Today we’re talking about an important crafting topic ... cost vs value. This is something I mention a lot on the podcast, but have never talked specifically about, so we’re going to talk about it today. In a nutshell, the cost of something is the price you pay for it. The value is what the product is worth to you. Todays episode is sponsored by Altenew. If you’re unfamiliar with them, Altenew have been around since 2014 and are renowned for their layering stamps, dies &amp; stencils, detailed embossing folders, coordinating ranges and innovative tools. I am an Altenew stockist here in Australia, but I know that people are listening in all over the world, so the lovely folks at Altenew and I have put our heads together to come up with a special offer from each of us for podcast listeners. When you shop with either myself at www.dawnlewis.com.au or Altenew at www.altenew.com, you can use the code ALTDAWN10%OFF to receive a 10% discount on Altenew products. The code is valid up to 9th August 2023, and as a bonus for my Australian customers, I will extend that code to any Altenew pre-orders that are received and paid in full from today up until that date when you leave it in the comments section of your pre-order form (and if you already have an Altenew order in with me, if you send an email or DM mentioning the code, I will apply it to your existing pre-order). Those who have been shopping with me for a long time will know that this is the first time I’ve had a discount code like this, so if you’ve had some Altenew on your wish list, now is the time to add to cart or use the pre-order form. Huge thanks to Altenew for being part of the podcast today!  LINKS   Altenew category in my shop (for Australian shoppers)   Altenew (for International shoppers)   Pre-order form Blog post for Episode 35 (with photos, links and full transcript)   Episode 28 - Stencils   Episode 27 - Digital Craft Resources   Creative Fabrica (affiliate link)   My YouTube channel, digital tutorials   The Big Birthday Box   Amazon, What to Write Inside Birthday Cards book   Amazon, Birthday Card Address Book

Today we’re talking about an important crafting topic ... cost vs value. This is something I mention a lot on the podcast, but have never talked specifically about, so we’re going to talk about it today. In a nutshell, the cost of something is the price you pay for it. The value is what the product is worth to you. Todays episode is sponsored by Altenew. If you’re unfamiliar with them, Altenew have been around since 2014 and are renowned for their layering stamps, dies &amp; stencils, detailed embossing folders, coordinating ranges and innovative tools. I am an Altenew stockist here in Australia, but I know that people are listening in all over the world, so the lovely folks at Altenew and I have put our heads together to come up with a special offer from each of us for podcast listeners. When you shop with either myself at <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/product-category/altenew/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">www.dawnlewis.com.au</a> or Altenew at <a href="https://altenew.com" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">www.altenew.com</a>, you can use the code ALTDAWN10%OFF to receive a 10% discount on Altenew products. The code is valid up to 9th August 2023, and as a bonus for my Australian customers, I will extend that code to any Altenew <a href="https://form.jotform.com/63050755145856" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">pre-orders</a> that are received and paid in full from today up until that date when you leave it in the comments section of your pre-order form (and if you already have an Altenew order in with me, if you send an email or DM mentioning the code, I will apply it to your existing pre-order). Those who have been shopping with me for a long time will know that this is the first time I’ve had a discount code like this, so if you’ve had some Altenew on your wish list, now is the time to add to cart or use the pre-order form. Huge thanks to Altenew for being part of the podcast today! LINKS <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/product-category/altenew/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Altenew category in my shop</a> (for Australian shoppers) <a href="https://www.altenew.com" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Altenew</a> (for International shoppers) <a href="https://form.jotform.com/63050755145856" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Pre-order form</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/podcast35/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Blog post for Episode 35 (with photos, links and full transcript)</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/podcast28/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 28 - Stencils</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/podcast27/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 27 - Digital Craft Resources</a> <a href="https://www.creativefabrica.com/ref/379376/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Creative Fabrica (affiliate link)</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLyQrXIkZ7Cb7IrrBocEFqqjrhyFbr3WT" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">My YouTube channel, digital tutorials</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/?s=big+birthday+box&amp;post_type=product" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">The Big Birthday Box</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/What-Write-Inside-Birthday-Card/dp/B0BKS8W2NL/ref=sr_1_2?crid=37378OBBIAD7B&amp;keywords=what+to+write+inside+birthday+cards&amp;qid=1689145033&amp;sprefix=what+to+write+inside+birthday+card%2Caps%2C274&amp;sr=8-2" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon, What to Write Inside Birthday Cards book</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Birthday-Card-Address-Book-2023-2032/dp/B0BHRYL5GW/ref=pd_bxgy_img_sccl_1/355-8701165-2496815?pd_rd_w=S2Pcj&amp;content-id=amzn1.sym.b1232fb4-5a84-447e-abbc-9086244e433a&amp;pf_rd_p=b1232fb4-5a84-447e-abbc-9086244e433a&amp;pf_rd_r=6AMDW0G5A0KWPQM9H5EB&amp;pd_rd_wg=6ViOm&amp;pd_rd_r=cade0a4d-0d0d-462e-90bb-778fdd1599f3&amp;pd_rd_i=B0BHRYL5GW&amp;psc=1" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon, Birthday Card Address Book</a>

#35 Cost vs Value

#33 How to Host a Group Buy

Today we’re talking about a couple of very important things you need to know if you have Copic markers, or are thinking about starting your collection … maintenance and handling.   I want to start by laying out my credentials … I am a certified Copic instructor, and an Authorised Copic Stockist in Australia. I have been using Copic markers for over 13 years, and I created the Copic Subscription Box as a way to help crafters build their Copic colouring skills, as well as their marker collection. And, while I do know a lot about Copic markers, I don’t receive updated information from the TOO Corporation, so I have to work a lot of things out on my own and keep an eye on various online forums and articles.   As part of my business I offer a Copic reinking service, and last year I noticed a marked increase in the number of extremely dry markers that were coming in for reinking. In every single case, extremely dry Sketch markers had a crack inside one lid, always the lid on the Super Brush nib end. In most cases the marker could not be reinked, and I was left with the awful task of letting each customer know that they needed a new marker. So, I started reading up on it, and I learned a few things … which is how this episode was born. I want to share that information with you so that you can make your Copic markers last for many years. Copic reinking service - https://dawnlewis.com.au/copic-reinking-service/ Article about replacing brush nibs - https://markernovice.com/copic/copic-replace-nib Previous Copic episodes - www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast14 and www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast15 Pre-order form - https://form.jotform.co/63050755145856

Today we’re talking about a couple of very important things you need to know if you have Copic markers, or are thinking about starting your collection … maintenance and handling. I want to start by laying out my credentials … I am a certified Copic instructor, and an Authorised Copic Stockist in Australia. I have been using Copic markers for over 13 years, and I created the Copic Subscription Box as a way to help crafters build their Copic colouring skills, as well as their marker collection. And, while I do know a lot about Copic markers, I don’t receive updated information from the TOO Corporation, so I have to work a lot of things out on my own and keep an eye on various online forums and articles. As part of my business I offer a Copic reinking service, and last year I noticed a marked increase in the number of extremely dry markers that were coming in for reinking. In every single case, extremely dry Sketch markers had a crack inside one lid, always the lid on the Super Brush nib end. In most cases the marker could not be reinked, and I was left with the awful task of letting each customer know that they needed a new marker. So, I started reading up on it, and I learned a few things … which is how this episode was born. I want to share that information with you so that you can make your Copic markers last for many years. Copic reinking service - <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/copic-reinking-service/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://dawnlewis.com.au/copic-reinking-service/</a> Article about replacing brush nibs - <a href="https://markernovice.com/copic/copic-replace-nib" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://markernovice.com/copic/copic-replace-nib</a> Previous Copic episodes - <a href="http://www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast14" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast14</a> and <a href="http://www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast15" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast15</a> Pre-order form - <a href="https://form.jotform.co/63050755145856" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://form.jotform.co/63050755145856</a>

#34 Copic Marker Maintenance & Handling

In todays episode let's talk about those crafting goals you may have set in January, and ways you can set yourself up for success.   LINKS Blog post - https://www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast32 Ep 5 - Quilting - https://dawnlewis.com.au/podcast5/ Frankensteins Fabrics - https://www.frankensteinsfabrics.com/ Creative Fabric Fans - https://fans.creativefabrica.com/creators/dawn-lewis-imagery/ Unsplash - https://unsplash.com/ Minecraft Quilt pattern - https://www.kellifanninquilts.com/p/minecraft-sew-along.html Mario quilt pattern - https://angelapingel.com/category/quilt-alongs/mario-quilt-along Achieve (craft donations) - https://www.achieveaustralia.org.au/the-sewing-basket Gift Vouchers - https://dawnlewis.com.au/product-category/gift-certificates/ Copic Subscription Box - https://dawnlewis.com.au/product-category/copic-subscription-box/ Ep 20 - Craft Planner - https://dawnlewis.com.au/podcast20/ Helen Shrimpton's Crochet patterns - crystalsandcrochet.com

In todays episode let's talk about those crafting goals you may have set in January, and ways you can set yourself up for success.   LINKS Blog post - <a href="https://www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast31" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast32</a> Ep 5 - Quilting - <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/podcast5/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://dawnlewis.com.au/podcast5/</a> Frankensteins Fabrics - <a href="https://www.frankensteinsfabrics.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.frankensteinsfabrics.com/</a> Creative Fabric Fans - <a href="https://fans.creativefabrica.com/creators/dawn-lewis-imagery/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://fans.creativefabrica.com/creators/dawn-lewis-imagery/</a> Unsplash - <a href="https://unsplash.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://unsplash.com/</a> Minecraft Quilt pattern - <a href="https://www.kellifanninquilts.com/p/minecraft-sew-along.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.kellifanninquilts.com/p/minecraft-sew-along.html</a> Mario quilt pattern - <a href="https://angelapingel.com/category/quilt-alongs/mario-quilt-along" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://angelapingel.com/category/quilt-alongs/mario-quilt-along</a> Achieve (craft donations) - <a href="https://www.achieveaustralia.org.au/the-sewing-basket" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.achieveaustralia.org.au/the-sewing-basket</a> Gift Vouchers - <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/product-category/gift-certificates/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://dawnlewis.com.au/product-category/gift-certificates/</a> Copic Subscription Box - <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/product-category/copic-subscription-box/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://dawnlewis.com.au/product-category/copic-subscription-box/</a> Ep 20 - Craft Planner - <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/podcast20/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://dawnlewis.com.au/podcast20/</a> Helen Shrimpton's Crochet patterns - <a href="https://crystalsandcrochet.com/" rel="external noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">crystalsandcrochet.com</a>

#32 New Years Crafting Resolutions

In todays episode I thought I'd catch you up on what's happening with international shipping. Between pandemic and Christmas levels of demand, USPS has become overwhelmed and suspended all shipping to Australia (and some other countries).   I have some insights, as well as suggestions for alternatives to shopping overseas. LINKS Blog post - https://www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast31 

In todays episode I thought I'd catch you up on what's happening with international shipping. Between pandemic and Christmas levels of demand, USPS has become overwhelmed and suspended all shipping to Australia (and some other countries). I have some insights, as well as suggestions for alternatives to shopping overseas. LINKS Blog post - <a href="https://www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast31" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast31</a>

#31 International Shipping

In todays episode I’m answering a question from my awesome friend Renee who wants to host a swap for her online community. She wanted to know exactly how it’s done, so I thought it would be fun to talk today about how you can be a great swap host, and also a great swap participant. I have talked about craft swaps in an episode previously, but this will be more about the technicalities of what goes on behind the scenes and what makes a swap great.   There are lots of different types of craft swaps, which I talked about in Episode 17, but the style of swap that I host are where participants create multiples of a single design, send them to me, I do the swapping around, and send them back an envelope with the same number of pieces created by other swap participants. I choose this style of swap, because it’s the style of swap we did as part of OzSwapTillYouDrop, which was a tried and true method well before I came along. Sure, I have participated in one-on-one swaps, but sometimes people don’t come through, their partner misses out, and that leads to angry and upset folks who have put in a whole lot of work, but received nothing in return. So, while it is a lot of work, I stick with the host-swaps-out method. Today I’m going to walk you through the way I choose dates &amp; themes, announce swaps, send emails, create graphics, swap out and handle the bad stuff like complaints and problems. For anyone who thinks they might like to host a swap, I have a free PDF host checklist that you can download over on my blog. I will link to that in the show notes.  My final word of advice for hosts. Start small, find what works for you and your community and be very clear in your communication. Also, don’t forget to download your free Swap Host Checklist on the blog. And for swappers, read the information, ask questions if you need to and hit your deadlines. Most of all ... have fun with it, enjoy the process and be sure to do a little happy dance when your swap envelope arrives.   If you are a card maker in Australia, and you would like to join one of my swaps, I have a new swap opening this month, which is helpful if you’re listening when this episode goes live. But if you’re listening later, and still want to join, you can always  sign up to my email newsletter to be notified when a swap is happening. There is also a swap tab on the website where you can find the latest information, including the date of the next swap announcement.    Episode 17 - Craft Swaps   Episode 12 - Clever Craft Storage Solutions   Episode 19 - Handmade Christmas   Episode 5 - Top 10 things you need for quilting with Marni Franks   Jotform   Trello   Newsletter signup   Swap detail page on my website   Unsplash   Canva   Affinity Photo   Sample swap blog post

In todays episode I’m answering a question from my awesome friend Renee who wants to host a swap for her online community. She wanted to know exactly how it’s done, so I thought it would be fun to talk today about how you can be a great swap host, and also a great swap participant. I have talked about craft swaps in an episode previously, but this will be more about the technicalities of what goes on behind the scenes and what makes a swap great. There are lots of different types of craft swaps, which I talked about in <a href="https://www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast17" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 17</a>, but the style of swap that I host are where participants create multiples of a single design, send them to me, I do the swapping around, and send them back an envelope with the same number of pieces created by other swap participants. I choose this style of swap, because it’s the style of swap we did as part of OzSwapTillYouDrop, which was a tried and true method well before I came along. Sure, I have participated in one-on-one swaps, but sometimes people don’t come through, their partner misses out, and that leads to angry and upset folks who have put in a whole lot of work, but received nothing in return. So, while it is a lot of work, I stick with the host-swaps-out method. Today I’m going to walk you through the way I choose dates &amp; themes, announce swaps, send emails, create graphics, swap out and handle the bad stuff like complaints and problems. For anyone who thinks they might like to host a swap, I have a free PDF host checklist that you can download over on my blog. I will link to that in the show notes. My final word of advice for hosts. Start small, find what works for you and your community and be very clear in your communication. Also, don’t forget to download your free Swap Host Checklist on the blog. And for swappers, read the information, ask questions if you need to and hit your deadlines. Most of all ... have fun with it, enjoy the process and be sure to do a little happy dance when your swap envelope arrives. If you are a card maker in Australia, and you would like to join one of my swaps, I have a new swap opening this month, which is helpful if you’re listening when this episode goes live. But if you’re listening later, and still want to join, you can always <a href="https://dawnlewis.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=f80dbc914371208c8c539b25a&amp;id=fc651fe57a" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> sign up to my email newsletter</a> to be notified when a swap is happening. There is also a swap tab on the website where you can find the latest information, including the date of the next swap announcement. <a href="https://www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast17" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 17 - Craft Swaps</a> <a href="https://www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast12" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 12 - Clever Craft Storage Solutions</a> <a href="https://www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast19" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 19 - Handmade Christmas</a> <a href="https://www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast5" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 5 - Top 10 things you need for quilting with Marni Franks</a> <a href="http://Jotform%20-%20https//www.jotform.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jotform</a> <a href="https://www.trello.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trello</a> <a href="http://eepurl.com/c-UEXL" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Newsletter signup</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/swap-info/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Swap detail page on my website</a> <a href="https://www.unsplash.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Unsplash</a> <a href="https://www.canva.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Canva</a> <a href="https://affinity.serif.com/en-gb/photo/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Affinity Photo</a> <a href="https://www.dawnlewis.com.au/card-front-swap-sympathy/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sample swap blog post</a>

#30 How to Host a Craft Swap

Today, let’s talk about embossing. Breaking it down to bare basics, embossing refers to a technique resulting in a raised area on your project. For those of us in the paper-crafting world, there are two main methods of embossing that we can achieve an embossed effect. There’s dry embossing and heat embossing. They use very different methods and products, and there’s a distinct difference between the two. So, if a crafter in your life has hinted at a gift of embossing goodies, it’s important to know which method they’re referring to. Let’s talk about the differences between them. You can find a full transcript HERE. LINKS Altenew 3D embossing folders   Blog post (for show notes)   Episode 28 - Stencils   Toaster embossing video    Embossing Powder   Hero Arts White Satin Pearl embossing powder   Jennifer McGuire heat embossing playlist   Jennifer McGuire embossing folder playlist   Distress Ink + Oxide ink pads   Simon Hurley ink pads   Watercolour pencils   Watercolour paper   Embossing ink pads   LF Embossing ink pen   Ink blending tool   Ink blending brushes   Mary Polanco blender brush video   DD Abstract Triangle stamp   Perfect Pearls   Aquabrush   Antistatic Powder Bag    i-C reverse tweezers   Glass Media Mat   WF Mini media mat   Totally Tiffany heat embossing stand

Today, let’s talk about embossing. Breaking it down to bare basics, embossing refers to a technique resulting in a raised area on your project. For those of us in the paper-crafting world, there are two main methods of embossing that we can achieve an embossed effect. There’s dry embossing and heat embossing. They use very different methods and products, and there’s a distinct difference between the two. So, if a crafter in your life has hinted at a gift of embossing goodies, it’s important to know which method they’re referring to. Let’s talk about the differences between them. You can find a full transcript <a href="https://www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast29" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a>. LINKS <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/?s=3d+embossing+folder&amp;searchsubmit.x=0&amp;searchsubmit.y=0" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Altenew 3D embossing folders</a> <a href="https://www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast29" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Blog post (for show notes)</a> <a href="https://www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast28" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 28 - Stencils</a> Toaster embossing video  <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/?s=embossing+powder&amp;searchsubmit.x=0&amp;searchsubmit.y=0" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Embossing Powder</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/product/hero-arts-white-satin-pearl-embossing-powder-australia/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Hero Arts White Satin Pearl embossing powder</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTuV6i1nUI6TnG6_1mN23zz0zRxRZZgvo" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Jennifer McGuire heat embossing playlist</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTuV6i1nUI6Qu5LwFAsLjt3wafx_rd1xE" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Jennifer McGuire embossing folder playlist</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/product-category/distress-ink/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Distress Ink + Oxide ink pads</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/?s=simon+hurley+ink+pad&amp;searchsubmit.x=0&amp;searchsubmit.y=0" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Simon Hurley ink pads</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/?s=watercolour+pencils&amp;searchsubmit.x=0&amp;searchsubmit.y=0" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Watercolour pencils</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/?s=watercolour+paper&amp;searchsubmit.x=0&amp;searchsubmit.y=0" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Watercolour paper</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/?s=embossing+ink&amp;searchsubmit.x=0&amp;searchsubmit.y=0" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Embossing ink pads</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/product/lawn-fawn-embossing-ink-pen-australia/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">LF Embossing ink pen</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/product/ranger-ink-blending-mini-circle-tool-australia/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Ink blending tool</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/?s=blender+brush&amp;searchsubmit.x=0&amp;searchsubmit.y=0" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Ink blending brushes</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COdYuRytNOs" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Mary Polanco blender brush video</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/product/darkroom-door-abstract-triangle-background-stamp-australia/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">DD Abstract Triangle stamp</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/product/ranger-perfect-pearls-pigment-powder-australia/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Perfect Pearls</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/product/altenew-watercolor-brush-fine-australia/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Aquabrush</a> Antistatic Powder Bag  <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/product/icrafter-igrip-flat-head-tweezers-australia/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">i-C reverse tweezers</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/?s=tonic&amp;searchsubmit.x=0&amp;searchsubmit.y=0" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Glass Media Mat</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/product/waffle-flower-mini-media-mat-australia/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">WF Mini media mat</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/product/totally-tiffany-embossing-station-australia/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Totally Tiffany heat embossing stand</a>

#29 Embossing

I know it’s been a while between episodes, but Covid and lockdown have kept me extra busy with the shop. I’m excited to be back … thanks for tuning in!  Today, let’s talk about one of the oldest, most used, versatile and affordable pieces of kit that you can have in your crafting stash - stencils.  Stencils are, essentially, a tool that helps you create a design quickly and easily by masking off the areas where you don’t want to apply your ink, paint or medium. There are lots of different sizes, shapes and types of stencils. You can buy them or make them, and there are a few different materials that are commonly used. These days, commercial crafting stencils are a thin flexible plastic, but you can make your own using specialty stencil plastic, acetate, a fused laminator pouch, cardboard or paper. You can cut them by hand or use a die-cutting machine using your dies, or a more sophisticated electronic cutting machine like the Scan N Cut, where you could scan any print or hand-drawn image then cut. Alternatively you could use a machine like the Silhouette or Cricut using an SVG file (and I will link to my favourite SVG file resource in the show notes). When creating your own stencil the most important thing to remember is that the openings of the design need to be bridged. There can’t be any loose pieces … the whole thing needs to be joined as one piece. LINKS Creative Fabrica SVG files Planner goodies Tia’s Pretty Creations (planner stencils) Stencils in my shop Flying animals with Balloons stamp set Layering Stencils Shifter Stencils Edge Stencils Planner Addicts Australia Facebook group Pink &amp; Main Blending Brushes Altenew Blending Brushes Honey Bee Stamps Blending Brush i-Crafter, I-Brush mini brushes The Stamp Market Blending Brushes Make It By Marko Brush Buddies Purple low tack tape Embroidery monogram technique Hero Arts, Unicorn White pigment ink pad Cookie stencil TikTok video Mary Polanco Blending Brush comparison video Jennifer McGuire stencilling technique video Gina K Transfer Gel Duo video

I know it’s been a while between episodes, but Covid and lockdown have kept me extra busy with the shop. I’m excited to be back … thanks for tuning in!  Today, let’s talk about one of the oldest, most used, versatile and affordable pieces of kit that you can have in your crafting stash - stencils. Stencils are, essentially, a tool that helps you create a design quickly and easily by masking off the areas where you don’t want to apply your ink, paint or medium. There are lots of different sizes, shapes and types of stencils. You can buy them or make them, and there are a few different materials that are commonly used. These days, commercial crafting stencils are a thin flexible plastic, but you can make your own using specialty stencil plastic, acetate, a fused laminator pouch, cardboard or paper. You can cut them by hand or use a die-cutting machine using your dies, or a more sophisticated electronic cutting machine like the Scan N Cut, where you could scan any print or hand-drawn image then cut. Alternatively you could use a machine like the Silhouette or Cricut using an SVG file (and I will link to my favourite SVG file resource in the show notes). When creating your own stencil the most important thing to remember is that the openings of the design need to be bridged. There can’t be any loose pieces … the whole thing needs to be joined as one piece. LINKS <a href="https://www.creativefabrica.com/ref/379376/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Creative Fabrica SVG files</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/product-category/planner-stamps-supplies-australia/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Planner goodies</a> <a href="https://tiasprettycreations.com/product-category/stencils/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Tia’s Pretty Creations (planner stencils)</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/product-category/stencils-australia/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Stencils in my shop</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/product/mama-elephant-up-with-love-stamp-set-australia/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Flying animals with Balloons stamp set</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/?s=layering+stencil&amp;searchsubmit.x=0&amp;searchsubmit.y=0" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Layering Stencils</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/product/tim-holtz-layering-stencil-shifter-burst-australia/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Shifter Stencils</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/?s=edge+stencil&amp;searchsubmit.x=0&amp;searchsubmit.y=0" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Edge Stencils</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/PlannerAddictsAustralia" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Planner Addicts Australia Facebook group</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/?s=Pink+%26+Main&amp;searchsubmit.x=0&amp;searchsubmit.y=0" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Pink &amp; Main Blending Brushes</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/?s=altenew+blending+tool&amp;searchsubmit.x=0&amp;searchsubmit.y=0" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Altenew Blending Brushes</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/product/honey-bee-stamps-hexagon-palm-blender-brush-australia/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Honey Bee Stamps Blending Brush</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/product/i-crafter-ibrush-ink-blenders-australia/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">i-Crafter, I-Brush mini brushes</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/product/the-stamp-market-blending-brushes-australia/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">The Stamp Market Blending Brushes</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/product/make-it-by-marko-brush-buddies-australia/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Make It By Marko Brush Buddies</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/?s=purple+tape&amp;searchsubmit.x=0&amp;searchsubmit.y=0" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Purple low tack tape</a> <a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.flaxandtwine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/after-2918.jpg" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Embroidery monogram technique</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/product/unicorn-white-pigment-ink-pad-hero-arts/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Hero Arts, Unicorn White pigment ink pad</a> <a href="http://bit.ly/2Khg3e9" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Cookie stencil TikTok video</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0y8vXebesNw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mary Polanco Blending Brush comparison video</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAWnZBCM1lo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jennifer McGuire stencilling technique video</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=votcAZg1XHk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gina K Transfer Gel Duo video</a>

#28 Stencils

Today I thought we'd talk about digital craft resources ... essentially the way that digital resources have changed and affected and influenced us in the crafting community. In the last 20 years, I have seen a significant shift away from traditional resources like books, paper patterns, and in-person classes to a very big influence and presence of digital patterns and resources and classes. And I see that it's affected us in the crafting community in three main areas. Accessibility Affordability Achievability  If you have a computer, a laptop, a smartphone, a tablet, a printer, or access to one through a friend or family member or even your local library, you have access to digital craft resources now.  Zoom Tour Dates &amp; Free Tickets Weekday day time Tues 8 September 11am CLICK HERE for your free ticket Weekday night time Wednesday 9 September 8:30pm CLICK HERE for your free ticket Weekend day time Saturday 12 Sept 1:30pm CLICK HERE for your free ticket Weekend night time Saturday 12 Sept 8:30pm CLICK HERE for your free ticket LINKS Blog post Copic Subscription Box Episode 4, trimmers &amp; diecutting machines Mo Manning Digital stamps Ravelry Etsy Jasart Pencils Bin video &amp; code Creative Fabrica Scarf Pattern Hand Holding digital stamps Mario Quilt pattern

Today I thought we'd talk about digital craft resources ... essentially the way that digital resources have changed and affected and influenced us in the crafting community. In the last 20 years, I have seen a significant shift away from traditional resources like books, paper patterns, and in-person classes to a very big influence and presence of digital patterns and resources and classes. And I see that it's affected us in the crafting community in three main areas. Accessibility Affordability Achievability If you have a computer, a laptop, a smartphone, a tablet, a printer, or access to one through a friend or family member or even your local library, you have access to digital craft resources now.  Zoom Tour Dates &amp; Free Tickets Weekday day time Tues 8 September 11am <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/119390683749" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for your free ticket</a> Weekday night time Wednesday 9 September 8:30pm <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/119394978595" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for your free ticket</a> Weekend day time Saturday 12 Sept 1:30pm <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/119394164159" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for your free ticket</a> Weekend night time Saturday 12 Sept 8:30pm <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/119390683749" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for your free ticket</a> LINKS <a href="https://www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast27" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Blog post</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/product-category/copic-subscription-box/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Copic Subscription Box</a> <a href="https://www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast4" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 4, trimmers &amp; diecutting machines</a> <a href="https://www.mosdigitalpencil.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Mo Manning Digital stamps</a> <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Ravelry</a> <a href="https://www.etsy.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Etsy</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/product/jasart-premium-studio-watercolour-pencils-tin-24-australia/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Jasart Pencils</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ3ZZDN9ZcQ" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Bin video &amp; code</a> <a href="https://www.creativefabrica.com/ref/379376/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Creative Fabrica</a> <a href="https://www.creativefabrica.com/product/scroll-lace-scarf-crochet-pattern/ref/379376/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Scarf Pattern</a> <a href="https://www.creativefabrica.com/product/hand-hold-minimal-bundle/ref/379376/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Hand Holding digital stamps</a> <a href="http://angelapingel.com/2012/06/super-mario-brothers-quilt-along.html" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Mario Quilt pattern</a>

#27 Digital Craft Resources

Today we are talking about adhesives, and there are so many different options, each suited for a variety of uses. Over the years I’ve found that adhesives fall into one of three categories …  Spray adhesives Liquid adhesives Dry adhesives Having a sound understanding the strengths and weaknesses and the pros and cons of each different kind of adhesive is beneficial to all crafters. Having a good knowledge of what the different adhesives have to offer can help save your hard work and your beautiful project from a tragic end at the hands of poor glue choices.  LINKS Episode 5 - Top 10 things you need to start quilting Episode 17 - Craft Swaps Marni's Blog  Tombow Mono Liquid Glue Ranger Glossy Accents Ranger Multi Medium Matte Tonic Tim Holtz Glass Media Mat (Left Handed) Xyron Adhesive Eraser Double Sided Tape

Today we are talking about adhesives, and there are so many different options, each suited for a variety of uses. Over the years I’ve found that adhesives fall into one of three categories … Spray adhesives Liquid adhesives Dry adhesives Having a sound understanding the strengths and weaknesses and the pros and cons of each different kind of adhesive is beneficial to all crafters. Having a good knowledge of what the different adhesives have to offer can help save your hard work and your beautiful project from a tragic end at the hands of poor glue choices. LINKS <a href="https://www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast5" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 5 - Top 10 things you need to start quilting</a> <a href="https://www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast17" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 17 - Craft Swaps</a> <a href="https://www.frankensteinsfabrics.com/?page_id=4326" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Marni's Blog</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/product/tombow-mono-liquid-glue-australia/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Tombow Mono Liquid Glue</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/product/ranger-glossy-accents-mini-australia/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Ranger Glossy Accents</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/product/ranger-multi-medium-matte-mini-australia/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Ranger Multi Medium Matte</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/product/tonic-tim-holtz-travel-glass-media-mat-left-handed-australia/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Tonic Tim Holtz Glass Media Mat (Left Handed)</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/product/xyron-adhesive-eraser-australia/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Xyron Adhesive Eraser</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/?s=double+sided+tape&amp;searchsubmit.x=0&amp;searchsubmit.y=0" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Double Sided Tape</a>

#26 Adhesives

The Craft Room Podcast is fully dedicated to crafts of all kinds. Card making, quilting, crochet, stamping, painting, embroidery ... there's so much craft to talk about, so join Dawn Lewis in The Craft Room.

The Craft Room Podcast

Practically every day I am seeing questions about Copic markers popping up in Facebook cardmaking and stamping groups, and the same questions come up over and over again. So today I thought I’d share some information about Copic markers, and answer three very commonly asked questions.  You can find a full transcript on the blog HERE.  In this episode I will cover ...  A short history of Copic markers. The different types of Copic marker. What is the difference between a Sketch marker and Ciao marker? What do the marker codes mean? Copic colour wheel. What does the 0 colourless blender do?   http://www.dawnlewis.com.au/Copic     There are a few more questions I want to address, but I think that’s enough information overload for today. Episode 16 will be part 2 of this Copic Q&amp;A, but if you have a burning Copic question in the meantime, please feel free to email me or drop me a PM via Facebook or DM via Instagram … happy to help with your Copic conundrum! A reminder that if you are looking for Copic products in Australia, you can head to dawnlewis.com.au/copic and I will be delighted to help you find what you’re looking for. I hope you will join me for the next episode as we wrap up this two part series with more answers to frequently asked Copic questions.

Practically every day I am seeing questions about Copic markers popping up in Facebook cardmaking and stamping groups, and the same questions come up over and over again. So today I thought I’d share some information about Copic markers, and answer three very commonly asked questions. You can find a full transcript on the blog <a href="https://www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast14" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a>. In this episode I will cover ... A short history of Copic markers. The different types of Copic marker. What is the difference between a Sketch marker and Ciao marker? What do the marker codes mean? Copic colour wheel. What does the 0 colourless blender do? <a href="http://www.dawnlewis.com.au/Copic" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.dawnlewis.com.au/Copic</a> There are a few more questions I want to address, but I think that’s enough information overload for today. Episode 16 will be part 2 of this Copic Q&amp;A, but if you have a burning Copic question in the meantime, please feel free to email me or drop me a PM via Facebook or DM via Instagram … happy to help with your Copic conundrum! A reminder that if you are looking for Copic products in Australia, you can head to <a href="http://dawnlewis.com.au/copic" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">dawnlewis.com.au/copic</a> and I will be delighted to help you find what you’re looking for. I hope you will join me for the next episode as we wrap up this two part series with more answers to frequently asked Copic questions.

#14 Copic Q&A part 1

Welcome to The Craft Room. Today let's talk about the thing that everyeone seems to be talking about ... decluttering.  it really does feel like everybody is talking about declulttering at the moment (minimalism would be a close second), so let's go there today, specifically in relation to craft stuff. Now if you haven't heard of Marie Kondo, she is a Japanese professional organiser.  Her book, 'The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering &amp; Organising', is a New York Times best seller.  She even has a series on Netflix! She has brought decluttering into mainstream conversation, but she is one of thousands of professional organisers world wide.  The rise of organising as a profession can really only mean one thing ... too many people have too much stuff, and need help to get it sorted. LINKS FlyLady - http://www.flylady.net/ Organize 365 - https://organize365.com/ Marie Kondo - https://konmari.com/ My blog post for this episode - https://dawnlewis.com.au/podcast-episode-7-should-you-kondo-your-craft/ In episode 6 I talked about tidying up / decluttering as a way to get your crafting mojo back. Regardless of whether prefer to work in a neat environment or one with all your supplies on display, a good tidy up to get your supplies organised has serious benefits.  1. Time - We waste an enormous amount of time looking for things.  Being able to find what you need straight away means more time crafting and less wasted time looking. 2. Space - At some point we all hit capacity when it comes to craft supply storage.  If we continue to accumulate supplies faster than we can use them, then we're going to end up with a bit of craft chaos. Removing old, unwanted, unloved and damaged supplies creates space for new goodies we can't wait to use. 3. Treasure - I always say that organising your craft supplies is like a treasure hunt.  You find things you thought were lost, that you forgot you had, or a stockpile of staples that will save you a trip to the store later. It can spark ideas for new projects, and unearth old projects you can't wait to finish. 4. Trash - The flip side to the 'treasure' coin is trash. Chances are that there are dried up paint tubes, brushes with solid bristles, empty packages, moth-eaten yarn or damaged supplies in your stash.  Moving out the trash means more room for the treasure.   Identifying how craft supplies came into your house can be helpful in the decluttering decision making process.  I can think of 8 ways that craft stuff comes into my home. 1. Consumables - I bought this because it's something I always use. 2. Project -  I bought this with a particular project in mind. 3. Stash building  - I bought this because I like to work late at night and would like a variety of supplies to choose from. 4. You love it - I bought this because I loved it so much I couldn't bear to leave it behind. 5. It was on sale - I bought this because it was marked way down in the bargain bin, and too good a price to pass up. 6. Gifts - I was given this as a gift. 7. Swaps - I received this when I partcipated in a swap. 8. Freebies - I got this for free (on the cover of a magazine, in a goodie bag at the craft show, when I was on a design team).  Identifying how an item came to be in your stash can help you make decisions about whether it needs to stay or go.  The Kondo method has you hold each item and ask yourself if it sparks joy.  Honestly, if I were to do that with my craft supplies it would take years.  So ... I have some other questions you can ask yourself that may help you decide if something stays or goes.  1. Does it spark joy? 2. Am I really going to use this? 3. Can I think of a use for this? 4. Is this still my style? 5. Is this in good enough condition to use? 6. Can I keep part and donate the rest? 7. Did I put this in the 'donate' pile, then feel sad? (kind of the flip side question to #1). 8. Is there a reason I haven't used this already? 9. If my house burned down, would I miss this?  Would I replace it?  And while we're at it, let's dispel a couple of myths about decluttering and minimalism. 1. The point is not to get rid of everything ... just the items that you no longer need, love or use. 2. A professional organiser will not force you to get rid of things that you love. 3. Everybody is different, therefore there is no one single solution or rule that will work for everyone. 

Welcome to The Craft Room. Today let's talk about the thing that everyeone seems to be talking about ... decluttering.  it really does feel like everybody is talking about declulttering at the moment (minimalism would be a close second), so let's go there today, specifically in relation to craft stuff. Now if you haven't heard of Marie Kondo, she is a Japanese professional organiser.  Her book, 'The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering &amp; Organising', is a New York Times best seller.  She even has a series on Netflix! She has brought decluttering into mainstream conversation, but she is one of thousands of professional organisers world wide.  The rise of organising as a profession can really only mean one thing ... too many people have too much stuff, and need help to get it sorted. LINKS FlyLady - <a href="http://www.flylady.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.flylady.net/</a> Organize 365 - <a href="https://organize365.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://organize365.com/</a> Marie Kondo - <a href="https://konmari.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://konmari.com/</a> My blog post for this episode - <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/podcast-episode-7-should-you-kondo-your-craft/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://dawnlewis.com.au/podcast-episode-7-should-you-kondo-your-craft/</a> In episode 6 I talked about tidying up / decluttering as a way to get your crafting mojo back. Regardless of whether prefer to work in a neat environment or one with all your supplies on display, a good tidy up to get your supplies organised has serious benefits. 1. Time - We waste an enormous amount of time looking for things.  Being able to find what you need straight away means more time crafting and less wasted time looking. 2. Space - At some point we all hit capacity when it comes to craft supply storage.  If we continue to accumulate supplies faster than we can use them, then we're going to end up with a bit of craft chaos. Removing old, unwanted, unloved and damaged supplies creates space for new goodies we can't wait to use. 3. Treasure - I always say that organising your craft supplies is like a treasure hunt.  You find things you thought were lost, that you forgot you had, or a stockpile of staples that will save you a trip to the store later. It can spark ideas for new projects, and unearth old projects you can't wait to finish. 4. Trash - The flip side to the 'treasure' coin is trash. Chances are that there are dried up paint tubes, brushes with solid bristles, empty packages, moth-eaten yarn or damaged supplies in your stash.  Moving out the trash means more room for the treasure. Identifying how craft supplies came into your house can be helpful in the decluttering decision making process.  I can think of 8 ways that craft stuff comes into my home. 1. Consumables - I bought this because it's something I always use. 2. Project -  I bought this with a particular project in mind. 3. Stash building  - I bought this because I like to work late at night and would like a variety of supplies to choose from. 4. You love it - I bought this because I loved it so much I couldn't bear to leave it behind. 5. It was on sale - I bought this because it was marked way down in the bargain bin, and too good a price to pass up. 6. Gifts - I was given this as a gift. 7. Swaps - I received this when I partcipated in a swap. 8. Freebies - I got this for free (on the cover of a magazine, in a goodie bag at the craft show, when I was on a design team). Identifying how an item came to be in your stash can help you make decisions about whether it needs to stay or go.  The Kondo method has you hold each item and ask yourself if it sparks joy.  Honestly, if I were to do that with my craft supplies it would take years.  So ... I have some other questions you can ask yourself that may help you decide if something stays or goes. 1. Does it spark joy? 2. Am I really going to use this? 3. Can I think of a use for this? 4. Is this still my style? 5. Is this in good enough condition to use? 6. Can I keep part and donate the rest? 7. Did I put this in the 'donate' pile, then feel sad? (kind of the flip side question to #1). 8. Is there a reason I haven't used this already? 9. If my house burned down, would I miss this?  Would I replace it? And while we're at it, let's dispel a couple of myths about decluttering and minimalism. 1. The point is not to get rid of everything ... just the items that you no longer need, love or use. 2. A professional organiser will not force you to get rid of things that you love. 3. Everybody is different, therefore there is no one single solution or rule that will work for everyone.

#7 Should you Kondo your Craft?

Before we get into todays episode, a quick content warning. I will be mentioning Australian bushfires, animal rescue carers and people who have passed away, including angel babies. It’s not a graphic discussion, it’s more part of the narrative about how we can help people in distressing situations. If these are sensitive topics for you, please take care of yourself when listening. Today we are talking about crafting in times of crisis. We crafters are really good at this … we’ve done it so many times before and we are doing it right now. Over the past few weeks, watching the craft community band together to make a very big difference to Australia's wildlife carers, I’ve felt very proud to be a crafter. I’ve had a lot of thoughts, a lot of emotions, and thought we could talk about ways we can use our crafting superpowers for the greater good. When someone is suffering … our friends, our family, our community, our country, our world at large … we feel, as human beings, like we wish there was something we could do. Obviously the go-to response is to make a monetary donation. But sometimes even if you do make that donation, you still feel like it's not enough. We wish that we, personally, could physically do something to help right now. And as crafters I think we are really lucky and privileged because there is often something that we can do with our own two hands right now to help out. Here are the top five ways that we, as crafters, can help in times of crisis. 1. Make physical items 2. Donate from your stash 3. Teach 4. Spread the word 5. Make to sell / fundraise Photo credit for podcast thumbnail (Joey in a hanging pouch) - Courtney White LINKS  Article about crafting in times of crisis Animal Rescue Craft Guild FB group Rescue Craft Co FB group Knitting Nanas Against Gas Pussy Hat Project (Women’s Electoral Lobby)  Angel Gowns for Australian Angel Babies HERE Knitting socks for soldiers -  article Sewing For Charity Australia  Website ... or ...  Facebook page Craft Ministry Australia Website ... or ... 4 page directory

Before we get into todays episode, a quick content warning. I will be mentioning Australian bushfires, animal rescue carers and people who have passed away, including angel babies. It’s not a graphic discussion, it’s more part of the narrative about how we can help people in distressing situations. If these are sensitive topics for you, please take care of yourself when listening. Today we are talking about crafting in times of crisis. We crafters are really good at this … we’ve done it so many times before and we are doing it right now. Over the past few weeks, watching the craft community band together to make a very big difference to Australia's wildlife carers, I’ve felt very proud to be a crafter. I’ve had a lot of thoughts, a lot of emotions, and thought we could talk about ways we can use our crafting superpowers for the greater good. When someone is suffering … our friends, our family, our community, our country, our world at large … we feel, as human beings, like we wish there was something we could do. Obviously the go-to response is to make a monetary donation. But sometimes even if you do make that donation, you still feel like it's not enough. We wish that we, personally, could physically do something to help right now. And as crafters I think we are really lucky and privileged because there is often something that we can do with our own two hands right now to help out. Here are the top five ways that we, as crafters, can help in times of crisis. 1. Make physical items 2. Donate from your stash 3. Teach 4. Spread the word 5. Make to sell / fundraise Photo credit for podcast thumbnail (Joey in a hanging pouch) - Courtney White LINKS <a href="https://theconversation.com/crafting-in-times-of-crisis-helps-critters-and-creators-127616" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Article about crafting in times of crisis</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/arfsncrafts/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Animal Rescue Craft Guild FB group</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/rescuecraftco/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rescue Craft Co FB group</a> <a href="https://knitting-nannas.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Knitting Nanas Against Gas</a> <a href="https://www.wel.org.au/pussy_hat_project" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pussy Hat Project (Women’s Electoral Lobby)</a> Angel Gowns for Australian Angel Babies <a href="https://angelgowns.org.au/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a> Knitting socks for soldiers - <a href="https://theconversation.com/one-million-pairs-of-socks-knitting-for-victory-in-the-first-world-war-30149" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> article</a> Sewing For Charity Australia <a href="Photo%20credit%20for%20podcast%20thumbnail%20(Joey%20in%20a%20hanging%20pouch)%20-%20Courtney%20White%20%20LINKS%20Article%20about%20crafting%20in%20times%20of%20crisis%20https:/theconversation.com/crafting-in-times-of-crisis-helps-critters-and-creators-127616%20Animal%20Rescue%20Craft%20Guild%20FB%20group%20https:/www.facebook.com/groups/arfsncrafts/%20Rescue%20Craft%20Co%20FB%20group%20https:/www.facebook.com/groups/rescuecraftco/%20%20Knitting%20Nanas%20Against%20Gas%20https:/knitting-nannas.com/%20%20Pussy%20Hat%20Project%20(Women%E2%80%99s%20Electoral%20Lobby)%20https:/www.wel.org.au/pussy_hat_project%20%20Knitting%20socks%20for%20soldiers%20%20https:/theconversation.com/one-million-pairs-of-socks-knitting-for-victory-in-the-first-world-war-30149%20Sewing%20For%20Charity%20Australia%20https:/sewingforcharity.com/%20https:/www.facebook.com/pg/sewingforcharityau/about/?ref=page_internal%20Some%20of%20their%20charities%20include:%20Chemo%20caps%20for%20cancer%20patients%20Quilts%20for%20nursing%20homes%20and%20hospitals%20Clothing%20and%20bedding%20for%20premmie%20support%20organisations%20and%20hospitals%20Clothing,%20toiletry%20bags%20and%20toys%20to%20children%20transitioning%20into%20foster%20care%20Clothing,%20homewares,%20toiletry%20bags%20and%20other%20items%20for%20victims%20of%20domestic%20violence%20Reusable%20sanitary%20pads%20for%20homeless%20women%20in%20Australia%20Sensory%20items%20for%20dementia%20sufferers%20distributed%20through%20nursing%20homes,%20hospitals%20and%20organisations%20who%20assist%20the%20elderly%20Gifts%20at%20Christmas%20for%20people%20identified%20as%20being%20at%20risk%20of%20homelessness,%20isolation%20and%20neglect%20Bereavement%20gowns%20and%20items%20for%20parents%20who%20have%20suffered%20a%20loss%20through%20miscarriage%20or%20stillbirth%20Capes%204%20Kids%20Craft%20Ministry%20Australia%20A%20hub%20for%20finding%20charities%20you%20can%20craft%20for%20%E2%80%A6%20http://craftministryaustralia.com/%20Find%20their%20directory%20here%20(4%20pages)%20http://craftministryaustralia.com/category/charity/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Website</a> ... or ... <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/sewingforcharityau/about/?ref=page_internal" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Facebook page</a> Craft Ministry Australia <a href="http://craftministryaustralia.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Website</a> ... or ... <a href="http://craftministryaustralia.com/category/charity/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">4 page directory</a>

#22 Crafting in Times of Crisis

Practically every day I am seeing questions about Copic markers popping up in Facebook cardmaking and stamping groups, and the same questions come up over and over again. So today I thought I’d share some information about Copic markers, and answer more very commonly asked questions.  You can find a full transcript on the blog HERE.  In this episode I will cover ...  Are cheap alcohol markers the same as / as good as Copic markers? Copic markers in Planners. Cost vs value. Reinkers. Which colours should I start with? Do I need all the colours? http://www.dawnlewis.com.au/Copic https://sandyallnock.com/product/hex-chart/

Practically every day I am seeing questions about Copic markers popping up in Facebook cardmaking and stamping groups, and the same questions come up over and over again. So today I thought I’d share some information about Copic markers, and answer more very commonly asked questions. You can find a full transcript on the blog <a href="https://www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast14" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a>. In this episode I will cover ... Are cheap alcohol markers the same as / as good as Copic markers? Copic markers in Planners. Cost vs value. Reinkers. Which colours should I start with? Do I need all the colours? <a href="http://www.dawnlewis.com.au/Copic" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.dawnlewis.com.au/Copic </a><a href="https://sandyallnock.com/product/hex-chart/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://sandyallnock.com/product/hex-chart/</a>

#15 Copic Q&A part 2

Welcome to The Craft Room. Today we're going to explore, not only my top 10 ways to find your lost mojo, but also some reasons why it might have gone MIA in the first place. Understanding why your creativity has taken a dip will help you figure out which of these tips might help you find it again.  1. Walk away - Sometimes you need to take a break, distract your brain, by walking away from your project to make a cuppa, sleep on it or take a couple of days off.  Coming back to it with fresh eyes can help. 2. Tidy up your workspace - If a clean space is irresistible, then a good tidy up can help.  A deeper clean is like a treasure hunt and you can find some forgotten supplies that may spark ideas. 3. Visit a craft show or specialty craft store - You may find inspiration, new supplies but best of all, be able to chat to other crafters. 4. Pinterest or YouTube - Do a search for the product that has you stumped, and see how others are using it as a starting point. 5. Join a Challenge - Lots of companies, design teams, bloggers, vloggers and Instagrammers run fun challenges that can help you try something new. 6. Hang with a Crafty Friend - Whether you craft or not, hanging with another creative person can be really helpful. 7. Take A Class - It doesn't matter if it's online, in store or at a friends house, a class can get you making without the creative strain of coming up with the project. 8. Library - Your local library will have books and magazines that you might never have seen before, which is a great combo of #1 AND it's free! 9. Try a Kit - Again, this is the joy of making without the burden of coming up with a design from scratch. 10. Just Start -  Taking action, just getting hands on and working with your materials, even if you're not sure where this is going, can spark ideas or reignite you passion for your craft. Action = movement = building momentum.  There are different reasons why your mojo may be MIA, and understanding what has dulled your creative spark can be helpful in figuring out how to get it back.  Being overwhelmed isn't quite specific enough ... what's the reason for the overwhelm? * Excited overwhelm * Too much stuff overwhelm * Too many options overwhelm * Decision fatigue * Life stuff * Mental health  And then we have to ask ourselves, what even qualifies as lost mojo? * Lack of motivation? * Overwhelm? * Fatigue? * Difficulty making decisions? * Lost passion?  Links I mentioned in todays podcast  Matt Lin (Instagram) Crystal Lee Arts (Instagram) Fangirl Stitches Pixel Power Design Clouds Factory

Welcome to The Craft Room. Today we're going to explore, not only my top 10 ways to find your lost mojo, but also some reasons why it might have gone MIA in the first place. Understanding why your creativity has taken a dip will help you figure out which of these tips might help you find it again. 1. Walk away - Sometimes you need to take a break, distract your brain, by walking away from your project to make a cuppa, sleep on it or take a couple of days off.  Coming back to it with fresh eyes can help. 2. Tidy up your workspace - If a clean space is irresistible, then a good tidy up can help.  A deeper clean is like a treasure hunt and you can find some forgotten supplies that may spark ideas. 3. Visit a craft show or specialty craft store - You may find inspiration, new supplies but best of all, be able to chat to other crafters. 4. Pinterest or YouTube - Do a search for the product that has you stumped, and see how others are using it as a starting point. 5. Join a Challenge - Lots of companies, design teams, bloggers, vloggers and Instagrammers run fun challenges that can help you try something new. 6. Hang with a Crafty Friend - Whether you craft or not, hanging with another creative person can be really helpful. 7. Take A Class - It doesn't matter if it's online, in store or at a friends house, a class can get you making without the creative strain of coming up with the project. 8. Library - Your local library will have books and magazines that you might never have seen before, which is a great combo of #1 AND it's free! 9. Try a Kit - Again, this is the joy of making without the burden of coming up with a design from scratch. 10. Just Start -  Taking action, just getting hands on and working with your materials, even if you're not sure where this is going, can spark ideas or reignite you passion for your craft. Action = movement = building momentum. There are different reasons why your mojo may be MIA, and understanding what has dulled your creative spark can be helpful in figuring out how to get it back.  Being overwhelmed isn't quite specific enough ... what's the reason for the overwhelm? * Excited overwhelm * Too much stuff overwhelm * Too many options overwhelm * Decision fatigue * Life stuff * Mental health And then we have to ask ourselves, what even qualifies as lost mojo? * Lack of motivation? * Overwhelm? * Fatigue? * Difficulty making decisions? * Lost passion? Links I mentioned in todays podcast <a href="https://www.instagram.com/matthewlinart/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Matt Lin (Instagram)</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/crystallee.arts/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Crystal Lee Arts (Instagram)</a> <a href="https://www.fangirlstitches.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fangirl Stitches</a> <a href="https://www.pixelpowerdesign.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pixel Power Design</a> <a href="https://cloudsfactory.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Clouds Factory</a>

#6 - Top 10 Tips to Find your Lost Mojo

#10 Leveling Up Your Papercrafting

#11 - Crafting in a Small Space

In January 2020 I attended Creativation ... a craft trade show in Phoenix, AZ, USA. I have wanted to attend this show for over a decade, and the 33 hour travel time was 100% worth it. In todays episode I'm answering the questions people asked me before, during and after the show, sharing my take-aways and some behind the scenes stories. You can find a full transcript of todays episode and a whole lot of photos on my blog. LINKS Ep 23 Blog post Jess Francisco - Instagram The Perfect Stamp, UK - Instagram Pear Blossom Press - Instagram Heffy Doodle - Instagram RinaK Designs - Instagram Simon Hurley - Instagram Tim Holtz - Instagram Lynda Kanase / iCrafter - Instagram Darkroom Door - Instagram Jennifer McGuire - YouTube The Crafty Chica (Kathy) - YouTube Laura Bassen - YouTube Claire Reagan - Etsy

In January 2020 I attended Creativation ... a craft trade show in Phoenix, AZ, USA. I have wanted to attend this show for over a decade, and the 33 hour travel time was 100% worth it. In todays episode I'm answering the questions people asked me before, during and after the show, sharing my take-aways and some behind the scenes stories. You can find a full transcript of todays episode and a whole lot of photos on my blog. LINKS <a href="https://www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast23" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ep 23 Blog post</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/acarddayswork/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Jess Francisco - Instagram</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/my_perfect_stamp/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">The Perfect Stamp, UK - Instagram</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pearblossompress/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Pear Blossom Press - Instagram</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/heffydoodle/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Heffy Doodle - Instagram</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rinakdesigns/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">RinaK Designs - Instagram</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/inklipse/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Simon Hurley - Instagram</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tim_holtz/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Tim Holtz - Instagram</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/i_crafterart/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Lynda Kanase / iCrafter - Instagram</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/darkroom_door/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Darkroom Door - Instagram</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/jennifermcguireink" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Jennifer McGuire - YouTube</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/craftychica" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">The Crafty Chica (Kathy) - YouTube</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/laurafadora1" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Laura Bassen - YouTube</a> <a href="https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/Claireknitsdotcom?ref=simple-shop-header-name&amp;listing_id=752804450" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Claire Reagan - Etsy</a>

#23 Creativation 2020

Hello … welcome to The Craft Room Podcast, and if this is your first time listening, a special welcome to you. A few weeks ago I attended The Artful Business Conference in Adelaide here in Australia.  I love this conference … it is for people with creative businesses, and at any given time you can be sitting next to a writer, a jewellery maker, a yoga instructor, an accountant, a business coach, a graphic designer, a bridal accessory designer, a virtual assistant … it’s just amazing! While I was there, surrounded by so many incredibly creative people, I thought I’d ask a few of them three simple questions. I had an idea of how this episode would go, but the answers that these incredible women gave me were not at all what I was expecting.  In hindsight, I don’t know why I was expecting run-of-the-mill answers … I should know by now that creative people are going to give me creative answers.  They did not disappoint … they actually knocked me back on my heels, and this episode is going to be different, and so much deeper than I had intended! Craft is seen to be this frivolous thing that women do, faffing about with fabric, yarn and thread.  But that’s far from true. First of all, craft is not exclusively for women, and what crafters do is so much more than making pretty things to pass the time. Absolutely we make tangible things.  We can give them as gifts, use them to keep warm, decorate our homes, sell them for some extra cash … and those are all fine reasons to engage in crafting activities.  But the real reason we craft goes so much deeper than that. Today I want to introduce you to five wonderful ladies who were feeling game enough to answer my three quick questions.  You’ll hear me ask each of them … 1. What’s your day job? 2. What is your craft / creative pursuit of choice? 3. What do you get from this? Some of them I have known for a few years, some for a few months, others I just met. Some are older than me, some younger, some about the same. Some enjoy the same crafts as me, others are into things that aren’t quite my scene, or that are still on my to-do list. All of them are amazing at what they do professionally, and having seen some of their work in person, it’s not surprising that they are great at what they do creatively as well. There will be a little bit of background noise … it’s always buzzing with conversations during break times. I can honestly say that it was worth sacrificing my afternoon cup of tea to chat briefly to these wonderful ladies, and after each mini interview I’ll go deeper into my takeaways from these conversations.  I would like to introduce you to Miranda.  1. What is your day job? I work in social media and marketing  What is your craft / creative pursuit of choice? I do crochet, weaving and mixed media. What do you get from this? I’ve always been crafty, but especially in last couple of years it helps with my mental health. It’s my relaxing time, and it’s just fun. But it’s a creative way that when people look at you and think you’re one thing, and then you show them a quilt you’ve made or a crochet blanket, and they look at you differently … like OMG!  I like putting colours together.  Summary I absolutely loved Miranda’s answer.  Yes … science is catching up and starting to prove that craft and creativity is excellent for our mental health.  We did talk about that in episode 8, which I’ll link to in the show notes. Sometimes we can cruise along and just craft to keep our hands busy, to create a quick gift, or try something new. But sometimes our creative pursuits do more than just keep us occupied … they can seriously support our mental health. It may be that we work diligently on a project to pass the time whilst under stress or going through an unpleasant life event.  It can help pass time quickly and serve as a great distraction to stop us obsessing over waiting for test results, to stop our mind wandering to dark thoughts or inject something beautiful into our lives when things may otherwise be bleak.  I understand what she means about people looking at you differently.  I used to work in a very corporate type job, and when my co-workers would catch me cross-stitching on the train, or would compliment me on my outfit and I would tell them that I made it … it absolutely changed the way they looked at me.  It helped them get to know me, see there was more to me than a great voice on the phone and fast typing fingers. You think you have a person pegged, you think you know what they’re like, then you find out they knit jumpers for penguins … whoah … your mind is blown! You question yourself … do I really know them at all?  Have I made assumptions? What else do they do that I don’t know about? It sparks conversations and deeper connections with people. And I’m not going to gloss over Miranda’s joy of putting colours together.  This is one of the most wonderful things about craft … colour.  It’s not just choosing colours, but considering the mood that they convey, the reactions that people will have to them, how they will suit an individual, and how the light will play off them at different times of day and in different seasons. There’s an element of challenge to colour choices, and absolutely it’s the colours that make craft fun.  Click here to hear the podcast EPISODE 8  If you are looking for Miranda in her day job, you can FIND HER HERE. I would like to introduce you to Ashleigh. 1. What’s your day job? I am a VA and podcast manager  What is your craft / creative pursuit of choice? I’m a doodler. What do you get from this? I’m a massive scatterbrain, and it helps me focus on everything and anything. It unleashes some creativity. It fills me up … a little spillage over of the cup.  Summary I think my favourite thing that Ashleigh mentioned was that her favourite creative pastime fills her cup.  Wow … that is something we sometimes forget about.  We are so busy giving and giving to others, that we forget that we need to fill that cup!  I know that self-care is a buzz-phrase, but I don’t care … because it’s important. There is a saying that you can’t pour from an empty cup … in other words, you can’t help others when you’re running on empty.  Sure, sometimes others can fill your cup, but a lot of the time we need to remember to refill that things ourselves, because we know better than anyone what is going to do the job best. When you give and give and give, and don’t refill, that leads to burnout, and when you’re in burnout, that isn’t just an empty cup, you’re at risk of getting a crack in it.  Trust me … I know … I’ve experienced that bone dry burnout, and there is a lot more effort required to bounce back from that, because you need to repair the crack before you can refill the cup and be able to give again.  Best to find that thing which fills your cup and enjoy it regularly so you don’t burn out. I also know quite a few people who draw to help with focus. Doodling is one of those things I’m terrible at, and it does nothing for me … but that’s me.  I do other things to focus, which is why I say this to you … it’s not what you do, but what it does for you that is important.  A lot of times we think we have to become an expert at our craft or hobby, so we can make it into a job or a business, but that’s not necessarily true.  Sometimes we just need to be creative to fill a need, not make a buck.  If you are looking for Ashleigh in her day job, you can FIND HER HERE. I would like to introduce you to Doone.  1. What’s your day job? I’m a bookkeeper.  What is your craft / creative pursuit of choice? I knit, crochet and sew, but I’m also a printmaker and a book-maker / bookbinder. What do you get from this? Being physically present. I recently realised that I’m ADHD, and sitting, unless I’m really in the flow with bookkeeping, if I’m watching something or taking in new information, it’s not enough to keep my brain occupied. So, I need to be doing something physical to stay here, to not be off with the fairies.  Summary I saw one of Doone’s gorgeous hand-bound books at Artful BizCon, and it was absolutely gorgeous! I have to admit, it’s not something I ever thought I would try, but seeing the gorgeous stitching and the beautiful papers she used, it’s now on my list. Again, here we have an instance of creativity and the act of using your hands to create something beautiful and practical that is giving more than that to the maker.  It’s no coincidence that many crafters are known to work in front of a movie, or whilst chatting with family or friends. For some it’s hard to sit still and let your hands be idle, for others it’s non-optional, and with ADHD it can absolutely help you focus on the task at hand, even if to the casual observer it looks like you aren’t paying attention. I’ve often said that crochet and cross-stitch are like meditation to me … the rhythm, the repetition. I can totally understand how these qualities assist those with ADD and ADHD to focus and be present.  If you are looking for Doone in her day job, you can FIND HER HERE. I would like to introduce you to Shilpa.  1. What’s your day job? I’m a book writing and marketing mentor for coaches, consultants and experts who want to put their message out there.  What is your craft / creative pursuit of choice? I really enjoy quilling, and punching (paper crafts). There’s a lot of beautiful stonework with acrylic sheets and making beautiful patterns. What do you get from this? I haven’t been able to decide, I’m a shiny object kind of person, and I can’t just be content with one craft. I have need of a lot of colour in my life, and a lot of variety, so that’s how I’m meeting the need … through lots of craft.  Summary As I was talking to Shilpa I could see some beautiful jewellery that she had made, and I cannot go without saying that her chai tea is absolutely amazing! I have been forever spoiled after tasting the real deal. Shilpa and I have a lot in common … a need for colour and variety, and craft is such a wonderful place to meet that need.  There is always a new craft to try, and a new challenge to conquer. Sure, some people pick up one craft and stick with it forever or at least for a very long time. I am not one of those people, and I am obviously not alone.  Years ago I read a wonderful book by the author Barbara Sher called ‘Refuse to Choose’, subtitled ‘What do I do when I want to do everything?’ If you are like myself and Shilpa … craving variety and not sure what to settle on, this book is an excellent read.  I knew I wasn’t a specialist, and I found myself in this book. I also meet my need for variety and challenge and colour through craft. I will link to the book in the show notes for my fellow crafty bowerbirds. Looking for 'Refuse to Choose' by Barbara Sher?  FIND IT HERE If you are looking for Shilpa in her day job, you can FIND HER HERE.  Lastly, let me introduce you to Kate. 1. What’s your day job? I’m a writing entrepreneur. All things to do with writing, selling courses, teaching, etc.  What is your craft / creative pursuit of choice? At the moment it’s mosaic. I’ve always liked mosaic and I make them at home. I make little signs and little flower pots and art for the garden. What do you get from this? I’m quite a right brained person, but my old craft of choice was crafting words, but now that’s become my day job. I like that my brain has slipped sideways and it’s not intellectual, it’s purely visual, and I’m doing something with my hands. I find that really relaxing. It destresses me.  Summary Crafting as an escape from your day job, to slip out of your logical, analytical, sensible mind and slip into something more fun as you play with colour and texture … it’s yin and yang really. Kate is incredibly creative with words … far more emotive and descriptive than I could ever hope to be … seriously, I would read her shopping list for fun, and her Instagram posts are often a highlight of my day.  She raises a valid point here, and I almost blinked and missed it.  When your hobby becomes your job … you need to find a new hobby. I’ve head that said many times, and there’s a reason it’s repeated … why I’m repeating it now … because it’s true!  If you write stories or poetry or lark about with words for fun, there’s a lot of joy and escape in that.  But when it becomes your day job, writing clever words for clients, and to promote your own business, it might still be joyful, but it’s also work … and traditionally we do need an escape from work.  The saying ‘Love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life’ … I feel like it’s kind of misleading.  I absolutely love what I do, but in those moments when you need to meet deadlines, and you find yourself embroidering your 3,487th backstitch in a verigated yarn unicorn head at 4:30am … that very much feels like work, and you do need a break from it. That is why I have reserved quilting just for me, as my hobby … my escape. It’s why I enjoy singing in the car … because I work with my hands and talk all day long … sometimes it’s nice to escape from that and sing along to the Wicked soundtrack as I drive along the motorway.  I absolutely understand the appeal of mosaic … you can make it neat and orderly if that’s what you’re feeling, or you can take some crockery you found at the op shop, or tiles you found in the bargain bin at the tiling store, by donning some goggles and gloves, and  letting out your frustrations with a hammer! You can create order from chaos, a thing of beauty from tiny pieces, and each time you see it, it’s a reminder of those peaceful moments of escape and the fun you had in the making process.  If you are looking for Kate in her day job, you can FIND HER HERE  So … now it’s over to you.  I would love to ask you the same three questions. What is your day job? What is your craft of choice? What do you get out of it?  If you’re up to it, I would love to know your answers.  You can comment on the blog at https://www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast13, or maybe you’d prefer to email me or send me a message via Facebook or Instagram. If not, well, that’s ok too … but have a think?  What does craft do for you? I love that we can contribute to our craft, but it is also giving so much to us … sometimes it’s deep and meaningful, sometimes it’s light and fluffy, usually it’s exactly what we need.

Hello … welcome to The Craft Room Podcast, and if this is your first time listening, a special welcome to you. A few weeks ago I attended The Artful Business Conference in Adelaide here in Australia.  I love this conference … it is for people with creative businesses, and at any given time you can be sitting next to a writer, a jewellery maker, a yoga instructor, an accountant, a business coach, a graphic designer, a bridal accessory designer, a virtual assistant … it’s just amazing! While I was there, surrounded by so many incredibly creative people, I thought I’d ask a few of them three simple questions. I had an idea of how this episode would go, but the answers that these incredible women gave me were not at all what I was expecting.  In hindsight, I don’t know why I was expecting run-of-the-mill answers … I should know by now that creative people are going to give me creative answers.  They did not disappoint … they actually knocked me back on my heels, and this episode is going to be different, and so much deeper than I had intended! Craft is seen to be this frivolous thing that women do, faffing about with fabric, yarn and thread.  But that’s far from true. First of all, craft is not exclusively for women, and what crafters do is so much more than making pretty things to pass the time. Absolutely we make tangible things.  We can give them as gifts, use them to keep warm, decorate our homes, sell them for some extra cash … and those are all fine reasons to engage in crafting activities.  But the real reason we craft goes so much deeper than that. Today I want to introduce you to five wonderful ladies who were feeling game enough to answer my three quick questions.  You’ll hear me ask each of them … 1. What’s your day job? 2. What is your craft / creative pursuit of choice? 3. What do you get from this? Some of them I have known for a few years, some for a few months, others I just met. Some are older than me, some younger, some about the same. Some enjoy the same crafts as me, others are into things that aren’t quite my scene, or that are still on my to-do list. All of them are amazing at what they do professionally, and having seen some of their work in person, it’s not surprising that they are great at what they do creatively as well. There will be a little bit of background noise … it’s always buzzing with conversations during break times. I can honestly say that it was worth sacrificing my afternoon cup of tea to chat briefly to these wonderful ladies, and after each mini interview I’ll go deeper into my takeaways from these conversations. I would like to introduce you to Miranda. 1. What is your day job? I work in social media and marketing <ol> <li>What is your craft / creative pursuit of choice? I do crochet, weaving and mixed media.</li> <li>What do you get from this? I’ve always been crafty, but especially in last couple of years it helps with my mental health. It’s my relaxing time, and it’s just fun. But it’s a creative way that when people look at you and think you’re one thing, and then you show them a quilt you’ve made or a crochet blanket, and they look at you differently … like OMG!  I like putting colours together.</li> </ol> Summary I absolutely loved Miranda’s answer.  Yes … science is catching up and starting to prove that craft and creativity is excellent for our mental health.  We did talk about that in episode 8, which I’ll link to in the show notes. Sometimes we can cruise along and just craft to keep our hands busy, to create a quick gift, or try something new. But sometimes our creative pursuits do more than just keep us occupied … they can seriously support our mental health. It may be that we work diligently on a project to pass the time whilst under stress or going through an unpleasant life event.  It can help pass time quickly and serve as a great distraction to stop us obsessing over waiting for test results, to stop our mind wandering to dark thoughts or inject something beautiful into our lives when things may otherwise be bleak.  I understand what she means about people looking at you differently.  I used to work in a very corporate type job, and when my co-workers would catch me cross-stitching on the train, or would compliment me on my outfit and I would tell them that I made it … it absolutely changed the way they looked at me.  It helped them get to know me, see there was more to me than a great voice on the phone and fast typing fingers. You think you have a person pegged, you think you know what they’re like, then you find out they knit jumpers for penguins … whoah … your mind is blown! You question yourself … do I really know them at all?  Have I made assumptions? What else do they do that I don’t know about? It sparks conversations and deeper connections with people. And I’m not going to gloss over Miranda’s joy of putting colours together.  This is one of the most wonderful things about craft … colour.  It’s not just choosing colours, but considering the mood that they convey, the reactions that people will have to them, how they will suit an individual, and how the light will play off them at different times of day and in different seasons. There’s an element of challenge to colour choices, and absolutely it’s the colours that make craft fun. <a href="https://www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Click here to hear the podcast EPISODE 8</a> If you are looking for Miranda in her day job, you can <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bowerbirdsolutions/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">FIND HER HERE.</a> I would like to introduce you to Ashleigh. 1. What’s your day job? I am a VA and podcast manager <ol> <li>What is your craft / creative pursuit of choice? I’m a doodler.</li> <li>What do you get from this? I’m a massive scatterbrain, and it helps me focus on everything and anything. It unleashes some creativity. It fills me up … a little spillage over of the cup.</li> </ol> Summary I think my favourite thing that Ashleigh mentioned was that her favourite creative pastime fills her cup.  Wow … that is something we sometimes forget about.  We are so busy giving and giving to others, that we forget that we need to fill that cup!  I know that self-care is a buzz-phrase, but I don’t care … because it’s important. There is a saying that you can’t pour from an empty cup … in other words, you can’t help others when you’re running on empty.  Sure, sometimes others can fill your cup, but a lot of the time we need to remember to refill that things ourselves, because we know better than anyone what is going to do the job best. When you give and give and give, and don’t refill, that leads to burnout, and when you’re in burnout, that isn’t just an empty cup, you’re at risk of getting a crack in it.  Trust me … I know … I’ve experienced that bone dry burnout, and there is a lot more effort required to bounce back from that, because you need to repair the crack before you can refill the cup and be able to give again.  Best to find that thing which fills your cup and enjoy it regularly so you don’t burn out. I also know quite a few people who draw to help with focus. Doodling is one of those things I’m terrible at, and it does nothing for me … but that’s me.  I do other things to focus, which is why I say this to you … it’s not what you do, but what it does for you that is important.  A lot of times we think we have to become an expert at our craft or hobby, so we can make it into a job or a business, but that’s not necessarily true.  Sometimes we just need to be creative to fill a need, not make a buck. If you are looking for Ashleigh in her day job, you can <a href="https://www.facebook.com/virtuallyawesomeservices/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">FIND HER HERE.</a> I would like to introduce you to Doone. 1. What’s your day job? I’m a bookkeeper. <ol> <li>What is your craft / creative pursuit of choice? I knit, crochet and sew, but I’m also a printmaker and a book-maker / bookbinder.</li> <li>What do you get from this? Being physically present. I recently realised that I’m ADHD, and sitting, unless I’m really in the flow with bookkeeping, if I’m watching something or taking in new information, it’s not enough to keep my brain occupied. So, I need to be doing something physical to stay here, to not be off with the fairies.</li> </ol> Summary I saw one of Doone’s gorgeous hand-bound books at Artful BizCon, and it was absolutely gorgeous! I have to admit, it’s not something I ever thought I would try, but seeing the gorgeous stitching and the beautiful papers she used, it’s now on my list. Again, here we have an instance of creativity and the act of using your hands to create something beautiful and practical that is giving more than that to the maker.  It’s no coincidence that many crafters are known to work in front of a movie, or whilst chatting with family or friends. For some it’s hard to sit still and let your hands be idle, for others it’s non-optional, and with ADHD it can absolutely help you focus on the task at hand, even if to the casual observer it looks like you aren’t paying attention. I’ve often said that crochet and cross-stitch are like meditation to me … the rhythm, the repetition. I can totally understand how these qualities assist those with ADD and ADHD to focus and be present. If you are looking for Doone in her day job, you can <a href="http://gecko-services.com.au/wordpress/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">FIND HER HERE</a>. I would like to introduce you to Shilpa. 1. What’s your day job? I’m a book writing and marketing mentor for coaches, consultants and experts who want to put their message out there. <ol> <li>What is your craft / creative pursuit of choice? I really enjoy quilling, and punching (paper crafts). There’s a lot of beautiful stonework with acrylic sheets and making beautiful patterns.</li> <li>What do you get from this? I haven’t been able to decide, I’m a shiny object kind of person, and I can’t just be content with one craft. I have need of a lot of colour in my life, and a lot of variety, so that’s how I’m meeting the need … through lots of craft.</li> </ol> Summary As I was talking to Shilpa I could see some beautiful jewellery that she had made, and I cannot go without saying that her chai tea is absolutely amazing! I have been forever spoiled after tasting the real deal. Shilpa and I have a lot in common … a need for colour and variety, and craft is such a wonderful place to meet that need.  There is always a new craft to try, and a new challenge to conquer. Sure, some people pick up one craft and stick with it forever or at least for a very long time. I am not one of those people, and I am obviously not alone.  Years ago I read a wonderful book by the author Barbara Sher called ‘Refuse to Choose’, subtitled ‘What do I do when I want to do everything?’ If you are like myself and Shilpa … craving variety and not sure what to settle on, this book is an excellent read.  I knew I wasn’t a specialist, and I found myself in this book. I also meet my need for variety and challenge and colour through craft. I will link to the book in the show notes for my fellow crafty bowerbirds. Looking for 'Refuse to Choose' by Barbara Sher? <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Refuse-Choose-Barbara-Sher/9781594866265?ref=grid-view&amp;qid=1559477902346&amp;sr=1-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> FIND IT HERE</a> If you are looking for Shilpa in her day job, you can <a href="http://bit.ly/2XAjMEJ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">FIND HER HERE</a>. Lastly, let me introduce you to Kate. 1. What’s your day job? I’m a writing entrepreneur. All things to do with writing, selling courses, teaching, etc. <ol> <li>What is your craft / creative pursuit of choice? At the moment it’s mosaic. I’ve always liked mosaic and I make them at home. I make little signs and little flower pots and art for the garden.</li> <li>What do you get from this? I’m quite a right brained person, but my old craft of choice was crafting words, but now that’s become my day job. I like that my brain has slipped sideways and it’s not intellectual, it’s purely visual, and I’m doing something with my hands. I find that really relaxing. It destresses me.</li> </ol> Summary Crafting as an escape from your day job, to slip out of your logical, analytical, sensible mind and slip into something more fun as you play with colour and texture … it’s yin and yang really. Kate is incredibly creative with words … far more emotive and descriptive than I could ever hope to be … seriously, I would read her shopping list for fun, and her Instagram posts are often a highlight of my day.  She raises a valid point here, and I almost blinked and missed it.  When your hobby becomes your job … you need to find a new hobby. I’ve head that said many times, and there’s a reason it’s repeated … why I’m repeating it now … because it’s true!  If you write stories or poetry or lark about with words for fun, there’s a lot of joy and escape in that.  But when it becomes your day job, writing clever words for clients, and to promote your own business, it might still be joyful, but it’s also work … and traditionally we do need an escape from work.  The saying ‘Love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life’ … I feel like it’s kind of misleading.  I absolutely love what I do, but in those moments when you need to meet deadlines, and you find yourself embroidering your 3,487th backstitch in a verigated yarn unicorn head at 4:30am … that very much feels like work, and you do need a break from it. That is why I have reserved quilting just for me, as my hobby … my escape. It’s why I enjoy singing in the car … because I work with my hands and talk all day long … sometimes it’s nice to escape from that and sing along to the Wicked soundtrack as I drive along the motorway.  I absolutely understand the appeal of mosaic … you can make it neat and orderly if that’s what you’re feeling, or you can take some crockery you found at the op shop, or tiles you found in the bargain bin at the tiling store, by donning some goggles and gloves, and  letting out your frustrations with a hammer! You can create order from chaos, a thing of beauty from tiny pieces, and each time you see it, it’s a reminder of those peaceful moments of escape and the fun you had in the making process. If you are looking for Kate in her day job, you can <a href="https://www.katetooncopywriter.com.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">FIND HER HERE</a> So … now it’s over to you.  I would love to ask you the same three questions. What is your day job? What is your craft of choice? What do you get out of it? If you’re up to it, I would love to know your answers.  You can comment on the blog at <a href="https://www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast13" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast13</a>, or maybe you’d prefer to email me or send me a message via Facebook or Instagram. If not, well, that’s ok too … but have a think?  What does craft do for you? I love that we can contribute to our craft, but it is also giving so much to us … sometimes it’s deep and meaningful, sometimes it’s light and fluffy, usually it’s exactly what we need.

#13 Why We Craft

In today's episode, let's talk about ways you can start preparing to get organised for a handmade Christmas. We're going to cover ... Christmas Cards Christmas Gifts Christmas Decorations  Check out the blog for a full full transcript of this episode. https://www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast19   OTHER LINKS   Art cards with a New Zealand theme by Jenny Latto Current card swap information Episode 17 - Craft Swaps Free One Sheet Wonder template Perfected One Sheet Wonder template (shop) 6" x 6" template &amp; video

In today's episode, let's talk about ways you can start preparing to get organised for a handmade Christmas. We're going to cover ... Christmas Cards Christmas Gifts Christmas Decorations Check out the blog for a full full transcript of this episode. <a href="https://www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast18" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast19</a> OTHER LINKS <a href="https://jennylatto.com/product/pukeko-in-a-ponga-tree-christmas-card/?fbclid=IwAR2-reag3fGhoIkGooImG4GGhrAHpnwuyV3alPRud3ge6WjSKp3kGI6PJ5I" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Art cards with a New Zealand theme by Jenny Latto</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/swap-info/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Current card swap information</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/podcast17/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 17 - Craft Swaps</a> <a href="http://dawnlewis.com.au/free-project-sheets/scrap-it-tv-project-sheets/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Free One Sheet Wonder template</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/product/one-sheet-wonder-10-card-template/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Perfected One Sheet Wonder template (shop)</a> <a href="https://dawnlewis.com.au/6x6-paper-pad-makes-66-cards-save-the-crafty-youtuber-video-hop/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">6" x 6" template &amp; video</a>

#19 Preparing for a Handmade Christmas

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