Hello Craft » Podcast

Hello Craft Episode 14: Learning to Embroider

tinaseamonster — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 03:28:45 +0000

Each week, the Hello Craft Podcast collects stories of making and buying handmade.

In this week’s episode, Tina Seamonster (that’s me!) learns to embroider! And relax!

Click the little arrow below to listen to the episode, right here on page:

Click here to download the episode (right-click and choose “save as” on PC, or control-click and choose “save as” on Mac)

* Above photo taken by Anya Seamonster, age 4.

Tell Me Your Story

tinaseamonster — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:59:32 +0000

I’m working on producing some special episodes of the Hello Craft Podcast and I need to hear from you! I’m looking for two specific kinds of stories.

1. The first is so easy that I will be sad if you don’t call in. I need as many of you as possible to call in and tell me why you make things. It should go like this, call our toll-free voice-mail hotline and leave me a message that says, “I make because….” and tell me why. It can be one sentence. It can be two sentences, it can be as short or long as you like. These will all become part of an audio mosaic. After your tell me why you make, tell me where to find what you make online so that I can point other people to your stuff. Just call 1-888-317-3785 and leave a message. Don’t be afraid! We will edit it if you mess up.

2. The second kind of story that I am collecting is about how crafting makes you feel. Are some things more stressful than others? Were you surprised when a certain craft was relaxing? If you make for a living, does that change how you feel about making? Just call 1-888-317-3785. Don’t be afraid! We will edit it if you mess up.

That’s your assignment. The sooner the better, give me a call!

Image is by Laura George.

Hello Craft Episode 13: Tigerflight

tinaseamonster — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:54:55 +0000

Each week, the Hello Craft Podcast collects stories of making and buying handmade.

In this week’s episode, Beth Baldwin finds herself stitching the words ‘thug life’.

Click the little arrow below to listen to the episode, right here on page:

Click here to download the episode (right-click and choose “save as” on PC, or control-click and choose “save as” on Mac)

You can check out Beth’s shop online at http://www.tigerflight.etsy.com. Check out a gallery of the Mortal Plush show.

walls and curtains.

Joetta Maue — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:26:10 +0000

Recently the amazing artist Cathy Mclaurin forwarded me information on the artist Samantha Fields. I was so glad she let me know about Samantha as I am blown away and oh so inspired by the installations she creates.

Samantha creates large scale installations that explore the ideas of home, mother, memory, and the domestic. She does this by embroidering amazing and colorful patterns into the actual walls of the spaces that she builds.

She expertly uses layering, scale, and the element of the unexpected to pull on our emotions and send us toward memories that connect us to her experience.

Samantha states-

“Home is a stage supporting mythic roles. It’s the setting for an everyday spectacle. And when we cross away from the threshold, we inevitably play a different role than the one inside. The walls, the primary objects of a house, function as literal boundaries, space dividers, where public and private are kept at a constant, dueling and commingling. What is revealed when these walls are removed? It is within this question that I place my work.

Most of my materials are found and have been used: indoor/outdoor furniture, building supplies, and fabric – which are then dislocated. Each has a latent, embedded story that is never absent despite my attempt to re-arrange, re-gather, and re-present. I have focused on specific, universal elements (or coded sites),
such as curtains, to begin investigating power structures by way of exorbitant, feminine, passive-aggressive excess, or perhaps simply the revealing of a hierarchy –of who gets the mashed potatoes first.”

I am sometimes so overwhelmed by all the amazing young female artists exploring these universal and yet such specific themes of home and the role of the feminine. Sometimes it make me nervous about my own work and career but mostly it simply inspires me.

Keep inspiring.

Samantha has an excellent website here and if you are near Boston is participating in a show and leading a workshop here.

Hello Craft Episode 12: Tales from the Summit of Awesome

tinaseamonster — Fri, 22 May 2009 20:01:41 +0000

Each week, the Hello Craft Podcast collects stories of making and buying handmade.

In this week’s episode, Summit attendee, Laurie Gonyea tells us about her business, Knit Outta the Box, which sells knitting kits for desperate knitters (in places like airports). Also in this episode is the Jenny Hart’s Craftnote speech about her business, Sublime Stitching.

The questions and answers portion of Jenny’s talk will be posted right here soon. So check back!

Click the little arrow below to listen to the episode, right here on page:

Click here to download the episode (right-click and choose “save as” on PC, or control-click and choose “save as” on Mac)

Wanna learn to stitch? Check out Jenny’s awesome instructions and fun patterns.

Hello Craft Episode 11: Like a Birdie

tinaseamonster — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:28:48 +0000

Each week, the Hello Craft Podcast collects stories of making and buying handmade.

This week, Laurie of Laurie Coyle Designs calls in with a tale of recycling/upcycling.

Click here to download the episode (right-click and choose “save as” on PC, or control-click and choose “save as” on Mac)

Meet Esti Gerson, GersonCurse

Kelly Rand — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:47:07 +0000

Imagine a seven year old happily playing dress up with her miniature teddy bears. Then imagine that same little girl using big girl scissors and a sewing machine to create clay pastries and fabric furniture for a teddy bear tea party photoshoot! Looking back, I think that was about the time I heard the calling for a life of crafting and design! Since those fateful single digit years, I earned a degree in Industrial design from Philadelphia University and taught numerous Photoshop classes for National conferences. But to satisfy the crafty girl inside, my sister and I decided to create GersonCurse, the vehicle that would satiate our taste in fun & stylish stuff not found in stores! It paid off, because in 2006, we won the Baltimore City Paper “best designer,” and then I won the American Inhouse Design Award in 2008. Today I’m honored to be at the Summit, spreading the gospel of awesome!

Meet Esti in a workshop at the Summit of Awesome as she guides you through How to Make a Book.

Hello Craft Episode 10: Morgan Hearts Crochet!

tinaseamonster — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:02:41 +0000

Each week, the Hello Craft Podcast collects stories of making and buying handmade.

This week, Morgan of MamaSassDesigns learns to crochet.

Click here to download the episode (right-click and choose “save as” on PC, or control-click and choose “save as” on Mac)

Hello Craft Episode 9: Closing Up Shop

tinaseamonster — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:03:56 +0000

Each week, the Hello Craft Podcast collects stories of making and buying handmade.

This week, Lhay Browning Thriffiley shares the story of Avalon Sewing Co and how she had to close up shop.

Click here to download the episode (right-click and choose “save as” on PC, or control-click and choose “save as” on Mac)

Hello Craft Episode 8: American Craft Council Baltimore

tinaseamonster — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 16:07:18 +0000

Each week, the Hello Craft Podcast collects stories of making and buying handmade.

This week, we have three stories from crafters who will be presenting their work at the American Craft Council Show in Baltimore at the Baltimore Convention Center, February 27 – March 1, 2009. We hear stories from Caitlin Phillips of Rebound Designs, Rania Hassan of Goshdarnknit and Shannon Delanoy of Sweet Pepita. All three tell us about past events that have made them the crafters they are today. For more information about the show, including times and ticket prices, check out craftcouncil.org/baltimore.

Click here to download the episode (right-click and choose “save as” on PC, or control-click and choose “save as” on Mac)

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