Collage Creative with Amy Small

Today on the show I have Shay Johnson, the designer behind Knit & Croshay. All I have to say here, is prepare to be blown away. Along with her full time job as a lawyer and working some crazy hours, she is a blossoming knitwear designer who truly knits any time she can. I think you'll love hearing about how she balances as well as the inspiration behind her designs. Show notes here.

Today on the show I have Jen Duffin. I'm really fired up about this one guys! Jen is a macramé and weaving artist behind Nova Mercury. Her works are colorful, happy and the gigantic ones will knock your socks off! There is so much she shares with us here that I think you will enjoy. She tells us about how she lost with her creativity and finally came back to it just within the last few years through a daily painting and drawing challenge. The way that small practice turned into her business is so powerful. Along with all the details surrounding this, we get into following your intuition (one of my favorite topics!) and coping with failure and all the fires of running a small business with a feeling of acceptance. Show notes here.

Today on the show I have Mariana Baertl, the creator of Living Fibers Art. She is a fiber artist that mixes so many techniques, like embroidery, weaving and even needle punching to create her unique pieces. It took her a lot of experimenting and time to develop this style. This is what I'm most excited for you to hear about. I hope it will inspire you to put your own spin on whatever creative endeavor you're embracing right now. Show notes here.

Today on the show I have Hannah Fetig, the designer behind Knit Bot and so many beloved patterns. We trace the steps of her career which all seemed to flow together seamlessly over time. I especially love when she admits to her creative process as being messy and a little chaotic – it's always so interesting to get a glimpse into how others work. Show notes here.

Today on the show I have Tina Tse, she is a creative pattern designer who designs in her free time and works in the knitting machine world by day. I love this episode for a bunch of reasons – she touches on and explains what it's like to juggle her side/night time business of designing new patterns and also cultivating a vibrant and inclusive community on Instagram. Her joy for everything she is doing will leave you wanting to knit every single one of her patterns. Show notes here.

Today on the show I have Sharrel Paul, the founder and owner of Mud & Yarn, a pottery and finished crochet goods company. Her path to pottery and this business is one that will leave you feeling all sorts of inspired. I don't want to give too much away because this one is SO GOOD FRIENDS and you're going to be blown away by the circumstances that set the seeds of this business in motion.

Show notes here.

Today on the show I have Angela Smith, the owner and founder of Purl and Loop a company that specializes in wood lasered weaving looms, kits and tools. I can't wait for you to hear the incredibly brave way she quit her lucrative real estate job to start her business.

Show notes here.

Today on the show I have Bristol Ivy, pattern designer, teacher and author. We dive into her childhood in Maine and what that was like as well so many more experiences that lead her to where she is today. I especially loved hearing about the year off she took in New Zealand to work with sheep and how that experience shifted her course. Stick around for her final words of wisdom too!

Today on the show I have Britt-Marie Alm, the woman behind Love Fest Fibers. Her yarns are huge and cozy. Each skein and ball has a wonderful story about the people who made them and the materials they are made from. Her company was formed by a deep love for the place where she makes many of her yarns, Tibet. I especially loved hearing about how she embraces travel in her life. You might just want to hop on a plane to Asia after hearing this one!

Today on the show I have Candice English, the founder and creative brain behind the Farmers Daughter Fibers. We talk about her career, working crazy 60 hour weeks and how that ultimately led her to quite and begin her company. At the end, we dive into the things she's most excited about too – supporting the Empowering Native Women Initiative.

Show notes here.