Collage Discovery Workshop: Beyond the Unexpected.” She has also produced two instructional DVD’s. Her work has been featured in fine art poster designs, in numerous magazines, and her designs have been fashioned into fun rubber stamps and scrap-booking supplies.

Check out Claudine’s web site, blog, and podcast.

This Week's Project & CraftSanity Giveaway: This week I'm going to bribe you to get crafty. The folks at North Light Books have kindly donated copies of both Claudine's fabulous books for a CraftSanity giveaway, so don't miss your chance to win one of four prizes. Bust out your craft supplies and take Claudine's 20-minute quick challenge. Make a piece of art in the medium of your choice (collage, knit, felt, sew, crochet, quilt, sculpt, whatever... ) inspired by the word "SWEET" and e-mail it to Jennifer along with your name, address and anything you'd like to say about your entry. (Tune in to this week's episode for more info.) Abby, a.k.a. CraftSanity's 2-year-old, vice president of fun, will randomly select four lucky winners. Entries will not be judged but celebrated in a gallery posting on this website. The deadline is 12 p.m. EST, Monday, September 11, so get to it! Have fun and good luck!

Support the show! Vote for CraftSanity at Podcast Alley.
Or, buy a CraftSanity T-shirt or button.


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

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Rhonda Simmons is a 43-year-old artist living in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada where she documents life with plaster castings and empowers other women to celebrate themselves in their own artistic ways. And it's Rhonda's whimsical spirit that led her to convert feminine hygiene dispensers into colorful "Outsider Art in a Box" dispensers. Who would of thought those dispensers could ever be so fun?







Tune in for our chat about art parties, body casting, using art as therapy, artist trading cards and art vending.

Rhonda sells body casting kits. Below is one of her embellished creations.



After you listen to the show check out Rhonda's "Altered Anything" and art vending sites. Rhonda is going to be starting and "Outsider Art in a Box" subscription soon, so be sure to contact her through her website if you're interested. You'd be getting cool stuff like these samples she send me.

This is the box the art comes in.

I got a chalk board necklace by Rhonda, a mini-watercolor painting by Rachel Daws and a coffee condom by Kathy Braun.



Check out these other art vending sites:
 
Art-o-mat
Button-o-matic
Hayvend
vendart.org 
 

This week's project is an artist trading card how-to from Rhonda.


Support the show! Vote for CraftSanity at Podcast Alley. Or, buy a CraftSanity T-shirt or button.


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

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Since her debut book “Knitting in America” captivated a new generation of knitters in the mid-'90s, legions of yarn loving fans have grown to recognize Melanie Falick’s name on the front of a book as a symbol of quality. Like so many others, I’ve collected and enjoyed her books over the years. Therefore, I'm especially pleased to feature a conversation with her on this week’s show.


Melanie didn’t disappoint this long-time fan and she’ll likely engage you, too. We talked about how she got her start as a writer, knitter and editor and how this crafty combination of skills led her to her current gig as the editorial director for Stewart, Tabori & Chang (STC) Craft Melanie Falick books.

The former editor of Interweave Knits, Melanie, 43, lives with her husband and son in Beacon, New York. Tune in for an insider's view of the publishing world and hear some valuable advice about becoming the next best-selling crafty author. Should you get an agent, or fly solo through book contract negotiations? Check out the podcast for some great advice.

Two clarifications from Melanie
* During the interview Melanie said she wrote an article for Interweave Knits on knitting in the Orenburg region of Russia. She remembered later that she wrote that story for Piecework, another Interweave magazine.
* In the beginning, Melanie talked about STC's kids craft series. She mentioned "Kids Weaving" and "Kids Crochet," but she wants you to know there's a third book "Kids Embroidery", which she does mention at the end of our chat.


Recognize these? If you knit, you probably have a couple of Melanie's lovely knitting books on your shelf.

* Photo of Melanie Falick courtesy of STC Craft.


Coming Soon: Check back later for this week's project.


Support the show! Vote for CraftSanity at Podcast Alley. Or, get some cool CraftSanity gear.




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

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Tune in for three perspectives on a fabulous art form.


(From left) Jane Patrick, Richard Ashford, Nilda Callanaupa)

Sometimes the craft gods smile upon us and we just have to soak it all up. That's exactly what I did when Convergence 2006, the Handweavers Guild of America international convention, made a stop in Grand Rapids, Mich. last month. I grabbed my recording equipment and headed downtown to tape some mini-interviews with weaving enthusiasts from around the globe.

Nilda Callanaupa weaves to preserve history. As the founder and director of The Center for Tradicional Textiles of Cusco, Peru, she is on a mission to celebrate and pass on the 2,000-year-old weaving traditions still practiced in villages where Andean weaving traditions documenting the weavers' connection to nature have been handed down for generations.

In 1996, Nilda, 46, established the non-profit organization to encourage the survival of the region's rich Incan textile traditions. Nilda is an accomplished weaver, who like the weavers she teaches, can weave and knit beautiful complex designs from memory. Below Nilda's assistant, Maria Ester Quispe, 30, is knitting an amazing piece without the benefit of a pattern.



Nilda will be leading an Andean Textile Tour of Cusco, Peru from April 28 to May 12, 2007, so check out the details. And you can purchase the amazing textiles of weavers organized by her weaving center via this site.

* * * * *

Next, Richard Ashford, the managing director of Ashford Handicrafts in Ashburton, New Zeeland, chats about his life running the family business and traveling the globe to sell looms and spinning wheels and many other products to fiber enthusiasts. He almost sold me this loom. I tried it out at the convention and loved it, but ended up walking away from temptation... for now at least. In an act of clever marketing, it's called the "Ashford Knitters Loom." It's light, and portable and easy to use. Knitters who want to learn to weave would probably enjoy this loom.



* * * * *


Now we’re going to conclude with a chat with Jane Patrick, the former editor of Handwoven Magazine, and author of the new book “Time to Weave: Simply Elegant Projects to Make in Almost No Time" published by Interweave Press. Jane is also the sales manager of Schacht Spindle Co., a friendly competitor of Ashford Handicrafts, so it’s only fair that I let her make the pitch for the slick loom her husband, Barry Schacht, created to compete with Ashford’s Knitters Loom. (They both retail for about $200.) Personally, I'd like to own them both. (It's true, I have a weaving addiction.)

Tune in to the podcast to hear Jane recount the story of how she and Barry met, and click here to read about how their business got started.

Jane's new book, "A Time to Weave" is a great primer for those looking to get into weaving without spending hundreds on a loom. The book guides readers through a number of interesting and relatively simple weaving projects that use a fabulous mix of materials ranging from traditional fibers to brown paper bags, sticks, canvas and cork. While the book includes basic information about weaving on simple looms, it still offers plenty of inspiration for experienced weavers looking for a portable project.

This Week's Project: Here are Jane Patrick's instructions for this fun and easy Pocket Weave Sachet (pdf download) that is woven on a piece of cardboard. This is a bonus project you won't find in her book. (Thanks to Jane and all the Interweave staffers who made this possible!)

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.

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Tune in this week for a chat with Debbie Stoller, the co-creator of Bust magazine and author of the "Stitch 'N Bitch" books that have inspired thousands to pick up their needles and start knitting and crocheting. Many of you are probably familiar with her wildly popular knitting book "Stitch 'N Bitch Nation" that was joined recently in bookstores by her latest crafty publication, "Stitch 'N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker."




Debbie has some impressive credentials. She earned Ph.D. in the psychology of women from Yale in the late 1980s, but decided not to lock herself in an academic ivory tower. Instead she set out to do something about one of the things she thought was jacked about the world: the media. Since her research was on women and media, she’s dedicated her career to doing what she can to make it better for women.

Today you’ll hear how she made her way from an entry level job at Nickelodeon to become a successful indie publisher who helped grow Bust from a homemade zine to the sassy magazine you can find today at your local newsstand.











This Week's Project... is a free scarf pattern from Debbie's "Stitch n Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker." Thanks to Workman Publishing for letting me post the pattern and photo to the left.







CONTEST RESULTS: And the winner is of the free copy of the "Stitch 'N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker" is... Shannon in Las Vegas!

Her best friend, Emily, entered her name in the contest, so Shannon you have Emily to thank. Thanks again to Workman Publishing for donating the book. Congrats Shannon!

Crafty Announcement: 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.

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Amy Karol knows what it’s like to land a great job, only to go work and feel like something is seriously wrong. After graduating from the University of Oregon with a degree in interior architecture, she landed an impressive job as a commercial interior designer and got to work. But she’s wasn’t feeling it.

She was the new girl with purple hair in the office full of corporate types with mustaches. After dying her hair back to a more natural shade, she quickly realized that wasn’t going to change the fact that she would never enjoy meaningless water-cooler small talk. At her core, she could not conform to the norms of the corporate world. Tune in to find out how she made the transition from corporate to a crafty.

It took a few years, but Amy eventually reclaimed an artistic life for herself. She started making art again – jewelry, mono prints, and quilts – and let go of the job that didn’t suit her.

Today she is a 34-year-old artist, wife and mother of two pre-school aged daughters living with her husband in Portland, Oregon. She showcases her art quilts, prints, paper goods and paintings on her King Pod site and documents her creative life in her "Angry Chicken" craft weblog. Amy also runs Mailorder, a subscription-based, craft activity club that has involved ID cards, merit badges, fake money, secret passwords and decoder rings. Here are some of Amy's small quilts.

She also runs the Tie One On website that serves as a fantastic gallery of homemade aprons made by enthusiasts all over the globe. Every month she cooks up a new theme and invites participants to make aprons to showcase on the site. Yes, aprons are hip, if you haven’t noticed. Here are some of Amy's apron creations.

The lovely music at the end of the show is by Amy’s husband, Pete Matern. The song is called “Cedars.” Thanks, Pete.
Here's a link to his old band, the Ex-Hustlers. He is currently working on a solo project.

This week's project is Amy's redwork embroidery pattern. Download the PDF and here is a larger photo of the finished piece.












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 next week 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!

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.

This week’s burning question:

If you could be a superhero, what kind of superhero would you be? What kind of super power would you possess? What would your costume look like? Just for kicks... check out this superhero generator. 

Listen to Amy describe her superhero project in this week’s podcast then leave a comment at the end this entry with details about your superhero aspirations. Come on, you know you wish you had the power to zap, fly, and make homemade Christmas presents faster than a speeding bullet.

Leave super comment by clicking the link below

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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.

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This week I’m going to bring you a chat with Heidi Kenney, the crafty woman behind the website and online shop My Paper Crane. She’s a hip 28-year-old, Baltimore-area artist making impressive plush creations. She’s a mother and maker who creates whatever she wants out of fabric.

From plush toast, tissues and trees, to super-sized tampon dolls, cabbage and cookies, Heidi can make it from scratch without a pattern.



A mix of attitude and humor, Heidi’s work is as impressive as it in funny. Not everyone can appreciate a smiling tampon doll, but she’s selling them like hotcakes. Aside from the buzz she’s created in online craft circles, Heidi was recently featured in a New York Times Magazine article about artists and crafters selling their work online.

Oh look, she spins, too! Here are some of Heidi's one-of-a-kind yarns.



What to know more about Heidi? Read her blog and shop for fantastic creations here.

This week's project is a recipe from Heidi. This recipe calls for a wild sense of humor and a creative appreciation of toilet jokes. (Heidi makes toilets, too.)

* Awesome photos used courtsey of Heidi Kenney. (Thanks!)




Crafty Annoucement: 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.

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Tune in for a chat with Betz White, 41, a fashion designer, artist and crafter living in Verona, Wisconsin.

She’s going to give us an inside scoop on children’s apparel design and share the story of how she’s developing her own signature line of handmade goods that incorporate her skills as a knitter with her knack for working with recycled wool and cashmere sweaters.

Betz is a great inspiration for all you folks at home hoping to break into the wonderful and challenging handmade goods market. So settle in with your latest project, and prepare to be inspired.

Below is a sampling of the pin cushions and blankets and book covers she's fashioned out of old sweaters.

Visit Betz's blog and find out how to order her creations here. Or better yet, stop by her booth at Craftstravaganza July 8 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.

This week's project is a Shibori Scarf tutorial by Betz. Scrounge up a an old wool sweater and get to work.

Loose Ends:

* And the winner of the "You Grow Girl: The Groundbreaking Guide to Gardening" book is .... Sandra Tournemille of British Columbia, Canada! Sandra edged out the competition by crafting her way through a wardrobe disaster. Instead of crying for days after her husband accidently washed her favorite angora hoodie, she just cried a little and then got out her scissors and got crafty. Read the story of how she survived the sweater tragedy with a little good, 'ol craft therapy. Congrats Sandra. Way to turn a bad situation around.

This beloved sweater...



became a vest, a pillow and a baby bonnet. Fantastic!



Emma Dines submitted another noteworthy entry -- a set of shelves she made from a discarded refrigerator door. This you have to see. Check it out!



* The Red Thread Project: Visit my blog for photos and a short report about Friday's Red Thread Project performance in Grand Rapids.

Caroline Clark, 43, of Grand Rapids, was just one of the hundreds of people who participated in the June 30 Red Thread event. She's a cancer survivor who knitted four hats for the project.

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.

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Tune in this week to hear a chat with Gayla Trail, designer, photographer and creator of www.YouGrowGirl.com, the fantastic everything-garden website. She's a crafty girl with a green thumb growing her own in Toronto.

In this episode Gayla, 32, will tell us the story of how her website sprouted into the book (You Grow Girl: The Groundbreaking Guide to Gardening) and now a TV show in the making. In her book, Gayla presents great gardening information in an accessible and fun-to-read way, giving even the greenest rookie a boost of confidence.

If you don't garden already, you're likely to be inspired to start after this episode. Don't have a back yard? No problem. Gayla emphasizes that gardens can be grown just about anywhere the sun shines and encourages apartment dwellers to try growing tasty treats in containers on even the smallest of balconies.

Another excellent feature of her book is that Gayla likes to craft, so the book is loaded with instructions for making everything from planter boxes and leaf-shaped garden stones to journals, aprons and tea bags.

Contest update: I'm extending the contest to win Gayla's book for one more week. The deadline is now July 1, so send me your eco-crafting ideas. (Entries can be things you've made from recycled materials or with items found in nature, or send me a link to websites featuring great eco-craft ideas.) The folks at Simon and Schuster donated a copy of Gayla’s awesome book, “You Grow Girl: The Groundbreaking Guide to Gardening” that I will be giving to the listener who submits the coolest eco-friendly craft idea. My hope is to be able to post some fantastic project ideas on the website.

Here are links to Gayla's other creative endeavors:

• SUPERfantastico
• SeeFeelThink
• MakingHappy
• Photogrammetry at Harbourfront Centre's Service Canada building (May 13 - July 9)

And she's also a contributor to the book Tease : Inspired T-shirt Transformations by Superstars of Art, Craft, and Design

This week's project: Check out Gayla's recipe for herbal bath tea.

Here are some links to other projects by Gayla:
• Cheap n' easy plant-related gifts
• Grow a Crate o’ Mache
• Decorative envelopes for sorting seeds
• Turn your plastic bottles into miniature greenhouses
• Drip irrigation system with pop bottles
• Organic fertilizers and remedies
• Growing projects

Knit a Difference: Visit iknit.org where you can go to find out how to stitch your part of a unique knitted petition to express support of the International charity WaterAid. That organization has joined forces with I Knit, to petition for water and sanitation for all.

Participants are being asked to knit 15 x 15 cm squares (15 cm = 5.90551181 inches) that will then be stitched together to form a petition in the shape of a woollen river. The river will then be used as part of the charity's campaigning activities. The squares can be any shade of blue and stitched in any pattern. WaterAid is also encouraging people to donate blue yarn that will be used to knit the squares together. Completed squares should be sent to Knit a river, I Knit, 7 Courthope House, Hartington Road, London, SW8 2HS.


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.

* Author photo by Davin Risk

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If you knit and you own an iPod, this week's guest needs no introduction. Pour yourself some tea and grab your knitting because you’re about to hear from Brenda Dayne, producer of "Cast-On, a podcast for knitters."






For those who have yet to get hooked on her show, here's little background info. Brenda is a 46-year-old American writer and knitter living in west Wales. She’s witty, funny and can work a mic like a professional broadcaster -- a trait that has won her the admiration of many of her crafty podcasting peers. Her knitting podcast is wildly popular, with thousands of knitters around the globe tuning in each week.

I had the pleasure of chatting with Brenda recently about a variety of topics including knitting, podcasting, creative living and her decision to pack up her life and follow her heart to Wales. She's currently on a podcasting break and gearing up for the next season of "Cast-On" which begins July 7. Tune in for a chat with Brenda to get you though the break.

This week's project is a sock pattern from Brenda inspired by the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.

Next Week's Show: I’ll be posting an interview with Gayla Trail, creator of the fantastic You Grow Girl website. And I’m running a contest because the folks at Simon and Schuster donated a copy of Gayla’s awesome book, “You Grow Girl: The Groundbreaking Guide to Gardening” that I will be giving to the listener who submits the coolest eco-friendly craft idea by Saturday, June 24. The winner will be announced when I post the interview with Gayla. My hope is to be able to post some fantastic project ideas on the website when I release the green CraftSanity episodes in the coming weeks.

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.

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by Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood

So I'm very pleased this week to introduce you to Ted, a 64-year-old retiree from Sparta, Michigan, who carves beautiful walking sticks and enjoys the occasional primitive camp-out. Recently I took my little show on the road to Sparta, where I visited his basement workshop and learned a thing or two about crafting with wood.

The way Ted and I met is kind of a curious tale. About a month ago, I struck up a conversation with a guy named Arlen at the local Woodcraft store. I was there to buy a knife to try to whittle a crochet hook. I knew my reason for entering the store was pretty unusual, but Arlen was very nice about it. He showed me the display of knives, gave me a fantastic tip for speed-drying twigs in the microwave and told me about his friend, Ted, who teaches carving classes at the Grand Rapids store.

One of Ted’s bearded sticks was on display near the checkout counter. When I saw it, I was intrigued. I told Arlen about my podcast and asked if he thought Ted would be interested in being on the show. I left the store that day with Ted’s phone number and the rest is history. So check out this week's podcast to hear the story of Ted Anderson, the walking stick maker.





Click here for some pictures that I took of him making him this walking stick.

You can e-mail Ted here.

This Weeks' Project: Click here for my instructions for making a pair of rustic knitting needles out of twigs. (They're much easier to make than a crochet hook.) I do not knit with twig sticks very often. But it's a comfort to know that I'd be able to fashion some out of a tree limb, unravel a sweater and knit away should I ever get stranded out in the woods without needles. These rustic needles actually look cool as a decoration. So make a pair, and knit a small swatch to leave out on the coffee table as an interactive conversation piece.

Next Week's Show: I'll be back next week with an interview with Brenda Dayne, the host of Cast On, that wonderful podcast for knitters.

Exciting Contest News: On June 26, I’ll be posting an interview with Gayla Trail, creator of the fantastic You Grow Girl website. The folks at Simon and Schuster donated a copy of Gayla’s awesome book, “You Grow Girl: The Groundbreaking Guide to Gardning” that I will be giving to the listener who submits the coolest eco-friendly craft idea by Saturday, June 24. The winner will be announced when I post the interview with Gayla. My hope is to be able to post some fantastic project ideas on the website when I release the green Craftsanity episodes in the coming weeks.


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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.

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This week we’ll hear the story of an artist living a creative life on the outskirts of Marfa, Texas. Katherine Shaughnessy is the 36-year-old fine artist making a name for herself in the craft world and as the creator of the hip Wool & Hoop Crewel Embroidery Kits. She’s also the author of a fabulous embroidery book called: “The New Crewel, Exquisite Designs in Contemporary Embroidery ,” (Lark, 2005).

I met Katherine in 1998 when she was the artist in residence at Central Michigan University and I was wrapping up my journalism degree. That semester I squeezed a fiber art class into my schedule so I could take a class with my roommate – an art major – before we graduated. The class made a wonderful impression on me. Katherine showed us how to use crafty traditional methods like knitting, quilting and embroidery in unconventional ways.
I was so happy when I stumbled across Kathrine’s book while surfing the net recently. It was great to get a chance to chat with her again. So, tune into this week's show to hear about Katherine's life, art, crafts and the cross country adventure that led her to a little art meca in West Texas.





While Katherine is known for her efforts to bring crewel back into the crafting mainstream, here true love is fine art.
She creates intriguing sculptural pieces including those featured in her "Adventures in Bioengineering" and "Landscapes" collections.

This week's CraftSanity project is a Katherine Shaughnessy-inspired art sampler exercise that will get you thinking about making art with just about everything you see.

Annoucements: June 10 is World Wide Knitting in Public Day, so get ready to take your needles to the streets. I’d like to see the day expand to all art and craft mediums. So if you don’t knit, make whatever you make is a place where people can admire your work.

Call for Green ideas! Thanks to those of you who responded to last week’s request for eco-friendly crafting ideas. You’ve pointed me to some very interesting artists who create wonderful work with recycled materials. Please keep the project ideas and guest suggestions coming. And don’t be shy about sending photos of the cool projects you’ve made yourself. My hope is to be able to post some fantastic project ideas on the website when I release the green Craftsanity episodes in the coming weeks.

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

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From a purple house with a bright red door in Canberra Australia, Kathreen Ricketson, a 34-year-old working mom, has created a new crafty portal that highlights the latest and greatest in the artsy, crafty world.

The site - whipup.net - is fabulously addictive and wonderfully inspiring. It's all about "handcraft in a hectic world." It's an place for artists and crafters to share ideas and pass along information about the wonderful world of handcraft. On any given day there's usually a post of two to inspire the creative mind and delight the crafty senses.

The beauty of "Whip up" is that it calls upon the strengths of more than two dozen contributors who excel at a variety of creative specialties from fiber art to photography. Kathreen and her colleagues together comb the web for artists to celebrate and interesting bits of information to share with all of us who love making stuff.

There's even a motivating factor for creative types who need a little competitive motivation to get crafting. It's called Whiplash and it's a competition that requires entrants to create something over the weekend and submit a photo of it for a chance to win great prizes and kits. Participants can work in the medium of their choice. The only requirement is that folks create something inspired by a particular theme that Kathreen announces at the start of each contest.

Before she created "Whip up," Kathreen launched the popular Self Portrait Tuesday website, that has encouraged people from all over the world to document their lives and publish their photos on the web. Also, check out her Self Portrait Challenge site. Obvioulsy, Kathreen is on a roll. Tune in to this week's CraftSanity podcast find out more about her and where she gets these fantastic ideas.

Check out Kathreen's Red Current and Handy Projects blogs to read about the creative life she's living. (Her husband cooks with the mud oven above that he constructed in their yard.) And view some of her photographs here.

This week's project is a tutorial from Kathreen that shows how to make super cute pants for kids. The project is a great way to use that fabric you have stashed away while creating a one-of-kind look for a special child in your life.

ATTENTION LISTENERS: I NEED YOUR HELP! I'm planning to do a show or two about eco-friendly handcraft. So I'm collecting project ideas for creating cool stuff with recycled materials and want to hear about your favorite artists and crafters who specialize in earth-friendly crafting. Please send me your ideas and I'll be absolutely delighted to hear from you. Thanks!


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

"An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet regardless of time, place or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle but it will never break." - Chinese Proverb


Lindsay Obermeyer and her daughter, Emily.

So have you heard about the Red Thread Project yet? On this episode you'll hear from Chicago fiber artist Lindsay Obermeyer, creator of the fantastic Red Thread Project, which is under way in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Hundreds of people throughout West Michigan are knitting and crocheting hats that will be connected to the red thread Lindsay is busy knitting. She estimates the the thread will stretch about a half mile when completed. This community art project is being organized locally by ArtWorks and the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA).

Once all the hat making is complete and all the hats are connected to the red thread, hundreds of people will gather at 7 p.m. Friday, June 30 at Rosa Parks Circle, in downtown Grand Rapids and put on the connected hats to share in a community wide performance art experience.

After the performance and subsequent exhibition of the connected hats at the UICA, the hats will be distributed to cancer patients who have lost their hair.

Inspired to make a connected garment of your own? You're in luck, Lindsay kindly submitted a fun and easy pattern for an 8-foot tubular hat you can share with a friend.

Below are pictures of some of Lindsay's other work that we discuss in the podcast. Visit her gallery to view more and check out her Red Thread blog.

MAKE A HAT BY JUNE 1, AND GET CONNECTED.

Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts
41 Sheldon Boulevard S.E.
Grand Rapids Michigan 49503-4227

(NOTE: At the end of the podcast I told listeners to mail finished hats to the ArtWorks, but the organization is in the process of moving. So, it's best to send them to the UICA. Either way, your hat can be forwarded to the right place by the wonderful folks at the U.S. Postal Service.)

The deadline is June 1, so stitch fast!


Artist Alynn Guerra (left), Cindy Koning, ArtWorks executive director and programs manager, Beekah Terlouw model hats connected by a red thread.

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This week's crafty announcements:

* I just joined a Quilt Block Swap organized by Kristin Roach who writes the blog Overextracted. Click here for info on the swap.

* Sister Diane recently posted a new episode of CraftyPod featuring Leah Kramer, founder of Craftster.org. Leah was featured on CraftSanity episode 16.

* Click here for my review of the ColdHeat Freestyle Glue Gun.

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

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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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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Drew Emborsky, 38, is a shy dude who loves to crochet. He loves it so much that he crochets from morning till night, six days a week working very hard to build his reputation as a pattern designer. On this episode of CraftSanity, Drew will share the story of how he landed in Houston, Texas and began to make a name for himself as The Crochet Dude.

For years after he discovered the life of a gallery artist wasn’t for him, Drew moved from one professional challenge after another. But he never quite found a job that could hold his attention long term. So after he found himself struggling to find meaning and purpose in the wake of a tremendous personal loss, he picked up his crochet hook and starting stitching. I’ll let him tell you what happened next.

Drew said it took him about a month to create "Nouveau Riche" inspired by Charles Rennie Makintosh. He has plans to release the pattern at the end of the summer.






Check out Drew's free Pentagon Dishcloth Pattern















Check out his free patterns for a beverage cozy and other cool creations.




Here are more links to The Crochet Dude:
Blog
Web site
Publications
Gear
He also is a contributor to the very cool whip up website.

During the interview I blanked and couldn’t retrieve the name of the fastest crocheter in the world, Lily Chin. She’s a fantastic knit and crochet designer and I apologize that I couldn’t retrieve her name from the tangle of yarn in my head. Let’s all wish her luck because she set to defend her crochet title in Melbourne Australia at the end of June.

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If you’ve ever considered launching your own podcast or you want to know more about what goes on behind the scenes, you’re in luck. This week CraftyPod producer Diane Gilleland, a.k.a. Sister Diane, and I chat about what goes into creating a crafty podcast.

The great thing about crafty podcasting is that each person has something unique to bring to the craft table. Diane is 39 and single, while I’m a 29-year-old married mother of two girls, ages 2 and 5 months. We both have day jobs and love to craft. Diane, who leads the Church of Craft in Portland, Oregon, has been producing CraftyPod for about a year. I launched CraftSanity just three months ago.

To highlight the differences between our shows, we both recorded our roughly two-hour phone chat about podcasting and each have produced shows in our own styles using the same material. So check out CraftyPod episode 24 part 1 and part 2 to compare the different ways we approach podcasting. Besides providing some tips and inspiration to help you craft your own podcast, this episode will also give you a chance to get to know Diane and learn more about all the crafty goodness she creates in the world. You’ll even find out why she calls herself “Sister Diane.”

As a special treat Diane has agreed to share the instructions for making her Three Glue Magnets, one of the projects featured in her CraftyPod zine. You can buy a copy of her zine at her etsy shop. Here links to all of Diane’s other creative ventures.

Get your craft fix at the Church of Craft.

Visit Sister Diane's craft blog at Help.com.

Check out her ezine and other podcast Spinsterspin.

She's an editor who contributes articles and group-blog entries to: www.supernaturale.com

Her professional podcast about books: www.harperperennial.com

This episode closes with the song "Lemonade" by Smallfish courtesy of the fabulous Podsafe Music Network. For those who are curious, Smallfish is a one-man-band featuring singer song writer, Evan Lefloch, of Orlando, Fla.

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Fellow crafty podcasters: Send me your promos and I'll play them on the show. This week I played a promo for the Math4Knitters podcast.

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


Check out the rest of these crafty shows.

Block Central's Quilting Podcast
Cast-On
CraftCast
Crafty Chica Podcast
Craft Borg
Crochet Cast
Fiber Cast
The Candie Cast
KnitCast
SCRAPcast
Knitting News Cast
Pointy Sticks
Secret Knitting
Time2Knit
The Mosh Knit
Quilting Stash
WeaveCast
Wholly Scrap
Quilting Podcast
26Knits
Math4Knitters

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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Life is a series of choices. Good and bad, the choices we make become experiences that shape our lives. This week’s show is about getting back on track the artistic way.
Textile designer and fiber artist Melanie Testa struggled at first to find her true calling. But on this episode of CraftSanity she’s going to inspire us with the story of how she crafted her way out of a bad situation.



Today she’s an up-and-coming artist living in Norwalk, Conn. Her freezer paper resist project is featured in the spring issue of Quilting Arts magazine. She also is sharing project instructions for the Wonder Under & foil surface design technique. Below are some of Melanie examples of this surface design technique.



Below is an interesting 4" x 6" piece of art that Melanie let me see in person. We discuss it during the interview. In case you're wondering about the interesting border Melanie said she sewed a 1/8" seam along the edge, then zigzagged and finally whip stitched around the whole piece for a very nice effect.

Contest wrapup

Thank you to all who entered to win a copy of Leigh Radford’s new book “One Skein: 30 Quick Projects to Knit and Crochet.” You guys sent in some fabulous left-over yarn ideas that I’m posting. I’ll keep that idea list going, so if you have something fun to add send me and e-mail and I’ll add it to the inspiring list. The lucky winner is Nancy Born of Yakima, Washington!

To my fellow crafty podcasters...

Hello, my name is Jennifer and I'm ready to venture out of my craft closet of podcasting isolation to interact with you. Please send me your 30 second show promos, and you can play one of mine. Send me an email with your promo and I'll help you get the word out about your show. Thanks!

This week’s musical selection is from the Podsafe Music Network is Adrina Thorpe, who sings "Fly Fly Fly."

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WIN LEIGH RADFORD'S BOOK! See details below.


Leigh Radford didn’t set out to be a knitwear designer. She's been knitting since age 13, but it wasn't until a layoff from a graphic design job that she found her bliss and realized she could make a living off of her knitting by coupling the crafty skills she had learned as a child with her professional design experience.




Instead of pounding the pavement in search of another 9-to-5 gig, she got a part-time job at a yarn shop and soon discovered her fabulous talent for creative pattern design. Now, at age 45, Leigh lives in Portland, Oregon, where she happily creates wonderful knitting patterns and enjoys success as a designer and author.

On this episode of CraftSanity, Leigh will tell us the story of how she transitioned from the corporate world to her current role as art director for Interweave Knits and author of “One Skein: 30 Quick Projects to Knit and Crochet” (Interweave, 2006) and “AlterKnits: Imaginative Projects and Creativity Exercises.” (STC, 2005)

Whether she’s knitting with homemade yarn made from old T-shirts, stitching crowns out of crepe paper or knitting tasty-looking cupcakes, Leigh Radford knows how to push the creative envelope and inspire others to create with non-traditional materials in unconventional ways.

Here is Leigh's pattern for the Indian Summer Jacket first published in Fall 2004 issue of Interweave Knits magazine.

For an opportunity to connect with others working on projects from Leigh's book, check out the One Skein Knit-Along and Secret Pal Exchange.

CONTEST INFO:
The folks at Interweave Press have agreed to give away a copy of Leigh’s new book, “One Skein: 30 Projects to Knit and Crochet,” to one lucky CraftSanity listener.

The book is packed with projects that can be created with just a single skein of yarn. To take the theme of Leigh’s book one step further, tell me what you’ve made with the little bits of yarn that are left over after the big knitting projects are done. (If you have time to send a photo, that'd be great.)

To enter the contest e-mail your entries to Jennifer@craftsanity.com. Please include your name, and mailing address so I know where to send the book if you win. The deadline to enter is noon Saturday, April 8. Good luck everyone!

This week’s music selection is a song called “Marigolds” by the band Amelia. The song is from the CD titled “Somewhere Left to Fall.” Teisha Helgerson, the band’s lead singer, is one of the models featured in Leigh's new book.

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Tag, you’re knIT.


It may just be a matter of time before you pass a car on the highway with a stockinette stitch antenna cozy, spot a street sign with a striped pole, or wander past a tree sporting a trunk warmer growing in a neighborhood near you.

On this episode of CraftSanity, we’re going to hear from the women responsible for this latest street art trend. They’re working moms who moonlight as gangsta graffiti knitters. AKrylik, 35, and PolyCotN, 32, are the founders of Knitta, Please!, a 10-member crew of yarn and needle-toting graffiti artists who are tagging the streets of Houston, Texas with vibrant knitted art. They’ll tag just about anything from beer bottles and door handles to telephone poles, street lamps and super tall statutes.

So go grab some of that cheap acrylic yarn that’s taking up precious space in your stash, and knit a stripy rectangle during the show. Stitch a little freestyle as you listen to this tale of two gansta knitters and their crafty crew. By the end, you might be inspired to form a crew of your own and take your knitting to the streets.

Photos used courtesy of the Knitta's & Debora Smail.

Check out AKrylik's recipe for graffiti knitting success.

CONTEST INFO:
Enter to win a copy of Leigh Radford's new book: “One Skein: 30 Quick Projects to Knit and Crochet”

Next week's interview is with Radford, a graphic artist and knitwear designer and the folks at Interweave Press have agreed to give away a copy of Leigh’s new book, to one lucky CraftSanity listener. The book is packed with projects that can be created with just a single skein of yarn. To take the theme of Leigh’s book one step further, I’m collecting short how-to’s and photos of projects you’ve made with the little bits of yarn that are left over after the big knitting projects are done.

If you’re anything like me you have a stash of yarn and then a mini-stash of left-over yarn. What do you do when you have less than a skein left and there’s too little to knit a scarf, but too much to dump in the trash?

To enter the contest e-mail photos and project ideas of what you’ve done with those little bits of left over yarn to Jennifer@craftsanity.com. Please include your name, and mailing address so I know where to send the book if you win. I’ll post photos and project ideas on the website. The deadline to enter is noon Saturday, April 8. So, if you haven’t made anything out of your leftover yarn yet, there’s time to whip something up and take a picture. Good luck everyone!


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“Denyse Schmidt Quilts.”
That’s the name of her new book and boy does she ever.

Denyse, 45, of Bridgeport, Conn., learned to sew as a child, but she didn’t set out to revolutionize the world of quilting. That's just the way it worked out.

She did that 9-to-5 thing many of us do, but felt a tug toward art school by her late 20s. Denyse didn’t specialize in fiber art at the Rhode Island School of Design, but was able to couple her sewing background with her newly acquired graphic design skills, a combination that would later become the foundation of her wonderful quilt business that is celebrating its 10th year of operation.



In this episode of CraftSanity you will hear the inspiring story of how Denyse went from an artist with a day job, to a full-time artist who is living her dream.

For more information about Denyse and her quilts, check out her site and her cool product line.




This week's how-to is for paper and fabric "Dis-Cards" from "Denyse Schmidt Quilts" book courtesy of Denyse and Chronicle Books.


This episode closes with the song "What if" by Smallfish courtesy of the fabulous Podsafe Music Network. For those who are curious, Smallfish is a one-man-band featuring singer song writer, Evan Lefloch, of Orlando, Fla.


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Move over Barbie. Plastic perfection is out and retro rag dolls are in. Thanks to English artist and author Claire Garland, we all can knit a super cute alternative to the mass produced, virtually unattainable stereotype of the female form. It’s time to meet a hip new crew of spectacular “Knitted Babes.”

This week Claire introduces us to the babes from her fabulous book “Knitted Babes: Five Dolls & Their Wardrobes to Knit and Stitch.” (Interweave Press, 2005) For all the knitters out there who love to sew, Claire has miniaturized trendy fashions and combined fabric and knitware designs to round out each babe’s wardrobe. From hats, shawls and shoes, to sweaters, dresses and purses, Claire has written patterns to completely outfit your doll after you knit her up and sew on the eyes and hair. Each babe has so much personality it’s easy to forget they’re not real.

Clearly, this married mother of three, has a gift for creative arts. And her story is inspiring for those with big crafty ideas. Claire just recently learned to knit, proving you don’t need 20 years of experience under your belt to get out there and start designing your own creations.

Here's a free pattern for a funky, Knitted Babe dress and accessories for you to try at home. Thanks Claire!



Check out Claire's web site to see the newest additions to the "Knitted Babes" family and order a kit to make one for yourself.

Or, join the knit-along and share your babe with the world.

The song at the of the podcast is "Really, Really Happy" by the Muffs. Thanks to the band for making their music available via the Podsafe Music Network.


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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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Take a walk on the wild and musical side with comedic folk singer Deirdre Flint, 38, of Phillidelphia, PA. She’s the creative woman who wrote the “The Boob Fairy” song that I played at the end of last week’s podcast. I love her sense of humor and wanted to find out more about the woman inspired to write this wonderfully satirical music.

Deirdre is a former elementary school teacher, turned musician who moonlights as a substitute teacher. She plays guitar, writes her own music and the best part is SHE’S EXTREMELY FUNNY! She has a knack for taking those unfortunate and seemingly innocuous moments of life and exaggerating them in her songs with wonderfully humorous results.

Besides her solo work, she tours as the bass player for The Four Bitchin’ Babes and likes to do crafts.

Tune in to this episode of CraftSanity to hear the story of how she got her start as a musician and hear her sage advice for the rest of us creative types who hope to someday find the courage to live an equally artistic life.

You can buy Deirdre's CDs, "The Shuffleboard Queens" and "Then Again" here or here or download them at the iTunes Music store. And check out the first couple episodes of her temporarily abandoned podcast, called Podcast Fondue.

Here's a postcard project to keep your hands busy while you listen to the interview with Deirdre.

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Fasten Your Craft Fairy Wings and tune in for an interview with one of the freest spirits on the planet.

Her name is Violette Clark and she is an extremely brave woman. She’s an illustrator and folk artist who isn’t afraid to stand out. She lives in British Columbia, Canada in the purple house she named the “Magic Cottage” and travels about in the “Glitter Girl” van, a ride she pimped out with a wild paint job and inspirational sayings.

At age 51, she says she feels like she’s finally come into her own. She likes to wear her hair long, take road trips with her “Bohemian Tribe,” and dress up like a fairy for the occasional wish-granting session. She’s not like most people and that’s what makes her so interesting.

In this episode of CraftSanity, Violette is going to tell us how she’s used art to pull herself through the toughest times of her life. She’s a firm believer in the healing power of art. Come along for some crazy craft adventures involving Violette’s inflatable friend, Malcom, fifty purple bras and a revealing photo shoot in the sunflower patch behind the "Magic Cottage."

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Here's a pattern for Violette's Creative Spirit Doll.

A Craftabulous Tune: This podcast ends with a great song called "The Boob Fairy" by Deirdre Flint. Visit Deirdre here.

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

The intro music in this podcast was used courtesy of freeplaymusic.com.

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.

This week meet John Murphy the artist, illustrator, comic author and sock collector. John lives in Asheville, North Carolina where he makes stuffed monsters out of castoff socks.

No joke. You can send your socks to his home studio and he will make you a "stupid sock creature." Or, all you crafty types can make your own following the detailed instructions he published in his book: "Stupid Sock Creatures." (There's even a preview to "Crafting Disaster," a comic series he's working on with a friend at the end of the book.)

John studied illustration and ceramics at East Carolina University. After college he worked as a newsroom artist for the Wilmington Star News in North Carolina, and eventually took his art on the road to California where he worked in the ceramics industry. When a layoff left him jobless in 2003, he didn't stay idle for long. He quickly crafted himself a new gig. He learned to sew and started making monsters out of socks. Since then he estimates that he's stitched hundreds of them, and just recently hired an assistant to help keep up with the orders. This summer he even plans to hire an intern.

For more info on how to get a monster of your own, check out John Murphy's site. There you'll find more awesome creatures like the ones below.



Photos used courtesy of John Murphy.

Like what you see? Check back here for one of John's sock creature patterns. I'll be posting that as soon as I get it.

Feeling inspired to re-fabricate your worn out socks? Do it! It's really fun. I'm no John Murphy, but below is a photo of the creature I managed to create following the instructions in his book. Send me a photos of your sock creatures and I'll post them on CraftSanity.

I went from this:


To this:

I named him Detective Friday after the day I made him. I'm not sure where the "Detective" came from, but I'm very pleased that he can stand by himself. That happened by accident.

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Also, check out who won last week's contest.

Coming soon: John shares a pattern

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.

On this episode you'll meet Jeffrey Yamaguchi, a 35-year-old writer, website publisher and author of the inspiring book, "52 Projects: Random Acts of Everyday Creativity." Tune in to hear his thoughts about how creative endeavers have enriched his life and find out how a side project could improve yours.

Prepare to be inspired. "52 Projects" is an wonderful book jammed with great ideas to get those creative juices flowing. Whether you're a artist, writer, crafter, or none of the above, there's something for everyone inside this 176-page book. Jeffrey helps readers reflect on the richness of life by encouraging them to document those fleeting moments that, without the aid of photographs or journal entries, tend to fade out in our memories. The project suggestions are intended to be adapted and changed by each reader like fifty-two jumping off points to get the wheels turning in our heads.

Want a free copy of "52 Projects"? Email me at jennifer@craftsanity.com with a photo of a project you are working on, and I'll post it online. One of the lucky contributors will get a copy of the book. Deadline is noon Eastern time on Sunday, Feb. 5.

To learn more about Jeffrey's book and his many other projects check out his 52 Projects site. To submit your own project idea and read those submitted by other creative people click here. For sage advice on how to promote your own project check out his Bookmouth site.

To read his collection of funny stories submitted from working Joes and Janes from all over the country and click here. He'll even help you strategically plan for more project time with his useful 2006 Sick Day Calendar.

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To read his essay about the "Wiener Mobile" printed on his T-shirt, click on the photo below.

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.

Welcome to the CraftSanity Podcast Episode 1

Tune in for a behind-the-scenes chat with Regina Rioux Gonzalez, 36, of Los Angeles, the creative force behind MonsterCrochet.com.

By day she works as an investment bank administrator, by night she's stitching away, creating an endless series of original pieces that include fiber likenesses of raw chickens, one-eyed produce, yarn members of the Vegetable Liberation Army, full-size skeletons and a variegated scorpion.

Regina has a bachelor's degree in art from California State University, Northridge and a master's degree in Fine Art from Claremont Graduate University. Learn how she became such a fearless fiber artist able to balance art with a day job, hear what she has to say about all those bloodshot eye balls she's stitched and how showcasing her work on the Internet has fueled her creativity. It's amazing what a woman can do with single crochet.

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Regina was kind enough to share her eyeball pattern with us. Download the pdf here. The pattern will be featured in the 2007 Pattern-A-Day-Calendar, so look for that next year. Have a cool pattern you want to submit to the calendar, check out this site.

Here's a sampling of some of her other fantastic creations.

Photos courtesy of Regina Rioux Gonzalez


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.

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