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Welcome to episode 021 of the Me Being Crafty podcast, where we explore creativity in your life.

In this episode I talk to Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood of CraftSanity. We had a really great conversation about her creative journey, her transition from being a staff writer for a local newspaper in Michigan to writing a freelance column on art and craft, her podcast, craft magazine, and so much more.

This picture is a recent shot of Jennifer working on screen printing.

I’ve listened to Craft Sanity since the beginning (she began in early 2006!), back then there were not many crafty podcasts and I had my other one for about a year so it was really great to connect with people during that time. I was happy to see Jennifer back and producing shows again after a short break, she was missed. Thanks again for being on my new podcast Jennifer!

Jennifer has tried a wide variety of crafts over the years, starting with coloring books as a child and falling in love with weaving in middle school. She learned to crochet as a child because of regular family visits during which the men, women, and children were all separated to each do their own thing. Not wanting to miss out, and wanting to be like her Mom, Great Aunt’s, and Great Grandma, to be like the other women in her family, made her want to learn to crochet as a five year old.

Jennifer is a story collector and her formal training in Journalism is a wonderful profession to be in with that strong interest. She was an apprentice to a master weaver for a year when she was in her early 20s and says one thing that drives her is knowing she doesn’t have to only do one thing.

“My level of happiness in life overall improved once I figured out that you don’t have to pick one thing. Just because you are a professional writer or a firefighter or a nurse, it doesn’t mean that you can’t do other things.”

She is so right. We all have other interests and being able to pursue those interests and connect with people in person and online is really a fun thing. She also talked about daily practice and how that really improves whatever you are learning or working on. She is currently carving a block a day and also talked about testing screen printing on two t-shirts knowing she only had those two shirts at the time. It can be scary to realize that if you make a mistake that’s it, but she went forward anyway. Jennifer and her husband have two children who are also crafty kids, which is a given considering they have grown up in a house with looms and access to many craft supplies and interests.

I love getting kids involved in whatever I am making and I am glad that my kids have shown interest in different crafts over the years. The screenprinted tea towels that are in the CraftSanity etsy shop were designed by one of Jennifer’s daughters and I think that is so amazing. It is fantastic when we can share what we love with the people that we love.

The CraftSanity Magazine is available right now in the etsy shop and if you have an idea, pattern, or recipe to share, send Jennifer an email. If you haven’t seen the magazine, it is a must see. This is a full magazine with recipes, patterns,

Jennifer also mentioned ArtPrize, visit the site to find more information about this international art competition.

Where you can find Jennifer – CraftSanity podcast archive – CraftSanity etsy shop – Jennifer on twitter – CraftSanity on instagram – CraftSanity Patreon page – CraftSanity facebook page

Listen to episode 021 and let me know about the last new thing you tried. I admit it’s been a while for me for trying something new. My daughter has paints and we have a bunch of canvases for her and I was thinking that I should try painting. I’ve never done that and I’m sure it would be a fun thing to try. I have tried screen printing before and I think I want to do that again too. I need to check on my supplies and figure out where I can get more.

Leave me a comment and let me know how you were creative today. Me, I’m working on a mini quilt swap.

Head over to iTunes and subscribe to Me Being Crafty so you don’t miss an episode! You can also subscribe on stitcher.

Welcome to episode 020 of the Me Being Crafty podcast, where we explore creativity in your life.

In this episode I am talking about my word for the year – EMBRACE – as well as plans for 2015. We are moving again at some point and I am embracing just being able to do what I can do. I long ago gave up control over moving because I don’t get to pick when and where (for the most part anyway), and giving up that control has only been a positive thing. Because we are moving, I have to start making some plans such as our interest in having a giveaway for our friends here and all that involves. Embrace also means that I will be intentional with my creativity, with sharing what I know, and also with what I want the podcast and my business to look like.

Today I mention that I started picking a word for the year several years ago and although there are many websites and maybe even apps around this idea, I discovered it because of Ali Edwards. I may have missed a year or two over the past almost ten years, but for the most part I pick a word and I think it is just a fun exercise to do in order to add something to your every day life. I also sometimes buy a piece of handmade jewelry that says my word on it, and I did this year. I love the items that Lisa Lehmann produces at Studio Jewel, so be sure to check her out if you are interested in wearing your word.

And finally, just one more plug for the tools I am using this year in my business planning. I so love the year of making and I hope you had the chance to grab the ebook! I also love the Your Best Year so if you need a creative business planner this is the one for you.

I have been blogging in one form or another since at least 2004 so I am really excited about this year. Everyday can feel like a fresh start, but of course unless you take action you will never be happy. This must be something I have needed to hear because for the past couple of days I’ve heard my friend Faydra saying just that – you need to take action. Faydra is someone I recently met thanks to the Stretch Yourself Challenge last October at Solo Smarts and I have really enjoyed what she has to share. She is America’s Crisis Coach, and although I am not in crisis, she has great words of wisdom to share.

A reminder of where you can find me –Tsoniki on Instagram – Me Being Crafty facebook page – Tsoniki on Twitter 

Listen to episode 020 and let me know your word for the year and how far into 2015 you are planning.

Leave me a comment and let me know how you were creative today. Me, I’m making lists of quilts to make, block bees that I am in, and getting ready to mail swap packages.