Making Conversation

I’m your host Ashley Yousling and this week I’m talking with the most amazing maker with the most soothing voice ever, Yarrow Magdalena. Yarrow is an incredible artist with a deep devotion to helping others find creative and personal wellbeing through art, reflection, community, and love of our own bodies and souls. We traverse many stories and topics, from personal creative practice, grief, the impact social media and technology has on our lives, and feeding our imaginations. 

This month Yarrow is hosting a beautiful creative winter retreat. Join them and others for a five day creative retreat you can do from home, like an artist residency but without the travel and time away from your favorite mug, bed & art supplies. Meet from December 29th to January 2nd every day to close out the year, create together and set meaningful intentions for 2023. 

Come to as many sessions as you like, work on whatever project speaks to you and start the year in a magical & creative way that will stay with you throughout 2023.

Expect journaling prompts, tarot spreads, guided meditations and other resources to sweeten your time together. You can come in your pajamas, have kids or pets in the background and stay off video if you like. For more information and to register, visit themakingapp.com or download the Making app and find “Creative Winter Retreat” under classes. We hope to see you there!

You can connect with Yarrow on the Making app @yarrowmagdalena, their website at yarrowmagdelana.com and their podcast Creative Devotion can be found wherever you listen to podcasts. 

We believe that the simple act of making can transform your life and in turn change our world. This is why Making exists. It all starts with inspiration. We’re inspired by people, by places, by experiences—a beautiful photo, a soft wool, a kind heart. These are the things that motivate us to make.

Making is here to disrupt systems—systems of oppression, systems that only benefit certain groups of people, and systems that extract. We’re here to challenge the narrative of profit over people. We believe a company can be founded for the purpose of good and change the world for better, while also creating opportunity at scale. Makers are tired of the monoliths. The few companies that comprise our only choices of how we connect, how we transact, and how we learn.

Makers are ready for a better alternative and that is what we are building.

Becoming a BRIGHT Collective member helps us accomplish this. Visit makingzine.com to learn more.

We have a special 10% discount on BRIGHT Collective yearly memberships for podcast listeners! Use discount code makingconvo10 during checkout. 

The biggest of thanks to everyone involved in this weeks episode. I hope you’ll join me each week as we talk and learn from more fascinating makers. For podcast notes and transcriptions, visit our blog at makingzine.com. Have a wonderful week! 

🌟 Support the Podcast🌟
🔔 Subscribe on YouTube – youtube.com/@making_co
☕ Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi – ko-fi.com/makingconversation
📢 Tell your maker friends – Spread the love!

If you'd like to give a shout-out, have a question that you'd like us to answer on the podcast, or are interested in sponsoring Making Conversation, email us at [email protected].

Music by Despatches.

I’m your host Ashley Yousling and today I’m talking with someone whom I’ve known for many years, all the way back to when I first began this podcast and she purchased some yarn from my little online shop. Françoise Danoy whom you may also know as Frenchie, is the creator behind Aroha Knits, Swatch Studio Circle, and other fun ventures like the Yarn Alchemist. But we don’t spend much time talking about knitting or making, and just like with every episode, we go where the conversation leads and sometimes that means we go deep, to vulnerable and tender parts of our lives and stories. I’m so grateful for Françoise’s openness, for sharing this part of her story, heritage and heart, and for her permission to share that with you. I hope you take a moment to really hear Françoise’s story and all the richness and beauty of it, while also gaining more insight through the lived experience she so graciously takes time to share with us. 

You can connect with Françoise on the Making app and Instagram @arohaknits

We believe that the simple act of making can transform your life and in turn change our world. This is why Making exists. It all starts with inspiration. We’re inspired by people, by places, by experiences—a beautiful photo, a soft wool, a kind heart. These are the things that motivate us to make.

Making is here to disrupt systems—systems of oppression, systems that only benefit certain groups of people, and systems that extract. We’re here to challenge the narrative of profit over people. We believe a company can be founded for the purpose of good and change the world for better, while also creating opportunity at scale. Makers are tired of the monoliths. The few companies that comprise our only choices of how we connect, how we transact, and how we learn.

Makers are ready for a better alternative and that is what we are building.

Becoming a BRIGHT Collective member helps us accomplish this. Visit makingzine.com to learn more.

We have a special 10% discount on BRIGHT Collective yearly memberships for podcast listeners! Use discount code makingconvo10 during checkout.

The biggest of thanks to everyone involved in this weeks episode. I hope you’ll join me each week as we talk and learn from more fascinating makers. For podcast notes and transcriptions, visit our blog at makingzine.com. Have a wonderful week! 

🌟 Support the Podcast🌟
🔔 Subscribe on YouTube – youtube.com/@making_co
☕ Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi – ko-fi.com/makingconversation
📢 Tell your maker friends – Spread the love!

If you'd like to give a shout-out, have a question that you'd like us to answer on the podcast, or are interested in sponsoring Making Conversation, email us at [email protected].

Music by Despatches.

Today I’m talking with artist, maker, crafter, and designer Elīza Māra. That intro will make a little more sense once you dive into this episode haha, but I think it’s important to mention that since its inception I’ve approached each podcast episode as a conversation between myself and the guest, because of this these conversations can often be quite intimate and nuanced. My conversation with Elīza is no exception, we cover a lot of ground and it may resonate with some and not others, all of which is ok. I’m grateful to Elīza for her transparency, for sharing her authentic story as she’s still actively navigating her creative journey. I hope we can all be inspired by her courage and bold dreams. I hope you enjoy listening in on our conversation.

You can connect with Elīza on the Making app @elīzamarā and Instagram @elīzamarāstudio

We believe that the simple act of making can transform your life and in turn change our world. This is why Making exists. It all starts with inspiration. We’re inspired by people, by places, by experiences—a beautiful photo, a soft wool, a kind heart. These are the things that motivate us to make.

Making is here to disrupt systems—systems of oppression, systems that only benefit certain groups of people, and systems that extract. We’re here to challenge the narrative of profit over people. We believe a company can be founded for the purpose of good and change the world for better, while also creating opportunity at scale. Makers are tired of the monoliths. The few companies that comprise our only choices of how we connect, how we transact, and how we learn.

Makers are ready for a better alternative and that is what we are building.

Becoming a BRIGHT Collective member helps us accomplish this. Visit makingzine.com to learn more.

We have a special 10% discount on BRIGHT Collective yearly memberships for podcast listeners! Use discount code makingconvo10 during checkout. 

The biggest of thanks to everyone involved in this weeks episode. I hope you’ll join me each week as we talk and learn from more fascinating makers. For podcast notes and transcriptions, visit our blog at makingzine.com. Have a wonderful week! 

🌟 Support the Podcast🌟
🔔 Subscribe on YouTube – youtube.com/@making_co
☕ Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi – ko-fi.com/makingconversation
📢 Tell your maker friends – Spread the love!

If you'd like to give a shout-out, have a question that you'd like us to answer on the podcast, or are interested in sponsoring Making Conversation, email us at [email protected].

Music by Despatches.

Today we get to hear the story of Aimée Gille the founder of La Bien Aimée. Aimée is a whole vibe, one that bubbles up and overflows in the form of joy, encouragement, all things soft, and of course the color yellow. Today we go to deep tender places, reflect on the effects of the pandemic, and explore exciting possibilities. I’m grateful for Aimée and all she brings to this community of ours and I hope you enjoy listening in on our conversation. 

You can connect with Aimée on the Making app and Instagram @labienaimee

We believe that the simple act of making can transform your life and in turn change our world. This is why Making exists. It all starts with inspiration. We’re inspired by people, by places, by experiences—a beautiful photo, a soft wool, a kind heart. These are the things that motivate us to make.

Making is here to disrupt systems—systems of oppression, systems that only benefit certain groups of people, and systems that extract. We’re here to challenge the narrative of profit over people. We believe a company can be founded for the purpose of good and change the world for better, while also creating opportunity at scale. Makers are tired of the monoliths. The few companies that comprise our only choices of how we connect, how we transact, and how we learn.

Makers are ready for a better alternative and that is what we are building.

Becoming a BRIGHT Collective member helps us accomplish this. Visit makingzine.com to learn more.

We have a special 10% discount on BRIGHT Collective yearly memberships for podcast listeners! Use discount code makingconvo10 during checkout. 

The biggest of thanks to everyone involved in this weeks episode. I hope you’ll join me each week as we talk and learn from more fascinating makers. For podcast notes and transcriptions, visit our blog at makingzine.com. Have a wonderful week! 

🌟 Support the Podcast🌟
🔔 Subscribe on YouTube – youtube.com/@making_co
☕ Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi – ko-fi.com/makingconversation
📢 Tell your maker friends – Spread the love!

If you'd like to give a shout-out, have a question that you'd like us to answer on the podcast, or are interested in sponsoring Making Conversation, email us at [email protected].

Music by Despatches.

Today we’re taking it back, specifically to November 2016 to one of my favorite past episodes of what was then, the Woolful podcast. We’ll be re-sharing some of these highlight episodes over the coming months and I’m excited to re-listen along with you. Paola is an amazing woman with an amazing story, from growing up in rural Italy to immersion in Tibetan life to finding herself in Brooklyn, with a family and a rich history and future for her fiber and textile company mYak. Like with many yarns, mYak has a beautiful story and impact on our global fiber community and I hope you enjoy getting to know Paola and the mYak vision as much as I have. You can find Paola at mYak.it and on Instagram @myak_fibers. 

We believe that the simple act of making can transform your life and in turn change our world. This is why Making exists. It all starts with inspiration. We’re inspired by people, by places, by experiences—a beautiful photo, a soft wool, a kind heart. These are the things that motivate us to make.

Making is here to disrupt systems—systems of oppression, systems that only benefit certain groups of people, and systems that extract. We’re here to challenge the narrative of profit over people. We believe a company can be founded for the purpose of good and change the world for better, while also creating opportunity at scale. Makers are tired of the monoliths. The few companies that comprise our only choices of how we connect, how we transact, and how we learn.

Makers are ready for a better alternative and that is what we are building.

Becoming a BRIGHT Collective member helps us accomplish this. Visit makingzine.com to learn more.

The biggest of thanks to everyone involved in this weeks episode. I hope you’ll join me each week as we talk and learn from more fascinating makers. For podcast notes and transcriptions, visit our blog at makingzine.com. Have a wonderful week! 

🌟 Support the Podcast🌟
🔔 Subscribe on YouTube – youtube.com/@making_co
☕ Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi – ko-fi.com/makingconversation
📢 Tell your maker friends – Spread the love!

If you'd like to give a shout-out, have a question that you'd like us to answer on the podcast, or are interested in sponsoring Making Conversation, email us at [email protected].

Music by Despatches.

Today I’m talking with embroidery designer and soon-to-be author Melissa Galbraith of McreativeJ. We’ve loved getting to know Melissa over the past year as she was an early maker on the Making app, joined many of our online gatherings, and has shared her love of embroidery and passion for teaching others. Next spring she’s releasing her first book, How to Embroider Texture and Pattern : 20 Designs That Celebrate Pattern, Color, and Pop-Up Stitching, so make sure to keep an eye out! I love Melissa’s down to earth approach not only to embroidery and crafting in general, but also when it comes to building a business. I think you’ll feel encouraged and inspired. You can find Melissa on the Making app @melissa-mcreativej and on Instagram at @mcreativej.

We believe that the simple act of making can transform your life and in turn change our world. This is why Making exists. It all starts with inspiration. We’re inspired by people, by places, by experiences—a beautiful photo, a soft wool, a kind heart. These are the things that motivate us to make.

Making is here to disrupt systems—systems of oppression, systems that only benefit certain groups of people, and systems that extract. We’re here to challenge the narrative of profit over people. We believe a company can be founded for the purpose of good and change the world for better, while also creating opportunity at scale. Makers are tired of the monoliths. The few companies that comprise our only choices of how we connect, how we transact, and how we learn.

Makers are ready for a better alternative and that is what we are building.

Becoming a BRIGHT Collective member helps us accomplish this. Visit makingzine.com to learn more.

The biggest of thanks to everyone involved in this weeks episode. I hope you’ll join me each week as we talk and learn from more fascinating makers. For podcast notes and transcriptions, visit our blog at makingzine.com. Have a wonderful week! 

🌟 Support the Podcast🌟
🔔 Subscribe on YouTube – youtube.com/@making_co
☕ Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi – ko-fi.com/makingconversation
📢 Tell your maker friends – Spread the love!

If you'd like to give a shout-out, have a question that you'd like us to answer on the podcast, or are interested in sponsoring Making Conversation, email us at [email protected].

Music by Despatches.

We’re in the midst of a series here on the podcast where we get to know everyone on the Making team. If you haven’t already caught up on some of these more recent episode, I definitely recommend you do. Making is what it is because of a small and very special group of people, people that I feel incredibly lucky to work and experience life together with. Today I’m talking with someone I absolutely adore, Jen Joyce, our head of marketing. It’s likely you’ve seen and heard Jen as she is everywhere and does many things, including all of our TikTok and Instagram content. Jen has the biggest heart of anyone I know and that comes through in our conversation. Many times in our team meetings we all find ourselves in tears, with Jen leading the charge, she is a Cancer after all. I feel incredibly grateful that she “said yes” when I asked her to join the Making team and I’m thrilled you get to hear more of her story today. 

You can connect with Jen on the Making app and Instagram @knitpurl 

We believe that the simple act of making can transform your life and in turn change our world. This is why Making exists. It all starts with inspiration. We’re inspired by people, by places, by experiences—a beautiful photo, a soft wool, a kind heart. These are the things that motivate us to make.

Making is here to disrupt systems—systems of oppression, systems that only benefit certain groups of people, and systems that extract. We’re here to challenge the narrative of profit over people. We believe a company can be founded for the purpose of good and change the world for better, while also creating opportunity at scale. Makers are tired of the monoliths. The few companies that comprise our only choices of how we connect, how we transact, and how we learn.

Makers are ready for a better alternative and that is what we are building.

Becoming a BRIGHT Collective member helps us accomplish this. Visit makingzine.com to learn more.

The biggest of thanks to everyone involved in this weeks episode. I hope you’ll join me each week as we talk and learn from more fascinating makers. For podcast notes and transcriptions, visit our blog at makingzine.com. Have a wonderful week! 

🌟 Support the Podcast🌟
🔔 Subscribe on YouTube – youtube.com/@making_co
☕ Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi – ko-fi.com/makingconversation
📢 Tell your maker friends – Spread the love!

If you'd like to give a shout-out, have a question that you'd like us to answer on the podcast, or are interested in sponsoring Making Conversation, email us at [email protected].

Music by Despatches.

Today I’m talking with Adella Colvin the founder of LolaBean Yarn Co. When I was writing this intro I was trying to figure out how to capture who Adella is and her passion for all she does and wants to do, but that’s proven to be a bit difficult and those of you who know Adella can understand why. With an incredibly strong voice and spirit, Adella is on a mission to make the world a better place, whether that be for individuals, communities, aspiring business owners and makers, or her daughter Lola. Adella shares her story and takes us from the South, to Spanish Harlem, to Georgia, and on into the future. She is one of the funniest people I’ve had on the podcast, I left our call with my cheeks sore from laughing and smiling, and I hope you do too. 

You can connect with Adella on the Making app and Instagram @lolabeanyarnco 

We believe that the simple act of making can transform your life and in turn change our world. This is why Making exists. It all starts with inspiration. We’re inspired by people, by places, by experiences—a beautiful photo, a soft wool, a kind heart. These are the things that motivate us to make.

Making is here to disrupt systems—systems of oppression, systems that only benefit certain groups of people, and systems that extract. We’re here to challenge the narrative of profit over people. We believe a company can be founded for the purpose of good and change the world for better, while also creating opportunity at scale. Makers are tired of the monoliths. The few companies that comprise our only choices of how we connect, how we transact, and how we learn.

Makers are ready for a better alternative and that is what we are building.

Becoming a BRIGHT Collective member helps us accomplish this. Visit makingzine.com to learn more.

The biggest of thanks to everyone involved in this weeks episode. I hope you’ll join me each week as we talk and learn from more fascinating makers. For podcast notes and transcriptions, visit our blog at makingzine.com. Have a wonderful week! 

🌟 Support the Podcast🌟
🔔 Subscribe on YouTube – youtube.com/@making_co
☕ Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi – ko-fi.com/makingconversation
📢 Tell your maker friends – Spread the love!

If you'd like to give a shout-out, have a question that you'd like us to answer on the podcast, or are interested in sponsoring Making Conversation, email us at [email protected].

Music by Despatches.

I’m your host Ashley Yousling. Today I’m talking with Madelynn Sare. I first met Madelynn when she came into our family to help watch our three boys. Shortly after meeting her, I knew one day she would work at Making. Madelynn has a huge heart for kids, for people, for those who often go unlooked and underestimated, and an intense passion for changing the world. She does so much at Making, from managing all the classes, to social media, and helping make everyone around us feel loved. Madelynn‘s story is a really good one and I’m so happy you get to hear it today.

You can connect with Madelynn on the Making app @madmakes 

Immerse yourself in crafting culture. Making is a first-of-its-kind social marketplace app for makers, crafters, and artists where you can track projects, post to the feed, discover new makers, take classes and more! The marketplace will launch Fall 2022 and is an opportunity for sellers to increase their discoverability and audience, generate revenue, and build community. Making also just launched BRIGHT Collective—a crafty content experience delivered monthly to your inbox and the Making app! Think patterns, recipes, special discounts, monthly member events and more! 

We have a special 10% discount on BRIGHT Collective yearly memberships for podcast listeners! Use discount code makingconvo10 during checkout. 

To download the app, join the community, and become a BRIGHT Collective member, visit makingco.com today!

SUPPORTERS

We’re so grateful for our BRIGHT Collective supporters and wanted to give a shout out to one of them today. 

Dear Gemini is an online emporium for makers with a curated selection of handmade textile goods, and sewing, knitting and crafting supplies that are conscientious and thoughtful. You will find that all the fabrics and yarns are constructed of natural fibres, with a focus on organically grown fibres. Come celebrate making, mending, and doing our best to live slower and more thoughtful lives at deargemini.com

If you’d like to be a BRIGHT Collective supporter, send us an email at [email protected]

The biggest of thanks to everyone involved in this weeks episode. I hope you’ll join me each week as we talk and learn from more fascinating makers. For podcast notes and transcriptions, visit our blog at makingzine.com. Have a wonderful week! 

🌟 Support the Podcast🌟
🔔 Subscribe on YouTube – youtube.com/@making_co
☕ Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi – ko-fi.com/makingconversation
📢 Tell your maker friends – Spread the love!

If you'd like to give a shout-out, have a question that you'd like us to answer on the podcast, or are interested in sponsoring Making Conversation, email us at [email protected].

Music by Despatches.

Today I’m talking with knitwear designer and founder of Native Knitter, Jennifer Berg. We’ve had the privilege to get to know Jennifer over the past few years as a featured contributor for Making Magazine. Today Jennifer shares her experience of growing up in her family’s 4th generation retail store on the reservation and the lessons, inspiration, support, and confidence she carries with her from the strong women in her life.From hats to cowls and sweater patterns to beaded stitch markers, you can find her knitting patterns and Native Knitter gear at nativeknits.com where 5% of all proceeds from Jennifer’s self published patterns go to the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women, which works to bring justice, advocacy, and community based solutions to gender based violence in tribal communities.You can find Jennifer on the Making app @NativeKnitsShop and on Instagram at @Native.Knitter.

Immerse yourself in crafting culture. Making is a first-of-its-kind social marketplace app for makers, crafters, and artists where you can track projects, post to the feed, discover new makers, take classes and more! The marketplace will launch Fall 2022 and is an opportunity for sellers to increase their discoverability and audience, generate revenue, and build community. Making also just launched BRIGHT Collective—a crafty content experience delivered monthly to your inbox and the Making app! Think patterns, recipes, special discounts, monthly member events and more! 

​​We have a special 10% discount on BRIGHT Collective yearly memberships for podcast listeners! Use discount code makingconvo10 during checkout. 

​​To download the app, join the community, and become a BRIGHT Collective member, visit makingco.com today!

​​SUPPORTERS

​​We’re so grateful for our BRIGHT Collective supporters and wanted to give a shout out to two of them today. 

​​A Good Yarn in Sarasota, Florida has been in business for 13 years and is a destination shop for vacationers and winter visitors alike along with their great community of local knitters who support them all year long. A Good Yarn has a very vibrant weaving and knitting community and they love bringing in Indie dyers that are new to Florida and the Southeast. Visit them in person in Sarasota, Florida and online at https://www.agoodyarnsarasota.com/

​​If you’d like to be a BRIGHT Collective supporter, send us an email at [email protected].

The biggest of thanks to everyone involved in this weeks episode. I hope you’ll join me each week as we talk and learn from more fascinating makers. For podcast notes and transcriptions, visit our blog at makingzine.com. Have a wonderful week! 

🌟 Support the Podcast🌟
🔔 Subscribe on YouTube – youtube.com/@making_co
☕ Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi – ko-fi.com/makingconversation
📢 Tell your maker friends – Spread the love!

If you'd like to give a shout-out, have a question that you'd like us to answer on the podcast, or are interested in sponsoring Making Conversation, email us at [email protected].

Music by Despatches.