PDF
Print
Print
Issue 3 of CraftSanity Magazine is now available.
Follow CraftSanity on Twitter
CraftSanity Episode 115: A Conversation With Kristen Rask, Owner of Schmancy and Curator of Plush You!
On this episode of CraftSanity you’ll hear from Kristen Rask, owner of Schmancy, a Seattle shop featuring fun and quirky handmade toys. Just a few minutes into the interview you’ll probably begin to wonder when Kristen finds time to sleep because operating a cool shop is only one of her many creative projects.
Kristen is also the creator of the wildly successful Plush You! show that features over a hundred plush artists from around the globe, planner of Urban Craft Uprising (Seattle’s largest indie craft show) and the upcoming Conference of Creative Entrepreneurs. She’s a committee member for the Grassroots Business Association and just curated the Lost at Sea Show in New York City, too.
In her spare time, Kristen has also written three books: “Plush You! Loveable Misfits to sew and stuff” (based on the annual Plush You! show she has at her store), “Creature Crochet” and “Button and Stitch.”
If you’re looking for some motivation to get cracking on some of your own projects, something tells me that hearing from Kristen will give you a helpful kick in the Schmancy pants to get out there and take a crafty risk or two.
If you want a chance to meet Kristen and soak up some crafty business tips, head out to the Conference of Creative Entrepreneurs, Aug. 13-15 in Seattle. Register by June 1 and save money. I’m heading to the conference to be on a panel about podcasting and do a live recording of my show and I’d love to see you there. (Email me if you’re interested in a CraftSanity meet-up.)
Thanks to our sponsor!
Libby Dibby stuff and style is all about being inspired by the joy of color and pattern – and things that are both vintage and new. Check out skirts, hand-stamped charms, baby slings and bags at libertyworth.com, and one-of-a-kind items at the Etsy store. Be sure to follow the Libby Dibby blog for inspiration and fun giveaways.
Support the show!
Sponsor an episode or check out my etsy shop to see my handmade line of wooden peg looms.
Review us on iTunes
If you haven’t already, review the show on iTunes to help get the word out about the show.
Taking Names
Who do you want to hear from next? Send your comments, guest and show topic suggestions to jennifer@craftsanity.com
- Download the show (you may need to right-click the link)
- Subscribe to CraftSanity on iTunes
- Subscribe to CraftSanity on Zune
- RSS feed for podcast
Posted: May 25th, 2010 under craft business, Plush, Podcasts.
Comments: 15
Comments
Pingback from CraftSanity « Conference of Creative Entrepreneurs (CCE)
Time: May 25, 2010, 7:38 pm
[...] conducting a workshop on podcasting. She recently interviewed one of our organizers, Kristen Rask. Check it out here! Share and [...]
Comment from Emily Lindberg
Time: May 26, 2010, 2:33 pm
Hi Jennifer! I LOVED your last interview with Kristen Rask. It was so informative. I can’t wait to hear more about the Conference of Creative Entrepreneurs and wish that I could go myself (hopefully next year though). Until then I’ll just have to live vicariously through you :)
I also wanted to write in with a suggestion for your camping conundrum. When I was growing up my parents went halfsies with another couple they are good friends with to buy a pop-up camper (remember those?). Since it’s something that you only use a couple weeks a year it worked out really well, they just coordinated which family would have it when and shared the responsibilities of keeping it clean and repaired. Both families used it for many years. As for towing…the pop-up is nice because you can tow it with something smaller (like a small pick-up or mini van, but check and see if you can tow one with a car). I grew up right next door to you (in northern Ohio) and I have many fond memories of traveling around to state parks all through the mid west (there are tons!) with that camper. My husband, on the other hand, never went on a single family vacation growing up and says that it’s one thing that he wishes his parents would have done with him and his brothers. We don’t have kids of our own yet, but I feel strongly that camping will be part of their childhood too. Your girls are at the perfect age for this so jump right in and take advantage of it while it lasts!
Looking forward to your next pod cast!
Emily
Comment from Kim – B.B. Bellezza
Time: May 26, 2010, 10:09 pm
Like Emily, I grew up going on vacations in a pop-up camper. My parents pulled it with a regular car, so you might consider looking into that. (of course, it was the 80′s and cars were significantly bigger then!)
My dream is to travel the country camping and crafting. I figure we’ll travel and do shows and craft all along the way. So, make sure to share anything you learn, I’ll be listening! :)
Comment from jennifer
Time: May 27, 2010, 9:24 am
I grew up camping in a pop-up, too, and I loved it. I’ll keep you folks posted on what we decide to do.
Comment from linda
Time: May 27, 2010, 12:44 pm
Wonderful podcast, thank you! Such an inspiring story and I love the advice to just do it :)
Comment from Andrea Porter
Time: May 30, 2010, 4:14 pm
What a great podcast! I am super excited to hear the “live” craft sanity event. See you in August!
Comment from Deb
Time: June 2, 2010, 7:52 pm
Your podcast and blog are so inspiring to me, that I chose you as one of seven bloggers who inspire me and deserve the “Kreative Blogger Award”. Visit my blog to grab the graphic, share the blogs that inspire you, and share some new facts about yourself with your readers. Although, after listening to so many of your podcasts, I do wonder if there are seven things we don’t already know about you! Thank you for sharing your love of craft with us. I really appreciate it.
Comment from kt
Time: June 7, 2010, 8:57 am
Loved listening to your show today and wishing you the best on your live show at the conference, I will be listening:)
kt
Comment from iHanna
Time: June 8, 2010, 5:43 am
Great show Jennifer, thanks for making it and asking such great questions. The Plush show is such a great idea and I’ve been following its progress. It’s awesome that softies are so popular!
Comment from Jennifer Maroney
Time: June 9, 2010, 5:34 pm
Great show as always! Very inspiring and so fun! Your interviews are so relaxed and it seems like you and your guests are happily laughing and chatting in your kitchen over coffee or tea, like old dear friends. Can’t wait for the next one. :-)
Comment from Andrea
Time: June 13, 2010, 7:54 am
As always I really enjoyed the interview. I know you are a busy girl, but when are going to do more? I am almost through the craftcast archives.
Good luck at the CCE!
Pingback from » Blog Archive » How to Choose a Craft Conference, Party, or Fair
Time: June 13, 2010, 11:15 am
[...] I stumbled upon it on Facebook, then subsequently listened to a podcast over at CraftSanity (find the podcast here) with Kristen Ransk of Schmancy, and Kristen and Jennifer are both participating in the program. If [...]
Comment from Lindy
Time: June 15, 2010, 12:16 am
Hello I really like your podcast but I can’t download them for some reason. They download but there is no audio after they download but if I listen to them on the website they are fine, is there a way you can help me fix this please. I would love to continue listening.
Comment from jennifer
Time: June 15, 2010, 1:15 am
Hi Lindy. I’m forwarding your comment to my husband, Jeff, and will have him look into this. We have not heard from others having this problem, so I’m not sure what’s going on. What kind of mp3 player are you using? We’ll do our best to sort this out quickly because the last thing I want is for you to have to work so hard to listen to the show. Thanks for letting us know about the problem. We’ll investigate and get back to you soon with a solution.
Comment from Lindy
Time: June 15, 2010, 10:08 pm
Thank you so much Jennifer I am able to listen to them on my MP3 Player just not the desktop. I don’t know why because my husband was able to download it to his computer and it was fine. I have downloaded other podcast to my desktop and was able to listen to them. Its odd to me as well and I hope that it can be fixed. If not I’ll pray when I download that it will always work on my mp3 player.
Write a comment