I don’t usually listen to my old podcasts, but today I listened to episode 19 an interview I recorded in 2006 with Kathreen Ricketson, the whipup.net creator, author and mother of two. Back then our kids were little and we talked about motherhood and crafting and the adventures she had before she become a mom. I [...]

If you found a box “filled with yarn or every color,” what would you do? When this happened to Annabelle, the little girl featured in the new picture book “Extra Yarn” written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen, she decided to knit herself a sweater. There was extra yarn left over, so she knit [...]

Yesterday I made a last-minute scramble to interview British knit designer Jean Moss via Skype. I had previously agreed to be part of her blog tour for her new book “Sweet Shawlettes: 25 Irresistible Patterns for Knitting Cowls, Capelets and More” and had planned to post a Q&A with her today. But then I started [...]

On this episode of the podcast I chat with award-winning cookbook author and culinary instructor, Diane Morgan, about the joys of gifting food for the holidays and her inspiring book on the topic: “Gifts Cooks Love: Recipes for Giving.” This interview was recorded last year and I’m so glad to finally post it so you [...]

As time passes I’m getting more and more into cooking and canning and baking. And some of my most recent cooking experiments have been inspired by Yvette van Boven, author of “Home Made: The Ulitmate DIY Cookbook, Featuring Over 200 From-Scratch Recipes.” What I love about Yvette’s book is that it truly unique. Her easy [...]

Hi folks! Today I’m bringing you a new episode of CraftSanity featuring a conversation with Brett Bara, crafter, author, TV host and jello mold enthusiast. This podcast is part of Brett’s blog tour to promote her new book “Sewing in a Straight Line: Quick & Crafty Projects You Can Make By Simply Sewing Straight.” I [...]

After a short hiatus, the CraftSanity Podcast is back with an interview with Aimee Ray, a graphic designer, crafter and embroidery book author. You may know Aimee from her blog and you may have shopped for crafty wares at her Etsy shop, too. Aimee is the author of “Doodle Stitching” and “Doodle Stitching: The Motif [...]

Soft sculpture artist Abby Glassenberg is back to chat about her new book, “The Artful Bird: Feathered Friends to Sew and Make.” On this mini-episode of the podcast, we catch up on the latest exciting developments in her life including the birth of third child and the experience of becoming a published author. If you [...]

On this episode of the podcast you’ll hear from Anna Hrachovec, a 29-year-old Brooklyn-based artist who really knows how to bring her knitting to life. The author of “Knitting Mochimochi: 20 Super-Cute Strange Designs for Knitted Amigurumi,” Anna has gained a reputation for knitting humorous and quirky designs from pigs with wigs to intricately detailed [...]

We’re going to time warp just a tad on this episode of the podcast. We’re going back to a coat closet inside the Grand Rapids Public Art Museum (GRAM) where I interviewed artist Betsy Timmer this past fall about “Rag Rug,” the piece that she entered in ArtPrize, the international art competition held annually here [...]

After Chris de Longpre “retired” from a career in information technology she decided to make the most of her free time. She started knitting – a lot. And Chris, of Kentwood, Mich., wasn’t content to follow a pattern, so she kick up the degree of difficulty and started writing her own patterns. She kept designing [...]

This episode of CraftSanity was recorded before a live audience at the Creative Conference of Entrepreneurs in Seattle. My guest was the Megan Reardon, creator of the popular Not Martha blog she launched in 2001 as a place to keep track of her many crafty projects and lifestyle interests. Nine years later, Megan’s blog has received [...]

Sue Hausmann says sewing is a life skill. And after you listen to her story you’ll understand what she means. As a young mom, she sewed everything for her family from housewares to matching swim suits her family of six. She also sewed to earn extra money doing alterations out of her home. Years of practical sewing [...]

At long last I bring you a podcast interview with Lisa Price, a crafty printmaker and one of West Michigan’s most successful handmade businesswomen.

On this episode of CraftSanity you’ll meet West Michigan fiber artist Beth Ann Williams, an accomplished quilter, teacher and author who never ceases to inspire the people around her. Tune in to hear the story of how Beth Ann turned to quilting after serious health problems forced her to edit her life plan. Beth Ann, [...]