journal - Mend it Better

A Place to Mend in May

Gather up those textiles you’ve been meaning to work on and join me for some creative social fun. Bring any projects to work on, ie.. knitting, crochet, needle work, whatever. 5:30 – 8:00pm Thursday, May 25th, 2023 Octagon Center for the Arts, 2nd Floor Studio FREE IN PERSON EVENT | […]

journal - Mend it Better

A Place to Mend @ the Octagon

Mending is that bridge between creative worlds. Whether a hobbiest or professional, we all have something to share, contribute, and a sock with a hole. For those of us that are a little more quiet, it gives us a task to keep attentive to and help with any social anxiety. […]

journal - podcast - wips

Ep 6: Grant Funding for Creative Solopreneurs

Enjoy Episode 6 of the Craft Leftovers Podcast (an abridged recording of the May livestream) in audio form. Pull up a project and craft along. I’m on a deadline this month so instead of mending, I’m slaying the reed on my loom. Thanks for the company! I’m talking all about […]

journal - podcast

Ep 5: How Every Year Builds on the Last

Note: These show notes contain affiliate links Enjoy Episode 5 of the Craft Leftovers Podcast (a recording of the April livestream) in audio form. Pull up a project and craft along. I’m working on mending my favorite pj’s and a vintage handmade shirt. Thanks for the company! It’s my birthday […]

Crafty Business - journal - round up

Speaking at 1 Million Cups Ames: Show Notes Edition

On February 17th, I woke up early and headed off to the Iowa State Research Park Core Facility to present my entrepreneurial story to our local 1 Million Cups chapter. I decided to scrap my usual presentation and tell my whole entrepreneurial story. Starting with Craft Leftovers and coming full circle with this year’s launch of my art business this October.

book review - journal

The White Whale of Foraging for Morels

When I was a kid my dad and I would go foraging for morels every spring. We had a “spot”. I had no idea what a treasure it was. What a family heirloom. Since moving away to college, those elusive morels are no longer a part of my spring diet. […]

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ArtVend: The newest, smallest shop in town!

Today I wanted to share with you something a little different. It’s a project that has literally been keeping me up at night and last Friday I finally sent it off into the world. Our main contact at the location asked, “Does it feel like you are leaving your kid […]

journal

Sample Sunday

I had been hearing rumors of “sample sunday” for the last few months. Just a half hour away, a mini herb farm, Prairieland Herbs, hosted a monthly event where local makers and producers came and gave samples to those who came by. And just up the road, another lovely local […]

redress

Home Redress: A new home a new series!

newhome01

Before it’s always been “Apartment Redress.” Now that we are living in a house, I’ll continue the redress projects in my home. :)

First though, I want to give you an overview of the place. Today’s post is going to show what it looks like now. As we fix things up, I’ll post about it.

journal

Handmade Greeting Cards Workshop

There is nothing I love more than getting together with a bunch of people and make things together. Yesterday my friend Sarah co-hosted an Ames C.art workshop with me and it was a delight!  She showed us all how to make these great little stars, how to use circle cutters, […]

thrift kitchen

Thrift Kitchen: Visiting the Local Orchard

My favorite activity during the fall is going to the apple orchard, hands down favorite. No contest. I look forward to it every year, am filled with childhood glee while there, and delightfully filled with joy when home again — drinking apple cider and eating baked apples. We are really […]