I’ve admired Christa Watson for years, she’s a powerhouse in the quilting world, and I’m so honored that she sat down with me for the newest episode of Creatives on Camera. Throughout our conversation, we go deep into what it really looks like to build a thriving, multi-faceted teaching business. From her early days participating in her local quilt guild to working with Craftsy, designing fabric, and now running a successful YouTube channel, Christa shares how she’s learned by doing – and sometimes doing things totally out of order. We talk about showing up on camera (even when it’s uncomfortable), building residual income from online classes, what works (and doesn’t) in Zoom teaching, and how she’s created a year-long video series based on her own quilting book. Christa’s story is honest, funny, and deeply inspiring (plus proof that you don’t need fancy tech to make a big impact). You don’t want to miss this one!

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In this episode, I sit down with mixed media textile artist and teacher April Sproule to talk about her journey from longarm quilting to thriving as an online educator. April’s story is such a powerful reminder that your teaching business doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s to be successful, it only needs to work for you. We chat about how the Global Quilt Connection and the Academy for Virtual Teaching helped her build confidence, develop tech skills, and find her voice on camera. She shares exactly how she balances live Zoom classes with pre-recorded video, what her simple tech setup looks like, and how teaching online has opened doors to global collaboration (without ever leaving her studio!). Whether you're camera-shy, worried about the tech, or just craving more connection as a teacher, this conversation is full of practical encouragement.

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I’m so excited to share this episode of Creatives on Camera today! I got to sit down with the ever-energetic Jane Clauss, a TV host, podcaster, creative maker, and media pro with a passion for inspiring others to create. Jane shares how she blended a lifelong love of making with a 30-year career in television and radio, and how she’s built a joyful business around content creation, brand partnerships, and centering creative collaboration. We talk about everything from her popular series of crashing craft studios to building your own DIY video setup, overcoming imposter syndrome, pitching yourself to brands, and what it really takes to keep going when the creative business journey gets tough. Whether you're dreaming of launching your own creative show or just want to be reminded why your voice matters, Jane’s enthusiasm throughout this conversation will have you feeling ready to hit record with confidence. 

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In this episode, I sit down with Bea Byrne, a quilter, teacher, and the creative force behind the Quilt n Learn online summits and the largest online quilting event, Tour de Fabric. What started as a personal dream to attend a quilting-focused summit became a global event that’s now bringing together over seven thousand quilters and fiber artists every six months. Bea pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to run a successful online summit—from navigating imperfect tech stacks to building an ethical, teacher-centered business model. We talk about accessible education, affiliate marketing pitfalls, inclusive hiring, and how experimenting with new formats (even risky ones!) can unlock both creativity and growth. If you’ve ever thought about creating your own event, teaching online, or reaching a wider audience without compromising your values, then this episode is a must-listen.

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This episode is specifically for my fellow quilt teachers! I’m sharing the story behind the Global Quilt Connection, a grassroots effort started by myself and Sue Blyweiss that blossomed into one of the most effective platforms for quilt teachers to connect with the people who hire them. Born out of the early days of the pandemic, the Global Quilt Connection has grown into a vital bridge between teaching creatives and quilt guilds across the world. From "Meet the Teacher" Zoom events to our wildly popular All-Star Sampler Platters, I walk you through the tools, resources, and community we’ve built to help you show up with confidence and professionalism whether it is online or in person. If you’re a seasoned instructor or dreaming of becoming one, I hope this episode encourages you to take actionable steps to get your work seen and your classes booked.

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A couple of weeks back, I introduced the On-Demand Platform Series, and I’m excited to bring that first interview to you today with Aaron Morin from Thinkific! Aaron Morin is the Senior Manager of Customer Education and Community at Thinkific, and he’s joining me to talk about all things course creation, community-building, and launching with heart. With over a decade in e-learning and firsthand experience with 100,000+ course launches, Aaron shares what works, what doesn’t, and how to get started (even if you’ve never taught online before). We cover how to move from in-person teaching to online offerings, avoid common pitfalls, and build a business that feels aligned with your values. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or just starting to explore online teaching, this conversation is packed with inspiration and practical takeaways!17

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In this episode, I sat down with the incredible Sondrasa of Art Quilts by Design to talk about the unexpected ways live streaming has shaped her creative business. We dove into how she built a community through platforms like Twitch and YouTube, the differences between pre-recorded and live content, and why she’s passionate about bringing people along for the ride. She shares some honest reflections about being an extroverted maker in a digital world, how live streaming feeds her creativity, and what it really takes (both technically and energetically) to show up consistently on camera. Whether you’re tech-curious or already video-savvy, you’ll walk away from this conversation inspired to connect more deeply with your audience in your way.

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If you’ve ever wasted twenty minutes searching for a video file or lost a day trying to remember where you put that draft PDF, this episode is going to be a game changer. I sat down with Adrienne Farrow, a former teacher turned Google Suite expert, to talk about how creative business owners can reduce digital clutter and get seriously streamlined using (free!) tools you probably already have. We talk about what she calls the “Google trifecta”: Drive, Gmail, and Calendar. Adrienne shares powerful tips on organizing your backend, color coding for visual thinkers, and even using Google Slides in unexpected ways to make interactive course content. Whether you’re a solopreneur or managing a team, you’ll walk away with fresh ideas, clear systems, and a lot more headspace to create.

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Back when I started teaching online, a company approached me about using their platform and I took the offer because they were literally the first online course platform for quilters! Now, many years later, there are endless platforms for bringing your craft business online… so endless that it feels impossible to choose the one that’s best for your business. That feeling of overwhelm is no place to make good decisions from. So in this episode, I’m excited to introduce an upcoming series where I’m sitting down with representatives from some of the biggest teaching platforms and asking them direct questions about their product and how they differ from others on the market – all so you can make an informed and confident decision about the platform that you choose! 

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Lacking confidence on camera? Want to utilize the support of AI but feel overwhelmed? If so, today's episode is going to feel empowering for you. I'm joined by Shirlee Engel, a former Canadian national TV reporter and founder of Camera Confident, where she teaches business owners how to show up on video with purpose and presence. In this conversation, we explore what it really means to be magnetic and authentic on camera and how you don't have to change who you are or become someone you're not to connect meaningfully with your audience. But what makes this episode especially valuable is where our conversation goes next, using AI tools in your business – we're talking about authentic messaging, guided by your own creative spark and supported by tools that help you do more with less time. So if you've been wondering how to create with less overwhelm and still feel like you, this episode is packed with ideas you can use right away.

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