Binding Stories & Breaking Barriers with Charlie Andrés – Joleen’s Happy Time Craftcast 53

Craftonians!✨ Welcome to another sparkly episode of Joleen’s Happy Time Craftcast! In episode 53, Joleen welcomes the brilliantly creative Charlie Andrés—artist, teacher, and the vibrant force behind Charliehorse Press. Charlie dives into their love for bookbinding, teaching Coptic stitch and traveler's notebooks, and gets Joleen giddy about fascinating materials like cave paper and risograph printing. They also share insights into how book arts can be a powerful tool for storytelling, identity, and community connection. Guest BioCharlie Andrés (they/she) is a Minneapolis-based queer, gender-fluid, neurodivergent Colombian adoptee and the genius behind Charliehorse Press. They create stunning handmade journals, zines, and letterpress prints that tell beautiful stories about identity, community, and creativity. When they’re not teaching workshops or collaborating with musicians (like Jeremy Messersmith), they’re nerding out on paper, stitching, and risograph printing magic.Follow CharlieInstagramEpisode Chapters with Timestamps[00:00 – 06:29] – Hello, pens! Joleen’s hilarious "What’s in My Bag" [06:30 – 08:44] – Introduction to Charlie & their crafty world [08:45 – 13:19] – Bookbinding 101: Coptic stitch vs Traveler’s Notebooks[13:20 – 17:09] – Cave Paper and other delicious materials [17:10 – 21:59] – Risograph Printing: Old-school machine, modern magic[22:00 – 28:44] – Teaching vs creating: Charlie’s approach to sharing book arts[28:45 – 30:59] – Letterpress for Jeremy Messersmith [31:00 – 35:09] – Crafting as storytelling and identity work[35:10 – 37:19] – Printing Methods Breakdown: Differences between letterpress, photopolymer plate printing, and risograph[37:20 – 43:19] – Creative Play vs. Perfection[43:20 – 44:59] – Zines as Personal Archives[45:00 – 47:14] – Resources for Beginners[47:15 – 50:09] – Charlie’s Upcoming Projects[50:10 – End] – The Big Wrap-UpQuotes from the Episode“Bookbinding is my love language.” – Charlie Andrés“Risograph is the texture queen—it’s like printing with personality!” – Charlie Andrés“Crafting is where my stories live.” – Charlie Andrés“Bookbinding is my favorite way to make stories feel real.” – Charlie Andrés“Crafting is how I make sense of myself—through color, texture, and tiny folded things.” – Charlie Andrés“We all start somewhere—usually with glue on our fingers and thread in our teeth!” – Joleen EmeryResources and Links:📚 Check out Cave Paper (super durable, doesn’t tear!)🎨 Learn more about Risograph Printing – a new love for both Charlie and Joleen🎶 Listen to Fast Times in Minnesota by Jeremy Messersmith – lyrics printed by Charlie!🧵 Want to learn bookbinding with Charlie? Watch for classes on Charlie Horse PressLove "Happy Time Craftcast"? 👉Don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts and leave a review to help others discover our crafty community 👉Stay tuned for more Happy Time Craftcast with Joleen Emery. Subscribe now!👉FOLLOW  ME ON TIKTOK | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM 👉SIGN UP FOR THE ART KIT OF THE MONTH CLUB