Why is the Big Box Store — aka “the wolf” — so bad?

For this episode of Handicraft and Stitch, Nikki and Rachael tackle a big question with tangled threads: Why is the Big Box Store — aka “the wolf” — so bad?

How did giant craft and retail chains become so massive, convenient, and unavoidable since the 1990s? What happens when low prices and endless convenience come at the cost of local fabric shops, workers, creativity, and our planet?

From fast fashion and overconsumption to the loss of community-centered craft spaces, we unravel the history and impact of the “big box” mindset — and why so many makers are feeling the consequences today.

This episode is honest, passionate, and deeply personal. We talk about the environmental cost, the treatment of employees, the effect on small businesses, and the complicated reality of being crafters who’ve also shopped there. Because crafting shouldn’t just be convenient — it should connect us.

Grab your current project and join us for a conversation about community, consumerism, creativity, and what happens when the wolf gets too big.

Beth's Creative Stitchery - Interview with Laura

In this episode of Handicraft and Stitch, Nikki and Rachael sit down with Laura, the current owner of Beth’s Creative Stitchery and one of the coolest creative shop owners in Columbus, Ohio.

What unfolds is less of an interview and more of a real, honest conversation between three women living and working in the sewing world. Laura is a true Jackie of many trades, and she shares her journey from learning to sew as a young girl to stepping into ownership with grit, humor, and a whole lot of sass. Bless Her!!! Nikki and Rachael adore you :)

We talk about what it actually looks like to run a creative business—hiring and supporting creative staff, cultivating an environment where creativity can thrive, and making bold decisions even when they feel uncomfortable. Laura brings the kind of advice that’s both practical and empowering—the kind you don’t always hear out loud.

This episode is about more than sewing—it’s about growth, leadership, creativity, and figuring it out as you go. It’s about being multi-passionate, building something meaningful, and having honest conversations along the way.

Get to know the woman behind one of the coolest creative spaces in Columbus—and come hang out with us: three women, three perspectives, and one shared love for making things and more - like her knowledge of machines. There will be more on that in the future. 

We Definitely Podcast Now

Season 2 is here, and we’re kicking things off the only way we know how—by sitting down together and catching up.

In this episode, Nikki and Rachael reflect on the very first year of Handicraft and Stitch: how it started, what we’ve learned, and the moments that shaped us along the way. From personal health updates to showing up in our local creative community at the Columbus Craft Crawl, we’re sharing the real-life threads that have been woven into this journey.

We also look ahead—what we’re dreaming up for the future of the podcast, the community we’re building, and how crafting continues to hold us together through it all.

This episode is part reflection, part reset, and a whole lot of “wow, we really did that.”

Whether you’ve been here since episode one or you’re just finding us now—welcome. We’re so glad you’re here.

Thank you for being part of our first season. 🧵

Rachael's head wrap Etsy pattern link - here

Season One Finale: Craftivism — Craft as Activism

We’re closing out season one of Handicraft and Stitch with a big conversation: craftivism — the idea that craft can be activism.

In this episode we wander through stories, history, and present-day moments where craft has carried meaning far beyond the stitches. We talk about quilts and the stories connected to the Underground Railroad, the cultural power of hair and head coverings, the symbolism of hats, the way craft has shown up around presidents, and how making still intersects with current politics today.

But we want to be clear — we are not historians. We’re makers. We’re curious. And we’re talking honestly about what these stories bring up for us and how they live in our bodies as people who craft.

For us, crafting has always been about more than just making something pretty. It’s about identity, resistance, community, care, and connection. It’s about the ways people have always used what they had — thread, fabric, yarn, hands — to communicate, protect each other, and stand together.

This episode is an open, thoughtful conversation about what it means to craft with intention and how making can bring people together.

Because at the end of the day, crafting may start with one pair of hands…

Thank you for being part of our first season. 🧵

Welcome back to our Yarn Series — this is Part Two, and we’re trading in two needles for one powerful little hook.

This week on Handicraft and Stitch, we’re sitting down with official bestie-of-the-podcast Brittany — certified crochet baddie and hook-wielding queen — to chat all things crochet. From how she got started to why crochet hits different, we’re breaking down what makes this craft so addictive, expressive, and deeply rooted in community.

We talk granny squares, garments, thrifted yarn finds, and the quiet rebellion of making something beautiful with your own two hands. Crochet has always been about resourcefulness, resilience, and radical creativity — and Brittany brings that energy in full color.

Whether you’re brand new to yarn or you’ve got three WIPs living in tote bags around your house, this episode will make you want to grab a hook and stitch your way into the lineage of makers who built warmth, art, and power from a single strand.

Part Two. One hook. Let’s get into it.

Season 1 / Episode 15: Yarn + Two Needles = Knitting

What happens when you hand someone yarn, two needles, and a whole lot of curiosity? You get knitting—plus a few dropped stitches and a good story or two.

In this episode of Handicraft and Stitch, Rachael and Nikki sit down to talk all things beginner knitting. Nikki shares how she learned to knit as a kid (spoiler: it’s never too early and never too late), and together they break down the very basics of getting started—what you actually need, what you don’t, and why knitting has always been about more than just making stuff.

This is a cozy, low-pressure intro to knitting from a feminist, community-first point of view—because historically, yarn work has always been power disguised as a pastime. If you’ve ever thought, “I want to knit but don’t know where to start,” this one’s for you.

Grab your yarn. We’re starting at the beginning. 🧶

Follow us on social media! - for updates and more content!

Support our season one podcast sponsor - The Sewing Hive.

Do you have ideas for future episodes, or would you like to send us a note? Contact us at [email protected]

Season 1 / Episode 14: Handmade Holiday Gifts with Nikki & Rachael 

This week on Handicraft and Stitch, Nikki and Rachael are unwrapping a real treat: the top handmade holiday gifts from every decade starting in the 1950s. We dive into the evolution of handmade holiday gifts—from post-war practicality to modern-day creativity. Nikki and Rachael explore how each decade shaped the crafts we gave and received, reflecting the culture, materials, and values of the time. Whether you’re planning your own handmade gifts or simply love maker history, this episode is a cozy, insightful listen. What will you make after listening to this episode? 

Follow us on social media! - for updates and more content!

Support our season one podcast sponsor - The Sewing Hive.

Do you have ideas for future episodes, or would you like to send us a note? Contact us at [email protected]

Season 1 / Episode 13: The Many Stories of Unhinged Sewing

Sewing isn’t always serene — sometimes it’s a little… unhinged or is it? In this episode, we’re lifting the seams on our most chaotic crafting moments, along with stories from the community. Whether it’s a project gone sideways or a hilarious recovery, these are the moments that remind us why we keep stitching — even when the bobbin runs out again.

The special guest spotlight on this episode is our dear friend Jodi, who shares her insightful take on Unhinged Sewing. Please make sure to check out our IG for a post all about her sewing projects. 

Follow us on social media!  

Support our season one podcast sponsor - The Sewing Hive.

Do you have ideas for future episodes, or would you like to send us a note? Contact us at [email protected]

Season 1 / Episode 12: Crafters of the Night - Handmade Halloween Costumes 

This Halloween, we’re skipping the store-bought look and getting stitched in the spirit—not shopping at Spirit Halloween! In this episode, we dive into the creative magic of making your own costume, from brainstorming ideas to bringing spooky (or sparkly) visions to life with what you already have.

We’ll share tips for transforming thrifted finds, talk about the joy of standing out in something handmade, and celebrate the creativity that comes from doing it yourself. Plus, we’ve got an extra special guest spotlight joining us to share their costume-making story and what handmade Halloween means to them.

Whether you’re a seasoned sewer or just picking up a needle for the first time, this episode will have you ready to craft into the night!

Follow us on social media!  

Support our season one podcast sponsor - The Sewing Hive.

Do you have ideas for future episodes, or would you like to send us a note? Contact us at [email protected]

Season 1 / Episode 10: What to Consider When Building Your Capsule Wardrobe

In this episode of Handicraft and Stitch, we dive into the art of creating a capsule wardrobe—one that’s intentional, versatile, and sustainable. We walk through the key things to consider when building your own capsule, from choosing timeless pieces to making sure your clothes fit your lifestyle (not the other way around).

We also explore the Capsule Wardrobe chapter of Sustainable Minimalism by Stephanie Maria Seferian, unpacking her insights and adding our own thoughts on how to keep fashion simple, practical, and planet-friendly.

If you’ve ever wanted a closet that feels less overwhelming and more empowering, this episode is for you.

Episode Resources: 

Book - Sustainable Minimalism: Embrace Zero Waste, Build Sustainability Habits That Last, and Become a Minimalist Without Sacrificing the Planet

Book - Color Me Beautiful's Looking Your Best - Color, Makeup and Style

Follow us on social media!  

Support our season one podcast sponsor - The Sewing Hive.

Do you have ideas for future episodes, or would you like to send us a note? Contact us at [email protected]