Collage Creative with Amy Small

Today on the show I have fiber artist Meghan Shimek.She is a fiber artist who creates large scale woven pieces using primarily roving. They are a little hard to describe -full of movement and texture. I think most of us that are familiar with her work remember the first time we saw one of her pieces because undoubtedly it stops you right in your tracks! She talks about how weaving throughout a dark time in her life, full of sadness, got her back to herself and discovering her voice. Powerful Stuff!

Today on the show I have Anne Weil, the creator and blogger behind the Flax and Twine blog. She’s also the author of the book, knitting without needles and her latest book that just came out a few days ago, Weaving within Reach. Her patterns and craft projects have been featured everywhere from the Martha Stewart Blog to Apartment Therapy. We dive into how her self described beauty bone works and how she’s learned, over the years, to put her own self care first.

Hi everyone, today on the show, I have Jan Pethick, my high school art teacher. He taught sculpture and so much more at the Baldwin School, an all girls school, in Bryn Mawr, PA for 38 years. In a vigorous academic setting, he let us pursue our creative interests, whatever those might be, for me it was sewing. There were always lots of laughs mixed in with the hard work to took to complete our projects.

Today on the show Karen Templer, the creator the Fringe Association Blog and of the infamous Field Bag. Her business arose from her almost instant interest in knitting and a wish to create practile and beautiful products she didn’t see in the world. Wether your a business owner looking for fantastic advice or you're just curious to hear more of Karen’s story, this is the podcast for you!

Today on the show I have Elizabeth Duvivier. She has many hats that she wears- from writer to teacher, teenage wisperer and of course she is founder of Squam, the beloved art retreat that happens twice a year on Squam Lake in NH. She’s recently relinquished her role there and we get into this decision and many more of the fascinating jumps she’s taken in her life. From sacred mornings to owning her own happiness, we cover so much to inspire you.

Hi friends, I’m back today with a wildcard episode. I usally do this on the 10thepisode of the show and the 60thwill be no different. I want to talk about 2 things in this episode and it won’t be a super long one - a little bit about the business thinking and planning that has been on my mind. I hope this will inspire you in some way and then secondly a little check in on the move and how coping with that transition has been going.

Today on the show I have Annie Lupton, the creator of Boho Chic Fiber Co. She is primarily a knit wear designer but also spins and sells her own yarn too. Her story is a relatable one – she went through 4 different major changes in college and struggled to figure out what her “thing” would be after school too.  How she came to knitting and the comfort it had for her in her life is just so good and I can’t wait for you to hear about it.

Today on the show I have Mandi Smethells, she is a sculptural fiber artist – in her etsy shop you’ll find just that – they are unlike anything I’ve ever seen before and they are crazy cheerful. This episode is jam packed with so many take aways – like following her own curiosity and joy to create this unique art and saying goodbye to the rest. She encourages us to find inspiration outside, in odd places, that resonate with us in any way. This is what helped her create her incredible art!

Today on the show I have Jewell Washington a stunning knitwear designer behind North Knits and the creator of Our maker life, a blog and movement dedicated to creating community and connection through making.

Today on the show my sister Jessie and I dive into transitions. We get into my big transition into this new house and how it hasn't all been rainbows along the way. We also go into the transition she went through this fall from teacher to working with me at Knit Collage, something she knew very little about.

Today on the show I have Julia Denos, an illustrator and writer. It’s a far ranging conversation and we cover a lot from making a living as an artist to coping with life’s ups and downs through her own art. Show notes right Collage Creative Podcast. 

Today on the show I have Mary Kate Kinnane, the founder of the Local Bouquet, a florist who also teaches flower classes based in Little Compton, RI. I’m more than a little estatic to have a florist on the show – she tells us all about the field to vase movement and why locally grown flowers are so special. As a mom of 4, she has some stellar advice for diving into that new business and juggling it all.

Today on the show I have Sonia Rutys, of Stash Local, a yarn shop. This episode is jam packed with inspiration. She tells up about how every twist and unlikely turn in her career set up to be where she is today with her routine of taking time out, right in the mornings to take time for herself to knit and write creatively. Let's dive in!

Today on the show I have Lizz Wasserman, she and I started off at Urban together, she later formed her own sustainable clothing company, closed that and has now landed at Mod Cloth in LA where she is the VP of design. I think you’ll love hearing about how her faith and confidence in her own worth helped her hold out for this dream job. 

Today on the show, I have fiber artist Lauren Williams. I love how I found out about her and everything about this conversation. She went from staring at that first blank wall that inspired her art, to creating 50+ pieces a week. It’s an incredible story that left me wanting to listen to the conversation all over again right after we finished.