Is it possible to create within fashion-culture and not create environmental waste? For fiber artist and natural dyer, Lesley Darling, this question is as much a part of her lifestyle as it is her artwork. Her passion for whole systems (from animal to thread) have landed her in places such Sweden, Whales and various folk schools in the U.S. foraging and growing natural dyes and contemplating not often contemplated topics, such as the history of string. She reminds us that many of the old ways of doing things were not in fact “broken,” that traditional skills remain relevant and good for us even today. It’s up to us to be on the search and to share, listen and give it a try…even if it’s with an angora rabbit in your lap (watch the live interview to see the bunny!).

Learn more about Lesley and her work here:

Website: https://www.lesleydarling.space

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesley.darling.fiber/

“Let’s Go Birding Together” Audubon project: https://www.audubon.org/pattiegonia

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All Things Fain House: 

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* Instagram: @fainhouse & @fainhouseradio

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Your Quote for the Day:

"There are an infinite number of rewards you could bestow on yourself for working your creative projects, and you deserve every one of them."

~Eric Maisel

Years ago, a class Emileigh Zola signed up for was canceled last minute and she ended up in a traditional broom making class. This serendipitous turn of events put her on the path to what would become a big love of her life as well as her main livelihood. It's more than just how good it feels to make things with our hands, Emileigh has what she describes as "a fierce devotion to the beauty of the ordinary." A special, handmade broom meant for sweeping your floor can help transform the "blah" of an everyday chore into more of a ritual and as Emileigh says, "creates an everyday opportunity for slowing down and really being intentional." She is also a teacher of broom making workshops, an herbalist and organizer of women re-wilding gatherings. She reminds us that learning a new skill is an opportunity for us to be beginners again, to allow ourselves to really go for the things that light us up and when that special creative/growth opportunity presents itself to have the courage to "put our hand on the door and open it."

Learn more about Emileigh and her work here:

Website: https://handmadebrooms.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhythm.and.ritual.craft/

Fundraiser for Women's Pilgrimage: https://handmadebrooms.com/shop/category/fundraiser/

Women's Re-Wilding Retreats: https://www.wildabundance.net/in-person-classes/rewilding-for-women/

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All Things Fain House:
* Sign up for our monthly newsletter and get a 10% off etsy coupon and access to the free private Facebook group where you can watch these interviews here: www.bit.ly/FainHouse

* Website: https://afainhouse.com

* Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/FainHouse

* Instagram: @fainhouse & @fainhouseradio

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Your Quote for the Day:

"The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper."

~ W.B. Yeats

The medium where Ginger Huebner feels most at home is the mixing of collage and chalk. Trained as an architect she realized that what called to her more than how a building was designed and put together was how a space "felt." She now uses these mixed media as a way to translate those feelings and, in her words, considers the process her second language. She reminds us that creativity comes in many forms, that we all have our own creative language and that developing our sense of creative freedom and choice is incredibly important no matter our age. Let yourself be nurtured by it and put those good feelings back into the world. Whatever form is comes in, listen to it, love it and embrace it.

Website: www.gingerhuebner.com

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All Things Fain House:

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Your Quote for the Day:

"There is no end to creativity. Hence, to strive towards an end result is a fool's errand. Set goals, make music and paint pictures, but know that the crux of your happiness balances delicately on the wings of the act of creativity itself. Not at the finish line."

~ Brandon Boyd

Lindsey Liden has had quite a few creative step-stones in his life. He has played full drum kit for a punk band, painted huge colorful wall paintings that couldn't even fit into his car, worked in various restaurant kitchens, toured as a fiddle player and completed a university degree in classical percussion. Little did he know that all steps would lead to his now career as a banjo builder and fine woodworker. Though he now has a working studio next to his wife's ceramic studio, and just across the field from my very own studio (did I mention he is my brother?), the path has not always been clear and easy for him. His story is one of wanting the creative life so badly that he is truly up for doing all it takes to stay true to his creative path. He reminds us to embrace what we're good at and to find a way to use it as an asset of our work rather than fighting against our natural selves. Hurdles and struggles are part of what every one of us experiences. The main thing is to keep moving forward and to know that you are building on something big and it's going to take a life time to do it, so make sure to enjoy the ride.

Learn more about Lindsey and his work & workshops here:

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All Things Fain House:

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Your Quote for the Day:

~Lewis Carroll

Quilter, natural dyer, Jason Pierson has all kinds of ways of folding his making life into his work and family life. Sometimes it means working on smaller wall hangings rather than large, full-scale quilts. Sometimes it means stirring the dye pot on the stove in-between work meetings on his computer or always having his hand sewing nearby, road trips and visits with friends included. He reminds us that much foraging for natural dyes can be done even along your average roadside, that you don't need any special permission to try something new and that dabbling just might help you discover your next favorite hobby...or career!

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All Things Fain House:

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Your Quote for the Day:

Seamstress, quilter, mom of three, Rachel Yearick, loves to sew so much and has sewn for so long that she doesn't even remember learning how. At some point she found herself with a big batch of tossed king size, hotel sheets from the second hand shop and started experimenting with natural dying. Eventually these sheets got cut into pieces and became a source for her dress fabrics. She now makes and sells beautiful dresses with quilt-square panels that run down the front. The enjoyment that comes from making something from nothing is huge in her life and is a philosophy that flows directly into how she runs her one-woman, garment business. She reminds us that our creative path can sometimes meander more than we planned for, that having big dreams may demand a big dose of flexibility and that what often has the biggest impact over time are all the tiny bits we find a way to fit into our day...right here, right now, with what we have on hand.

Learn more about Rachel and her work here:

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All Things Fain House:

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Your Quote for the Day:

“Creativity itself doesn’t care at all about results – the only thing it craves is the process.”

Painter, fiddler, banjo player Hannah Seng feels deeply that not matter what we say, we're all creative. We put so much pressure on ourselves to do things just right, even from the beginning, forgetting that we are just not going to hit the mark the first time and that's ok. Hannah knows from experience that it all boils down to alot of repeating of gestures by regularly "doing the thing." Though it's not easy and takes lots of humility and patience to get through to the other side, it's so worth it! Hannah reminds us that there is real joy in using nice materials (and instruments!) and when artist and medium merge they make gold, but "you've gotta make some sparks first." And when in doubt, start by making ourselves happy where we can so that the inspiration can get unstuck and come pouring out of us.

Learn more about Hannah and her work here:

instagram.com/hannahsengart

facebook.com/hannahsengart

hannahseng.bandcamp.com/releases

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All Things Fain House:

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Your Quote for the Day:

"There is something beautiful about a blank canvas, the nothingness of the beginning that is so simple and breathtakingly pure. It’s the paint that changes its meaning and the hand that creates the story. Every piece begins the same, but in the end they are all uniquely different."

~ Piper Payne

Dance has been the main guiding force in Becky Hill's life. Her love of, and involvement in, percussive dance has quite literally shaped friends she's made and places she's been. With banjo playing and square dance calling added to the mix, Appalachian music and dance traditions have become a sacred connection to place and community for her. She reminds us that some of our creative loves may be relaxed and informal (like playing tunes in the kitchen) and others may be arduous and complicated (like pushing the envelope of your craft or medium, especially if you are making it your profession). When you dedicate yourself to carving time out for that "thing" you really want to do or learn about, your life will be richer for it. And when in doubt, work hard, play hard and embrace the radical joy that is now. 

Learn more about Becky and her work here: 

Website: https://www.rebeccahill.org

All things Fain House: Grab your 2023 Fain House Wall Calendar here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1078896944/2023-wall-calendar-watercolor-art-work Sign up for our email list and get a 10% off etsy coupon and access to the free private Facebook group where you can watch these interviews here: www.bit.ly/FainHouse Website: https://afainhouse.com Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/FainHouse Instagram: @fainhouse & @fainhouseradio ______________________________________ 

Your Quote for the Day: "There are shortcuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them." ~ Vicki Baum

For Kate King the world of creativity has always felt like a safe place to be. As an artist, author, licensed counselor, art therapist and creator of the Radiant Life Project, Kate's approach to overall wellness is to honor the connection point where psyche meets spirit meets art. This holistic perspective of using art for healing, growth and insight involves a mix of clinical analysis with what she describes as "the warmth and accessibility of creativity." Making art can be healing in itself and it can also be an incredible way through the back door into a person's unconscious that may not be available them just through talking. She reminds us that the best project any of us can ever engage in is the project of our own personal growth, that we are all born creative and to keep letting ourselves explore the world even if it's as tiny as thinking an imaginative thought or noticing a pleasing color.

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All things Fain House:

Grab your 2023 Fain House Wall Calendar here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1078896944/2023-wall-calendar-watercolor-art-work

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Your Quote for the Day:

~ Mary Oliver

Should you make just what you know will sell or just what your heart wants to make? Or both? This question and many more flow through Kelcey Loomer's head as she paints for hours at her canvas. Working mostly with oils and prepared mixed media surfaces, on both large and small scales, she finds inspiration from everything to time in the woods and her kids to facing grief and a new favorite song put on repeat. She describes her process as "dreaming in real time" and as a type of meditative state that has been incredibly healing to her. Her hope is that those who go home with her paintings also feel free to find their own meaning and good feelings in her work. She reminds us to notice and gather up all the little and big things that light us up and that when matched with believing in ourselves and some dedication we'll be one step closer to where we want to be. 

Learn more about Kelcey and her work here:

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All things Fain House:

Grab your 2023 Fain House Wall Calendar here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1078896944/2023-wall-calendar-watercolor-art-work

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Your Quote for the Day: