My Artist Friend

Take a Break!This is just a super quick episode to remind you to rest when you need to. Sending you so much love! See you in Notes and Friday Favorites!♡ BeckyThanks for reading and listening to My Artist Friend with Becky Helms! This post is public so please feel free share it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

Meaningful souvenirs are very important to me.I am a very sentimental person who loves a gift shop. Give me trinkets, ornaments, puzzles, plushies, t-shirts, I’m all over it. I love collecting memories. But, I also love making things.So naturally, if I can craft a memory, that’s perfection.After our recent trip to New York City, where did the Empire State Building, Nintendo Store, Toho Shoji, Kinokuniya, Bryant Park, TWA Hotel, Statue of Liberty, I’ve got travel crafting on the brain.Why Travel Crafting Rules:* Super personalized souvenirs for you or someone you love.* Unique supplies you might not be able to get back home.* Stress relief while traveling because travel anxiety is very real.Supplies that Travel Well:* Yarn - Use your skeins as a neck pillow, too! * Crochet hooks - TSA allows them, but the agent could veto them at the gate.* Knitting needles - TSA allows them, but the agent could veto them at the gate.* Plastic canvas - This podcast has lots of ideas for small projects. Could get bulky depending on what you make.* Beads and jewelry making tools - TSA says pliers longer than 7” should be checked, but I’d try bringing mini tools on a plane.* Paper - A sketchbook or just some printer paper for all kinds of crafting.* Sun prints - They require paper and time, but if you’re planning a visit to a park, this could be fun!* Collage/Junk Journal - You just need a glue stick and paper. Easy peasy.* Embroidery - TSA allows needles and tiny scissors in your carry ons!* Stamp pad - There are so many uses for this and two are below!Unique Supplies that Make Specific Souvenirs:* Natural, local rocks - Petosky stones, Yooperlite and Fordite in Michigan for example. * Local flowers - Sun prints, pressed flowers, keep them in a zipper bag to smoosh them into dye. Make sure it’s legal to take them, first!* Beads - Find some that are unique and remind you of the shop, town or time you picked them up.* Locally dyed/sourced yarn - These are special for only being available where you found them. Hooray for artisans!* Trinkets - Perfect for shadow boxes (this IKEA hack is amazing) and bag charms.* Watercolors or pigments - Find a local craft store and see if they have any unique paints or pigments.* Kneadable eraser - Use one to make impressions on local architecture and make your own stamp book! Like this!* Stamps - Speaking of stamps, it would be fun to find a vintage or local stamp to use in crafting that always makes you think of a specific trip.* Buttons - Is there a fun sewing shop in the area? Do they have novelty buttons? This one is a bit of stretch, but I think it’s a cute idea.* Thrift something - Up-cycle a shirt, get your frame from the thrift, grab bedsheets for a project, maybe there’s a piece of home decor you can bring back that just reminds you of the time. Quick Projects to Make on the Road:* Knit or Crochet a scarf from yarn you buy on vacation.* Crochet granny squares that represent where you’ve been and make small project like coasters, mug cozies, wall hangings. * Crochet a blanket for someone you’re visiting. Super chunky yarn works best, so it works up quickly.* Amigurumi animals or a characters that stands out from the trip.* Kumihimo is Japanese cord weaving and just requires a small template loom and either yarn or floss that you can grab on your trip.* Beaded Everything! Necklaces and earrings are my favorites, but how cute would specific friendship bracelets be with the place name, friend or family name, or a specific charm that’s from that place?* Decorate frames with friends/family. Paint, decoupage, decoden, or however you want to decorate a frame, be sure to take a photo that fits the travel vibes.* Embroider a sweatshirt or t-shirt with themed decorations, names and dates* Travel day junk journaling with all the ephemera you’ve collected during the trip. Grab a small envelope to keep your receipts, tickets, tags, etc, safe.* Grab a piece of paper, a pair of scissors, and a pen and make a zine of your travels!Thanks for listening to the podcast! If you don’t want to subscribe, but still want to support, consider a small, one-time trinket donation! I hope this was fun to think about! Let me know if you do any travel crafting!♡ BeckyThanks for reading and listening to My Artist Friend with Becky Helms! This post is public so please feel free share it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

It’s time for another Snack + Art = SnArt! This month, we’re going for a very niche craft that I’m surprised hasn’t made a huge comeback yet. With everyone craving nostalgia and cozy cottage vibes, you’d think plastic canvas crafts would be everywhere. They’re easy to make and give that perfect, whimsical feel that’s all over my social media feed at the moment. I actually shared a tutorial once, a whole life-time ago, about how to cover a brick with plastic canvas for a doorstopper. Not the most glamorous craft, but I liked it! And I used it for years. Anyway, here are a few ideas for you incase you want to help me revive this craft.Thanks for listening to the podcast! If you don’t want to subscribe, but want to support, consider a small, one-time donation. Similar to the “buy me a coffee” buttons, but I don’t drink coffee and would rather wander a thrift store lol. Love you!ArtistsFeral Notions Co* This house bag is too cute! Here’s the pattern in their shop.Mary Maxim* They have so many vintage patterns! If you’re going for nostalgia, this is where it’s at.Resources & BooksEpida Studio* Getting Started with Plastic Canvas* Stitching on Plastic CanvasCraftyPod* Plastic Canvas Basics: How to Start and End a Strand of Yarn* A whole playlist of plastic canvas tutorials!Plastic Canvas Dollhouse bookLot of plastic canvas booksActivities* Crafternoon- Swap supplies, make things for each other, put on a movie and have a cozy night in.* Thrift or vintage hunting - Gather yarn from reuse shops, look for trinkets that fit in diorama or dollhouse, gather color palette inspiration.* Make a village together - Work together with your family to create a tiny village. Add to it every year.Projects* Dollhouse * Trinket Display * Pedestal* Diorama* Tiny Chairs* Christmas Ornaments * Tissue Box Covers* Purses * Scalloped Shelf Trim * Earring Displays * Boxes and Jewelry Trays * Wall Hangings * Frames I hope you make something fun this month!♡ BeckyThanks for reading and listening to My Artist Friend with Becky Helms! This post is public so please feel free share it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

Being creative every day is hard.Nay! Impossible!But, in my quest to live a slow, creative life after a magnificent burnout, I’ve found a few ways squeeze creativity into my days.Let’s get into it:* Journal. Full stop.* Listen to all the reasons I love journaling in this podcast episode. You can even follow my friend Laura Woodmansee ✦ who writes all about journaling.* This is a great way to get your creative ideas out and on to paper. You can list projects you’d like to do even if you don’t have time right now. You can make holy grail supply lists to help you start gathering materials for an art piece. You can brainstorm terrible ideas and quick activities. You can even start writing a book and coming up with characters. Use that space as your creative sandbox. 5 minutes, half an hour, it doesn’t matter. Journalling is also creative time.* Fit it in whenever you can. First thing in the morning, right before bed, voice notes in the car, the notes app on your phone. Keep a physical journal in your bag to write on the go. Whatever is easiest and most accessible to you. * Set Boundaries & Stay True to You.* This is not revolutionary, but it’s serious! When I was postpartum I didn’t take my time seriously and it wore on me. When I wanted to go back to work I had to make a clear separation of work time and home time. Sometimes it was just during naps and I had to have my own back to get things done. Sometimes it was making sure that I didn’t check work emails after school was out because I had to hold my family boundary. Sometimes, things on both sides of that wall had to wait.* In practice now, I’m carving out time for the 100 Day Project (which I did a podcast about last week) and I’m asking my guys (and my friends in Pokopia) to wait till I get my project for the day done, photographed and posted. I’m also asking myself to stick to it, but you can hear more about that in the other podcast.* For you it might look like putting a note on your craft room door that you’re working and not to bug you (caretakers need to know the seriousness of the situation). How about a quiet time for everyone in the family before school (lol I know that’s happening) or right before bed (that’s a little more manageable, maybe).* Choose Uncomplicated Projects.* If you’re trying to add a little something creative to your days, which is the whole point of the episode, please pick something uncomplicated. Simple. Easy. Manageable. We’re not trying to break the bank or learn a whole new skill with materials we’ve never touched before. We’re just opening the door to an activity that will give you joy, satisfaction and hopefully help to relieve some stress in the process. That’s why my activities are journaling, making necklaces and drawing. There are different barriers to entry for all of those things, but they’re all accessible to me at the moment.* Think about what you have on hand, versus what you have to go buy. Think of what’s available to you in your area, versus what you’d need to get online. Choose something you know you can finish, or make good progress on in what time you have available during the day. * My favorite part of this bit is that it allows you to be a little messy. Keeping supplies out and at the ready (even if it looks rough) is so important! It removes the barrier of set up and right now, that’s more important than a magazine ready home.* Look for Creativity in Unexpected Places.* Picture this: You’ve been up all night because of a chronic flare up, there’s no gas in the tank, you slept through your journaling, you’re solo parenting and your kid has to get to school. There’s not a moment or spoon to be had. But you’ve got a cute necklace.* Clothing and accessories can be a great way to practice your creativity when you don’t have a lot of time or energy. If you do have a lot time and energy and just to mess around and let your wardrobe be your canvas.* Look at your clothes and mess with color palettes, textures, jewelry, you name it. I love the idea of a monochromatic outfit and a pop of color with a necklace. Dacy Gillespie is a great resource for working on your personal style. In Practice:So, in practice, in my life, this looks like getting up half an hour before everyone else to feed the cats, light a candle and journal. I know not everyone can do this and it does impact our evenings because my 8-9 hours of sleep is very important, but even just that small amount of time helps me clear my head and think about fun projects at the same time.It’s also shown up with the 100 Day Project. My family knows it’s important to me to work on it and share it, so that time is sacred.Using those necklaces I’ve made as a tiny dose creativity in my black hoodie + black leggings outfits I wear because nothing else fits anymore. Seeing them in the mirror makes me so happy!For my kid, I try to make sure we have sketchbooks or paper available because he’s drawing all the time. In your life, maybe it looks like:* Bringing a sketchbook to the school pick-up line.* Writing for half and hour before bed.* Choosing one day a week to work on a large painting.* Sewing a quilt block or crocheting a granny square every day for a big blanket.* Using chore time as a container for your creative endeavors - I’ll work on my watercolors while the laundry is going.* Sacrificing a little doom scroll each day for book character brainstorm session.* Keeping a sketchbook easily accessible in the house for quick drawings.Sometimes there truly isn’t enough time or energy to go around.In those moments I want to you know that it’s not your fault. The system is set up to keep us going, keep us earning, keep on the road to burnout. And the last thing I want to do is sound like some productivity guru because that stuff is mainly written by men who have wives at home with no creative time to themselves because their full time job is keeping the house and kids together so their husband can think of ways to guilt people into doing more. Not all of them, but lots of them. I’m here for the mom at home, encouraging her to take some time for herself. Thanks for listening to the podcast! If you don’t want to subscribe, but still want to support, consider a small, one-time trinket donation! You are worth it. And your creative endeavors are worth it. You can do it!!♡ BeckyThanks for reading and listening to My Artist Friend with Becky Helms! This post is public so please feel free share it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

The 100 Day Project started 25 days ago!Lindsay Jean Thomson hosts the official party and you should see all the cool work other artists make!We’re a quarter of the way through! And I’ve actually done it every single day (ish). I have definitely shared a project on Notes every day. One of the pieces was an extra that I photographed just in case I didn’t have time to make something new over the weekend. So, I’m not perfect. You’re not perfect. And we can still feel good about this long-term project.Here are some suggestions:* If you missed a day, so what?* Be a day behind. * Skip the day entirely.* Make up for it and do two pieces the next day.* If you’re running out of ideas, me too lol.* Try a new brand of supplies and compare it to what you’ve been using.* Go acquire some new supplies. Go shopping, or swap with friends.* Just look up a new technique (that’s what I did this morning!)* If it’s feeling like a chore.* Unfortunately, I want you to push through here.* Pick a new time during the day to do it.* Clean up and organize your supplies.General thoughts and feelings for when you’re ready quit:* Make a little chart or just a piece of paper where you can see your progress and acknowledge how much you’ve done. I saw someone on Instagram who just had a piece of construction paper on the wall and put gold stars on it, wherever, every day she moved her body. * Listen to music when your start working. Something that you can associate with creative time. (I have a jpop playlist with amazing singers and anime OSTs that I’ve been listening to for literally 20 years and it always helps me focus).* Notice where you feel the ick in your body. A lot of my anxiety lives in my chest and I can feel the need to flee. Take deep breaths, allow yourself to feel it and remind yourself that you’re not being chased by a bear. You just don’t wanna do it.* Never forget that it’s ok to do the bare minimum. If you’re worried about it, you bare minimum is probably everyone else’s 80% lol.Thanks for listening to the podcast! If you don’t want to subscribe, but still want to support, consider a small, one-time trinket donation! I hope you’re having fun with your project! Let me know if you’ve been working on your own, or if you have any favorites you’ve seen going on!♡ BeckyThanks for reading and listening to My Artist Friend with Becky Helms! This post is public so please feel free share it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

This is not a toxic productivity episode!I just realized that March is almost over, which means that the first quarter of the year is almost over and it might be a good time to take stock of our goals and try to squeeze a few things in before April starts.So, whether you have personal professional goals, I want to take you through a quick framework for redefining and reassessing your goals to see if they’re really what you want to be doing. A lot has changed since January 1st (personally, politically, existentially), so your objectives and ambitions might have already changed.I’m going to use my winter project goals from my Winter Wishlist post as examples of how to apply this framework to real life. I’ve also made a template using my framework for you to print out. It took me way too long to make it in Canva lol. I’m an Adobe girl by trade and it’s been way too long since I’ve designed printables, but I refuse to use AI, so it was time well spent. Anyway! The link is below!Framework!* Status - Where are we in the process? Have you started? Are you almost done* Figure out how much time it will take to fully complete this project.* ● 𖧋 𖧋 𖧋 𖧋 = Totally forgot about it - not even started* ● ● 𖧋 𖧋 𖧋 = You wrote down some ideas, but still didn’t start* ● ● ● 𖧋 𖧋 = You have a plan and supplies and started in earnest* ● ● ● ● 𖧋 = You are well on your way and have a few steps left* ● ● ● ● ● = Almost done, just needs finishing touches* Effort - How difficult is this project? Do you need supplies or specialized equipment? Will you have to ask for help or be dependent on others? * Use a scale of one to five stars how hard will this be to achieve? * ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ = Easy peasy - done in minutes* ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ = Not too bad - done in hours* ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ = Ok, this is doable - done in a few days* ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ = Good gracious - done in a few weeks* ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ = Holy cow - done in a few months* Value - (For work related goals) How much money will this project bring in, potentially? Is it a one-time fee, recurring revenue, what are your expenses?* Figure out, using past data, how much you stand to make from this project. * $ $ $ $ $ = Very low ticket - under $5 each / per sale* $ $ $ $ $ = Giftable pricing - around $10 - 20* $ $ $ $ $ = Same as your average order value-ish* $ $ $ $ $ = One of the higher priced products in your shop* $ $ $ $ $ = Life changing money* Joy - How much joy does this project bring you? Do you love the process or the end result? Both? Did it turn out to be soul sucking?* Figure out if this is something you even like to do. Your own delight is worth more than you think.* ♥︎ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ = Thought you’d love it, not so much* ♥︎ ♥︎ ♡ ♡ ♡ = It’s ok, but I’d rather do something else* ♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎ ♡ ♡ = This is really fun and I do it over and over* ♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎ ♡ = This rules and I want to make it my personality* ♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎ = I could do this for the rest of my life and be so happy* Plan - Now that you have a general idea about where your project stands, how much effort it will take, how much it will make you (if you’re doing it for work) and how much you like doing it, let’s decipher the little graphs.* Status - Let’s only work on things that are 3 circles or more. The other projects can be moved to next quarter. * Effort - Since we just have two or three weeks left in the quarter, let’s aim for projects that have less than 3 stars. We’re looking for days, not weeks if we’re talking multiple projects. Be realistic!* Value - I want you to concentrate on the high status, low effort projects that will bring you between 2 - 4 monies. And put them in order of the most you can make for the time spent.* Joy - I don’t want this to be an afterthought! Right now, the projects with less than 3 hearts are automatically moved and/or eliminated completely! Doing things you hate? In this economy? No ma’am.Narrowing down: If you still have a lot of projects on your list, let’s make the joy the priority and order them by happiness. You can always move things to next quarter. It’s not that they’ll never get done. They just won’t get done right now.Thanks for listening to the podcast! If you don’t want to subscribe, but still want to support, consider a small, one-time trinket donation! My Personal Projects!* The Dining Room Remodel* Status: ● ● ● 𖧋 𖧋* Effort: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆* Joy: ♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎* Plan: I have a deadline for this, so I’m planning on making steady progress here. This is #3 because I am dependent on help from Andy and electricians for our lighting.* Attempt to Paint Frames * Status: ● 𖧋 𖧋 𖧋 𖧋* Effort: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆* Joy: ♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎* Plan: This one has the lowest effort and a high reward, so this is getting started this week. This project is #1 on the list!* Hang Photos and Art EVERYWHERE* Status: ● 𖧋 𖧋 𖧋 𖧋* Effort: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆* Joy: ♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎* Plan: This one is going to bring a lot of joy, but I’m dependent on the thrift gods for it. She’s going to be #4.* Basement & Garage Organizing * Status: ● ● 𖧋 𖧋 𖧋* Effort: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆* Joy: ♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎ ♡ ♡* Plan: If I have concentrated time, I can absolutely knockout the garage in a weekend and the basement in a full week. But, these are lower priority because they are very low traffic areas, so I’m going to put this last at #5.* Start Painting My Office * Status: ● 𖧋 𖧋 𖧋 𖧋* Effort: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆* Joy: ♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎* Plan: This is another deadline project, so just like the dining room, we’re shooting for slow and steady progress. I’m going to say this is my #2 priority.I hope this was helpful and not super confusing. Once you start breaking down projects and get really honest with your timing and abilities and willingness to ask for help, it’ll get easier! ♡ BeckyThanks for reading and listening to My Artist Friend with Becky Helms! This post is public so please feel free share it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

It’s time for another Snack + Art = SnArt! This month, I’m taking all my beading knowledge from The 100 Day Project (check my Notes to see what I’ve been up to) and using it to make bag charms.I’ve been charm girlie for years. My keychains are always heavy, my cell phones had multiple dangly charms and my ita bags have always been full. The LaBubu craze and obsession with blind boxes is not new to me. Don’t recite the old magic to me. I was there when it was written!Anyway! Let’s make some charms this month. I’ve got lots of links below for inspo and resources. I can’t wait to see what you make!ALSO! I totally forgot to mention that this craft is perfect for fiber artists, too. So please include small quilted objects (zipper bags, single blocks, etc), crocheted trinkets and knitted cuties to the list of projects.Ok! Enough rambling! Enjoy the episode!Thanks for listening to the podcast! If you don’t want to subscribe, but want to support, consider a small, one-time donation. Similar to the “buy me a coffee” buttons, but I don’t drink coffee and would rather wander a thrift store lol. Love you!ArtistsBright Bat Design* Nugget Keychains - adorable plush keychain charms that even have their own ita bag backpacks!* Acrylic Keychains - If you just want cute keychains to add to the mix, she’s got them!Burger Babie* Blind Bag Keychains - Padded vinyl blind bag charms in her unique style.Sugarbones* Star Pocket Trinket Keychain - I have one of these and they fit Sonny Angels perfectly. I have a bunch of Calico Critters in mine.* Star Bag Mini Backpack - If you need a bag with lots of rings to attach your charms to, this is the one!Ugly Plants* Photocard Holder - These are great for showing off Pokemon cards or KPop photocards. A fun addition to any bag charm.ResourcesThe Stylish Maker YouTube Channel* Keyring Tutorial* Necklace Stringing TutorialPerkins on Parkway YouTube Channel* Dangle Bag Charm* Wrap-around Bag CharmKitto YouTube Channel* Plush Charm TutorialChelsea DIY YouTube Channel* Plush Cookie Keychain Activities* Craft Night - Swap supplies, make things for each other, put on a movie and have a cozy night in.* Thrift or Vintage Hunting - Go looking for trinkets that can be used as beads or charms or pendants. Get nostaligic!* Long-distance charm swap - Send your friends a bag of a mystery beads, or make something just for them! My friend Courtney and I are doing this right now!* Sisterhood of the traveling charm - Start a charm and send it to a friend. Then, they add to it and send it to another friend! Keep it going!Projects* Beaded Charms - A great place to start.* Sew Your Own Plush Charm - Use your own characters or choose an existing plush to modify.* Up-Cycle a Vintage Toy - If you have a dremel it makes it easier, but if just get some screw eyes, you can shove it straight into a soft vinyl toy!* Rhinestone a trinket or keychain - Get our your glue and rhinestones and make something mundane, fabulous.* Recreate Vintage Charm Necklace - Do your remember these charm necklaces from the 80s? How cute would it be as a charm chain going from one handle of a purse to another?I hope you make something fun this month!♡ BeckyThanks for reading and listening to My Artist Friend with Becky Helms! This post is public so please feel free share it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

It’s time for another Snack + Art = SnArt! This month is a little weird because the topic is very niche. We’re doing t-shirt quilting in February! I know. I know. I haven’t even done regular quilting as a topic for Snart yet, but I think this has a lot of potential.We’re going to de-stash, up-cycle and make some stuff out of t-shirts that is not limited to just quilting. I promise, I have some fun activities and projects to try. Let me know what you think!!My Artist Friend with Becky Helms is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.ArtistsI usually mention artists that use whatever medium I’m yapping about, but I couldn’t find any that were specific to t-shirts. There are lots of amazing textile artists, but in my brief research, I couldn’t find anyone specifically upcycling shirts. There are lots of craft round-ups about things you can make with shirts, but nothing that stood out to be shirt-specific. If you know of anyone, please let me know!BooksThe T-Shirt Quilt Book: Create One-Of-A-Kind Keepsakes - Make 8 Exciting Projects or Design Your Own by Lindsay Conner and Carla Hegeman Crim* I found this book at the library the other day and it kicked off of my hyperfixation. It’s got step-by-step instructions and advice on specific interfacing that works best to stabilize t-shirts.Modern Memory Quilts: A Handbook for Capturing Meaningful Moments,12 Projects + the Stories That Inspired Them by Suzanne Paquette* This one looked promising from the preview photos. Something a little more modern?T-Shirt Quilts Made Easy Quilt Book by Martha Deleonardis* The listing for this one on Fat Quarter Shop (a favorite online fabric store!) said, “cracked the code of stabilizing all sorts of stretchy fabric” and I need to know everything!Activities* Go through clothes together - Sit down with your family and go through clothes together! Reminisce, choose favorites for the quilt and maybe choose others for hand-me-downs or donations. Do a clean-out and craft at the same time. * Clothing swap - Organize a t-shirt swap with friends and grow your collection! Maybe other folks would want to join in on your project after seeing everything together and adding new shirts to their stash.* Thrift adventure - Go out and find some new-to-you treasures! Maybe you want band tees, 90s nostalgia, a specific color scheme or local spots? I think checking out the thrift, yard sales and estate sales would be a fun way to gather material for a recycled craft like this.Projects* T-Shirt Quilt - You can just google “t-shirt quilt patterns” and be inundated with all kinds of patterns and YouTube videos. Go wild with those! But here are three patterns that I thought were unique in a crowded space.* Rebel Girl Quilt Pattern - This quilt looks like records coming out of their sleeves and I saw someone on reddit use it by putting band tees where the record sleeve piece go! Brilliant. And it’s free!* Book Nook Quilt Pattern - This made me think of another favorite pattern that is of book covers and stacks of books. You could do a bookish quilt, or just make it like, the story of your life. * Polaroid T-Shirt Quilt - I just thought this one was so fun. It’s a clean layout with a vintage feel that is so versatile. How fun would it be to print out actual photos on fabric to use for this?! Not what we were talking about, but kind of cool. Oh! Or t-shirts with faces on them like bands or movies? I’m overthinking now.* Pillow Shams - These can be as simple or as complicated as you want. You can quilt multiple shirts together, or just pick one. I’ve linked three different methods of sewing them together.* No Zipper Free Pattern - This is a very simple YouTube video showing how to make a pillowcase without a zipper. I’d add some interfacing to it, tbh, but it’s a great place to start.* T-Shirt Pillow with Zipper - This is a little more advanced, but I think it looks nice.* Simplest Pillow of the Bunch - This one doesn’t require flaps or zippers!* Ornaments - If you have shirts with smaller elements or a repeating pattern that can be cut and used multiple times, ornaments might be a fun thing to make.* The House that Lars Built - This particular pattern has fabric that was custom printed, but it gives you a good idea of how to cut out abnormal shapes and how to add some extra flair. I’d definitely recommend interfacing to make stuffing them easier. T-shirt fabric can get ridiculously stretchy and hard to manage.* Kimekomi Ornaments - These come from a Japanese dollmaking technique where lines are scored on a foam surface and fabric is tucked into the lines. Definitely use interfacing, but this is great for smaller, recognizable patterns.* Upcycle Elements from T-shirts - This tutorial is so cute. I love the idea of using the interfacing to fuse the shirt onto felt and then cut out the design from there. * Use Excess as Material - After you cut out the graphic from your shirt, you’ll have a lot of extra material hanging around. Cut it up and use it for yarn to make more crafts! The less that goes to a landfill the better. You can even take the leftover from the yarn to use in stuffing for pillows, plushies, door draft blockers, those ornaments you’re gonna make. Nothing has to go to waste.* T-Shirt Yarn - Shirt yarn is so versatile! Anything you can knit or crochet with chunky yarn, you can do it with t-shirt yarn. * No-Sew Braided Rug - I just thought this was great way to use yarn without having to know how to crochet or knit.* Color Blocked Crochet Pot Holder - How cute is this?! They’d be great for trivets, too.I hope you make something fun this month!♡ BeckyThanks for reading and listening to My Artist Friend with Becky Helms! This post is public so please feel free share it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

Hi! I’m Becky, a former shop owner & independent artist, currently reclaiming my creativity & living a slow, nerdy life. I love sharing small businesses, chatting about crafts and hollerin’ about books.Come hangout in this silly, cat-photo-filled, creative space!Be Gentle with Yourself* Get at least eight hours of sleep!* I cannot stress to you how important sleep is. Check out any episode of Life Kit about sleep.* Get a physical and ask about regular bloodwork* Sometimes there’s a physical reason you’ve got brain fog. I have to take vitamin d supplements in the winter and I can tell when I need them!* Think about therapy or bring it up to your therapist.* Talk therapy on a regular basis is amazing! Sometimes just getting it out at being validated can open a new door for you.* No negative self talk.* Don’t be the villain in your own story. It’s so easy to spiral, but please be gentle with yourself.Things to Try * Go to a museum, or browse a museum’s collection online.* Pinterest is full of AI slop, so sometimes you have to go straight to the source. Being around the physical work can give it a whole new meaning. Seeing the brushstrokes and taking in the scale can impact you in ways you’d never imagine. I saw Judith and Her Maidservant with the Head of Holofernes by Artemisia Gentileschi in person the other day and I’m obsessed. * If you don’t have any museums near you, browse the online collections of your favorite spots. These are great because you can see works that they don’t have out, too. Get lost in a rabbit hole of modern and ancient art!* Bring your sketchbook, camera and/or a friend and take your time!* Go take a walk in nature.* This is not groundbreaking and I’m sure I’ve mentioned it before, but it always works. * If you can’t get outside (our high as I write this is 15 🥶), I suggest finding a botanical garden with a greenhouse! The walk in might be rough, but it’ll be toasty warm inside and you’ll be surrounded by beautiful plant life. There are also florists and plant stores if there’s nothing else. But maybe don’t settle in for a long visit there lol.* Bring a sketchbook or camera (single-use, instant film, fancy camera or just your phone) and record what you see. If you bring your phone, maybe you can print out your photos on one of those sticker paper printers. I want one.* Make your home the studio.* Grab a bouquet of flowers at the grocery store or a cute new plant at the local plant shop and bring it home (if you don’t have a cat like Sprinkles who eats every plant I’ve ever bought 😑)* Thrift some items to make a still life. Pressed glass vases, vintage books, toys from your childhood, a letter case full of trinkets, a table setting of beautiful china. Sari shows us that still life paintings can be anything!* Draw your subject from different angles. Paint flowers each day as they wilt. Dry the flowers and hang them and draw them again. Sculpt your still life out of air dry clay and make a 1:1 replica. Use paper mâché to make a giant version of your subject. The possibilities are only limited by your brain. And as long as you’re not using genAI regularly, you probably still have a brain to use!* Go to YouTube University!* Pick a medium you’ve always wanted to try and find an instructional video on YouTube. Grab your supplies, make the time and get ready to suck at it! * Try it at least twice so you can learn from your mistakes and keep trying. You don’t have to show anyone and you can chuck after you want. This is just to stretch your creative muscles in a new direction for a bit.* If you’re feeling sassy, invite a friend over or do this with your partner or kids!* Junk journal or collage.* This is an easy way to use the things around you in a new way. You don’t have to buy anything, unless you want a new sketchbook. I’ll never stand in the way of an artist and new sketchbook.* The point here is get creative with things around you. This is nothing you’re going to monetize. It’s just a way to cut and paste and play for a minute. Get out of the day to day and don’t force it to be good. Just like Jen Perkins says, “Glue stuff to stuff”. * Bonus, you can make this as easy or difficult as you want. Get some paper and scribble on it. Make your own textures and colors. Or just use what you’ve got if you don’t want to mess with it.♡ BeckyThanks for reading and listening to My Artist Friend with Becky Helms! This post is public so please feel free share it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

Hi! I’m Becky, a former shop owner & independent artist, currently trying to reclaim my creativity. I love sharing small businesses, chatting about crafts and rambling about books.Come hangout in this not-so-serious, cat-photo-filled, creative space!Dopamine Menu for Crafty People***Apologies for the audio quality! I explain it in the beginning and I’m so sorry!***Today, I’m leaning into a very silly idea.My therapist suggested I make a “dopamine menu” for myself a while back. Just a list of little things that lift my spirits and bring me joy.So, I decided to adapt that idea into a restaurant-style menu of different types of crafts and projects I can pull from when I need something to make. Join me to learn what kinds of crafts I add to my menu. I’ve got appetizers, entrees, salads, specials and desserts! It’s very dorky and I’m into it.♡ BeckyThanks for reading and listening to My Artist Friend with Becky Helms! This post is public so please feel free share it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

This week, I’m excited to share how we do our Advent calendar each year. I painted this tree for Emmit’s first Christmas and we’ve used it every year since. I fill each box with a Christmas chocolate and small piece of paper with an activity on it.Sometimes the activities are things we’re planning to go out and do. Sometimes they’re small ways to celebrate the season without much fuss. Here are some ideas for things you can add to your Advent calendar!You can also watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts!My Artist Friend with Becky Helms is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Activities* Local Events - Anything date specific goes on the calendar and into the Advent tree* Cocoa Crawls* Tree Lightings* Musical productions* Parades* Trivia Nights* Trail of Lights* Craft Shows & Holiday Markets - Get them on the calendar* Blue Genie Art Bizarre in Austin (Running till Christmas Eve as always)* Christkindl Markt in Grand Rapids (November 19th - December 23rd)* Detroit Urban Craft Fair (December 6th and 7th at the Masonic Temple in Detroit)* Family, Friends or Workplace Parties - If they’re part of your holiday season, add them to the Advent!* Go Ice Skating - I prefer to watch from a distance with hot chocolate lol* Buy a Special Ornament - We like to pick out a new ornament for each year, though I usually end up getting a few 😬 * Small Business Crawl - Visit your favorite small businesses all in one day! Maybe even eat at locally owned restaurants while you’re out. Bring some friends and support independent shops.Movies & TV Shows* The Muppet Christmas Carol* How the Grinch Stole Christmas* Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer* Frosty the Snowman* Care Bears Nutcracker Suite* White Christmas* Home Alone* Elf* A Chipmunk Christmas (does anyone else remember this?)* Christmas episodes of your favorite TV Shows (Like The Office, listed below)* Season 2, Episode 10 - “Christmas Party”* Season 3, Episode 10 & 11 - “A Benihana Christmas: Part 1 & 2”* Season 5, Episode 11 - “Moroccan Christmas”* Season 6, Episode 13 - “Secret Santa”* Season 7, Episode 11 & 12 - “Classy Christmas: Part 1 & 2”* Season 8, Episode 10 - “Christmas Wishes”* Season 9, Episode 9 - “Dwight Christmas”Food* Make a hot chocolate bar (or just make hot chocolate together)* Make Chex Mix together* Cookie marathon day - sugar cookies with decorations, chocolate chip, etc* Host a cookie swap* Make a gingerbread house (or use graham crackers for an easier treat)* Bake a yule log and decorate it together* I always make my Great Aunt Becky’s toffee and send it to folksTraditions* Make paper snowflakes* Play Candy Cane Hide & Seek* Make a memory chain* Make ornaments together* Make your own Christmas cards * Jolabokoflod - gift books on Christmas Eve!When I’m putting my calendar together, I try to space things out and think about when we might need a break from the more involved things. It must be said that we don’t always make good on every single activity every single day. Sometimes life happens. Sometimes we’re just not in the mood. We hold it loosely, but I like to use it as a framework for our holidays so we’re sure to do all the fun things we love each year!♡ BeckyThanks for reading and listening to My Artist Friend with Becky Helms! This post is public so please feel free share it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

We’re celebrating a year of the podcast with a Snart episode! Snart is Snack+Art (the snack bit isn’t as important, but if you want to be a purest, grab some Christmas Tree Cakes) and I’m sharing some artists who have amazing holiday ideas, thoughts on books about Christmas crafts, activities to do with people you like, and fun projects to try as we get into the season.Enjoy!!And be sure to scroll down for all the links you could possibly want!My Artist Friend with Becky Helms is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Artists* Jennifer Perkins - If you love a kitschy, crafty Christmas like me, she is your one stop shop for inspiration! I love her! She’s my friend in real life and I still crawl her site during the holidays looking for inspiration. She does lots of events around Austin, so be sure to follow her on Instagram if you’re in the area and want to make cool crafts with a cool chick.* Substack: iamjenperkins.substack.com* Blog: https://jenniferperkins.com/category/holidays/christmas/* Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheHuntressGatherer* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferperkins* The Crafted Life - If you like super simple, super colorful crafts at Christmas time, this is your gal! Another actual friend (how lucky am I?! 😭), Rachel is full of ideas that bring color into your life and holidays. Also, her books are incredible!* Blog: https://thecraftedlife.com/category/holiday/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecraftedlife/* Newsletter: https://thecraftedlife.com/newsletter/* Colorful Living Book: https://thecraftedlife.com/colorful-living-links/* Perkins on Parkway - I don’t actually know Krystle in real life, but her IG is full of fun home decor and DIYs. I recently saw, on Instagram, a felt Christmas chain DIY that I’m absolutely doing this year!* Blog: https://perkinsonparkway.com/category/christmas/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perkinsonparkway/* Mollie Johanson - We’re back to real life friends here! Mollie is an incredible artist, embroiderer and crafter. We even collabed on a pin together many years ago! Her felt holiday projects and sew-a-longs are beyond cute (as you’ll see below).* Blog: https://wildolive.blogspot.com/search/label/christmas* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/molliejohanson/* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wildolive* Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/wildolive/BooksI’m not going to share a list of books this time because I put together a pretty thorough list for the Christmas in July post. But, I will say, my best advice for finding good holiday craft books is to go thrifting. Any vintage Christmas craft book is going to be golden!Activities* Cocoa Crawl - I’ve only just heard of this, but apparently, shops will provide hot chocolate samples and you can just walk around town drinking cocoa and eating treats?! Sign me up! There are bunch around me, too!* Neighborhood Lights drive - I know there are lots of places to see giant light displays (we loved Trail of Lights and Peppermint Parkway in Austin every year), but when I was little and we didn’t have a lot, we’d just take a night and drive around the fancy neighborhoods to see what their lights were like lol!* Holiday Craft Night - There are so many projects you can do with friends for the holidays! Make ornaments and trade them, have a cookie baking day, make paper chains. Have a host, pick the supplies, get the cheesy music on and make it a night!* Ceramic Painting Studio - I flipping love a paint-your-own ceramics place. There’s one near us that has a giant light up Christmas tree and I need to paint my own pink, ceramic tree! It’s a must.Projects* Christmas Heirloom Dollhouse - This can be huge and involved (like Perkins on Parkway) or use a simple IKEA house as a base and be moderately involved (like Blushing Embers). Either way, I’m obsessed. You could even make a big dollhouse like A Beautiful Mess did years ago and make holiday themed rooms or swap out and redecorate that mini house for Christmas, too!* https://perkinsonparkway.com/diy-christmas-dollhouse/* instagram.com/blushingembers/* https://abeautifulmess.com/how-to-build-a-diy-dollhouse/* Wreaths - There are so many ways to make cute wreaths! You could make them humongous using pool noodles. You could hot glue a ton of vintage ornaments to a tinsel wreath (omg I want to do this so bad!). You could make tiny ones from bitty wreaths and kitschy odds and ends (I share this one for Christmas in July, but I’m still obsessed). * https://abeautifulmess.com/easy-oversized-christmas-wreath-diy-with-pool-noodles/* https://inspiredbycharm.com/diy-vintage-christmas-ornament-wreath/* https://www.bhg.com/christmas/ornaments/easy-christmas-ornaments/* Ornaments - Duh. First, please try making some pushpin ornaments! I got a bunch of satin ornaments from At Home last year to use as a base for pushpin decorating and I love them. Felt ornaments can also be fun if you’d rather sew and embroider. And I love making no-sew quilted ornaments. I made a few last year and while they took longer than expected they were easy to put together.* tiktok.com/@bruciesbaubles* https://wildolive.blogspot.com/2019/10/ornament-stitching-clubs-for-making.html* Stacey Lee Creative - no sew quilted Christmas ornament* Memory Chain - So, we made paper chains in my family, but it was never just about the decoration. We’d write a Christmas memory or just a memory that brought us joy from the last year on each piece of paper. Then, we’d read them off as we stapled the paper together. Everyone got links in the chain! And it was always so fun to think back on the joy of the year and the holiday traditions we love. The projects below are just different takes on the paper chain craft.* Paper Chain Wall Art * Perkins on Parkway Felt Chain * DIY Fabric ChainLinks* Newsletter: https://beckyhelms.substack.com/s/newsletter* Previous Snart Episodes:https://beckyhelms.substack.com/p/snart-theme-for-july-with-beckyhttps://beckyhelms.substack.com/p/28-snart-theme-for-june-with-beckyhttps://beckyhelms.substack.com/p/24-snart-theme-for-may-with-beckyhttps://beckyhelms.substack.com/p/10-becky-snart-snackart-afterschoolhttps://beckyhelms.substack.com/p/12-snart-theme-for-february-withhttps://beckyhelms.substack.com/p/16-snart-theme-for-march-with-beckyhttps://beckyhelms.substack.com/p/20-snart-theme-for-april-with-becky♡ BeckyThanks for reading and listening to My Artist Friend with Becky Helms! This post is public so please feel free share it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

Season 2 is here!After a little transition time between the summer and the new school year, I’m back with another podcast episode! As you can imagine, things didn’t turn out quite as I expected over the long holiday and I wanted to recap my expectations vs my reality and how I square them for myself.If you’d rather watch YouTube, you can hop over here.What Worked* Adding events to the calendar* This is huge for me because I’m an “out of sight, out of mind” kind of gal, so making sure the big events we want to do are on the calendar, meant that they weren’t missed.* The biggest one was the Ann Arbor Art Fair, which continues to be one of my favorite things about living here. It was a perfect day.* Christmas in July* The Snart activity for July was my favorite so far! I cannot express the joy that it brought me* We visited Frankenmuth, made crafts, bought holiday fabric and I even did Christmas nails!* Morning Pages* I held space for this practice during the break and whenever I chose to let it go in favor of a lie-in, I felt the difference.* This small ritual in the morning is necessary to my well being now!* Small crafts* Making beaded earrings was my crafty lifeline throughout the break. * Being able to complete a project from start to finish is another necessity for my brain.* Vlogging!* I am so glad that I recorded videos each week during the summer! Having a record of our days helped me to see how much we actually did, even if it wasn’t what we’d planned.* Feeling productive and sharing our life was really fun, too.What Didn’t Work* Strict weekly schedule* I love planning a weekly schedule, but keeping to it is a totally different exercise. * When I don’t follow through with my carefully laid plans, there are definitely feelings of failure that pop up. I had to let those go this summer.* Regular day trips* I have a kid who loves being home. He’d much rather read and build LEGO sets than run around town.* And our days ended up being shorter than I expected. We’d sleep in longer than expected (a blessing and a curse), his limited screen time would blend in to lunch and then we just didn’t have enough time to go out before it was time to start dinner. Again…learning to let go.* Long-term projects* I just couldn’t rustle up the dopamine to get to all of my neglected, long-term projects.* Sometimes it’s ok to kick the can down the road a bit and let your future self figure it out.* Anything that required recurring plans* I think we’ve establish that the best laid plans of mice and men go awry. I love making them, but when you’re a parent, you have to hold everything very loosely.* This is something I’d like to work on in the future. When my schedule works, it makes things easier for me, but when it’s too much, everything goes out the window.My Artist Friend with Becky Helms is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Find me all over the place!* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms/* Substack: https://substack.com/@beckyhelms* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeckyHelms* Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thebeckyhelms/_saved/* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beckyhelms.bsky.socialThanks for reading and listening to My Artist Friend with Becky Helms! This post is public so please feel free share it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

It’s time for the Season 1 Finale of My Artist Friend! Let’s chat about how to plan a creative summer and some of things I’m looking forward to while my kid is out of school. I’m chatting about project ideas, scheduling tips to limit decision making and just mindsets to help you survive the summer with your creativity intact.Thanks for hanging out with me for the last 30 weeks, omg! I’m taking a break after this episode until September, but I’ll still be hanging out on Instagram and Substack, so I hope to see you there!Keep scrolling down for the full outline and links.My Artist Friend with Becky Helms is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Scheduling Your Time* Events & Activities* Get out your calendar and add all the events that aren’t flexible, so you can plan around them.* Ann Arbor Art Fair: https://www.theannarborartfair.com/* Shakespeare in the Arb: https://www.annarbor.org/event/shakespeare-in-the-arb/19325/* Day Trips* Set a radius that’s reasonable for your travel in a day and explore!* Frankenmuth, MI: https://www.frankenmuth.org/* Detroit Institute of Arts: https://dia.org/* Toledo Zoo: https://www.toledozoo.org/* Summer-long Projects* Come up with one long-term project to work on during the summer.* Finish my stinkin’ holiday quilts.* Junk journal, scrap book, embroidery journal, pink eraser stamp collection, large paper mache sculpture, check past Snart Episodes!* Weekly Schedule* Naming days where you have recurring activities or meals will ease the burden of decision making. Don’t over plan or be in-flexible!* Library Mondays, Trip Tuesdays, Park Fridays, etc.* Brinner Mondays (that’s one of ours!), Taco Tuesdays (another winner), etc.* Daily Schedule* Having a couple of touch points during the day will help to keep things moving and keep the days from blending together.* Morning journal time (non-negotiable), one hour of Switch, one hour of vintage screens (Apple 2e games, NES, SNES, GameBoy, Game Gear, etc), Snart afternoon, reading time.Keeping up with Your Creativity* Schedule the time! Make it a priority!* It’s very easy to let your creativity go when you’re in the day-to-day of it all. Pick something small that you can do each day to fill your creative cup.* Journal time before everyone wakes up – this gets my brain going and puts me in a better headspace creatively and as a person.* have a project you can easily pick up and put down when you have a minute – be interruptible.* embroidery * quilting * simple jewelry making * drawing in a sketchbook * writing a short story, poem or song lyrics* Know that not every craft or activity will be a hit.* It’s ok if your kids, or you, aren’t into a craft that you’ve prepped for. Just let it go and try something else another day.* Reuse stores are great for experimental creativity, because their cheap and you can donate them right back.* Spend time outside and let your mind wander. * Get some solid, screen free time whenever you can. * Stolen Focus* Find flow - get super into a subject or project* Free play - let your mind wanderFind me all over the place!* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms/* Substack: https://substack.com/@beckyhelms* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeckyHelms* Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thebeckyhelms/_saved/* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beckyhelms.bsky.socialThanks for reading and listening to My Artist Friend with Becky Helms! This post is public so please feel free share it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

This episode is all about you! I put out a call to Instagram and got a few questions from some sweet friends (thank you!!) and we’re getting into some difficult questions about balance and owning a business, but also chatting about collecting and Animal Crossing. Literally, my favorite things to talk about! Keep scrolling down for the full list of questions, outlined answers and links.My Artist Friend with Becky Helms is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.* Any advice for working on personal biz goals when you work full-time corporate?* Be very specific with your goals - Nothing vague or open-ended. We need clarity about what you really want.* Put a timeline around projects - Give yourself end dates for projects and business goals. I gave myself 6 months for the podcast and then reassessed.* Check-in with yourself regularly - Weekly, monthly, quarterly, whatever your schedule, make the time to review.* How do you balance crafting for a job vs crafting for yourself?* Overlap the two - Most things I craft for work are things that I’d want to make for myself.* Make it about someone else - Gift giving rules!* Figure out quick wins - If I’m making for myself, I need a balance between the long and short term projects.* When you were in your biz, how did you balance art for fun and art for work?* I didn’t lol* Creativity showed up in different ways* Art projects with my kid* Picking out decor for our home* Drawing silly things for my husband* Carve out the time or follow the energy - However the inspiration hits, take the time to nurture it.* Flip your mindset - it’s not wasted time if it’s time spent nurturing your creativity* What would you do for business now vs then? Advice for someone who wants to. * Start and email list immediately - Substack, Klaviyo, FloDesk* Post to social media, but not enough to make it another full-time job.* Add an About You page to your site for the love all that’s holy!* https://shop.thepeachfuzz.co/pages/about* https://chunks.shop/pages/about-chunks* https://pixelandinkcreative.com/pages/about* https://www.staceymartin.com/homeabout* https://www.adamceramic.com/about-me* * How do you decide what books, goodies to collect/ curate over others? (via SharkCitySlicker)* Aesthetics - Is it cute? Does it fit with my ecclectic kawaii, mid-century vibe?* Accessibility - Is it in the budget, available and authentic? * Swung vases are my kryptonite. So expensive, but I’m obsessed. I have to limit my purchasing at antique stores and on eBay, but I will always grab one if it’s at the thrift* Polly Pockets are getting up there in price and the accessories are hard to find. Is it extra effort to get a complete set?* I love a vintage coach bag, but there’s a thriving knock-off market. Does it require more education on how to find the real thing?* Nostalgia - Was it something in my childhood that want back or something I was never able to have?* My first American Girl doll - I cried.* I need the dolphin Sky Dancer back in my life.Find me all over the place!* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms/* Substack: https://substack.com/@beckyhelms* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeckyHelms* Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thebeckyhelms/_saved/* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beckyhelms.bsky.socialThanks for reading and listening to My Artist Friend with Becky Helms! This post is public so please feel free share it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

June’s Snart theme is Embroidery and I couldn’t be more excited! I forgot to mention in the episode that I used to teach beginner embroidery classes in Austin. Seems like a big thing to leave out considering I even taught a class at one of the branches of the Austin Public Library, but I’m very grateful for photographic evidence of me teaching lol.Be sure to scroll down for all the links you could possibly want!My Artist Friend with Becky Helms is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Artists* Mollie Johanson - Super cute patterns for all abilities* Blog: https://wildolive.blogspot.com/* Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/wildolive* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/molliejohanson/?hl=en* Rachel of Poppy & Fern - Beautiful florals and jewelry* Shop: https://www.poppyandfern.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poppyandfern/?hl=en* The Wondermakers Collective - A collaborative embroidery project between friends that involves a lot of sequins* Website: https://thewondermakerscollective.com/* Yumiko Higuchi - Gorgeous patterns and lots of books linked in the book section* Website: https://yumikohiguchi.com/art* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yumikohiguchi/?hl=en* Jenny Hart - Fine artist, teacher and pioneer. Truly an inspiration.* Website: https://sublimestitching.com/pages/jenny_hart* Tutorials: https://sublimestitching.com/pages/tutorials* Sashiko Lab - A small sashiko atelier in Kyoto* Website: https://sashikolab.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sashiko.lab/?hl=enBooks* Embroidery in Everyday Life by Yumiko Higuchi* https://bookshop.org/a/112122/9781797221601* Embroidered Botanicals by Yumiko Higuchi* https://bookshop.org/a/112122/9781947322080* The Art of Embroidery Design: A Workshop for Developing Your Own Original Stitching by Christi Johnson* https://bookshop.org/a/112122/9781635867664* Paint with Thread by Emillie Ferris* https://bookshop.org/a/112122/9781446308486* https://www.instagram.com/emillieferris/?hl=en* Embroidery Stitch Bible by Betty Barnden* https://bookshop.org/a/112122/9784756242877* Simply Sashiko - Nihon Vogue* https://bookshop.org/a/112122/9784805316245Activities* Visit a Museum or checkout online exhibitions:* Detroit Institute of Art - Painted with Silk: The Art of Early American Embroidery - https://dia.org/about/media-room/news/detroit-institute-arts-presents-painted-silk-art-early-american-embroidery* Embroiders’ Guild of America has upcoming shows: https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/1153?](https://egausa.org/6-needlework-exhibits-sensational-embroidery/)* The Met: https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/1226?](https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search?q=embroidery&material=Embroidery&showOnly=onDisplay)* Stitch-a-long with friends! * https://www.stitchnbitch.co/* Mending party! Get together with Sashiko templates or just regular patches to mend clothes in a decorative way.Projects* Visible mending* https://egausa.org/visible-mending-introduction/* https://www.instagram.com/visiblemend/?hl=en* https://www.instagram.com/lived_in_clothes/?hl=en* Stitch sampler* https://www.bethcolletti.com/blog/printed-sampler* Letters or names in a hoop* https://www.needlenthread.com/2009/10/hand-embroidery-lettering-and-text.html* Make decorative patches* Using felt: https://www.instructables.com/DIY-Hand-Embroidered-Medal-Patches/* Using fabric: https://crewelghoul.com/blog/how-to-make-a-hand-embroidered-patch/* Embroidery Journal* https://stircrazycrafter.com/embroidery-journal-creation/* Embroidered Quilt Blocks* From vintage finds: https://blog.thermoweb.com/vintage-quilt-blocks-using-modern-products-to-give-new-life-to-old-fabrics/* Original work on hexies: http://www.minkikim.com/hexie-quilt/* Quotes as decor* Great stitches for lettering: https://nelandjocrafts.com/best-embroidery-stitches-for-script-lettering/* Embroider Tea Towels* https://www.twelveonmain.com/easy-diy-embroidered-tea-towels/* https://www.gigisthimble.com/2024/04/tea-towels.html* Embroider a kid’s drawing* https://www.pamashdesigns.com/blog/2016/4/20/how-to-turn-a-childs-drawing-into-an-embroidered-keepsake* https://swoodsonsays.com/how-to-turn-kids-artwork-into-an-embroidered-ornament/* Embroider on canvas* https://www.5littlemonsters.com/2021/01/embroidered-canvas-paintings.html?m=1* https://craftychica.com/2023/02/how-to-embroider-on-a-canvas/Links* Newsletter: https://beckyhelms.substack.com/s/newsletter* Previous Snart Episodes:https://beckyhelms.substack.com/p/24-snart-theme-for-may-with-beckyhttps://beckyhelms.substack.com/p/10-becky-snart-snackart-afterschoolhttps://beckyhelms.substack.com/p/12-snart-theme-for-february-withhttps://beckyhelms.substack.com/p/16-snart-theme-for-march-with-beckyhttps://beckyhelms.substack.com/p/20-snart-theme-for-april-with-beckyFind me all over the place!* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms/* Substack: https://substack.com/@beckyhelms* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeckyHelms* Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thebeckyhelms/_saved/* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beckyhelms.bsky.socialThanks for reading and listening to My Artist Friend with Becky Helms! This post is public so please feel free share it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we’re talking about ways to get the joy back in your creative practice. I’m the kind of person who leans towards burnout as soon as I start a new project and I need to consciously slow myself down to avoid the inevitable art block.If that sounds familiar, I have some ideas of quick things that can help break you out of that cycle and bust through art block like a champ! These are things that I need work on, or have worked for me in the past. I hope they’re helpful. Thanks for letting me chat at you!Mentioned:My Artist Friend with Becky Helms is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.* Journal* Journal podcast episode: https://open.substack.com/pub/beckyhelms/p/15-8-reasons-i-love-journaling-with* Some prompts: * When did I start to feel stuck? * What do I love about my creative job/practice? * What do I hate about it? * What’s a small change I can make today?* Try a new medium* Snart episodes: https://open.substack.com/pub/beckyhelms/p/24-snart-theme-for-may-with-becky* If you’re an illustrator, grab some clay. If you’re a ceramicist, carve a linoleum block. If you’re a print maker, crochet a granny square.* Get out of your comfort-zone and do something wildly different, but still creative.* Go for a walk* No music, podcast or audiobook.* Just be alone with your thoughts and clear out the cobwebs.* Bring a small sketchbook or notebook if you need them to remember epiphanies.* Go to a place* Visit a museum, arboretum, plant nursery/garden center, park with a sketch book or notebook.* Sit and sketch, or write. This is purely for inspiration* Take a class or watch a YouTube video* Do this with the express purpose of throwing it away.* You can keep it if you want, but it’s just for you.* Jennifer Perkins Junk Journal* 5 minute free form drawing every single day* No thoughts, just scribbles* Use creative prompts* Lindsay Jean Thomson’s 100 Day Project* Adam Ming’s Ten Minute Artist* Art journaling specific: https://joyfulartjournaling.com/57-art-journal-prompts/* More abstract and detailed: https://gelpress.com/blogs/art-and-inspiration/30-creative-drawing-prompts-for-artists?srsltid=AfmBOoqJjKdZbGV0Hs2g4VPqBZIqbsG6Si9xKpwy2mJ2bVRE-OkAb4-9* Buddy drawing/crafting* Get together with someone else and work together* Even if you’re just working quietly, or over zoom, not interacting at all, having that other person there for you in the moment is the key.* You can collab, or not. No pressure.* Recreate a favorite classic artwork* Pick something super old and try to mimic the techinique* Or go another direction and do it your style* Go eat something and take a nap* Sometimes we’re tired and hungry and need a break* The juxtaposition of your wellbeing and productivity can get out of whack very quickly in capitalist societyFind me all over the place!* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms/* Substack: https://substack.com/@beckyhelms* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeckyHelms* Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thebeckyhelms/_saved/* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beckyhelms.bsky.socialThanks for reading and listening to My Artist Friend with Becky Helms! This post is public so please feel free share it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

I had to take some time to celebrate 6 whole months! When I first started this podcast I decided to give myself 6 months to really give the podcast an honest go. Now, I’m talking about how it’s affected my life and what’s next!My Artist Friend with Becky Helms is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Links* Newsletter: https://beckyhelms.substack.com/p/shadow-cats-and-realizations* Pilot Episode: https://beckyhelms.substack.com/p/introducing-my-artist-friend-podcast-3b1* The Merlin app: https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/* Journaling podcast epispode: https://beckyhelms.substack.com/p/15-8-reasons-i-love-journaling-withFind me all over the place!* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms/* Substack: https://substack.com/@beckyhelms* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeckyHelms* Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thebeckyhelms/_saved/* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beckyhelms.bsky.socialThanks for reading and listening to My Artist Friend with Becky Helms! This post is public so please feel free share it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

When I realized that all of my projects were long term and taking foreverrrrr to finish, I figured out a way to turn things around, make some dopamine and keep things rolling when things felt hard.My Artist Friend with Becky Helms is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Finding Myself Unbalanced* What projects I had going* Two quilts that I started last year* baste, quilt, trim, make binding (least favorite) and hand sew the binding* 2025 goals* make clothes, both sewn and crocheted* make a giant quilt (getting that long-armed at least)* House projects:* Dining room renovation* drywall spackled* prime and paint* pick out a light fixture* call electrician to install* Fix up office/guest room* paint* build a custom built in desk* build a custom murphey bed* build custom shelving* style and organize* buy a new office chair (huge undertaking by itself)* Rearrange my kid’s room* swap out dressers* new art on the wall* move all lego bricks and sets back to the basement* expand library shelving or move some books to the family room* add storage to closet* General tidying and downsizing* All of that was on top of my perpetual to-dos* laundry* dishes* cookies* cleaning* keeping my child alive* Even my crossword puzzles take multiple days to finish!* How I felt* My brain will run down the list and rearrange priorities all throughout the day* Obviously overwhelmed 🫠* Constantly disappointed in myself for not having these things complete already* Guilt spiral 🌀Finding the Balance* How I started to fix it* Recognize that it’s happening* Name how it’s making you feel* Notice how it makes your body feel* Go touch grass 🌷* Get a quick win* Making earrings was my quick win project* Small projects, easily completed, start to finish, in one sitting* Get that hit of dopamine!* Schedule bits of time to work on your big projects* Maybe it’s obvious, but my pinball brain needs it on the calendar (even if I move it around)* Break down the big project into all the little parts. Ambiguity will stall any project for me.* Bake in rewards for making progress* Cut out all your quilt pieces? Get a donut! 🍩* Sanded down all the spackle in your drywall? Buy a book! 📚* Tidied the family room and it’s ready for a new rug? Go wander the thrift store!* Reframe and Carry on* Release yourself from any guilt. Finishing a project doesn’t make you morally better than anyone else, just like not finishing it doesn’t mean a garbage person. Rein in your brain. She’s mean.* Make a list of quick win projects and dopamine generator or dynamo if you will. Keep this where you can access it easily - notes on your phone, notion doc, post-it in your kitchen - so you can pull from it when you need* Regularly check-in on your goals to reassess and alter if you need.Links* Newsletter: https://beckyhelms.substack.com/p/shadow-cats-and-realizations* Personal Projects Update episode: https://beckyhelms.substack.com/p/19-personal-project-catch-up-with* Q1 Goals & Panning episode: https://beckyhelms.substack.com/p/14-q1-goals-and-planning-check-in* Creative Retrospective episode: https://beckyhelms.substack.com/p/6-becky-2024-creative-retrospectiveFind me all over the place!* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms/* Substack: https://substack.com/@beckyhelms* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeckyHelms* Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thebeckyhelms/_saved/* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beckyhelms.bsky.socialThanks for reading and listening to My Artist Friend with Becky Helms! This post is public so please feel free share it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

It’s time to Snart it up with Printmaking! I’m so excited to print and stamp my way through May! Keep reading for inspirational artists and books, plus lots of activities and project ideas to keep you busy all month long.Also, apologies for saying “little owl workshop” so many times! It’s Yellow Owl!! My brain short-circuited, but all the links are correct below.My Artist Friend with Becky Helms is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Artists* Landry McMeans - Uses the stencil technique to create her screen prints.* https://www.landrymcmeans.com/shop/p/18x-24-bluebonnet-on-fawn-paper* Renee Fly - Her linocut patterns are modern and can be used on different types of materials: paper, tea towels and fabric* https://www.instagram.com/studioflygurl/?hl=en* Kathleen Neely - Her relief printing has such beautiful linework and texture.* https://www.kathleenneeley.com/* Callie Barbas - Another relief printer, using linoleum, who makes moon phase calendars and more* https://www.calliebarbasart.com/shop-block-prints?page=2* Favianna Rodriguez - Interdisiplinary artist, she combines multiple techniques, including collage and printmaking* https://favianna.com/Books* The Printmaking Bible by Ann D’Arcy Hughes* https://bookshop.org/a/112122/9781797221601* Silkscreen is Easy by Little Friends of Printmaking* https://bookshop.org/a/112122/9781947322080* Printmaking by Dana Meachen Rau* https://bookshop.org/a/112122/9781633623736* https://www.getepic.com/book/26022955/printmaking* Yellow Owl’s Little Prints: Stamp, Stencil, and Print Projects to Make for Kids by Christine Schmidt* https://yellowowlworkshop.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopID8_MwyAkjHa-PfphxOXpaTw_jZMzopvUApg3fMgfDf2GAY2Y* https://bookshop.org/a/112122/9780770433642* https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/yellow-owls-little-prints-truly-original-kid-friendly-projects-from-yellow-owl-workshop_christine-schmidt/38323253/#edition=7794921&idiq=19215057* Cats in Ukiyo-E: Japanese Woodblock Print of Utagawa Kinoyoshi by Nobuhisa Kaneko* https://bookshop.org/a/112122/9784756242877* Anything Ukiyo-e. Hokusai is my favorite.Activities* Visit a Museum or checkout online exhibitions:* National Museum of Asian Art: https://asia.si.edu/whats-on/exhibitions/the-print-generation/* MoMA: https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/1153?* MoMA: https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/1226?* Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers: https://www.re-printmakers.com/exhibitions/40/works/* Print together with friends! Great way to used materials and contain the mess.* Go on a nature walk to gather objects to print withProjects* Carve pink rubber eraser stamps. Similar to linocuts!* https://thisistucson.com/tucsonlife/pink-eraser-art-project-serena-rios-mcrae-cactus-clouds-art-tucson/article_52b018f2-0b9c-11ee-808a-4b04c1c49531.html* Print with food - apples, or anything you can bisect. Make sure they’re not too juicy* https://ideas.hallmark.com/articles/summer-ideas/vegetable-stamping/https://pin.it/P7frg09l6* https://pin.it/P7frg09l6* Potato printing - Use fabric ink or fabric block ink if you want to print on fabric. Great for tea towels, aprons, tote bags and thicker fabric, but totally fine for shirts as well.* https://thegreenmadhouse.com/diy/how-to-make-a-potato-stamp-block-print* https://thehousethatlarsbuilt.com/2020/05/diy-block-printing-with-potato.html/?utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=social* Foam shapes - use premade foam shapes (or use foam strips to make your own shapes) and glue them to a hard surface, like cardboard or scrap wood and use as a stamp.* https://www.robenmarie.com/blog/crafting-your-own-custom-foam-stamps-a-diy-tutorial* https://thegraphicsfairy.com/how-to-make-diy-roller-stamps/* * Use everyday objects in your house: sponges cut to shape, brushes, plastic cutlery, bubble wrap, etc. If you don’t mind getting it messy, give it a try.* https://lyndaheines.com/2019/04/24/printing-with-found-objects/* Lego Printing! Use a baseplate and small, flat Lego bricks to make a design. Ink them with a roller and use a brayer to transfer the ink. This requires a few more supplies, but you can use them over and over. https://ogdencontemporaryarts.org/oca-artist-factory-the-diy-edition/* Use wine corks and cut simple, small designs to use as stamps. I got a bunch from Scrap Creative Reuse in Ann Arbor!* https://designmom.com/perfect-gift-cork-stamps/#more-22188* Pencil erasers can be used for detail, or rubber-banded together to make little flowers.* https://www.craftoart.com/2011/10/bundle-pencil-eraser-stamping.html* Wrap a woodblock in string. That’s it!* See what you can recycle! Tape tubes and toilet rolls make great circular patterns and you can cut them up and fold them in creative ways for even more shapes/* https://pin.it/6MsxgektwLinks* Newsletter: https://beckyhelms.substack.com/s/newsletter* Previous Snart Episodes:https://beckyhelms.substack.com/p/10-becky-snart-snackart-afterschoolhttps://beckyhelms.substack.com/p/12-snart-theme-for-february-withhttps://beckyhelms.substack.com/p/16-snart-theme-for-march-with-beckyhttps://beckyhelms.substack.com/p/20-snart-theme-for-april-with-beckyFind me all over the place!* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms/* Substack: https://substack.com/@beckyhelms* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeckyHelms* Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thebeckyhelms/_saved/* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beckyhelms.bsky.socialThanks for reading and listening to My Artist Friend with Becky Helms! This post is public so please feel free share it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

Let’s get in to Q2! Spring has finally sprung up in Michigan and I’m ready to make good some of these goals that have been haunting me since the beginning of the year.My Artist Friend with Becky Helms is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Personal Goals for Spring* GardenThis is my year to really start experimenting with our yard. There’s a lot to clean up and I have no idea what I’m doing, I’m excited to get started.* Visit a Botanical GardenThere are two beautiful botanical gardens in Ann Arbor and I want to visit them both this spring! https://mbgna.umich.edu/* Walk Every DayThis is me making a commitment to go outside every day (weather permitting 😬) because I need to touch grass. Also, I’m obsessed with the Merlin App lol: https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/* Send Snail MailI have a treasure trove of “just because” cards that I’ve been collecting and they’re going in the mail this spring!Professional Goals for Spring* Open a Print-on-Demand ShopI’ve been talking about it long enough, but it’s getting done by the end of May! This is a pretty big undertaking, but I think it could be really fun.* Create a New Newsletter for Paid Substack SubscribersBetween recording and editing I decided what my new feature is going to be! I’m going to try out do different crafts from our Snart theme for the month. I used to have a DIY blog and this feels like a full circle moment. What do you think?!Links* Newsletter: https://beckyhelms.substack.com/s/newsletter* Tulip Farm Instagram Reel: * Personal Projects Update episode: https://beckyhelms.substack.com/p/19-personal-project-catch-up-with* Q1 Goals & Panning episode: https://beckyhelms.substack.com/p/14-q1-goals-and-planning-check-in* Creative Retrospective episode: https://beckyhelms.substack.com/p/6-becky-2024-creative-retrospectiveFind me all over the place!* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms/* Substack: https://substack.com/@beckyhelms* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeckyHelms* Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thebeckyhelms/_saved/* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beckyhelms.bsky.socialThanks for reading and listening to My Artist Friend with Becky Helms! This post is public so please feel free share it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

Today, we’re talking about some concrete things you can do to support your favorite small businesses and indie artists right now because the tariffs are stressing everyone out. These feel like obvious things to me, but I wanted to emphasize the importance of each of these things you can do and to just put them in the forefront of your mind. If we do these things with intention, we can make a huge difference in the lives of artists and small businesses. Let’s build them up!! My Artist Friend with Becky Helms is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.How to Support Small Businesses and Artist Right Now* Buy their work, duh!* If you’re looking for anything new right now, think about your local businesses and favorite artists first.* With the tariffs being so volatile, it’s hard for indie businesses to commit to new inventory or restocks, so buying what they have in stock now is a huge help.* Subscribe to their Patreon, Pin Clubs, Substack or Ko-Fi!* Recurring income is so helpful for small businesses and can give them more stability during a difficult time.* There are also one time tip jars or lower level subscription tiers that can cost you less than $10 a month.* Follow their shops on social media and engage!* Like, comment, share - all of that has a HUGE impact on how many folks see your favorite artists’ posts on social media.* Your engagement can help get a small business in front of folks who might not have seen them otherwise.* Subscribe to their emails and open them!* With algorithms being the way that they are, this is the best way to hear about new products and updates.* And opening and engaging with the emails also helps the business’s deliverability.* Share their shops with your friends and family!* Your opinion matters to the people in your life and you know what your people like, so you’re kind of the best person to recommend things to them.* Word of mouth and building community is an essential way for us all to get through these hard times.Links* Newsletter: https://beckyhelms.substack.com/s/newsletterFind me all over the place!* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms/* Substack: https://substack.com/@beckyhelms* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeckyHelms* Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thebeckyhelms/_saved/* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beckyhelms.bsky.socialThanks for reading and listening to My Artist Friend with Becky Helms! This post is public so please feel free share it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

Today, we’re doing a little spring cleaning. This episode is for personal projects and for business owners. If you’re not a business owner, you can skip the last half, but if you are, I’ve got a few good nuggets of info to help you spring clean your shop!Below is the outline I used while making the podcast. I thought it would be beneficial to include it her on Substack just incase you’d rather read than listen.My Artist Friend with Becky Helms is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.LinksPodcast episodes mentioned:* Creative Retrospective Episode* Carla of Shark City Slicker Episode* Danny Brito EpisodeWebsites mentioned:* To compress .jps: https://tinyjpg.com/* To compress .pngs: https://tinypng.com/Personal Projects De-Clutter* Listen to the Creative Retrospective episode #6* What works, what doesn’t work, what needs some tweaking?* What is fulfilling to you mentally, physically, spiritually?* Take time to journal or just think on these questions.* Decide what projects you want to concentrate on and organize* Do you have half-finished projects that you want to finally see through?* Are there half-finished projects you want to let go of? Things you tried that didn’t really click?* Organize in a way that makes it easy for you to pick up and go.* Clean out supplies and donate to a reuse storeBasic Product Based Business Audit* Website Audit* Do your available products match your inventory?* Are there new photos you could take? Can you compress your photos? Do your photos have alt tags for accessibility and SEO?* Are your menus and collections up to date? Can you make it easy for folks to find what they need in three clicks or less?* Inventory Audit* Sort your inventory by best to worst sellers and determine what’s moving and what’s stagnant. Can you have a sale? Is there enough for a mystery box promotion? Can you add slow sellers as a ‘free with purchase’ to move it out?* What do you like making vs. what’s selling well? Gauge your interest with your customers’.* Space Audit* Just clean your workspace! Are there products that still need to be packaged? Props from the last photoshoot hanging around? Is your desk a nightmare? Take a day to reset your space. You might even find extra inventory!Find me all over the place!* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms/* Substack: https://substack.com/@beckyhelms* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeckyHelms* Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thebeckyhelms/_saved/* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beckyhelms.bsky.socialThanks for reading and listening to My Artist Friend with Becky Helms! This post is public so please feel free share it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

It’s time to Snart it up, y’all! I think these are my most favorite episodes to make because I get to do research, learn about new artists and brain dump a ton of project ideas. Ideal! If you’re not sure what Snart is, start here: * https://beckyhelms.substack.com/p/10-becky-snart-snackart-afterschool * https://beckyhelms.substack.com/p/12-snart-theme-for-february-with* https://beckyhelms.substack.com/p/16-snart-theme-for-march-with-beckyThis episode is all about paper mâché and I get really stoked about the project ideas at the end lol. I’m determined to do more regular making this month!Below is the outline I used to make the episode, in case you can’t listen and don’t want to mess the transcript. Plus, it’s nice to see the project list broken down! Enjoy!(There are a ton of links and some might be affiliate links.)Why this craft* I get the newspaper and have been saving it and there’s just so much lol.* It’s super accessible with just paper, cardboard, cornstarch (or flour or glue) and water.* There’s no limit to what you can make!Basic Recipe: https://new.artsmia.org/virtual-open-studios/papier-mache-pasteArtists for Inspiration* Stephen Hansen - http://www.stephenhansen.com/* Gemma Toccogna - http://www.papiermache.co.uk/gallery/artist/247/* corrie beth makes - https://substack.com/@corriebethmakes?r=38zey5&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=profile & templates: https://www.etsy.com/shop/corriebethmakesBooks for Inspiration* Paper Mache: The Ultimate Guide to Learning How to Make Paper Mache Sculptures, Animals, Wildlife and More! - by Andrea Gundrum - https://bookshop.org/a/112122/9781511415149* Papier Mache: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating More Than a Dozen Adorable Projects! - by Sarah Hand - https://bookshop.org/a/112122/9781633228924* Paper-Mache Masks - by Jane Yates - https://bookshop.org/a/112122/9781499482355* Blog posts by Jennifer Perkins - https://jenniferperkins.com/easy-diy-paper-mache-bowls/ & https://jenniferperkins.com/marbling-with-paper-mache/* Web Resource - http://www.papiermache.co.uk/Activities To Do* Visit a museum with paper mâché exhibits. * Learn about La Cartoneria the traditional Mexican paper art - * Get together with friends so the mess is more contained and you can collaborate on something big!Projects to MakeA non-exhaustive list of things you can make with paper mâché!* Jewelry* dangle earrings* brooches* pendants* necklaces* beads* Home* wall hangings* frames* mobiles* busts* vases* urns* trinket dishes* bowls* platters* mail or kids art baskets* paper chain* Art Pieces / Sculptures* giant food* stationery items (Homerunballerina’s pencil)* animals* portraits of people* small art toy like sculptures* sculpture of your favorite books* a box in the shape of books to hide your remotes and cordsFind me all over the place!* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms/* Substack: https://substack.com/@beckyhelms* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeckyHelms* Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thebeckyhelms/_saved/* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beckyhelms.bsky.socialThanks for reading and listening to My Artist Friend with Becky Helms! This post is public so please feel free share it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

Today, we’re having a chat about some projects I’ve got in the works. Multiple home projects, crafting projects that I want to finish and a couple of work projects that I’ve been mulling over for a good long while. Let’s chat!LINKSSome things I mentioned: Podcast Episode with Taylor Hart: https://beckyhelms.substack.com/p/17-crochet-pivoting-and-mom-lifeSnart theme for March: https://beckyhelms.substack.com/p/16-snart-theme-for-march-with-beckyFind me all over the place!* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms/* Substack: https://substack.com/@beckyhelms* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeckyHelms* Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thebeckyhelms/_saved/* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beckyhelms.bsky.socialThanks for reading and listening to My Artist Friend with Becky Helms! This post is public so please feel free share it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

Today, I’m chatting about books that live rent-free in my head. I’ve broken them down into three categories: Creative books, Business/Self-Improvement books, and Personal favorite books. I love to chat about books, even though I might not be a very good reviewer, because I’m just here for the vibes. LINKSBooks mentioned: (these may be affiliate links, but feel free to find them anywhere!)* Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert* The Artist Way by Julia Cameron* Mid-Century Modern Graphic Design by Theo Inglis* Colorful Living by Rachel Mae Smith* We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers* Playing Big by Tara Mohr* Stolen Focus by Johann Hari* Graphic Artists Guild Handbook by the Graphic Artists Guild* The Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin* Kindred by Octavia E. Butler* Alias Grace - by Margaret Atwood* A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. MaasFind me all over the place!* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms/* Substack: https://substack.com/@beckyhelms* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeckyHelms* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beckyhelms.bsky.socialThanks for reading and listening to My Artist Friend with Becky Helms! This post is public so please feel free share it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

Today, my artist friend is Taylor Hart! She’s a crochet artist, designer, author and one of my favorite people! We talk about making big moves, motherhood, house projects, chronic and surprise illnesses, and the every changing thing that is life. It’s such a good conversation!LINKSFind Taylor: * Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/nothingbutapigeon* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorhartcrochet/* e-Book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/crochet-taxidermy-30-quirky-animal-projects-from-mouse-to-moose-taylor-hart/FbjGWhCx26rHbpnnFind me all over the place!* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms/* Substack: https://substack.com/@beckyhelms* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeckyHelms* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beckyhelms.bsky.socialThanks for reading and listening to My Artist Friend with Becky Helms! This post is public so please feel free share it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

Today, I’m beyond excited to chat about March’s Snart (Snack+Art) theme: Photography! My kid chose it and it turns out I’m very enthusiastic about it!I got so caught up, I didn’t even mention that I managed a team of photographers/photo editors who set up their own studio, did on-site shoots and so much more in downtown DC for a start up yeeeears ago!Or that my mom is a photographer who took me to the darkroom with her when I was little and even made her own darkroom in our home for a while. Clearly, I have a lot to say about it and I hope you like the projects I came up with!LINKSBooks Mentioned:Photowork: 40 Photographers on Process and Practice - Edited by Sasha Wolf: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/photowork-forty-photographers-on-process-and-practice/20199843/item/34754038/#edition=21483530&idiq=34754038The Women who Changed Photography by Gemma Padley: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-women-who-changed-photography-and-how-to-master-their-techniques-gemma-padley/21051337Artists Mentioned: * Ansel Adams: https://www.anseladams.com/* Sarah Deregon: https://www.sarahderagonphotography.com/ & https://www.instagram.com/portraitstothepeople* Cindy Sherman: https://www.moma.org/artists/5392-cindy-sherman * David Suh: https://david-suh.com/ & https://www.instagram.com/davidsuhphoto/* Maria Svarbova: https://www.mariasvarbova.com/ & https://www.instagram.com/maria.svarbova/* Janet Sternburg: https://www.janetsternburgphoto.com/ & https://www.instagram.com/janetsternburg/* Jessica Watkins: https://tinydeerstudio.com/ & https://www.instagram.com/tinydeerstudio/Find me all over the place!* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms/* Substack: https://substack.com/@beckyhelms* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeckyHelms* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beckyhelms.bsky.social This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

Today, we’re chatting all about journaling on My Artist Friend. Journaling is kind of a cornerstone in my life and I’ve mentioned it enough on the podcast in my interviews that I wanted to dedicate a full episode to my practice. I do a little more than the average person, I think, so take what you like and leave the rest! I’d love to know if you’re an avid journal-er as well!LINKSFind me all over the place!* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms/* Substack: https://substack.com/@beckyhelms* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeckyHelms* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beckyhelms.bsky.social* Watch on Youtube: Thanks for reading and listening to My Artist Friend with Becky Helms! This post is public so please feel free share it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

Hi! I’m you’re artist friend today and we’re going to do a quick check-in of your first quarter goals! I’m doing this because I totally lost my way in the haze of January and business of February. I haven’t even started on any of my big, creative goals for the year and I wanted to check in with myself and figured I’d bring you along with me.The basic framework to check in with my goals goes like this:* Review the goals that I set* To be honest, I completely forgot about them and had to go back to my actual planning podcast. Don’t judge me! Life happens!* Do as I say, not as I do: keep your goals front and center. I didn’t do this and look where it got us. You’ve got to listen to me yap for 20 minutes about it. * Review your current projects* Did things go off the rails? Are you in the weeds and not carving out time to work on your big goals? Then congratulations, we’re in it together, because that’s the story of my life at the moment.* Take a look at what you’ve got going on and see if it aligns with your overall goals and plans for the quarter, year, month, week, however you measure your time.* Adjust your expectations* Maybe it’s good that you’re in the weeds right now? Maybe the new projects that have popped up are actually way cooler that what you planned?* Adjust your priorities and know that change is ok. Only you can measure your success. I mean, don’t ping pong around and not get anything done, but it’s ok to change your mind.* Recommit to your plan* If you’ve changed things, awesome! If you’re sticking with the original plan, awesome! Take some time to sit with it and commit to keeping it top of mind.* Bonus, actually print them out, or add them to your phone screen or keep them in your main Notion database. Put them where you can see them this time! I’m mostly talking to myself here.There’s more detail, and a fair amount rambling in the podcast, so definitely take a listen!LINKSFind me all over the place!* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms/* Substack: https://substack.com/@beckyhelms* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeckyHelms* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beckyhelms.bsky.social* Watch the video here: Thanks for reading and listening to My Artist Friend with Becky Helms! This post is public so please feel free share it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

Your artist friend today is Renata of Gremren! Based in Melbourne, Australia, Renata has built a following on social media around her vibrant, fun and absolutely delightful work. Listen to her journey from industrial design to starting a business and how she got into rug tufting. Renata is an absolute treasure and I’m so glad we got to chat!LINKSFind Renata: * Shop: https://gremren.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gremren/* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gremren* Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/gremrenFind me all over the place!* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms/* Substack: https://substack.com/@beckyhelms* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeckyHelms* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beckyhelms.bsky.socialThanks for reading and listenting to My Artist Friend with Becky Helms! This post is public so please feel free share it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

Today, we have a very enthusiastic chat about February’s Snart theme! This month, we’re going to talk about all things clay! I’ve got ceramic artists to share for inspiration, books to check out about the history of clay in the world, ideas for the types of clay to use for your projects, activities to do outside the home that celebrates ceramics and list of project ideas that range from fine art to artisan crafts. It’s a good time. Also, I’m pretty sure I mispronounced Ashmolean, so please just giggle to yourself and don’t mention it in the comments, ok thx.LINKSArtists Mentioned: * Adam Ceramic: https://www.adamceramic.com/ & https://www.instagram.com/adamceramic/* That High Five Life: https://www.etsy.com/shop/thathighfivelife & https://www.instagram.com/thathighfivelife/* Ave Rivera: https://www.averiverastudio.com/ & https://www.instagram.com/averiverastudio/* The Coy Collection: https://www.thecoycollection.com/ & https://www.instagram.com/thecoycollection/* Edmund de Waal: https://www.edmunddewaal.com/* Shio Kusaka: https://www.instagram.com/kusakashio/* Calder Foundation: The mobile’s I talked about! https://calder.org/archive/all/works/hanging-mobile/Find me all over the place!* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms/* Substack: https://substack.com/@beckyhelms* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeckyHelms* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beckyhelms.bsky.social This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

Today’s artist friend is my cousin Sydney! She’s our first artist who mainly does music, as a singer, vocal coach and all around virtuoso. We chat about what it’s like for new moms to attempt to nurture their creativity, the importance of starting where you are and what it’s like to build a tiny home on a school bus! It’s such a fun conversation and I’m excited that I can introduce you to my family.LINKSFind Sydney on Patreon: * https://www.patreon.com/ColeandSydneyFind me all over the place!* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms/* Substack: https://substack.com/@beckyhelms* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeckyHelms* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beckyhelms.bsky.social This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

Last year, I came up with the idea of Snart (Snack + Art) as an afterschool activity to do with my elementary aged kid. I had grand plans that very much needed to honed and I think I’ve got a solid plan for the year. This episode is all about the original concept, re-evaluating when I bit off more than I could chew, and what the project is looking like this year.I’m hoping to write more about it on Substack as the year goes on and it would be fun if some folks joined in! I’d love to see what you make!LINKSList of collage artists mentioned in the episode: https://www.contemporaryartissue.com/top-25-collage-artists-in-the-world-a-complete-survey/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms/* Substack: https://substack.com/@beckyhelms* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeckyHelms This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

Today’s Artist Friend is Laura Fisk of Fisk & Fern. We met in Austin on the show scene and I can’t say enough about her work! It’s fun, free and will make you giggle as you notice all the silly details. She has such a great sense of humor and it was a treat to hear her talk about her transition from owning a product-based shop to focusing mainly on children’s book illustration. There’s also a healthy amount of Muppet talk and if you want to see me flip out over the ability to watch all of The Repair Shop on YouTube, check out the podcast there, too. I was seriously SO EXCITED!Laura is a delight and I hope you love the episode! Come say on IG or in the comments on Substack.LINKSFind Laura:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurafiskstudio/* Website: https://www.illustrationfisk.com/* Shop: https://fiskandfern.bigcartel.com/Find me:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms/* Substack: https://substack.com/@beckyhelms* YouTube: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

My artist friend this week is Danny Brito! Known for his brightly colored, cheerful illustrations, Danny chats with me about running a Patreon with physical rewards, feelings about tabling at events as an introvert and his evolution from handmade art to manufactured products. This episode has it all!PS: I misspoke in the outro! Visit Danny’s shop on Etsy!Links:Get to know Danny:* Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/dannybrito* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannybrito/* Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/dannybrito/homeGet to know me:* Substack: https://beckyhelms.substack.com* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms/* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beckyhelms This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

Today’s episode is all about planning for the new year. I go into how I would plan my year as a product-based business and break down the whole calendar in a way that lead to consistent sales throughout the year. Make plans, stay flexible and get clear on your day-to-day!I try to do the same thing for my personal and creative life and you can join me as I try to make that work, lol!If you want access to my calendar, a template you can use, and a more in depth lesson in planning (see the calendar in action!), you can sign up to be a founding member on Substack. There’s WAY more content in my course about enamel pins, running a product-based business AND marketing on social media.LINKS:Sarah Murphey: https://www.instagram.com/1sarahmurphy/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

This is my first official solo episode and I’m chatting about what worked, what didn’t work and what I’d like to add to my creative practice in the coming year.In an attempt to give myself a little space during the busy holiday, this is a short solo episode. I’m taking a note from Carla in episode 2 and evaluating my creative endeavors this year. It was so nice to look back on my hobbies and various projects and really consider how they served me over the course of 2024.As promised, here are some photos and resources mentioned in the episode:Here’s the charm pack quilt tutorial that Carla suggested I follow: (TW: the creator of this playlist has since passed away, in case you’re sensitive to that right now.)My first two bitty quilts:The “quilted ornament” tutorial:And what I made, plus one of my sequin beauties:Lastly, here’s a link to the book The Artist’s Way. Full disclosure, I haven’t finished it and it does mention God quite a bit. I like to replace that terminology with “the universe”, but take what works for you and leave the rest!If you want to watch this video on YouTube: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

My artist friend, Tash, of Hatchling Makes chats with me about the evolution of her business from embroidery to enamels pins, plus how she got into supporting animal conservation with her unique wildlife illustrations.LinksFind Tash:* https://hatchlingmakes.com/* https://www.instagram.com/hatchlingmakesOther fun stuff:* https://www.rainforesttrust.org/uk/ways-to-give/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

Today, I’m talking to one of my favorite people on the planet, Stacey of Stacey Martin Tattoos. In this episode we talk about big moves, pivoting and diversifying your business, supporting your community in times of hardship, the love of crafting and a lot about books! This is such a fun conversation and I can’t wait for you to get into it. Links Find Stacey: https://www.staceymartin.com/ https://www.instagram.com/staceymartintattoos/ Find me: https://www.beckyhelms.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms/ https://patreon.com/beckyhelms More: https://bookcrumbsco.substack.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

I’d like to introduce you to my artist friend, Jessica Watkins of Tiny Deer Studio and The Pin Department. We’ve been friends for years and this conversation was just so fun! If you’ve watched my YouTube videos about making pins, you’ll know that Jessica helped me produce my first enamel pins and effectively changed my life. We chat about making difficult choices and big life moves. We chat about doing markets, different ways we find time to play in our creativity and lots about our love for H-E-B as Texans in different states. Plus, how she manages running two very different kinds of businesses and how they’re both creatively fulfilling in different ways. There’s so much more in this chat and I hope you enjoy!   Links Find Jessica: https://tinydeerstudio.com/ https://www.instagram.com/tinydeerstudio https://www.thepindepartment.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thepindept   Find me: https://www.beckyhelms.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms/ https://patreon.com/beckyhelms This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

My artist friend, Carla of Shark City Slicker, sat down with me to talk all about her creative life, her business journey, quilting and action movies.  I love how intentional she is about creating a fulfilling, creative life.     Find Carla: https://www.sharkcityslicker.com/ https://www.instagram.com/sharkcityslicker/ https://www.instagram.com/sharkcitystitcher/   Find me: https://www.beckyhelms.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms/ https://patreon.com/beckyhelms     This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

Today, in my first interview, I'd like to introduce you to my artist friend, and real life best friend, Libby of LuxCups! We talk all about the orgins of her business, her wholesale journey (including tradeshows and working with a rep group) and most importantly, her dogs.  This conversation was so fun!  It's a combo of business talk and friend chat and that's what this podcast is all about. Please forgive my audio quality, I'm still very new and figuring it out.   LINKS: LuxCups shop: https://www.luxcups.com/ LuxCups Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luxcups https://www.beckyhelms.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms https://patreon.com/beckyhelms This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe

In the pilot episode of 'My Artist Friend,' Becky Helms introduces her podcast, sharing her journey as a creative entrepreneur and the motivations behind starting this platform. She discusses her transition from running a creative business to focusing on family and community, emphasizing the importance of supporting small businesses and artists. The podcast aims to create connections between artists and their audiences, fostering a sense of community and understanding in the creative world. Becky expresses her excitement for the conversations to come and her desire to highlight the unique stories of artists. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beckyhelms.substack.com/subscribe