Joleen's Happy Time Craftcast

Welcome to Episode 106 of Joleen’s Happy Time Craftcast! Joleen chats with Minnesota illustrator and designer Emma Adams of Fox and Fables, whose whimsical, nostalgic artwork brings charming animals and hand-painted details to life. Emma shares her creative journey, how daily drawing helped her discover her artistic style, and how a simple jar of random words can spark new ideas. They talk about gouache, creative ruts, experimentation, taking breaks, and why being an artist is all about showing up, staying curious, and making time for the things that make you happy.

Guest Bio

Emma Adams is the illustrator and designer behind Fox and Fables, a Minnesota-based creative business known for whimsical, nostalgic artwork featuring hand-painted elements and charming animals. Inspired by gardening, antique shops, road trips, and the little details of everyday life, Emma creates art that sparks happiness and brings people together. After rediscovering her creative practice through a daily drawing challenge, Emma gradually developed the artistic style that feels most like her. Today, her work spans illustration, packaging, and other creative collaborations. When she’s not making art in her home studio, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two cats, exploring new interests, and finding fresh inspiration in the world around her.

Follow Emma

• Website
• Instagram
• Etsy

Episode Chapters with Timestamps

[00:00 – 07:29] — Welcome & Joleen’s Five Happy Things
[07:30 – 08:59] — Meet Emma Adams of Fox and Fables
[09:00 – 10:59] — Finding Your Artistic Style
[11:00 – 14:29] — Emma’s Upcoming Projects & Holiday Markets
[14:30 – 19:29] — Gouache Painting for Beginners
[19:30 – 24:29] — Creative Prompts & Overcoming Creative Blocks
[24:30 – 31:59] — Art Supply Organization, Collecting & Crochet
[32:00 – 41:59] — Art Books, Pop-Up Projects & Creative Inspiration
[42:00 – 52:59] — Emma’s Favorite Things: Words, Food & Dream Jobs
[53:00 – 55:59] — Finding Happiness as a Full-Time Artist
[56:00 – End] — Where to Find Emma & Closing Remarks

Quotes from the Episode

“I think you just have to sit down and make art every day.” — Emma Adams
“It’s really meaningful when people resonate with my art and reach out to tell me that it inspires them.” — Emma Adams
“Roots” is a beautiful word because it can mean so many different things.” — Emma Adams
“It is what it is” can feel like a way of closing the door on other possibilities.” — Emma Adams
“Sometimes it helps to work on something that doesn’t have a lot of consequences attached to it.” — Joleen Emery

Resources and Links

🖌️ Art Supplies
🎨 Royal & Langnickel 24-Color Gouache Set — An affordable starter set for experimenting with gouache.
🖌️ Princeton Brushes — Options for different budgets.
✨ Princeton Velvetouch Brushes — Emma’s preferred higher-end brushes.
🎨 Winsor & Newton Designer’s Gouache — Traditional gouache paint.
🎨 Holbein Acrylic Gouache — Opaque paint that behaves more like acrylic.

📚 Book Recommendations
🐾 Learn to Watercolor Adorable Animals by Lacy Walker
🎨 Exploring Painting by Gerald F. Brommer and Nancy K. Kenny
📖 The Pop-Up Book — A book Joleen recommends for exploring pop-up designs and paper engineering.

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Welcome to Episode 105 of Joleen’s Happy Time Craftcast! Joleen chats with Michigan artist Krista Reuter whose beautiful paper art transforms flat sheets into dimensional creations filled with light, shadow, and texture. Krista shares her creative journey, inspiration from sacred geometry and Lake Michigan, and how a happy accident led her to explore space and shadows. They talk about experimentation, scraps, repetition, creative flow, assemic writing, and why being an artist is all about practice, playfulness, and continuing to do what you love.

Guest Bio

Krista Reuter is a Michigan-based artist known for her hand-cut and hand-formed layered paper creations. Her work explores light, shadow, depth, and the transformation of two-dimensional paper into three-dimensional artwork. Inspired by abstract patterns, sacred geometry, nature, and the landscape around Lake Michigan, Krista uses techniques including cutting, tearing, folding, scoring, embroidery, painting, and more. She earned her BFA from Iowa State University and continued her education at the Royal College of Art in London. Her award-winning work has been exhibited internationally, and she also brings together art, yoga, breath, and creativity through workshops and teaching.

Follow Krista

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

Episode Chapters with Timestamps

[00:00–10:00] — Joleen’s Five Happy Things & New Creative Kits
[10:00–15:00] — Meet Krista Reuter: A Paper-Loving Kindred Spirit
[15:00–22:00] — Exploring Paper, Paint, Light & Shadow
[22:00–28:00] — Creative Flow & the Magic of Happy Accidents
[28:00–34:00] — Sacred Geometry, Nature & Finding Inspiration
[34:00–40:00] — From Flat Paper to Three-Dimensional Art
[40:00–45:00] — Scraps, Assemic Writing & Creative Play
[45:00–49:00] — Joleen’s Bowling Ball Project & What’s Next
[49:00–54:00] — Lacy Walker’s New Watercolor Book & Big Raven Farm
[54:00–59:00] — Krista’s Art + Yoga Workshop & Happy 10
[59:00–End] — Curiosity, Creativity, Family & Happiness

Quotes from the Episode

“The more that you do something in a repetitive manner, it’s amazing how much it can grow into something really amazing.” — Krista Reuter
“You just need to do and just do what you love and continue it.” — Krista Reuter
“I love what paper can do.” — Krista Reuter
“You can take something that was one thing and turn it into something completely different.” — Joleen Emery
“I love taking things that would otherwise go into the landfill and giving them a new life.” — Joleen Emery

Resources & Calls-to-Action

🎨 Connect with Krista Reuter
👉 Instagram
👉 Website
🧘‍♀️ Krista's Art + Yoga Workshop
Krista’s upcoming November 14 workshop combines assem​​ic writing, drawing, painting, crafting, yoga, breathwork, and intention-setting for a creative and mindful experience.
👉 Learn more
🎨 Lacy Walker’s Watercolor Book
✂️ Joleen’s Creative Retreats
Ready for some Happy Time of your own? Check out Joleen’s upcoming retreats, including Pick Your Projects, Art Journaling, Christmas Pick Your Projects, and Tarot retreats.
👉 Explore the retreats

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Welcome back to Joleen's Happy Time Craftcast! In Episode 104, I’m chatting with Priya, a Thai illustrator and content creator living in New York City whose whimsical characters and cozy illustrations are absolutely delightful! We talk about finding time to create while working full-time, experimenting with different art mediums, building a creative practice, and the joy of sketching just for yourself. Priya also shares her advice for anyone afraid their art won’t be “good enough”: start, practice, try everything, and keep going! Plus, I share some fun vintage finds for collage and talk about what’s happening at Big Raven Farm.

Guest Bio

Priya is a Thai illustrator and content creator living in New York City. She creates whimsical character art, sketchbooks, and educational art videos while building her art business. Her work blends traditional painting, photography, and digital illustration, with a goal of one day illustrating a children’s picture book.

Follow Priya

• Instagram
• Tiktok
• Etsy

Episode Chapters with Timestamps

[00:00–06:30] — Joleen’s Happy Things at Mom’s House
[06:30–11:30] — Meet Priya & Her Creative Journey
[11:30–17:00] — Finding Time to Create While Working Full-Time
[17:00–23:00] — Traditional Art, Digital Illustration & Procreate
[23:00–29:00] — Building a Creative Business & Online Community
[29:00–35:00] — Overcoming the Fear of “Not Being Good Enough”
[5:00–40:30] — Starting a Sketch Practice & Trying New Mediums
[40:30–45:30] — Vintage Books, Collage & Creative Inspiration
[45:30–50:00] — Happy Time Questions & Finding Simple Joy
[50:00–52:04] — Stay Connected with Priya & Goodbye!

Quotes from the Episode

“Just start. It’s going to be bad, but that’s okay.” — Priya
“You improve through the journey.” — Priya
“Try everything and see what feels right for you.” — Priya
“Once you have the skill, then you can find your style.” — Priya
“When I’m drawing or painting, I feel like time just stops.” — Priya
“Art is a way for me to express myself and it really helps my mental health.” — Priya
“My favorite word is whimsical.” — Priya

Resources & Calls-to-Action

🎨 Procreate — Priya’s primary digital illustration tool.
📚 Vintage catalogs & nature books — Joleen shares her love of finding old catalogs and tiny nature books to use as collage fodder and artistic reference.
🐦 Golden Nature Guide: 129 Birds in Full Color — One of Joleen’s fun vintage thrifted finds.
🌿 Big Raven Farm — Learn more about upcoming creative retreats and the 2026–2027 schedule
📖 Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt — A book recommendation mentioned during the conversation.

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Welcome to Episode 103 of Joleen's Happy Time Craftcast! In this episode, I’m chatting with Becky Stockert, Indiana artist and illustrator behind Cat People Press! We talk cats, creativity, screen printing, pottery, abstract art, collage, and embracing the messy middle of making. Becky shares how she works through creative blocks, experiments with new mediums, and keeps her creativity playful and curious.

Guest Bio

Becky Stockert is an Indiana artist and illustrator and the creative force behind Cat People Press. Her work celebrates cats, nature, humor, and sustainability through illustration, prints, apparel, and pottery. Becky loves experimenting with different mediums and finding new ways to keep creativity fun!

Follow Becky

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

Episode Chapters with Timestamps

[00:00–09:30] — Joleen’s Happy Things
[09:30–15:00] — Meet Becky & Cat People Press
[15:00–22:00] — Screen Printing & Creative Business
[22:00–32:00] — Watercolor, Abstract Art & Layers
[32:00–39:00] — Getting Unstuck & Embracing Discomfort
[39:00–47:00] — Collage, Creativity & Creative Challenges
[47:00–54:00] — Happy Time Questions
[54:00–59:30] — Books, Happiness & Goodbye!

Quotes from the Episode

“You really try something new all the time.” — Becky Stockert
“Embrace the discomfort.” — Becky Stockert
“Artists really can change the world.” — Becky Stockert
“You just have to keep going and work through it.” — Becky Stockert
“Everything is potential.” — Joleen Emery

Resources & Calls-to-Action

🐱 Cat People Press — Visit Becky’s website to explore her artwork, shop, and newsletter.
☕ Firefly Coffee House — Becky creates handmade mugs featuring the local coffee shop’s logo and nature-inspired designs.
📖 Art Inspiration — Becky recommends exploring books about abstract painting, Beautiful Bizarre Magazine, and Art21 for creative inspiration.
📚 Vintage Sears & Roebuck Catalogs — Joleen’s fun creative-reuse recommendation for collage, image harvesting, color inspiration, and gel plate printing.

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Welcome to Episode 102 of Joleen's Happy Time Craftcast! In this episode, Joleen chats with Illinois-based professional studio artist Hattie Lee Mendoza about working across mediums, finding inspiration in unexpected objects, and giving new life to things that might otherwise be discarded. Hattie shares how her art practice brings together fiber, beadwork, weaving, painting, found objects, and family heirlooms while exploring her Cherokee heritage and personal history. From thrifted dishes and vintage lace to inherited treasures and “garbage” materials, this conversation is a wonderful reminder that you don't have to know exactly where a creative idea is going—sometimes curiosity is all the reason you need to make something.

Guest Bio

Hattie Lee Mendoza is a professional studio artist based in Illinois who originally grew up in Southwest Kansas, studied graphic design, and later earned her MFA in Fine Art. Her work moves across painting, printmaking, fiber, beadwork, weaving, and found objects, often incorporating repurposed materials and family heirlooms. Through her artwork, Hattie explores her Cherokee heritage, personal history, memory, and the stories held within everyday objects. One of the things that makes Hattie’s work so special is her ability to look at something other people might consider discarded and see possibility, beauty, and a whole new life waiting to happen.

Follow Hattie

• Website
• Instagram
• Tiktok

Episode Chapters with Timestamps

[00:00–05:30] — Joleen’s Happy Things
[05:30–10:00] — Meet Hattie Lee Mendoza
[10:00–19:00] — Hattie’s Creative Process
[19:00–28:00] — Cherokee Heritage & Found Objects
[28:00–35:00] — The Giant Lace Installation
[35:00–42:00] — Turning “Garbage” Into Art
[42:00–48:00] — Hattie’s Current Projects
48:00–55:00] — Happy Time Questions
[55:00–59:30] — Creativity, Joy & Goodbye!

Quotes from the Episode

You don't know till you try.” — Hattie Lee Mendoza
“Anything I've made is fair game to be added to a different piece later on.” — Hattie Lee Mendoza
“Anything I make, there's someone out there that will relate to it and find something joyful in.” — Hattie Lee Mendoza
“Sometimes the simple curiosities and things we have is what resonates on a broader level with people.” — Hattie Lee Mendoza
“I love making and I love making with people.” — Jolene Emery

Resources & Calls-to-Action

🎨 Follow Hattie
🌐 Website: https://www.hattieleemendoza.com
📱 Instagram/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hattieleemendoza

🖼️ Hattie’s Upcoming Shows
Bethel College, Newton, Kansas — exhibition through September 17
Cherokee Art Market, Tulsa, Oklahoma — October
Native Art Market, Madison, Wisconsin — November

📖 Strawberry Moon Magazine
Jolene also recommends Strawberry Moon Magazine, a beautiful resource for anyone who loves art journaling, junk journaling, collage, ephemera, and creative inspiration. The episode features Issue 10: Collage from A to Z, which includes ideas and techniques ranging from adhesives and block printing to ephemera, nature, repetition, substrates, and upcycling.

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Welcome to Episode 101 of Joleen's Happy Time Craftcast! In this episode, Joleen chats with Wisconsin-based mixed media and textile artist Emma Freeman about the beauty of slowing down, creating without a plan, and letting your hands lead the way. Emma shares how slow stitching became a powerful practice during a major life transition—and how it helped her process emotions, connect with textile history, and rediscover joy in making. From fabric meditation books to intuitive stitching, art journaling, and repurposing meaningful textiles, this conversation is a wonderful reminder that creativity isn't about being “good” at art—it’s about giving yourself permission to explore.

Guest Bio

Emma Freeman is a Wisconsin-based mixed media and textile artist, writer, and teacher with 25 years of experience as a professional artist. Her work explores stories, color, slow stitching, memory, and the beauty found in everyday moments. For Emma, creativity is a pathway to self-discovery, connection, and joy, and her work encourages others to slow down, get curious, and discover what happens when they create without worrying about the outcome.

Follow Emma

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

Episode Chapters with Timestamps

[00:00–08:30] — Jolene’s Five Happy Things & Creative Updates
[08:30–17:00] — New Art Kits, Trash Totes & Big Raven Farm
[17:00–23:00] — Meet Emma Freeman
[23:00–34:00] — Emma’s Journey to Slow Stitching
[34:00–44:00] — Fabric, Memory & Creative Connection
[44:00–52:00] — Finding Your Creativity & Letting Go of Perfection
[52:00–1:00:00] — Art Journaling & Creative Practice
[1:00:00–1:06:00] — Emma’s Favorite Things & Happy Time Questions
[1:06:00–1:09:00] — Where to Find Emma & Episode Wrap-Up

Quotes from the Episode

“We’re all creative. We really are.” — Emma Freeman
“There’s something about seeing what other women have made with that stitch.” — Emma Freeman
“The ‘I’m not creative’ is just this wall. It just is a prison. It just contains and confines the human soul.” — Emma Freeman
“You practice or play at being creative.” — Joleen Emery
“I want to keep expressing myself.” — Emma Freeman
“Every hug should be a masterpiece of connection.” — Emma Freeman
“There is no part of me that’s not an artist.” — Emma Freeman

Resources & Calls-to-Action

🧵 Cut From the Same Cloth — Emma's online mixed-media art community featuring monthly themes, workshops, visiting artists, prompts, and open studios.
🎨 Emma's Classes & Creative Work
📚 Emma also recommends exploring creative practice through books such as The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp and The Creative Act by Rick Rubin.

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Jolene celebrates the 100th episode of Happy Time Craft Cast with a joyful conversation about creativity, craftsmanship, and the magic of making things by hand. Her guest, Tamara Goldsmith, shares how she rediscovered stained glass during the pandemic and transformed her decades of experience as a jeweler and metalsmith into a beautiful new artistic practice. Together, they explore choosing glass by instinct, combining techniques, learning safely, caring for tools, and finding inspiration through collaboration. ✨

Guest Bio

Tamara Goldsmith is a Pacific Northwest artist, metalsmith, and stained glass maker who creates under the name Magic Hour Glass. With decades of experience in jewelry and supporting local artists, she rediscovered stained glass during the pandemic and now creates intricate, light-filled pieces that often combine copper foil, wirework, painting, and found or vintage materials. Her work is exhibited with the Side Street Arts Collective in Portland, and she loves exploring the possibilities that come from blending different artistic disciplines.

Follow Tamara

• Website
• Instagram

Episode Chapters with Timestamps

[00:00 – 13:09] – Welcome & Jolene’s Five Happy Things
[13:10 – 18:10] – Meet Tamara Goldsmith
[18:11 – 27:00] – Rediscovering Stained Glass
[27:01 – 34:30] – Glass, Light & Meaning
[34:31 – 43:15] – Choosing Materials & Finding Inspiration
[43:16 – 51:30] – Starting Stained Glass Safely
[51:31 – 57:30] – Mistakes, Muscle Memory & Tool Care
[57:31 – 1:02:30] – Where to Find Tamara
[1:02:31 – 1:08:30] – The Creative Act & Creative Inspiration
[1:08:31 – 1:15:00] – Behind the Scenes at Big Raven Farm
[1:15:01 – 1:25:00] – The Happy 10
[1:25:01 – End] – Collaboration, Creativity & Happy Time

Quotes from the Episode

“The glass itself is the inspiration in a lot of cases.” — Tamara Goldsmith
“When you get really, really good at a few things that someone is going to find valuable, that’s where you’re going to find success.” — Tamara Goldsmith
“You just need perseverance and practice.” — Tamara Goldsmith
“I think with time, you can achieve pretty much anything you set your mind to.” — Tamara Goldsmith
“If you can look deeper into any discipline and just find it in the details, that’s probably where you’re going to find your specialty.” — Tamara Goldsmith
“When you play and have fun, it’s unbelievable what you can find and what you can discover.” — Joleen Emery
“Just believe in yourself. Trust the process. Take the leap. The net will appear.” — Joleen Emery

Resources & Calls-to-Action

🎨 Side Street Arts Collective: Tamara’s work can also be found through Side Street Arts in Portland.
📚 Jolene’s book recommendation: The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
🏡 Big Raven Farm: Jolene also gives listeners a little nudge to check out the remaining 2026 retreats, including the September cyanotype & eco-printing retreat and October Pick Your Projects retreat, while space remains.

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Welcome to Episode 99 of Joleen’s Happy Time Craft Cast! In this episode, Joleen welcomes mixed media artist and creative entrepreneur Kim Pepper for a fun conversation about junk journaling, faith-based art, creativity, and finding joy in the creative process. Kim shares how she uses color, texture, everyday objects, and art journaling to express emotions, process life, and connect faith with creativity. They also discuss letting go of perfectionism, embracing experimentation, and why done is better than perfect. ✨

Guest Bio

Kim Pepper is a mixed media artist, creative entrepreneur, and passionate junk journaler who combines creativity and faith to help women create lives filled with purpose, clarity, peace, joy, and self-expression. With a background in DIY home décor and more than a decade of experience creating online, Kim now teaches art journaling and faith-based creativity through courses, memberships, and special events like Faithfest and Artistic Advent.

Follow Kim

• Website
• Instagram

Episode Chapters with Timestamps

[00:00 – 13:09] – Welcome & Joleen’s Five Happy Things
[13:10 – 19:08] – Meet Kim Pepper & Faith-Based Creativity
[19:09 – 24:39] – Art Journaling, Color & Creative Practice
[24:40 – 31:54] – Mixed Media Techniques & Embracing Imperfection
[31:54 – 38:26] – Junk Journaling, Texture & Creative Expression
[38:27 – 46:09] – Kim’s Creative Journey & Junk Journal Calenda
[46:10 – 53:43] – Rapid-Fire Questions & What Brings Kim Joy
[53:44 – 54:21] – Next Week’s Guest & Closing
[54:22 – End] – Retreats, Workshops & Farewell

Quotes from the Episode

“Done is better than perfect.” — Kim Pepper
“You’ve got to do what speaks to you.” — Kim Pepper
“Maybe you just haven’t gone enough. Maybe you need to do some more layers.” — Kim Pepper
“Don’t quit.” — Kim Pepper
“Nobody is judging you.” — Kim Pepper
“Anybody can do it.” — Kim Pepper
“Creativity doesn’t require perfect conditions—it just requires a willingness to begin.” — Joleen Emery
“I think sometimes shifting the perspective of why we do this is really important.” — Joleen Emery
“Comparison is the thief of joy.” — Joleen Emery

Resources and Links

🎨 Find Kim Pepper

Visit KimPepper.com to explore Kim’s creative work, courses, membership, and resources.

Kim also mentioned:

✨ Online art classes and courses
💙 Membership community
🎄 Artistic Advent — an art-journaling experience centered around the Christmas story
🌸 Faithfest — a collaborative faith and creativity even

📖 Book Mentioned: Mixed Media Girls by Suzie Blue

Joleen recommends this older mixed-media resource for inspiration, particularly for creating expressive faces, experimenting with color, texture, and mixed-media techniques.

Love "Happy Time Craftcast"? 

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Welcome to Episode 98 of Joleen's Happy Time Craft Cast! In this episode, Joleen welcomes Iowa artist Kirsten Warrick for a fun and inspiring conversation about building a creative career, making art approachable, and embracing the joy of painting. Kirsten shares her journey from graphic designer to full-time artist, offers beginner-friendly painting tips, recommends affordable art supplies, and explains how she creates whimsical animal artwork and teaches paint-and-sip classes. Together, they discuss creative confidence, upcycling thrifted canvases, letting go of perfection, and why art is a skill anyone can learn. Whether you're a beginner painter or a lifelong maker, this episode is full of encouragement, practical advice, and creative inspiration.

Guest Bio

Kirsten Warrick is an Iowa-based full-time artist and former graphic designer known for her whimsical acrylic paintings, paint-and-sip workshops, and custom pet portraits. She creates original artwork, teaches artists of all skill levels, and inspires others to embrace creativity with confidence and joy.

Follow Kirsten

• Website
• Instagram
• Tiktok

Episode Chapters with Timestamps

[00:20 – 13:09] – Welcome & Joleen's Five Happy Things
[13:10 – 14:20] – Meet Guest Kirsten Warrick
[14:21 – 15:19] – Kirsten's Artistic Journey & Style
[15:20 – 22:03] – Favorite Art Supplies & Paint Pens
[22:04 – 24:39] – Building Confidence as an Artist
[24:40 – 26:45] – Upcycling Thrifted Canvases
[26:46 – 31:01] – Pet Portrait Paint Classes
[31:02 – 33:08] – Common Beginner Painting Mistakes
[33:09 – 38:26] – Can Anyone Learn to Be Creative?
[38:27 – 39:42] – Workshops, Festivals & Where to Find Kirsten
[39:43 – 46:09] – Happy Time Rapid-Fire Questions
[46:10 – 51:02] – What Being an Artist Means
[51:03 – 54: 21] – What Brings Kirsten the Most Happiness
[54:22 – End] – Closing Thoughts

Quotes from the Episode

"Perfect isn't fun." — Joleen Emery
"There's room for all of us to create." — Joleen Emery
"The junkier the outside, the more freedom we have on the inside." — Joleen Emery
"Art should feel accessible—not intimidating." — Joleen Emery
"I don't feel quite right if I'm not making something." — Joleen Emery
"Art is a learned skill—you can get good at whatever you choose to practice." — Kirsten Warrick
"I want people to know their paintings don't have to be perfect." — Kirsten Warrick
"Being an artist means I don't have to work a 9-to-5." — Kirsten Warrick
"Too much paint is one of the biggest mistakes beginners make." — Kirsten Warrick
"I wasn't born knowing how to paint—it came with practice." — Kirsten Warrick

Resources and Links

🎨 Art Supplies: Artist's Loft Paint Pens (Michaels), Apple Barrel Paint Pens (Walmart), Top Notch Paint Pens, Hobby Lobby Acrylic Paints, acrylic paint, paint brushes, gesso, thrift-store canvases
🐾 Events: Paws & Pints Pet Portrait Paint Night (Des Moines), NewBo Art Festival (Cedar Rapids)
🖌️ Creative Projects: Paint-and-sip classes, custom pet portrait workshops, tiny watercolor portraits, upcycled canvas art
📱 Connect with Kirsten: Instagram and her website for upcoming classes, workshops, and festival appearances.

Love "Happy Time Craftcast"? 

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Welcome to Episode 97 of Joleen's Happy Time Craftcast! In this inspiring episode of Joleen's Happy Time Craftcast, Joleen welcomes mixed media artist Kristy Evans for an engaging conversation about collage, jelly plate printing, creative experimentation, and why making art is about so much more than the finished piece. Kristy shares practical advice for beginners, favorite texture-making techniques, and how she creates her own collage papers using gel printing. Together, they discuss daily creative practice, overcoming perfectionism, organizing art supplies, and the therapeutic role art played during Kristy's health journey. Whether you're brand new to mixed media or a seasoned maker, this episode is filled with encouragement to embrace curiosity, play, and the joy of creating simply for the sake of creating.

Guest Bio

Kristy Evans is an Iowa-based mixed media artist, curator, educator, and lifelong creative. Her award-winning artwork combines collage, monoprinting, and layered abstraction inspired by curiosity, experimentation, and continuous learning. A self-taught artist and former English teacher, Kristy also curates gallery exhibitions throughout Iowa while teaching workshops that encourage artists to embrace play, process, and creative exploration. Her work demonstrates that meaningful art often begins with simple materials and a willingness to experiment.

Follow Kristy

• Website
• Instagram

Episode Chapters with Timestamps

[00:00 – 01:07] – Welcome & Summer Chat
[01:08 – 02:59] – Five Happy Things: Dragon Eggs & Creative Joy
[03:00 – 11:36] – Collage Warm-Ups and Creative Practice
[11:37 – 14:36] – Meet Guest Kristy Evans
[14:37 – 24:19] – Getting Started with Jelly Plate Printing
[24:20 – 33:29] – Favorite Texture Tools & Creating Unique Prints
[33:30 – 42:14] – Creativity, Healing & Mental Wellness
[42:15 – 52:34] – DIY Texture Tools Anyone Can Make
[52:35 – 55:48] – Upcoming Workshops & Art Events
[55:49 – 1:03:07] – Favorite Learning Resources
[1:03:08 – End] – Next Week's Guest & Farewell

Quotes from the Episode

"Background. Focal point. Sentiment. It's a formula I use over and over again whenever I'm feeling stuck." — Joleen Emery
"Sometimes the journey is the making—and that's enough." — Joleen Emery
"I make the best art when I'm not thinking about selling it. I'm just playing." — Joleen Emery
"Creativity is like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets." — Joleen Emery
"Your art doesn't always need a purpose beyond bringing you joy." — Joleen Emery
"Once you have your source material, creating becomes so much easier." — Kristy Evans
"Patience is what takes your gelly print to the next level." — Kristy Evans
"Art making became how I maintained balance and found peace." — Kristy Evans
"You can be creative in so many different ways." — Kristy Evans
"Give yourself the freedom to create without worrying where it's going." — Kristy Evans

Resources and Links

✨ Kristy's Upcoming Events
🎨 Sagewood Gallery Demo
🛍️ St. Paul's Presbyterian Artisan Fair

✨ Supplies Mentioned
🖌️ Gel Press & Jelly Arts Plates • Acrylic Paint • Brayer • Deli Paper • Copy Paper • Bristol Paper

✨ Favorite Texture Tools
🫧 Bubble Wrap • 🥢 Wooden Skewers • 🧻 Paper Towel Roll + Rubber Bands • 🛠️ Drywall Tools • ✂️ Craft Foam Texture Plates

✨ Creative Inspiration
📖 Daily Doodle Journal
🎨 Carolyn Dube
🌿 Rachel Davis (Botanical Gel Printing)

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