Creatives on Camera: Artists and Crafters Using Video to Teach, Sell and Inspire Online

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I love conversations that remind us how creativity thrives not just in big cities or fancy studios, but in small towns, small spaces, and close-knit communities.

In this episode, I talk with Beth Bluestein, owner of Sparrow Art Supply in Middlebury, Vermont. Beth shares how she turned a 750-square-foot art store into a vibrant creative hub, one that serves artists both in person and online. We talk about her journey from New York City to Vermont, how she launched her shop with a town grant, and why community became the heart of her business. Beth also shares practical wisdom for any creative entrepreneur, including how she uses a simple four-part newsletter system to stay consistent, how she built a thriving artist membership using Mighty Networks, and how she keeps going even when business feels challenging. This conversation is a beautiful reminder that creativity, connection, and courage are at the heart of every successful creative business.

Tutorials, Systems, Templates, Understanding of which of your images go where!

You can find Canva Made Simple at https://www.academyforvirtualteaching.com/courses/canva-made-simple

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Let’s be honest, building a creative business isn’t always easy. There are days when the tech breaks, the sign-ups don’t come, or you just feel tired and overwhelmed. I’ve been there too.

In this episode, I talk about what keeps us going when it feels hard, the deeper why behind what we do, and how reconnecting with your core values can help you find steadiness again. I’ll walk you through simple, practical ways to stay grounded: writing down your values and keeping them visible, breaking big goals into small, doable steps, tracking your wins, and leaning on your community when you need it most. This is your reminder that struggle doesn’t mean failure. It means you’re doing work that matters. And the people who succeed in creative business? They’re simply the ones who don’t give up.

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If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your craft into a sustainable business without losing your soul, this conversation is for you. I sat down with Anne Fjeld, a Norwegian knitting designer who transformed burnout and struggle into a thriving teaching business rooted in tradition, culture, and community. Anne shares how she found her “niche inside a niche” by focusing on Norwegian colorwork knitting for North American audiences, why letting her students speak created her most successful launch, and how charging for transformation (not just tools) opened new doors. This episode is a reminder that when you lean into your passion, trust the process, and center your community, your craft can become so much more than patterns; it can change lives.

Tutorials, Systems, Templates, Understanding of which of your images go where!

You can find Canva Made Simple at https://www.academyforvirtualteaching.com/courses/canva-made-simple

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When I think about what it really takes to grow a creative business, the story of Sarah Hurley always comes to mind. Sarah started her brand with just £40 and a dream, and within five years, built it into a multi-million-dollar company with licensing, retail, and global partnerships. But her path wasn’t all smooth; she faced burnout, realigned, and rebuilt her business to focus on what truly mattered.

In this episode, Sarah shares the lessons she’s learned about saying no to distractions, using creativity as a superpower in business, and creating a roadmap that fits you (not someone else’s template). We also talk about building systems that align with your goals, the importance of resilience, and why you don’t need anyone’s permission to succeed. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, unfocused, or unsure whether you’re “business-minded” enough, Sarah’s story will inspire you to trust your instincts, focus your energy, and build a creative business on your own terms.

*Heads up there’s no full video version of this episode due to technical problems, but the full audio is still available for listening and you can check out clips from the show on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Tutorials, Systems, Templates, Understanding of which of your images go where!

You can find Canva Made Simple at https://www.academyforvirtualteaching.com/courses/canva-made-simple

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When I first met Maria Coryell-Martin, I was struck by her adventurous spirit; she’s an expeditionary artist who has sketched walruses in Greenland, penguins in Antarctica, and built a business that now reaches creatives worldwide.

In this episode of Creatives on Camera, I talk with Maria about how she turned necessity into invention, creating her first pocket watercolor palette while crawling through the sand to sketch wildlife, and how that small idea grew into Art Toolkit, a thriving business with e-commerce, a retail shop, online courses, and a global creative community. Maria shares what it really looks like to build a business step by step: starting with simple tools like Zoom and Shopify, adding layers only when needed, and focusing on practice over perfection. We also talk about using video to connect and build trust, the power of persistence, and why she believes art is a tool, not a talent. If you’ve ever felt like you don’t have the perfect tech, the perfect setup, or enough time to get started, this conversation will remind you that starting small is enough. You can grow from there.

Tutorials, Systems, Templates, Understanding of which of your images go where!

You can find Canva Made Simple at https://www.academyforvirtualteaching.com/courses/canva-made-simple

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>> Register for the FREE webinar: Make an Effective Promotional Video in 3 Easy Steps! You will learn how to get conversions with authentic connections instead of pushy sales!

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Marketing often feels like the most challenging part of running a creative business, but it doesn’t have to. 

In this episode, Lyric Kinard talks with Amberleigh Adoff, a former art educator turned surface pattern designer, social media manager, and creative mentor. Amberleigh shares her journey from teaching to building a thriving creative business and offers practical, stress-reducing strategies for marketing. From working backward to plan your launches, to repurposing content instead of reinventing the wheel, to focusing on engagement over perfection, Amberleigh helps us see that sustainable marketing is less about hustle and more about structure, clarity, and connection.

Whether you’re an educator launching your first online course or a maker looking to grow your visibility, this conversation will give you the confidence to market with ease and create a business that actually supports your creativity.

Tutorials, Systems, Templates, Understanding of which of your images go where!

You can find Canva Made Simple at https://www.academyforvirtualteaching.com/courses/canva-made-simple

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I’m thrilled to share this week’s conversation with the incredibly creative Emma Brassfield of Studio 7t7. Emma’s career began in costume and special effects, working on blockbuster films like Harry Potter, Batman Begins, and Star Wars (yes, she made Chewbacca’s costume!). But when the demanding film industry no longer aligned with family life, she carved out a new path—turning her love of textiles into a thriving online business. Emma now designs bag patterns, runs a membership and subscription box, and has built a vibrant YouTube channel that reached monetization in just six months. In this episode, she opens up about the realities of building an online business, why she restructured her membership to avoid burnout, and how she uses YouTube, email, and community to create sustainable income and freedom on her own terms.

If you’ve ever wondered how to blend creativity with entrepreneurship—or how to grow an audience that truly supports you—Emma’s story is full of inspiration and practical wisdom.

Tutorials, Systems, Templates, Understanding of which of your images go where!

You can find Canva Made Simple at https://www.academyforvirtualteaching.com/courses/canva-made-simple

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What do you do when the business that once lit you up starts to drain your energy? Nicole Stevenson has lived that journey, from selling art on the Venice Beach boardwalk to running a national clothing line, to becoming the founder of Craftcation Conference and Patchwork Show.

In this conversation, Nicole shares how to recognize when it’s time to pivot, why feedback (even from a tiny audience) is pure gold, and how shifting your mindset from selling to serving can transform the way you market yourself. We talk about what it takes to create a truly connected community, how to show your presence authentically on video, and why the path to a sustainable creative business is often messy, but always full of lessons. If you’ve ever wondered how to grow a creative career without losing yourself, this episode will inspire you to follow your soul, embrace change, and keep building with purpose.

Tutorials, Systems, Templates, Understanding of which of your images go where!

You can find Canva Made Simple at https://www.academyforvirtualteaching.com/courses/canva-made-simple

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Every creative business needs direction, and that’s where your North Star comes in. 

In this solo episode, I share how to dream big about the business and life you want, then break that vision down into systems and baby steps that actually move you forward. Your North Star should feel so big it scares you. You’ll probably never “stand on it”, but it can guide your decisions, give you clarity, and keep you moving. I’ll walk you through imagining your ideal business, identifying just three systems you need in place, and then breaking down your next step into something so manageable that you can complete it in 20 minutes today. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of where to start, this episode is your reminder that success is built one baby step at a time.

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I’m thrilled to bring you artist‑turned‑tax expert Hannah Cole of Sunlight Tax. We dig into the mindset piece (money is an amplifier), the simplest first steps to act like a real business (hello, separate bank account), and the practical systems that make tax time easy. Hannah walks us through her Money Bootcamp, the gorgeous “rainbow” deductions guide for creatives, and her new book Taxes for Humans—complete with visuals that finally make tricky concepts click. We also talk about online course platforms (Podia, Kajabi, Zenler, Mighty Networks), why “passive income” still requires energy, and how generosity in your free content builds trust—and sales. If you teach, sell, or make anything creative, this one will pay you back.

Tutorials, Systems, Templates, Understanding of which of your images go where!

You can find Canva Made Simple at https://www.academyforvirtualteaching.com/courses/canva-made-simple

Let's Connect!

• Join The Academy for Virtual Teaching
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>> Register for the FREE webinar: Make an Effective Promotional Video in 3 Easy Steps! You will learn how to get conversions with authentic connections instead of pushy sales!