In honor of Juneteenth, the day that celebrates the end of slavery in the U.S., I’m posting my conversation with the artist who created the Tubman Stamp that allows the likeness of American hero, Harriet Tubman, to be printed on the $20 bill.
CraftSanity Episode 223: A conversation with Diana Weymar, creator of the Tiny Pricks Project public art project featuring hundreds of vintage linens embroidered with Trump quotes

Tiny Pricks Project creator, Diana Weymar, with her collection of vintage textiles embellished with Trump quotes. The collection of public art, curated by Weymar, is on display at Lingua Franca, a shop featuring hand-embroidered cashmere sweaters in New York’s West Village.
Photo Credit: Yvonne-TntBFA.com
When Donald Trump called himself “a very stable genius” in January of 2018, many of found his comment a bit stunning in ways that seemed to exceed the threshold of his usual tweet storms of outlandish remarks.
This is the first Tiny Prick embroidery by the project creator and curator, Diana Weymar. She stitched Trump’s stunning works onto an abandoned piece of her grandmother’s embroidery from the 1960s. Photo courtesy of Diana Weymar.[/caption]
CraftSanity Episode 222: Learn how to graduate from art school with zero debt and other handmade business savvy things from Dayna Walton, owner of Solstice Handmade

Artist Dayna Walton, owner of Solstice Handmade, screen prints tea towels at Lions & Rabbits, the Grand Rapids Gallery where she works.
(Photo by Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood)
Making a living as a professional artist can be tricky with the cost of art school on the rise and lucrative art jobs hard to find. Despite this challenging backdrop, Dayna Walton, a 21-year-old Grand Rapids artist has set herself up well to hit the ground running after she graduates from Ferris State University’s Kendall College of Art & Design this spring.
Crafting sanity is a way of life for me. Weaving, embroidery and printmaking are my go-to activities in good times and bad, and I welcome opportunities to teach art and craft workshops for small groups of all ages. Get in touch if you’d like me to teach your small group and we can plan a workshop tailored to your interests.
In the meantime, here’s a list of my upcoming workshops:
May 18: CraftSanity Rug Weaving Workshop
Where: Kalamazoo Fiber and Dye Studio LLC, 432 E Paterson St, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007
Cost: $100
More details and reserve a spot
May 25: CraftSanity Small Loom Sampler Workshop
Where: Kalamazoo Fiber and Dye Studio LLC, 432 E Paterson St, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007
Cost: $50
More details and reserve a spot
May 25: CraftSanity Cowl Weaving Workshop
Where: Kalamazoo Fiber and Dye Studio LLC, 432 E Paterson St, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007
Cost: $55
More details and reserve a spot
CraftSanity Small Loom Sampler Workshop
Date: 1-4 p.m. Sunday, June 2, 2019
Location: Lions and Rabbits, 1254 Plainfield Ave. NE, in Grand Rapids, MI
Class fee: $50 (including small round and rectangular CraftSanity weaving looms, yarn and other supplies)
If you’ve been looking for an opportunity to dive into the fiber arts, this is your chance to learn to weave on small looms you get to take home with you.
In this class, students will learn circular and tapestry weaving techniques on small round and rectangular CraftSanity Looms. All supplies will be provided and students will go home with a handprinted, CraftSanity drawstring bag to hold their new portable CraftSanity looms, yarn and other weaving supplies.
This introductory class is open to weavers of all skill levels. No previous weaving experience necessary.
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CraftSanity Episode 221: A studio visit and conversation with 3-D knit programmer and escape-proof baby swaddle designer, Liz Hilton

Inside a bright West Michigan studio with an impressive yarn wall and an even more impressive collection of production knitting machines, designer Liz Hilton creates 3D knit products for clients and invents more machine knitted products of her own.
Welcome to KNITit, the studio Hilton founded in 2015 on South Division Avenue in Grand Rapids, Michigan to meet a need for customized 3D knit innovation without the production commitment.
CraftSanity Podcast Episode 220: A conversation with Beryl Bartkus, founder of Ability Weavers, a Michigan weaving studio created to employ people with developmental disabilities

As the mother of an adult child with autism, Beryl Bartkus wanted to create meaningful work for her daughter, Erin, and others with developmental disabilities.
Fast forward a little more than two years and Beryl is leading an established team of about a dozen working artists at Ability Weavers, the weaving studio and shop she and her husband, Eric, started in downtown Lowell, Michigan.