The Inside Handmade Podcast

Episode 11 features Lizz Ross of Indiana Wild, a handmade children’s clothing boutique in Northern California. In our chat, Lizz and I discuss some of the ups and downs of being a boutique clothing maker/shop owner (learning to say no) as well as the power and pitfalls of BST (buy/sell/trade) and the impact it has on resale and popularity. Lizz also reveals a powerful way to leverage authentic support into instagram engagement.

Episode 10 features the talented Becky Drury of Sewberry Cottage, which is the overarching branch of the multifaceted business and creative works of my guest. Becky’s brand evolution began with chalk paint creations which transitioned to children’s clothing which then transitioned to Blythe doll customization (with a quick detour into dog clothing). Her style is extra detailed, meticulous, and always lovely... for both garments and dolls.

In our chat, Becky shares her insider perspective of these very different enthusiast underworlds, reveals her interest in the process that comes before making (such as dying her own fabrics naturally), and explains why customized dolls command the prices they do.

This episode features Libby Knoll of Sunnybird clothing, an adorable handmade kids clothing shop in southern California featuring retro vibes for kids in comfortable, play-friendly fabrics and cuts.  I’ve wanted to chat with Libby for a while now… we became acquainted through a super talented group of small shop owners on Instagram (the I heart handmade market) and I’ve always admired her work and support for other handmade shops.   Plus, her designs really speak to my inner 80s child: she incorporates vintage detailing in her pieces including retro 80s throwbacks like velour rompers, track suits and track shorts. 

The eighth episode of the Inside Handmade Podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting up Ericka Chapman from Little Vintage Babes. Ericka is a creator after my own heart; she gravitates towards vintage fabric and upcycling and includes a lot of handwork in her process. Her pieces swing from charming to fierce, demure to spotlight stealing: she creates gorgeous, fun removable collars and that add an extra special touch to any ensemble. She is also available for commissions for embroidered vests that truly exemplify the phrase "statement piece". Ericka shares her shop’s origins, its meteoric start including manufacturing woes, and a critical low point that ultimately became the turning point in her work. We cover our shared obsession for vintage fabrics, the ways social media and its numbers problematic for us, and the critical role that good, modeled photography has played in her business success. Listen in for all this and more, and make sure you check out Ericka’s instagram feed for a peek into the MANY shops she supports herself through her gorgeous flatlay photos and collaboration shoots.

On the seventh episode of the Inside Handmade Podcast, I finally got to speak with a good friend of mine, Stephanie Huenink from Rose Charlotte Vintage Handmade. Stephanie and I met in a sewing showcase on facebook, but this interview was the first time we’ve spoken to each other without only typing.

Stephanie’s gorgeous work is a true testament to the timelessness of vintage linens: whether incorporating vintage fabric and trim in a garment, or upcycling a vintage item into her one of a kind creation, her pieces are endlessly beautiful and creative, but they also allow the textiles to shine on their own.

In our chat, Stephanie and I cover the obvious points: her shop origins, branding and marketing, and fabric addiction. We also touch on her early sewing fails/successes, she schools me on the definition of "hobby farm" (doh!) and we plan to meet up so she can demonstrate the fine art of "Patio Parenting". 

On today's episode, I was able to sit and chat with Merav Ruthman of Baby Hobbes Designs.

I've always admired Merav's creatios... her creative offerings always include a little bit of sweet and a little bit of funk, and I'm particularly enamored with her upcycles and the 80s vibe she often infuses in them.  We chatted about parenting, books, her first handmade creations and inspiration, and a bunch of other topics that don’t even deal with sewing but are part of our makeup and made for a fun conversation.  Listen in to find out which part of the creative process she needs to hand off and which musical soundtrack is on repeat in her home.

On the fifth episode of the Inside Handmade Podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with Tricia MacNeil of Two Snuggle Bugs. Tricia comes from a line of seamstresses; as a child she would sit and listen to her mom and grandma as they sewed and chatted, and now she’s carrying on that legacy with her own shop and podcast habit. Listen in as we chat about our shared love of history, her "old lady" (said with love) craftiness, and how she came to become a co-founder of the Handmade Designers Group on facebook.

Kelly Agar, from Maddy's Rose Boutique, joins us on the fourth episode of the Inside Handmade Podcast! Kelly's passion is creating beautiful floral accessories for adults and children alike, infusing a combination of bold accents with retro-inspired vibes. Listen in on our conversation about her family, her past life as an assistant director for a living history museum, and her design process. From Mom Prom to pit bull rescues, Kelly shares an inside look into her life as mom (to humans and pets), a designer, and a devotee to her favorite past times: CrossFit and gardening. Listen in to find out what the Gettysburg Address has to do with Kelly, and scroll down to see some of her work, her garden and children, and a CrossFit sumo dead lift high-pull.

Andrea Sandal, of Maddy James Clothing, joins us for the third episode of the Inside Handmade Podcast! Her classic, beautiful creations feature hints of vintage style and special detailing. In our chat, Andrea shares an inside look at her pre-sewing days in physical therapy and art, her side passion for quilting, and her new magical mystery machine specifically designed to ruffle fabric. (Yes, a machine, not a serger, that ruffles. I know. My mind was blown.) Listen in to find out what garment she collects and what her favorite fabric is to work with.

• Maddy James Clothing website

• Maddy James instagram

• Maddy James Clothing - facebook page

• Maddy James Clothing - Buy/Sell/Trade group (find one-of-a-kind offerings and “Finish the Bolt” sales on Friday nights at 8pm CST)

• Meatless Monday (BST) on facebook

• Handmade Designers Group (Maddy James participates almost every Sunday on HDG at 8pm CST)

• Husqvarna Viking Sapphire - Andrea’s sewing machine

Jennifer Nagdeman, owner/designer for JellyLou Creations and a founder of the Handmade Designers Group on Facebook joins us on the second episode of the Inside Handmade Podcast! Jennifer is a wife, mother to three, and superhuman designer. Listen in to hear more about Jennifer’s previous life in interior design, her shift to handmade/sewing, and which of her babies is her favorite. And by babies, I mean: sewing machines.

• JellyLou Creations website

• JellyLou Creations instagram

• JellyLou Creations (and friends) facebook

• En Trend Kids

• Handmade Designers Group (JellyLou Creations are available almost every Sunday on HDG at 8pm CST)

• Ruby Star Society fabrics

• Jennifer’s Juki coverstitch machine