Stay ConnectedFiber Hooligan is a podcast hosted by yours’ truly, Benjamin Levisay, and dedicated to bringing you interviews with the best of the fiber arts & makers’ world… including experts, business people, and designers in the crafts of knitting, crochet, spinning, dyeing, weaving, sewing, quilting, embroidery, as well as anything else that I think is interesting.
You can find us at our new site at http://FiberHooligan.com
Copyright: © Copyright Benjamin Levisay (C/O Blogtalkradio)
Next Monday (08/10/2020) my guests will be the Oink Pigments team. Est. in 2010, Oink Pigments is a purveyor of small-batch, hand-dyed yarns with over 140 bright & playful colorways, available on over a dozen yarn & fiber bases. Alexa Wilson (she/her) learned to knit in 2009, & knew from that moment she wanted to build a career in fiber arts. She started dyeing in 2010, & has been in love with adding color to life ever since. Alexa continues to work hard to grow Oink Pigments, along with the rest of Team Oink. You can find her on the couch starting another project, buried under doggos, or both. Helena Bristow (she/they) has been Vice Pigmentologist at Oink Pigments since its inception in 2010. She learned to crochet at age 4, & taught herself to knit when she started graduate school for the first time. She often jokes that ‘knitting stuck; grad school did not’. Helena has dropped out of 2 different graduate programs because she would rather be playing with yarn. Helena can usually be found driving all over the country in her yarn van. Julie Gillespie (she/her) is the Chief Oink Operator & head of Social Media & Marketing. She started knitting in 2007 on a whim & has been collecting different crafty skill sets ever since. Julie first joined Team Oink at STITCHES West 2015. She was immediately told she was not allowed to leave. She manages the Oink Pigments social media accounts, surrounded by pugs. Founder of Sparkle Saturday, she encourages others to shine bright. Harper Hodes (they/he) has been a member of Team Oink for years. They have been knitting since they were in high school & are strongly involved in advocacy for mental health issues, the LGBTQIA+ community, & disability access. Harper is a process knitter who enjoys color work, but much prefers petting & buying yarn. They can often be found in their wheelchair at the Oink booth.
This Monday (08/03/2020) my guest will be Diane Ivey. Diane Ivey is the owner and Creative Director of Lady Dye Yarns, an indie-dye yarn company started in 2010. A knitter for 18 years and a dyer, spinner and crocheter for 13, Diane looks forward to not only expanding her company but using her expertise in growth and expansion with other BIPOC businesses to grow on a national scale. She spent 16 years in the non-profit sector. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Mass Communication with a concentration in Print Journalism from Georgia College & State University. She also holds a Masters in Public Administration with a concentration in Non-Profit Management from Suffolk University. “Our freedom and our equality is tied to each other no matter what race, gender identity, socio economics, or background. If we all want equality in pay, work, reproductive rights, and more, we must work together as one.” Diane has a lot going on right now, and I so pleased she was able join us. I hope you’ll all tune in to hear from this charismatic and inspirational lady.
Monday (07/27/2020) my guest will be Jennifer Wenger-Turchen from Jennifer Knits. Jennifer has worked in the knitting industry since 1985. This year she is celebrating her 20th anniversary as the owner of Jennifer Knits, a fabulous, one-of-a-kind knit shop located in Brentwood Village, Los Angeles. She is known for her custom patterns—from her imagination, or inspired by your favorite ready-to-wear designer, and tailored to your gauge and measurements. Over the years, she has developed relationships with textile mills in Italy and imports the finest cashmere and merino directly to her shop. In 2005, she authored Teen Knitting Club, with Maureen Lasher and Carol Abrams, and embarked on a nationwide book tour, inspiring the creation of more than 500 knitting clubs in colleges and high schools across the country. She also offers a “How to Make a Profit” seminar, teaching women how to run successful small businesses (not just knit shops). Jennifer believes that anyone can have their dreams come true with hard work, integrity, and determination. Jennifer was president of the Brentwood Village Chamber of Commerce for eight years and served four years on the Brentwood Community Council. Her efforts helped bring local businesses together with the West LA VA to raise money for veteran’s housing, services, and job building. Working with government, the local community, and individuals, she was instrumental in helping to pass the HR3484 bill in 2017, helping to house previously homeless veterans on VA property. Jennifer Knits sells across the country and beyond, with loyal longtime customers of all ages. Jennifer Knits can be your “local yarn shop” no matter where you live! Jennifer is a force-to-be-reckoned-with. If you want to hear about how business should work in this industry (as well as many others) I invite you to join us for this show.
Monday (07/20/2020) my guest will be Adella Colvin of LolaBean Yarn Co. LolaBean Yarn Co. (formerly Adella’s Crochet Cottage) began 5 years ago with a single stitch; that quickly turned into a thousand stitches as Adella contemplated on what she would do to pass time while her husband was away in Afghanistan. Adella first learned to crochet and knitting soon followed. She became obsessed with all of the different colors, textures and compositions of the different yarns she came across. One day, she came across a YouTube video of someone dyeing yarn, and she thought to herself… “Hey I should try this!” So she did. Dyeing came very naturally to Adella and she was encouraged by her friends and family to start her own business and sell her hand dyed creations. The rest is history. After the birth of her daughter, Adella realized that she had much more to live for and be grateful about. She decided to rebrand her company in honor of her little princess, in hopes that one day she would be able to pass something down to her daughter and keep the legacy alive. As a woman of color, Adella wants to show her daughter, and hopefully inspire others, that they can achieve success regardless of the circumstances. Adella looks forward to growing and expanding her brand, not only for her daughter, but for the future generation of independent fiber artists. This might be one of my favorite interviews so far. Please tune in and find out why. Note: This show was pre-recorded to accomodate scheduling.
Monday (07/13/2020) my guest will be the very talented and genrous Heavenly Bresser. Heavenly Bresser is a self-taught, well-rounded fiber artist from Chicago. She has over 10 years of experience with crochet and knitting, but also loves dyeing fibers, hand spinning, weaving and repairing spinning wheels. Working from fleece to project is one of her favorite things to do. Her passion for fiber arts and the joy of seeing others grow in their craft is part of her motivation as an instructor. Heavenly’s goal is to uplift, inspire and encourage those around her and challenge them to think outside the box and to do things they’d never imagine could be done. Outside of her fiber adventures, her time is spent caring for her husband, two young boys, and Morkie named Samson. As most of you know, Heavenly has been on the show once before—but we really didn’t get a chance to talk about many of the things she’s doing in the fiber world. I’m so pleases she can join us again. Please tune in to hear from this gracious and talented artist.
Next Monday (07/06/2020) my guest will be the talented designer, author, and teacher Anna Zilboorg. Anna's pronouns are she and her. Anna, an Elder of the knitting community, is an Anglican solitary who now lives on the seaside town of Rockland, Maine. According to a quote by her (that I found online), she says that she was… "Born and reared in New York City; educated at Harvard; taught at MIT. Fled from the madding crowd's ignoble strife until I found myself in Big Stone Gap, VA. Got religion. Returned to my childhood love of knitting; became a hermit." At this point, Anna is retired. Before she retired, she devoted her energy to teaching the living craft (as opposed to just following directions). She has been called the Anarchist Knitter because of her book Knitting for Anarchists, and the 'Mad Bobbler' due to her love of three-dimensional stitches. Other books include Magnificent Mittens and Socks and Splendid Apparel, both available, as well as Sock for Sandals and Clogs, Fancy Feet, and 45 Fine & Fanciful Hats to Knit. Beyond her impressive career, Anna is one of the most interesting people I have ever met. I’m so happy that she agreed to be on the show. Please tune in—you really don’t want to miss Anna!
On Monday (06/29/2020) my guest will be Karida Collins from Neighborhood Fiber Co. Karida learned how to knit immediately after finishing college, and fell in love. Hard. Enamored with knitting, she set out to create her own hand-dyed yarn business in 2006. She taught herself how to dye yarn and thus, Neighborhood Fiber Co. was born. Karida's love of saturated and vibrant colors is what gives her yarn it's signature style. Stirred by her surroundings, Karida set out to provide the world with hand-dyed yarns inspired by and named to reflect the natural beauty and diverse neighborhoods throughout the nation’s capital. Since then, she has added many more colors to reflect a multitude of neighborhoods, both inside and outside of DC. Now based in Baltimore, MD, Neighborhood Fiber Co. continues to offer vibrant, one-of-a-kind colors inspired by urban landscapes. Karida is an amazing person. I hope you join us for what I know will be a great show!
Hello Friends! Here is the special episode with Heavenly Bresser. Thank you. - Benjamin
Monday (05/25/2020) my guest was Charan Sachar from Creative with Clay. If you’ve been to a STITCHES West in the past couple of years, you might have met him & seen his wonderful work first hand. Charan Sachar lived in India for a significant part of his life where his mother ran a boutique, designing clothes for brides and bridesmaids. The designs, colors, fabrics, and embroidery he came across then have a strong impact on his work now. In 2014, Charan took up knitting as a hobby and very soon the knit patterns started making an appearance into his work. Very soon, he purchased a floor loom and a spinning wheel. Now he obsesses over dyeing fiber and is fascinated about color mixing and different spinning techniques which change the appearance of the final yarn. The transformation of fiber to yarn and yarn to fabric inspires him further regarding the textures and colors in his pottery. He uses a combination of techniques such as wheel throwing, extrusions, slab constructions and alterations to create his forms. Each piece is then further decorated with textures he creates to give it the feel of embroidered and knitted fabric. These are further enhanced with underglazes, slip and glazes that he formulates to add beauty and functionality to the pieces. In 2011, Charan quit his full-time job of 12 years as a software engineer to pursue his passion in clay. Pottery has given him the much-needed respite from the monotony of everyday life. His story and work have been featured in the New York Times, HGTV, several knitting magazines such as Vogue, Noro, and Tiny Fiber studio. His goal is to continue to work with this medium to create artwork which can be cherished for life. Charan is amazingly creative and a delight to talk with. Please tune in!
Monday (05/18/2020) my guest was author, Debbie Macomber. Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber's novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Thirteen of these novels hit the number one spot. In 2020, Macomber's all-new hardcover publications include A Walk Along the Beach (July) and Jingle All the Way (October). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, an adult coloring book, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books. Celebrated as "the official storyteller of Christmas", Macomber's annual Christmas books are beloved and five have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons. She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision's international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie & Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series. Debbie is warm & thoughtful person whom I've knows for many years. I’m so pleased that she could spare the time to be on the show. Please check it out.
Monday (04/11/2020) my guest was Gaye Glasspie a.k.a. GGmadeit or GG. Gaye is a 50-something-year-old who fell in love with knitting late in life—in just the last 9 or 10 years. She is also a force of nature! GG is self-taught via YouTube, some wonderfully friendly yarn stores... and she is obsessed with all things orange. GG discovered knitting during a very challenging time in her life. She says that knitting is her ride or die, her BFF, her kind of therapy. Knitting has also become a beautiful bridge into a world of wonderful people and a way to universally connect with others through knitting. If you’ve ever met her before, you know that Gaye’s enthusiasm is irrepressible. I’m so pleased that she that she could be on the show. Please tune in and listen to this remarkable lady.
Monday (05-04-2020) my guests were Shannon and Jason Mullett-Bowlsby, the dynamic DIY duo known as the Shibaguyz… the inspired creators of Shibaguyz Designz Studio. Their award winning crochet, knit, and sewing designs have been featured in and on the covers of dozens of domestic and international publications. Together, the Shibaguyz team has over 300 published patterns and 11 books credited to their name since their first design was featured on a magazine cover in 2010. Currently, they are finishing work on a new book with C&T Publishing scheduled for release December 2020. In addition to their design work, the Shibaguyz are sought-after freelance book-packaging designers having crafted books and photography for major publishing companies like Sterling Publishing, Leisure Arts, and Creative Publishing. The Shibaguyz have been teaching adults for 30+ years. Their enthusiasm, quirky sense of humor, and relatable teaching style have made them sought after teachers in both local and national venues like STITCHES Events, Sew Expo, and Houston Quilt Market. In addition to their live classes, the Shibaguyz also have a wide range of online classes available from Blueprint and Interweave. Shannon and Jason are proud ambassadors for Aurifil, Clover, BERNINA, Horn of America, the Daylight Company, and are members of the Justice League (yes, they have capes to prove it). Shannon and Jason live in Seattle, Washington with their three Shiba Inu who, more or less, support their ventures in sewing, stitching, and crafting… so long as enough time is taken for walks and treats. Full disclosure… the Shibaguyz are not only very creative people, they are also two of my very good friends. So the show did get away from us a bit. It was still fun. Please check it out.
Monday (04/27/2020) my guest was Cecilia Nelson-Hurt. As a Diversity & Inclusion practitioner, Cecilia Nelson-Hurt has over 15 years of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion experience. Currently, Cecilia serves as the Assistant Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion at L'Oréal USA where she is responsible for shaping diversity efforts through innovative initiatives that underscore the company’s commitment to creating an equal opportunity workplace. In addition to leading the company's affinity groups for the LGBTQIA and Women of Color employees, Cecilia is also responsible for the curriculum development and facilitation of all L’Oréal USA Diversity & Inclusion trainings, having trained over 15,000 employees to date. Her maternal grandmother first introduced Cecilia to the fiber arts, she learned to crochet when she was very young. Cecilia later taught herself to knit and has been an avid knitter for over 20 years. At the intersection of passion & purpose, Cecilia combines her love for knitting and advancing diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging with a goal to affect and create a more inclusive fiber community. A self-proclaimed citizen of the world, Cecilia loves to travel. She makes sure to visit a yarn shop wherever she goes. To date, Cecilia has visited over 130 shops in the United States and abroad. She chronicles her travels on her "CeciKnitsTheWorld" YouTube channel. Cecilia is married to an adventurous and supportive "Yarn Husband" Jerome, is the mother to an incredible daughter Atrice and a fabulous four-legged furry daughter, Dallas Jade. Cecilia is not only a wonderful communicator, she is also very passionate and genuine. I'm so pleased to have had her on the show so you could hear from this Incredible lady.
This Sunday (04/19/2020) my guest was Louis Boria—AKA Brooklyn Boy Knits. Louis is a self-taught fiber artist who has been in the industry for 12 years. In 2017, Louis went viral after being photographed on a NYC subway by actress/singer, Frenchie Davis. With his newfound fame, Louis decided to use his social media platform to do something positive and so began working with local New York public schools, teaching children to knit. He has worked closely with with campaigns such as Hat Not Hate, Cancer Awareness Programs at New York’s Mt. Sinai Hospital and with LGBTQIA young adults by promoting knitting as a therapeutic outlet. As well as working in the community, Louis is a knitwear Designer of both custom pieces and knitting patterns that range in style from streetwear design to runway couture. In April 2019 Louis did his first Tedx Talk, "Making The Most of Your Moment". Later that year, he became one of the founding members of Soho Publishing’s Diversity Advisory Council which was set up to address the lack of diversity and inclusion in the fiber arts industry. He has also taught at STITCHES and spoke as part of a diversity panel at STITCHES Midwest 2019. Louis believes in building up our community one stitch at a time. Louis is currently recovering from the Coronavirus… and I'm so pleased he could join on the show so you could hear from this remarkable and creative individual.
Laura Zander, is the co-owner of LYS & market leading online retailer of yarn, Jimmy Beans Wool. Laura, along with her husband Doug, worked as software engineers during the dot-com era in the San Francisco area. When they saw the dot-com boom turning to a bust, they decided to leave their jobs, move to their second home in the Lake Tahoe area, and begin a new adventure by opening Jimmy Beans Wool. They started the business, which has been named four times to the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in the U.S. list, with a $30,000 personal investment and have since grown it debt free to a booming operation. Laura is one of Ernst & Young's Entrepreneurial Winning Women and was invited to the White House for a forum addressing the American Jobs Act where Jimmy Beans Wool was recognized as a notable Nevada business. An innovator in the Needlearts industry, Laura has created successful national high-profile campaigns such as Stitch Red, Stitch Mountain, & Beans for Brains. She authored and launched her first installment of a three-book series drawing awareness to heart disease, Knit Red. When not knitting or working, Laura spends most of her time on the ski hill, running, playing tennis, or relaxing with Doug and their ten-year-old son, Huck. Jimmy Beans recently acquiried Namaste, della Q, and Madelinetosh—three beloved companies amongst knitters, crocheters, and makers. Jimmy Beans will continue to develop products under their patent pending Jimmy’s SmartStix, plus hooks, needles, and notions. Laura joined us this week to talk about all the things she and her company are up to as well as many of the challenges that businesses and creatives face in the world of the COVID-19 virus. Please join us!
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