Episodes
-
CraftSanity #232: Interview with Jimmy "Soup" Coyer, organizer of LICZ! - Lansing Independent Comics & Zine Fest
This Saturday, April 18, the CraftSanity team will be among the hundreds of comics and zine fans who are expected to swarm a concert venue in Lansing, Michigan, for the second Lansing Independent Comics and Zine Fest (LICZ!). https://www.liczfest.com/ The show attracted more than 600 people in…
more -
CraftSanity #231: Dear Art Students with Rhiannan Sibbald
Rhiannan Sibbald, a Grand Rapids based illustrator and muralist, shares how she got her start, how to break into public art, mural tips, and how to get paid for your work! Zines! Zines! Zines! You can read a free zine of Rhiannan’s advice here https://craftsanity.com/rhiannan-sibbald/, or order a...
-
CraftSanity #230: Dear Art Students with Sean Dempsey
This week Jennifer and Abby are bringing you an interview with Sean Dempsey! Sean is a self-published comic artist and illustrator who travels all over the Midwest for indie comic and small press shows. Sean shares some tabling tips, how he balances illustration with a non-art job, and how to…
more -
CraftSanity #229: Dear Art Students with Julia Kaye
This week Jennifer and her daughter Abby are bringing you an interview with Julia Kaye, a cartoonist and storyboard artist. Julia is a published comic artist with two graphic novels. She is known for her “UP and OUT” gag webcomic and her autobiographical comics about life as a trans woman, “Super...
-
CraftSanity #228: Dear Art Students with Connie Jin
This week Jennifer and her daughter Abby are bringing you an interview with Connie Jin, an interactive developer/designer, comics journalist, and illustrator. Connie is working on a graphic novel and is a graphics reporter at National Public Radio! They share their journey with art, how to…
more -
CraftSanity #227: Dear Art Students with Genice Chan
Jennifer and her daughter Abby interview Genice Chan! Genice is a freelance visual development artist and illustrator known for her concept art for the Netflix anime series “Brand New Animal.” She shares her journey from school, to studio work, to freelancing, and some tips about managing the…
more -
CraftSanity #226: Dear Art Students with David Huang
On this episode of the CraftSanity podcast Jennifer and her daughter Abby interview David Huang, a metalsmith who makes vessels and jewelry and has a unique approach to financing a studio art career. Abby was introduced to David’s work when her college professor gave her some of his articles…
more -
CraftSanity #225: Dear Art Students with Lou Tsui
Lou Tsui is an illustrator, designer, and the artist in residence at CopyCat Studio, a risograph and artist retail space they opened in 2024. They are based in Vancouver, B.C. and have a cat baby named Tongyuen. Abby met Lou last year when Lou came to Grand Valley State University to lead a...
-
Coming Soon: "Dear Art Students" Series
Coming soon: Series of podcasts interviews with artists giving advice to art students.
-
CraftSanity #224: 6.19.20 Dano Wall
In honor of Juneteenth, the day that celebrates the end of slavery in the U.S., I’m posting my conversation with Dano Wall, the artist who created the Tubman Stamp that allows the likeness of American hero, Harriet Tubman, to be printed on the $20 bill.
-
CraftSanity #223: 7.21.19 Diana Weymar
Artist and activist Diana Weymar discusses how was one of many artists who took note of President Trump’s “stable genius” pronouncement and got inspired to create a stitching project that has includes many others.
-
CraftSanity #222: 4.14.19 Dayna Walton
Making a living as a professional artist can be tricky with the cost of art school on the rise and lucrative art jobs hard to find. Despite this challenging backdrop, Dayna Walton, a 21-year-old Grand Rapids artist has set herself up well to hit the ground running after she graduates from Ferris...
-
CraftSanity #221: 2.23.19 Liz Hilton
Liz Hilton discusses her 3D knit products she makes at her KNITit studio in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Check out the show notes at craftsanity.com
-
CraftSanity #220: 1.1.19 Beryl Bartkus
Learn how Beryl Bartkus created meaningful work for her daughter, Erin, and others with developmental disabilities. Check out the show notes at craftsanity.com
-
CraftSanity #219: 10.23.18 Amos Kennedy
On this episode of the podcast I geek out about wood type and paper and ink with letterpress printmaker Amos Kennedy, owner and chief printer at Kennedy Prints in Detroit. Check out the show notes at craftsanity.com
-
CraftSanity #218: 9.5.18 Lori Evesque
Interview with Lori Evesque, owner of Natural Cycles Farm in southern Allegan County, discussing raising fresh food, fiber and plants to sell at local farmers markets and her yarn dyeing workshops. Check out the show notes at craftsanity.com
-
CraftSanity #217: 8.26.18 Martin Schneider
Interview with 22-year-old Martin Schneider, an art student in Cologne, Germany who designed a 3-D printed printing press and shared his design files for free online. Check out the show notes at CraftSanity.com
-
CraftSanity #216: 7.31.18 Mark Newport
Interview with Mark Newport, known for his hand embroidered comic book covers and knitted superhero costumes. Check out the show notes at CraftSanity.com
-
CraftSanity #215: 7.3.18 Katrina Rodabaugh
Interview with Katrina Rodabaugh, fiber artist and author of the forthcoming book, “Mending Matters: Stitch, Patch, and Repair Your Favorite Denim & More.” Rodabaugh is one of the zen stitchers on the front lines of this important and gentle movement that bucks the trend of overconsumption and...
-
CraftSanity #214: 6.19.18 Mike and Terry McGarr
Mike and Terry McGarr discuss Mike's plan to revive a bit of family weaving history. The 27-year-old is the great-grandson of Wallace and Melvina McGarr, who were owners of the Norwood Loom Co. for more than 40 years beginning in 1951. Check out the show notes at CraftSanity.com
-
CraftSanity #213: 5.12.18 Felicia Lo Wong
Felicia Lo Wong shares the story of how she built her SweetGeorgia yarn business.
-
CraftSanity #212: 5.6.18 Sandra Eng
Practicing psychologist and crochet designer Sandra Eng recognizes discusses her new book “Crochet Kaleidoscope: Shifting Shapes and Shades Across 100 Motifs,” and the role handcrafts can play as a means of coping with stress and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
-
CraftSanity #211: 3.26.18 Josie Gamper
Interview with Josie Gamper, who sells her own brand of popular watercolors under the name RedwoodWillow. Josie shares the story of how she built her business as a side gig and now operates it full-time from the living room of her Connecticut home.
-
CraftSanity #210: 2.18.18 Drew Sheneman
We go behind the scenes of the fascinating art career of Drew Sheneman, a nationally syndicated political cartoonist who started writing and illustrating children’s picture books a couple years ago.
-
CraftSanity #209: 11.28.17 Bethany Nixon
Bethany Nixon, owner of Reware Vintage and co-organizer of the upcoming Detroit Urban Craft Fair (DUCF), discuses last-minute tips for handmade business owners who are vending this holiday season and talk about what it takes to produce a large-scale craft fair like DUCF which is celebrating its...
-
CraftSanity #208: 10.5.17 Gloria Kirk-Hann
Interview with Gloria Kirk-Hann, who takes us behind the scenes of her 2017 ArtPrize entry “Fragments of Old Bones; New Soul” a fiber art installation that is a visual manifestation of her artistic journey through divorce, loss and grief and finding love again. Check out more at craftsanity.com
-
CraftSanity #207: 10.3.17 Patricia Constantine
Interview with Patricia Constantine, who entered a piece titled “Sineater” in the 2017 ArtPrize competition that makes a bold statement about American politics and education.
-
CraftSanity #206: 9.30.17 Melodee Jackson
Melodee Jackson discusses the creation of her intricate ArtPrize 2017 work, “Early January on the Pearl Street Bridge.”
-
CraftSanity #205: 9.25.17 Ti-Rock Moore and Keyon Lovett
Some artists make art to entertain and amuse, while activist artists like Ti-Rock Moore and Keyon Lovett make art to challenge and raise awareness about injustices in society. Both artists discuss their ArtPrize entries inspired by the continuing Flint water crisis.
-
CraftSanity #204: 9.23.17 Mary-Catheryn Baker
Self-taught West Michigan abstract painter Mary-Catheryn Baker discusses her life and her entry into ArtPrize 2017.
-
CraftSanity #203: 9.18.17 Jeana Eve Klein
Interview with Jeana Eve Klein, about her surprising path to ArtPrize 2017 in Grand Rapids.
-
CraftSanity #202: 9.11.17 Angela Smith
Angela Smith, owner of Houston, Texas-based tool and supply business Purl & Loop discusses the unexpected turn of events that led to her start business.
-
CraftSanity #201: 8.31.17 Marlee Cook-Parrott
Interview with Marlee Cook-Parrott, who used the Instagram app to promote her business and amassed a strong following quickly.
-
CraftSanity #200: 7.27.17 Emily Wohlscheid
Interview with artist Emily Wohlscheid, owner of Bricolage Studios.
-
CraftSanity #199: 7.9.17 Heidi Fahrenbacher
Heidi Fahrenbacher discusses creating the whimsical Bella Joy Pottery line in a former veterinary clinic-turned-clay studio just outside of Plainwell, Michigan.
-
CraftSanity #198: 6.28.17 Alessandra Hayden
Alessandra Hayden shares the story behind her impressive new book, “Modern Tapestry Crochet: Techniques, Projects, Adventure.”
-
CraftSanity #197: 4.29.17 Jesse Duquette of The Daily Don
Today is Donald Trump's 100th day in office. One of my secret weapons to cope with this seemingly alternate reality has been to follow the.daily.don feed on Instagram, featuring the satirical artwork of Jesse Duquette.
-
CraftSanity #196: 3.25.17 Maryanne Moodie
With studio space in New York and a home base in Australia, Maryanne Moodie has quickly become a household name among weaving enthusiasts around the globe. But many may be surprised to realize that the Australian artist who recently published On The Loom: A Modern Weaver’s Guide ($27.50, 144…
more -
CraftSanity #195: 2.13.17 Susan and Evan Anderson
On this episode of the podcast we go behind the scenes of Barrett Wool Co., the new yarn business that Susan B. Anderson launched with her son, Evan Anderson.
-
CraftSanity #194: 1.16.17 The Pussy Cat Project
When thousands of protesters gather for the Women’s March On Washington January 21, 2017 the day after Trump takes the helm of our nation, there will be a sea of pink that just might inspire the former host of “Celebrity Apprentice” to once again regret speaking so freely while on wearing a hot mic.
-
CraftSanity #193: 1.2.17 Jane LaFazio
Jane LaFazio is a watercolor and mixed media artist, art quilter and all-around creative force with a passion for travel and teaching others how to draw and paint. However, with a background in graphic design and technical illustration, this is not the combination of work LaFazio thought she…
more -
CraftSanity #192: 12.8.16 Stacey Trock
Stacey Trock discusses how she went from grad school to launching her own crochet business, freshstitches.com and community Ami Club.
-
CraftSanity #191: 11.3.16 Maria Alexandra Vettese and Stephanie Congdon Barnes
Maria Alexandra Vettese and Stephanie Congdon Barnes discuss their long distance friendship, collaboration and their new book “A Year Between Friends 3191 Miles Apart: Crafts, Recipes, Letters, and Stories” (208 pages, $24.95).
-
CraftSanity #190: 10.20.16 Origami artist Stacie Tamaki
Stacie Tamaki discusses what got her started folding tiny and what lead her to downsize her life and relocate to Michigan, where she is building her dream art studio.
-
CraftSanity #189: 8.21.16 Quilter Kathy Nida and the case of the mystery member
Interview with Kathy Nida, the artist behind a quilt recently removed from a recent American Quilter's Society show in Grand Rapids for after a complaint that doesn't seem to add up.
-
CraftSanity #188: 6.9.16 Korey Schnell
Korey Schnell discusses his illustrations drawn from Craigslist "Missed Connections"
-
CraftSanity #187: 5.9.16 Wendy Bernard
On this episode, blogger, knitting pattern designer and author Wendy Bernard talks about her creative roots, social media and her new book, “The Knitting All Around Stitch Dictionary: 150 New Stitch Patterns to Knit Top Down, Bottom Up, Back and Forth and in the Round.”
-
CraftSanity #186: 4.11.16 Deborah Norville
Widely known as the anchor of Inside Edition, Deborah Norville is also an adept crafter who is the new host of "Knit and Crochet Now!"
-
CraftSanity #185: 4.1.16 The story behind new yarn line Welcome Home
On this episode of CraftSanity, we're going sheep to skein to unravel the story of how wool from a West Michigan flock is being spun into a lovely, new independent yarn line called Welcome Home.
-
CraftSanity #184: 3.10.16 Ursula Morgan
Creativebug CEO Ursula Morgan talks about how she shifted careers from magazine publishing to lead the charge to make the business profitable by the end of 2016.