The SweetGeorgia Show

Episode 096: Finding Playful Joy and Purpose Through Knitting with Claudia Gossens Dec 03, 2019

This week on the show, Felicia is chatting with Claudia Gossens: the owner of the yarn shop Lanaphilia in Germany. Claudia has a joyful passion and excitement for yarn, fibre, knitting, and colour in everything she does and recently began sharing her experiences on her podcast: Wollinspirationen (available in German only).

It’s always wonderful to be able to chat with yarn shop owners from all over the world so we hope you’ll join Felicia and Claudia for their conversation!

"...the feedback is enormous and I love it, it's just like having a huge amount of good knitting friends." - Claudia Glossens on how her podcast, Wollinspirationen enhances her fibre arts world

In this episode, we talk about:

1:20 Claudia's nickname
2:31 How Claudia started knitting and how it became such a large part of her life
5:05 Knitting over language barriers
8:47 Claudia's favourite things to knit
9:45 Where Claudia finds inspiration for her knitting projects and her goals to finish before 2019 ends
12:45 Does Claudia have any other fibre interests other than knitting?
13:35 Claudia discusses her interest in spinning
15:21 What Claudia does with all her handspun and the difficulties and fun of blending certain colours with carding and knitting
19:00 Learning more about colour and the ones that suit you and bring you joy
21:32 How Claudia started running her yarn store: Lanaphilia and her biggest challenges in running a yarn store
27:01 Claudia chats about her Lanaphilia works as an online-only yarn store
27:45 Felicia asks Claudia about what knitting trends she's finding in Germany and online
29:45 Felicia asks Claudia if starting her podcast Wollinspirationen has affected what inspires her.
36:42 Where you can find Claudia online
37:56 Felicia's Final Notes and Giveaway

Here's Where You Can Find Claudia:

Website: www.lanaphilia.de

Podcast: https://wollinspirationen.de

Instagram: @lanaphilia

Ravelry Group: https://www.ravelry.com/groups/lanaphilia

Enter to win a Copy of the Taurus Shawl Pattern:

Claudia is giving our listeners a chance to win a copy of her pattern: Taurus a triangular shawl that plays with slipped stitches. Thank you Claudia!

Thanks for Listening!

Thank you so much for joining us this episode! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your fellow fibre art friends. And if you like what we're doing here, please leave a rating and review on iTunes for the show. We read each and every email and bit of feedback, whether it’s on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, so we welcome your comments.

Thank you all so much for your continued support of our show! Until next time, enjoy colour!

Music Credits:

Playbook of Happiness – by RimskyMusic

Episode 095: Organizing your Knitting and Life with the Knitter's Planner Nov 19, 2019

This week, Felicia is joined by Kara Gott Warner and Stephanie Palmer of The Knitter's Planner. Kara has been on our show not once, but twice before, as she is the former editor of Creative Knitting Magazine and is now the host of the Power Purls Podcast. She is also a coach for creative women and entrepreneurs and is now the editor of The Knitter's Planner. If you want to listen to Kara's previous episodes with us they are Episode 24 and Episode 50. We are also joined by Stephanie who is the creator and publisher of The Knitter's Planner.

Please join us this week and get ready to nerd out about planning and time management!

"...we live in a hybrid time... we are in between two worlds in a sense... I do love my digital planners... but I think that there is just no replacement for putting a pen to paper... there's something meditative about it that you don't get with digital planning and there's a peaceful calming portion and there's a different level of commitment when you're thinking of your own goals and how you're structuring your time with pen to paper... that I just don't think digital can replace." - Stephanie Palmer on analog planners in a digital age

In this episode, we talk about:

1:20 Stephanie and Kara introduce themselves to the listeners
4:12 Felicia asks Stephanie why she decided to first make The Quilter's Planner
5:40 How is The Knitter's Planner different from other planners?
9:03 Sunday-Starter vs Monday-Starter: the customization options in The Knitter's Planner
13:24 Discussing how to merge a digital and analog planning systems
17:05 How using a planner can make a difference for fibre artists who want to create more
22:34 Chatting about the fear of "ruining" a beautiful planner
24:28 Discussing everyones personal workflow around their planner
29:50 How to plan around the holiday season
33:06 Tips for people who are not planners, but want to become one
35:43 Where people can find The Knitter's Planner
37:22 Felicia's Final Notes and Giveaway!

Here's Where You Can Find The Knitter's Planner:

Website: www.knittersplanner.com

Instagram: @theknittersplanner

Facebook: www.facebook.com/KnittersPlanner

Enter the Giveaway to win a Free Knitter's Planner:

Stephanie and Kara are giving one of our lucky listeners the chance to win a free custom Knitter's Planner! This is a giveaway you certainly don't want to miss!

Thanks for Listening!

Thank you so much for joining us this episode! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your fellow fibre art friends. And if you like what we're doing here, please leave a rating and review on iTunes for the show. We read each and every email and bit of feedback, whether it’s on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, so we welcome your comments.

Thank you all so much for your continued support of our show! Until next time, enjoy colour!

Music Credits:

Playbook of Happiness – by RimskyMusic

Episode 094: Building the Craft Industry Alliance with Abby Glassenberg Nov 05, 2019

This week on the show, Felicia is chatting with Abby Glassenberg: a sewing pattern designer, craft book author, writer, and teacher. Since 2005 she's been writing a blog called While She Naps: which is about the home sewing industry and creative entrepreneurship with a focus on craft publishing, fabric manufacturing, feminism, and social justice. Ten years after she started the blog in 2015 she co-founded Craft Industry Alliance and now serves as its president.

Join Felicia and Abby as they chat about the crafting industry and the challenges makers have as they pursue the dream of turning their passion into a sustainable business.

"...I want to be where people are... and see what it's all about and not... live in fear... when I posted that there were a lot of people who were... really scared of Tik Tok... this is going to steal my privacy... and I understand the fear... about it but I just also feel like... get in there and play... see it with [your] own eyes... I would rather take a look myself than... believe the hype and... not make my own decision" - Abby Glassenberg on crafters being on the new social media app, Tik Tok

In this episode, we talk about:

1:29 Abby chats about when she began creating and how she stared her business
8:39 How Abby transitioned crafting from her hobby to a business and how it affected her audience base, and how business itself can be creative
13:58 Abby and Felicia discuss a common question in the industry: If you help other crafters succeed in their business, aren't you creating competition for yourself?
19:23 Abby chats more about Craft Industry Alliance and what it has to offer members
23:14 Felicia asks Abby what are the biggest challenges the craft industry and business owners are currently facing
26:53 The opportunities Abby is seeing in the creative industry space
29:44 Crafting and Tik Tok? Abby discusses the new social media app and how crafters could be a part of it
34:45 How Abby's business has changed now that her children are older
38:39 Abby discusses the team behind Craft Industry Alliance
41:03 What's coming up in the Craft Industry Alliance
45:33 Felicia's Final Notes and Special Discount Code for Craft Industry Alliance Membership

Here's Where You Can Find Abby:

Abby's Blog: www.whileshenaps.com

Craft Industry Alliance Website: www.craftindustryalliance.org

Abby's Instagram: @abbyglassenberg

Abby Glassenberg Design Facebook: www.facebook.com/pg/AbbyGlassenbergDesign

Get a Special Discount for Craft Industry Alliance Membership:

If you are a small business owner and are interested in joining the Craft Industry Alliance, Abby has created a special discount code for our listeners to receive 20% off the membership fee! Use the code: SWEETGEORGIA at checkout to receive your discount. Thank you so much Abby!

Thanks for Listening!

Thank you so much for joining us this episode! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your fellow fibre art friends. And if you like what we're doing here, please leave a rating and review on iTunes for the show. We read each and every email and bit of feedback, whether it’s on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, so we welcome your comments.

Thank you all so much for your continued support of our show! Until next time, enjoy colour!

Music Credits:

Playbook of Happiness – by RimskyMusic

093: Teaching the World to Weave with Kelly Casanova Oct 22, 2019

This week Felicia is joined by weaver, teacher, and designer: Kelly Casanova, from Melbourne Australia. Kelly runs an online weaving school called: Kelly Casanova Weaving Lessons and has been working tirelessly to create ongoing weaving instruction, initially with a rigid heddle loom and now with multi-shaft looms. Kelly has been a huge inspiration for Felicia because Kelly was creating online weaving tutorials when there weren't any available.

Join Felicia and Kelly as they chat about the involvement and control that weaving offers a fibre artist and how to encourage others to start weaving.

"...I felt like I was always looking for something really authentic, like I could do it from start to finish and have as much involvement in the process as I possibly could. And weaving was it for that because I could get the fibre, I could spin it, I could dye it, and then I could weave it, and then I could sew it..." - Kelly Casanova on her love of weaving

In this episode, we talk about:

2:09 Kelly chats about how she first got into the fibre arts
3:43 What was it about weaving that captured Kelly's interest so much?
5:19 What is Kelly's favourite fibre or yarn to work with?
6:20 Kelly discusses her upcoming course on studying Japanese techniques of dyeing and weaving
8:37 Felicia asks Kelly how she comes up with her course ideas for her online school
12:38 Kelly explains what students can learn at her online school
14:05 Kelly gives advice to first-time weavers and how to get started
16:49 Felicia and Kelly chat about how to encourage more weavers to create content for the Internet
18:31 What are the differences Kelly sees between weaving on a rigid heddle looms weaving on a floor loom?
21:30 Felicia chats with Kelly about her Etsy shop and her experience selling on that platform
23:06 Kelly's tips for production weavers
25:19 Kelly describes why she loves the online weaving community
27:19 How Kelly finds the time for self-care in a busy life
31:29 What Kelly has planned for her online school
33:36 Where can you find Kelly online
34:12 Felicia's Final Notes and Giveaway!

Here's Where You Can Find Kelly:

Website: www.kellycasanovaweavinglessons.com

Online School: www.kelly-casanova-weaving-lessons.teachable.com

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/kellycasanova

Etsy Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/kellycasanovaart

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kellycasanovatextileandfibreartist

Instagram: @casanova_kelly_weaver

Enter the Giveaway for 5 Free Weaving Patterns from Kelly's Etsy Shop:

If this week's conversation has inspired you to give weaving a try, then enter down below to win 5 free weaving patterns from Kelly's Etsy Shop! Thanks Kelly for giving our listeners a chance to win some of her gorgeous patterns!

Thanks for Listening!

Thank you so much for joining us this episode! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your fellow fibre art friends. And if you like what we're doing here, please leave a rating and review on iTunes for the show. We read each and every email and bit of feedback, whether it’s on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, so we welcome your comments.

Thank you all so much for your continued support of our show! Until next time, enjoy colour!

Music Credits:

Playbook of Happiness – by RimskyMusic

Episode 092: Cameron Taylor-Brown and the Art of Teaching Oct 08, 2019

This week on the show, Felicia is talking with Cameron Taylor-Brown: an artist, weaver, and educator. Cameron studied fibre arts at the University of California, Berkeley with Ed Rossbach and then textile design at the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science. Since 1985 she's lived in Los Angeles where she's still active in arts and education. Her work is widely exhibited and has been featured in many publications including Fibre Art Now, American Craft, Shuttle Spindle & Dyepot. She teaches design and colour workshops at schools, guilds, museums, and conferences throughout the United States and at ARTSgarage: a teaching studio in Los Angeles. Cameron recently curated the exhibit Material Meaning: A Living Legacy of Anni Albers, which was on view at the Craft in America Center in Los Angeles.

Join Felicia and Cameron as they discuss Cameron's past and present in the arts.

"... I always felt confident that I knew... the material well, but initially I was afraid of public speaking... that was my most nervous thing was standing up in front of a group of people... but what I realized was... when you're teaching... a visual medium the people that you're talking to are focusing on the medium that you're talking about, they're not focusing on you and so I began to realize I was the narrator, but they were looking at something else. The minute I figured that out... it was a lot less scary for me to talk to people... and then it's just about sharing something that you love and figuring out to explain it to people so that they own it, not you... one of the really important things when you're teaching is I don't want to create clones of myself. I want people to discover who they are and what their journey is and help them in their particular journey, and I think that's the art of teaching. " - Cameron Taylor-Brown on her transition from maker to educator

In this episode, we talk about:

1:36 Felicia and Cameron chat about how Cameron used to be a sales rep for SweetGeorgia Yarns
2:35 Cameron talks about her "retirement"
3:56 How Cameron got into the fibre arts, specifically weaving
9:00 How Cameron made the jump from maker to educator
12:43 Cameron chats about her teaching studio: ARTSgarage
19:45 Felicia and Cameron chat about the difficulty of knowing where to start when you want to pursue a new fibre arts skill
23:00 Felicia asks Cameron if she has any suggestions for anyone wanting to turn their textile art into a business
35:50 Felicia and Cameron chat about the exhibit she recently curated called: Material Meaning: A Living Legacy of Anni Albers
46:18 Felicia's Final Notes

Here's Where You Can Find Cameron:

Website: www.camerontaylor-brown.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/CameronTaylorBrownStudio

Instagram: @camerontaylorbrown

Thanks for Listening!

Thank you so much for joining us this episode! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your fellow fibre art friends. And if you like what we're doing here, please leave a rating and review on iTunes for the show. We read each and every email and bit of feedback, whether it’s on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, so we welcome your comments.

Thank you all so much for your continued support of our show! Until next time, enjoy colour!

Music Credits:

Playbook of Happiness – by RimskyMusic

091: Weaving up New Dreams with Angela Smith Sep 24, 2019

This week on the show Felicia is joined by Angela Smith, the founder and creative director of Purl & Loop. Felicia has mentioned Purl & Loop many times before on the SweetGeorgia YouTube channel because, as an avid weaver, she is a huge fan of their looms. Please join Felicia and Angela as they discuss all things weaving and the big challenges faced when starting out a small business

"...it's an industry I was drawn to because, unlike real estate... well in real estate everyone thinks everything's an emergency... there are no emergencies in fibre. No one was ever going to call me up at 9 o'clock on a Friday night and tell me they had to look at 10 different looms by 9 am on Saturday morning... " - Angela Smith on what inspired her to transition from the world of real estate to the world of fibre arts

In this episode, we talk about:

0:51 Felicia and Angela chat about how they first met
1:27 Angela describes her company, Purl & Loop
2:57 Angela chats about some of Purl & Loops newest projects , including a "delicious" sounding Cord Taco
4:29 How Angela got into the world of fibre arts and started Purl & Loop
7:18 Felicia asks Angela how she transitioned from the world of real estate to owning a fibre arts supply store
11:57 Angela chats about the studio space Purl & Loop occupies
15:45 Angela discusses how the partnership with Liz Gibson helped advance Purl & Loop into a larger studio space
22:15 Chatting about the laser cutter and process that goes into creating the looms
25:15 Discussing the amazing team behind Purl & Loop
26:46 Is Purl & Loop going to venture out beyond weaving supplies?
29:07 Angela chats about Purl & Loop's new circle looms
30:58 What does the future hold for Purl & Loop?
32:47 Where you can find Purl & Loop online
33:38 Felicia's Final Notes and Giveaway!

Here's Where You Can Find Purl & Loop:

Website: www.purlandloop.com

Instagram: @purlandloop

Enter the Giveaway for a Free Circular Loom from Purl & Loop:

If this week's conversation has inspired you to give weaving a try, then enter down below to win a free circular loom from Purl & Loop! Thanks to Angela and her team for giving our listeners a chance to win one of these gorgeous looms!

Thanks for Listening!

Thank you so much for joining us this episode! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your fellow fibre art friends. And if you like what we're doing here, please leave a rating and review on iTunes for the show. We read each and every email and bit of feedback, whether it’s on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, so we welcome your comments.

Thank you all so much for your continued support of our show! Until next time, enjoy colour!

Music Credits:

Playbook of Happiness – by RimskyMusic

Episode 090: Photographing Knitwear with Abbye Dahl Sep 10, 2019

This week on the show, Felicia chats with Abbye Dahl: a Vancouver-based knitwear designer and professional photographer. Abbye is no stranger to SweetGeorgia Yarns as she created a collection of hat patterns using our yarns called: Cloche Knits. Abbye has also designed a follow-up collection called Cloche Knits 2. If you haven't seen the photos in Cloche Knits, they are stunning and elegantly shot. Now Abbye is about to share her deep photography knowledge and experience with knitters and she is created a course specifically teaching knitwear designers how to photograph their garments.

"...one of the things I love about knitting... is the colours and the textures are so rich and... as I was doing it I was like 'Ah these things are... calling out to be photographed' So then I would spend time with my knitting just taking pictures of it... just being really inspired by all the different textures and then I was sitting at home and I'm like 'Well I have all of these awesome pictures of my knitting... just sitting on my hard drive, what can I do with this? How can I start sharing this with other people?' So I would honestly say it was the photography that got me to start designing just because I felt like I really wanted people to see these pictures of knitting, so I might as well write a patter to go with the pictures. " - Abbye Dahl on what inspired her to start designing knitwear patterns

In this episode, we talk about:

1:30 How did Abbye get into the fibre arts?
4:46 Abbye chats about the cloche-style hats she designs and what she loves about them
8:11 Felicia and Abbye talk about the Louise Poncho that Abbye designed for her Rockies collection
10:38 Felicia asks Abbye about her experiences in photography school
13:21 It's a small world after all: Abbye chats about her connections to two of our former podcast guests: Mariana Frochtengartenand Katrina Stewart
15:14 Discussing Abbye's upcoming Photography for Knitwear course
20:10 How designers can work effectively with knitwear models
27:02 The challenges of self-portraits
30:50 Abbye's chats about editing and re-touching knitwear photography
32:41 How Abbye's new photography course can be for non-designers as well
34:38 Where you can find Abbye online
36:09 Felicia's Final Notes and Giveaway!

Here's Where You Can Find Abbye Knits:

Website: www.abbyeknits.com

Knitwear Photography Course: www.abbyeknits.com/photography-for-knitwear

Instagram: @abbyeknits

Enter the Giveaway for Abbye Dahl's Cloche Knits Book:

If you want to see Abbye's beautiful photography and patterns for yourself, enter our giveaway to win one of two Cloche Knits books! Thanks so much to Abbye for generously donating copies of her beautiful hat collection to our listeners!

Thanks for Listening!

Thank you so much for joining us this episode! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your fellow fibre art friends. And if you like what we're doing here, please leave a rating and review on iTunes for the show. We read each and every email and bit of feedback, whether it’s on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, so we welcome your comments.

Thank you all so much for your continued support of our show! Until next time, enjoy colour!

Music Credits:

Playbook of Happiness – by RimskyMusic

089: Spinning up a Storm with Spincycle Yarns Aug 27, 2019

This week, Felicia is chatting with Rachel Price and Kate Burge of Spincycle Yarns. Spincycle Yarns is a very unique yarn company as they create small batch mill-spun yarn, spun from fibre that they hand dye so the yarns look and feel like handspun! You have probably seen Spincycle Yarns featured in such designs like Andrea Mowry's The Shiftcowl and Nightshift shawl among many others. Join Felicia, Rachel, and Kate as they chat about all things colour and spinning!

"...the first time we ever hung out it was Easter Sunday and we went to my... house... and we had... a pound of fibre and we're like 'Alright, let's go crazy and dye it' and we did and it was like so much fun and we just... I don't know like as opposed to crafting by yourself, when you find your crafting soulmate to work with it's so much more fun." - Kate Burge on meeting her best friend (and future business partner) Rachel Price

In this episode, we talk about:

1:21 Rachel and Kate introduce themselves
3:05 Rachel and Kate chat about how they started spinning yarn
4:32 What made Rachel and Kate make the decision to go into business together?
7:03 How do you go from selling handspun yarn to production dyeing and spinning?
9:33 Sport Weight vs Fingering Weight: What's the difference and does it really matter?
11:43 Where Spincycle Yarns sources its fibre from and how they choose what fibre goes into their millspun yarns
15:30 Can yarn construction techniques be experimented with when you have your own mill?
17:34 How many colourways is Spincycle Yarns producing right now?
20:32 How do Rachel and Kate draw the boundaries between work and play when running a yarn business?
26:36 Felicia asks Rachel about how she learned how to weave in Harrisville
30:07 Do Rachel and Kate teach textile arts to the public?
32:35 What changes have Rachel and Kate seen in the knitting world over the years? And the fun of collaborating with Andrea Mowry
40:10 Where to find Rachel and Kate online! Also you can find Spincycle Yarns at Knit City in Vancouverthis year at the Starlight Knitting Society booth!
43:32 Felicia's Final Notes and Giveaway!

Here's Where You Can Find Spincycle Yarns:

Website: www.spincycleyarns.com

Instagram: @spincycle_yarns

Enter the Giveaway for 2 Free Skeins of Spincycle Yarns:

If you want to get your hands on Rachel and Kate's beautiful yarn, enter our contest to win 2 free skeins of their brand new colourway: Castaway! Thank you so much to Rachel, Kate, and the hardworking Spincycle gang for making this giveaway possible!

Thanks for Listening!

Thank you so much for joining us this episode! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your fellow fibre art friends. And if you like what we're doing here, please leave a rating and review on iTunes for the show. We read each and every email and bit of feedback, whether it’s on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, so we welcome your comments.

Thank you all so much for your continued support of our show! Until next time, enjoy colour!

Music Credits:

Playbook of Happiness – by RimskyMusic

088: Textile Art with Mariana Frochtengarten Aug 13, 2019

This week, Felicia is joined on the show by Mariana Frochtengarten: a textile artist and art educator with an extensive background in dyeing. Specifically, she's had more than 20 years of experience in resists dyeing techniques like batik and shibori. A few years ago, Mariana worked at SweetGeorgia as one of the dyers in our dye team but now has begun teaching art. This past summer, Mariana has once again been reunited with us as we recorded a course for The School of SweetGeorgia all about shibori dyeing techniques. Join Felicia and Mariana as they chat about textile arts and it's many different values in our society.

"...focusing on technique, teaching technique but also just... approaching textiles as a language, as a form of expression, as a way of doing something that... is in a way... is so present in every culture and in everybody's life so that was really a way for me to... link with community, link with people..." - Mariana on why she enjoys being an art educator

In this episode, we talk about:

1:24 Mariana chats about her background in dyeing
4:23 Mariana and Felicia discusses the struggles of making a living off of your craft without feeling you are losing the personal, handcrafted quality of the product
9:45 Mariana chats about how her production dyeing turned more towards community work and teaching people about textiles
12:58 Felicia asks Mariana about her experience in art therapy and using art therapy to help new immigrants to Canada adjust to their new life
20:19 Chatting about the importance of the process of creation
23:08 Felicia asks Mariana about how her values have changed over time
26:01 Felicia and Mariana chat about the loneliness of dyeing and how to make it a more social process
29:16 Discussing Mariana's Shibori Dyeing Basics course on The School of SweetGeorgia and the element of surprise that goes with resist dyeing
32:20 Where you can find Mariana online
35:26 Felicia's Final Notes and Giveaway!

Here's Where You Can Find Mariana:

Instagram: @nanafro

Email: nanafro@gmail.com

Shibori Dyeing Basics Course Forum Page: www.schoolofsweetgeorgia.com/community/forum/shibori-dyeing-basics

Enter the Giveaway for a Free 3-Month Subscription to The School of SweetGeorgia:

If you want to check out Mariana's course on shibori dyeing and all of our other fibre arts courses in The School of SweetGeorgia, enter our contest to win a free 3-month subscription!

Thanks for Listening!

Thank you so much for joining us this episode! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your fellow fibre art friends. And if you like what we're doing here, please leave a rating and review on iTunes for the show. We read each and every email and bit of feedback, whether it’s on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, so we welcome your comments.

Thank you all so much for your continued support of our show! Until next time, enjoy colour!

Music Credits:

Playbook of Happiness – by RimskyMusic

087: Exploring Norwegian Colourwork Knitting with Eli of Skeindeer Knits Jul 30, 2019

On this week's episode, Felicia is chatting with Eli: a London-based Norwegian knitting pattern designer highly influenced by traditional Norwegian knitting. She is also the hostess of the Skeindeer Knits podcast and has published over 100 episodes! Join Felicia and Eli as they chat about colourwork knitting!

"...me personally I think you can change things that have been a certain way and it will still be that thing and ok but even if it's not that thing anymore... that's how things take on new forms and become interesting and new things... either way I think that's cool" - Eli on wether a design is truly considered a traditional Selbu mitten or not

In this episode, we talk about:

0:49 Felicia and Eli chat about Vlogmas and when Eli visited the SweetGeorgia studios for a knit night
3:30 Eli discusses how she first got into knitting and knitwear design
9:37 Felicia and Eli chat about Selbu mittens and why Eli is hesitant to accept her nickname "The Queen of Selbu Mittens"
14:30 Discussing the thumb of the Selbu mitten
15:43 Eli discusses the unique features of Norwegian stranded colourwork knitting
20:05 Felicia asks Eli if she feels any pressure as a Norwegian knitwear designer to uphold the traditions of Norwegian knitting styles
21:24 Felicia asks Eli about how she started her YouTube podcast
27:04 Eli gives advice to anyone wanting to start their own YouTube channel
30:50 Eli chats about being a PHD student and knitwear designer at the same time
33:10 Felicia asks Eli about her plans for after she gets her PHD
34:47 Where to find Eli online
36:12 Felicia's Final Notes

Here's Where You Can Find Eli:

Website: www.skeindeer.com

YouTube Podcast: www.youtube.com/skeindeerknits

Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/designers/skeindeer-knits

Ravelry Group: www.ravelry.com/groups/skeindeer-knits

Instagram: @skeindeer

Thanks for Listening!

Thank you so much for joining us this episode! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your fellow fibre art friends. And if you like what we're doing here, please leave a rating and review on iTunes for the show. We read each and every email and bit of feedback, whether it’s on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, so we welcome your comments.

Thank you all so much for your continued support of our show! Until next time, enjoy colour!

Music Credits:

Playbook of Happiness – by RimskyMusic

086: Benjamin Krudwig on the Millenial Myth Jul 16, 2019

This week Felicia welcomes Benjamin Krudwig: a textile and fashion designer from Lafayette, Colorado. Benjamin teaches tapestry and rigid heddle weaving in shops along the Colorado front range. When he isn't designing, he's spending time with his wife and two cats!

Join Felicia and Benjamin as they discuss how to welcome more people into the fibre arts world!

"What I've figured out that works best for me is scheduling it into my life... from this time to this time I'm going to be in my studio. And whatever the means it could be weaving, could be sewing, could be sketching... I've carved out that time for me... there isn't really a magic wand except for try to make it a priority... if we don't put that into our schedule then it's never going to happen... I think... allowing yourself to have that is important. " - Benjamin Krudwig on finding the time for fibre arts projects

In this episode, we talk about:

2:00 Benjamin chats about how he got into the fibre arts industry
4:45 Benjamin shares what he is most passionate about at the moment in the fibre arts
5:31 Felicia asks Benjamin about his fashion line and sewing with handwoven fabrics
8:23 How does Benjamin find time to do so many different projects?
12:33 Bejamin's perspective on how to bring people to the fibre arts and possible challenges Millenials face trying to get into the fibre arts world
20:00 What does Benjamin have planned for 2019?
21:27 Benjamin's advice for those who want to get into the fibre arts but don't have a lot of extra income to play with
24:29 Felicia asks Benjamin about his project for the spin along Schacht held as part of their 50th anniversary celebration
26:09 Where you can find Benjamin and his many projects online
28:08 Felicia's Final Notes and Giveaway!

Here's Where You Can Find Benjamin:

Website: www.benjaminkrudwig.com

Fashion Website: www.benjamincollyn.com

Fibre Arts Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/BenjaminKrudwig

Fibre Arts Instagram: @benjamin_krudwig

Fashion Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/BenjaminCollyn

Fashion Instagram: @benjamin_collyn

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/channel/benjaminkrudwig

Enter the Giveaway for a Free Custom Made T-shirt from Benjamin's Fashion Line:

Benjamin is generously offering a custom made t-shirt from his fashion line in his printed branch or mountain fabric!

Thanks for Listening!

Thank you so much for joining us this episode! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your fellow fibre art friends. And if you like what we're doing here, please leave a rating and review on iTunes for the show. We read each and every email and bit of feedback, whether it’s on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, so we welcome your comments.

Thank you all so much for your continued support of our show! Until next time, enjoy colour!

Music Credits:

Playbook of Happiness – by RimskyMusic

085: Weaving with Meaning with Sarah Resnick of GIST Yarn & Fibre Jul 02, 2019

This week, Felicia is talking with Sarah Resnick, the founder of GIST Yarn & Fibre: a little shop dedicated to providing beautiful and unusual yarn and weaving supplies to inspire the community of weavers.

Join Felicia and Sarah as they discuss the resurgence of weaving within the crafting community!

"I... like the process of... making it but... one thing I love about weaving is that it's so tangible... and it's so great for making things that people will have for a long time... the Jewish prayer shawls that I have woven... stay in their lives for a long time and I like the fact that... through a process that comes with a lot of love... there is a finished project that really... can have a meaning in someone's life or in my own " - Sarah Resnick on wether she is process-driven or project-driven

In this episode, we talk about:

1:23 Felicia asks Sarah how she discovered yarn and the fibre arts
8:14 What equipment Sarah is currently weaving on
9:02 Is Sarah project-driven or process-driven?
10:58 Sarah's favourite things to weave
12:04 Felicia and Sarah chat about baby wraps
17:56 Other than her Etsy shop and baby wrap business, what other textile and fibre projects has Sarah pursued?
20:50 Sarah's advice for anyone who wants to dip their toes into the weaving world and how GISTis helping to spread weaving education
24:28 The recent resurgence of weaving and what draws people to the craft
26:31 How Sarah finds time for her own personal weaving projects
27:41 Sarah's future plans for GIST
29:56 Where to find Sarah online
30:48 Felicia's Final Notes and Giveaway

Here's Where You Can Find Sarah and GIST Yarn & Fibre:

Website: www.gistyarn.com

Podcast: www.gistyarn.com/podcast

Instagram: @gistyarn

Facebook: www.facebook.com/gistyarn

Enter to win 3 cones of Gist Yarn & Fibre's Duet Weaving Yarn:

Sarah is giving one of our lucky winners a chance to win 3 cones of Gist Yarn & Fibre's newest weaving yarn: Duet! Duet is a beautiful cotton linen blend yarn that is perfect for your next weaving project!

Thanks for Listening!

Thank you so much for joining us this episode! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your fellow fibre art friends. And if you like what we're doing here, please leave a rating and review on iTunes for the show. We read each and every email and bit of feedback, whether it’s on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, so we welcome your comments.

Thank you all so much for your continued support of our show! Until next time, enjoy colour!

Music Credits:

Playbook of Happiness – by RimskyMusic

084: Slow Fibre in a Fast World with Katrina Stewart Jun 18, 2019

This week, Felicia has a special in-studio guest: Katrina Stewart of Crafty Jak's. Crafty Jak's was founded by the mother-daughter team of Judi and Katrina as a way to share the things that they love about crafts and the fibre arts such as hand-dyed yarns, as well as hand-dyed and hand-carded spinning fibre. Katrina also teaches various spinning classes at our SweetGeorgia studios as well as other yarn shops in town. We have also recently released a video-based online workshop called Carding for Colourwhere Katrina teaches fibre preparation techniques.

Join Felicia and Katrina as they chat about fibre, spinning, colour, and everything in between!

"...When you've put so much time and energy into something... it feels like you can't just throw it away. But I think too if you can look at it from 'What did I learn from that experience?' and take that knowledge away, then it really hasn't been wasted in the same way... It's one of those things where if we look at it as a learning experience then it's not wasted." - Katrina Stewart on felted fibre and learning

In this episode, we talk about:

1:52 Katrina chats about how she got started with fibre arts
6:29 Felicia asks Katrina what end results she is looking for when making her carded fibre and preparing fibre
8:52 Katrina talks about her steep learning curve she encountered on her spinning and dyeing journey and all the felted fibre along the way
12:29 How did Katrina make the transition form having a photography business to a fibre business?
17:06 What Katrina brings from her career as a photographer to her fibre arts business and competition in the hand-dyed industry
25:39 Felicia asks Katrina how she balances the slow nature of carding fibre with the business requirements for efficiency
30:50 Katrina chats about her new book she published with Rachel Smith - Unbraided: The Art and Science of Spinning Colour
34:07 How Katrina and Rachel met and became friends and collaborators
38:05 The difficulties of managing a business and raising a family
46:53 Katrina's plans for 2019
51:42 Felicia's Final Notes and Giveaway

Here's Where You Can Find Katrina:

Website: www.craftyjaks.ca

Instagram: @craftyjaks

Order a copy of Unbraided here: www.craftyjaks.ca/ourstore/books/unbraided-the-art-and-science-of-spinning-colour/

Order an e-copy of Unbraided here: www.blurb.ca/b/9456971-unbraided-the-art-science-of-spinning-colour?ebook=695655

Enter the Giveaway for a free copy of Unbraided: The Art and Science of Spinning Colour:

Katrina and Rachel are giving away a copy of their new book: Unbraided: The Art and Science of Spinning Colour! If you'd like a chance to win an e-book copy, click the link below and enter this episode's secret word. Thank you so much to Katrina and Rachel for donating this prize to our listeners!

Thanks for Listening!

Thank you so much for joining us this episode! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your fellow fibre art friends. And if you like what we're doing here, please leave a rating and review on iTunes for the show. We read each and every email and bit of feedback, whether it’s on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, so we welcome your comments.

Thank you all so much for your continued support of our show! Until next time, enjoy colour!

Music Credits:

Playbook of Happiness – by RimskyMusic

083: Sustainable and Slow Yarns with Nomad Noos Jun 04, 2019

This week Felicia welcomes Coty Jeronimus to The SweetGeorgia Show. Coty is one of the co-founders of Nomad Noos: a new mission-driven luxury yarn company that is dedicated to the concept of slow cloth and slow fashion. Coty and her co-founder Alessandra work to bring handspun, sustainably sourced yarn from Mongolia and Nepal to the hand knitting community. At the core of their mission is this question: What if your favourite knitted project not only gives you a good feeling but also has a positive impact on the world too?

Please join Felicia and Coty as they discuss the process of making beautiful and sustainable yarn!

"...I was like wow you know I like to knit and I like yarns and I... really want to do something and to show that even with a small brand you can be transparent and you can be traceable and doing good... as a knitter you take time to knit and then have a supply chain where also this is valued.. that was in fact the seed to start Nomad Noos" - Coty on the reason behind the creation of Nomad Noos

In this episode, we talk about:

2:14 Coty explains what the Nomad Noos business entails
3:30 Coty chats about the kinds of animal fibre Nomand Noos uses in their yarns and how it's collected
8:28 Felicia and Coty chat about how the fibre is processed after being collected
10:36 Felicia asks Coty about the team of spinners Nomad Noos employs and their kickstarter campaign
17:24 Discussing what happens to the yarns after they are spun
21:49 How Nomad Noos got started
26:30 Discussing the value of slow cloth and slow fashion
28:21 What does the name "Nomad Noos" mean?
29:28 Where to find Nomad Noos online
31:27 Felicia's Final Notes

Here's Where You Can Find Nomad Noos:

Website: www.nomadnoos.com

Kickstarter Campaign (ends June 14th 2019): www.kickstarter.com/projects/nomadnoos/luxurious-yarns-with-a-mission-by-nomadnoos

Instagram: www.instagram.com/nomadnoos

Facebook: www.facebook.com/nomadnoos

Thanks for Listening!

Thank you so much for joining us this episode! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your fellow fibre art friends. And if you like what we're doing here, please leave a rating and review on iTunes for the show. We read each and every email and bit of feedback, whether it’s on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, so we welcome your comments.

Thank you all so much for your continued support of our show! Until next time, enjoy colour!

Music Credits:

Playbook of Happiness – by RimskyMusic

082: Crafting a Creative Business with Hanna Lisa Haferkamp May 21, 2019

This week Felicia is chatting with Hanna Lisa Haferkamp who runs HLH Designs: a project bag and knitting tool company. Alongside HLH, Hanna Lisa also runs a successful coaching practice for creative business owners and co-founded and currently runs Making Stories: an independent knitwear design publishing company.

Join Felicia and Hanna Lisa as they discuss how to start, run, and sustain a creative business.

“Starting off a production based business, starting off small and really focusing on making products that are really really good that you’re proud of… even if that’s in just really small batch numbers… that’s key and that will allow you to then gradually… make more sales and then reinvest the money… into more raw materials and then figuring out what kind of business model really works for you… wether it’s a shop update based… wether you’re doing wholesale or not… I think that can all gradually come as long as you’re really focused on making a really good product and figuring out what your unique story… your niche is. ” – Hanna Lisa Haferkamp on production based businesses

In this episode, we talk about:

1:12 Felicia reminisces about how she first found out about Hanna Lisa and her work
2:17 Felicia asks Hanna Lisa to introduce herself to the audience and how she got started in the creative world
10:06 Hanna Lisa discusses what kind of clients she supports through her coaching practice and the financial problems experienced when trying to be a knitwear designer or small creative business owner
15:15 What is Hanna Lisa’s advice when it comes to becoming a top knitwear designer?
18:05 Felicia and Hanna Lisa discuss pattern pricing: What’s a fair price to charge?
20:27 Hanna Lisa chats about what it’s like to start a manufacturing business like HLH Designs
23:44 Hanna Lisa describes her main product: her project bags
26:32 Hanna Lisa and Felicia chat about the “Slow Business Experiment”
35:15 How Hanna Lisa splits her time between 3 businesses
39:00 Hanna Lisa’s advice to those that want to start a creative business
42:55 Felicia asks Hanna Lisa what her plans for 2019 are
49:19 Felicia’s Final Notes

Here’s Where You Can Find Hanna Lisa:

Website: www.hlh-designs.com

Business Coaching Website: www.hannalisahaferkamp.com

Making Stories: www.making-stories.com

Business Instagram: @hlh.design

Personal Instagram: @hannalisahaferkamp

Thanks for Listening!

Thank you so much for joining us this episode! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your fellow fibre art friends. And if you like what we’re doing here, please leave a rating and review on iTunes for the show. We read each and every email and bit of feedback, whether it’s on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, so we welcome your comments.

Thank you all so much for your continued support of our show! Until next time, enjoy colour!

Music Credits:

Playbook of Happiness – by RimskyMusic

081: Finding Your Colour Courage with Tien Chiu May 07, 2019

Our guest this week is Tien Chiu: a master weaver and (in Tien’s own words) a “certified colour nut”. Tien’s work has been exhibited in museums and featured on the cover of Handwoven magazine. She’s the author of Master Your Craft: Strategies for Designing, Making, and Selling Artisan Work; a book about creative process in craft. She has woven hundred of handwoven fabric swatches and dyed over 2,500 yarn samples in her quest to understand colour. Tien now teaches about colour in weaving at warpandweave.com.

Please join Felicia and Tien as they chat about weaving, colour, and the courage to make mistakes.

“You can do so many things with weaving… There’s this thing that I think of as the ratio between head and hands… it’s the amount of design time versus the amount of time that you spend making something. So I like solving puzzles… and with knitting there’s not as much to think about… I can design something in knitting that will take a lot longer to knit than it will to design in general… with weaving I find that 80% of my time is spent in design and that’s the part that I really enjoy… It will take me months to design something that will take me about a week and a half to weave. ” – Tien Chiu on explaining her love of weaving

In this episode, we talk about:

1:18 Felicia asks Tien how she got started with the fibre arts
4:36 Tien describes how she became a textile artist full-time
7:55 Tien chats about how she discovered one of her main passions in life: weaving
12:22 Felicia asks Tien about her weaving equipment
14:48 Tien offers words of encouragement to those who are curious about weaving but don’t know where to start
16:44 Tien discusses her time with studying with master weaver Laura Fry
21:52 Felicia asks Tien how she furthers her weaving education on her own after spending time with Laura
27:05 Tien chats about her online school Warp & Weave that teaches classes about colour and weaving and her phenomenal library of Procion MX fibre-reactive dye samples on her website
33:27 Felicia asks Tien what her goal is in creating this school to teach about colour
38:38 Where you can find Tien and her work online
39:32 Felicia’s Final Notes and Giveaway!

Here’s Where You Can Find Tien:

Warp & Weave: www.warpandweave.com

Warp & Weave Courses Page: www.classes.warpandweave.com

Tien’s Blog: www.tienchiu.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/warpandweavecolor

Enter the Giveaway for a free online course from Warp & Weave:

Tien is giving away a free pass to her online course: Colour Courage for Weavers -Basic! If you’d like a chance to win one of this amazing course, click the link below and enter this episode’s secret word. Thank you so much to Tien for donating this prize to our listeners!

Thanks for Listening!

Thank you so much for joining us this episode! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your fellow fibre art friends. And if you like what we’re doing here, please leave a rating and review on iTunes for the show. We read each and every email and bit of feedback, whether it’s on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, so we welcome your comments.

Thank you all so much for your continued support of our show! Until next time, enjoy colour!

Music Credits:

Playbook of Happiness – by RimskyMusic

080: Cakes, Colourwork, and Vikings with Dianna Walla Apr 23, 2019

This week, Felicia is chatting with Dianna Walla, a knitwear designer currently based in Montreal, Canada. Originally from the United States, Dianna has also lived in Northern Norway for 2 years. The nordic region continues to have a strong influence on her work and she is especially inspired by stranded colourwork in Norwegian knitting. She’s created many colourwork patterns for magazines, yarn companies, yarn stores, and her own brand: Paper Tiger. She also creates videos dealing with colourwork and related topics on the Paper Tiger YouTube channel.

Please join Felicia and Dianna as they discuss revitalizing colourwork knitting in modern aesthetics.

“The hardest thing is figuring out what to relinquish control of, because sometimes when you end up working for yourself it’s because you like to… have control over what you’re doing and as soon as you hand it off to somebody else you’re… trusting them with this piece of your work which matters a lot to you… But it makes a big difference… ” – Dianna Walla on the pros and cons of outsourcing aspects of knitwear design

In this episode, we talk about:

1:57 Dianna discusses how she came to love knitting
3:23 How did Dianna expand her knitting skills?
5:30 How did Dianna get into knitwear design
7:00 Digital or analog designing: which does Dianna prefer?
8:33 Discussing the balance between Dianna’s creative world and academic world and the complications of translating knitting patterns
13:05 How to go about becoming a knitwear designer
16:00 How does Dianna find balance between photography, creating tutorial videos, marketing, and all the other aspects of being a self-published knitwear designer
18:42 The differences between Dianna’s two blogs: Cake and Vikings and Paper Tiger
23:19 What trends are currently being seen on social media in regards to knitwear design
25:52 Dianna describes Norwegian style colourwork knitting, why she loves it, and how she uses it in her designs
29:29 Felicia and Dianna discuss yarn selection regarding colourwork knitting
33:33 How do you help customers find colours that work for them and work well together?
38:04 What Dianna is exploring right now
40:08 Is there anything Dianna knows now that she wishes she had known when she started?
41:42 Where to find Dianna online
42:33 Felicia’s Final Notes

Here’s Where You Can Find Dianna:

Instagram: @cakeandvikings

Website: www.paper-tiger.net

YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PaperTiger

Thanks for Listening!

Thank you so much for joining us this episode! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your fellow fibre art friends. And if you like what we’re doing here, please leave a rating and review on iTunes for the show. We read each and every email and bit of feedback, whether it’s on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, so we welcome your comments.

Thank you all so much for your continued support of our show! Until next time, enjoy colour!

Music Credits:

Playbook of Happiness – by RimskyMusic

079: Street Fashion and Modern Colour in Knitwear Design with Caitlin Hunter Apr 09, 2019

This week, Felicia is chatting with Caitlin Hunter. Caitlin runs her own knitwear design company called Boyland Knitworks and lives in Oregon with her husband and three boys. Caitlin has a degree in apparel design and manufacturing and worked as a designer in the traditional fashion manufacturing industry before leaving her career to care for her children before becoming the successful knitwear designer she is today. Caitlin’s garments feature fantastic stranded colourwork and are designed to be fashionable, comfortable, and fun!

Please join Felicia and Caitlin for their discussion on fashion, colour, and designing!

” In fashion for so long we women have been… stuffed into uncomfortable garments. So there’s nothing really less flattering than seeing somebody who they might look great standing still but they can’t walk in their outfit… or they’re pulling on their hem, adjusting things… it’s not fun to be that person… To try to find that happy balance between looking good and feeling good… that’s my sweet spot. ” – Caitlin Hunter on designing knitwear that’s fun to make and wear

In this episode, we talk about:

1:18 Caitlin chats about how she got interested in knitting
8:15 Felicia asks Caitlin what inspires her knitwear designs
10:53 Talking about comfort in knitwear patterns
11:53 Felicia asks Caitlin what she thinks makes a knitwear pattern go viral
14:17 Does Caitlin get nervous before launching a new design?
17:12 Chatting about the price of knitwear patterns. What is the value of a pattern and how much work goes into being a knitwear designer?
21:08 Caitlin and Felicia talk about trying to find balance between work and family
27:15 Caitlin discusses her passion for stranded colourwork knitting
30:13 Colour dominance in stranded colourwork knitting
32:14 How Caitlin chooses colours for her projects
33:10 Is there anything Caitlin wishes she had known before becoming a knitwear designer?
34:30 What is currently inspiring Caitlin and what plans she has for 2019
37:10 Where you can find Caitlin online
38:32 Felicia’s Final Notes

Here’s Where You Can Find Caitlin:

Instagram: @boylandknitworks

Website: www.boylandknitworks.com

Ravelry: Boyland Knitworks

Thanks for Listening!

Thank you so much for joining us this episode! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your fellow fibre art friends. And if you like what we’re doing here, please leave a rating and review on iTunes for the show. We read each and every email and bit of feedback, whether it’s on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, so we welcome your comments.

Thank you all so much for your continued support of our show! Until next time, enjoy colour!

Music Credits:

Playbook of Happiness – by RimskyMusic

078: Creating Colour Systems with Alanna Wilcox Mar 26, 2019

This week’s guest is Alanna Wilcox: a Master Spinner, art educator, weaver, knitter, artist, author, and teacher! Alanna has also written an incredible book on spinning, A New Spin On Colour and a dyeing guide, Dyeing To Get The Colours You Want.

Please join Felicia and Alanna as they discuss spinning and Alanna’s massive dye formula project she is undertaking!

In this episode, we talk about:

1:45 Alanna chats about how she got into the fibre arts
4:01 Alanna shares her journey of becoming a Master Spinner
7:44 Felicia asks Alanna to share more details of the intensive Master Spinner course
10:10 Alanna discusses her personal goals with spinning
12:15 Alanna shares with us the massive dyeing project she is currently undertaking: colour matching dye formulas
17:55 Felicia and Alanna discuss the number of primary colours one can use while dyeing
21:36 When Alanna’s project will be available to the public (Note: as of this episode publication, her colour formulas are now available for purchase on her website!)
23:32 Felicia asks Alanna how she keeps track of all her swatches and samples while completing this project
25:20 Is colour sense and colour theory something anyone can learn?
27:17 Alanna chats about what it takes to teach fibre arts
30:56 Felicia asks Alanna how she manages to balance teaching, dyeing experiments, and having a family
32:52 Alanna chats about her 100 Day Project
35:04 Felicia and Alanna chat about electric spinners
37:43 Where you can find Alanna online
38:46 Felicia’s Final Notes

Here’s Where You Can Find Alanna:

Instagram: @spinnybuns

Website: www.alannawilcox.com

Colour Matching Dye Formulas: www.alannawilcox.com/colormatchingdyeformulas

Facebook: Alanna Rothschild Wilcox

Enter the Giveaway for a copy of A New Spin on Colour and 5 Free Dye Formulas:

Alanna is giving our listeners a chance to win an e-copy of her book A New Spin on Colour and 5 free dye formulas! If you’d like a chance to win this awesome prize pack, click the link below and enter this episode’s secret word. Thank you so much Alanna!

Thanks for Listening!

Thank you so much for joining us this episode! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your fellow fibre art friends. And if you like what we’re doing here, please leave a rating and review on iTunes for the show. We read each and every email and bit of feedback, whether it’s on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, so we welcome your comments.

Thank you all so much for your continued support of our show! Until next time, enjoy colour!

Music Credits:

Playbook of Happiness – by RimskyMusic

077: Knitting Design and Life Through the Lens with Sylvia McFadden Mar 12, 2019

Sylvia is a knitwear designer who has self-published several knitwear design collections. She is well-known for her Waiting for Rainshawl which is one of the first shawls of this design to use short rows and lace together. Sylvia is also a photographer and does all the photography for her gorgeous collections.

Please join us this week as Felicia and Sylvia discuss photographing knitwear!

In this episode, we talk about:

2:05 Felicia and Sylvia reminisce about when they first met at Knit City years ago
4:48 Sylvia discusses her passion to teach other designers photography
7:01 Sylvia and Felicia chat about how perfectionism can interfere with artistic progress
7:54 Felicia asks Sylvia what her process is as a self-publishing knitwear designer
11:07 Discussing the "creative gap" of what vision you have in your mind versus the results you get
11:51 Chatting about moody and dark photography trends coming into fashion and the cyclical nature of trends
17:46 Discussing the challenges of photoshoots and finding models
22:06 Sylvia explains why she left photography school and the issues in fashion photography today
24:49 Felicia asks Sylvia if she keeps photography trends in mind when she does her own knitwear shoots and designs
26:02 Talking about Sylvia's latest purchase of a Lensbaby lens
27:53 The gear Sylvia recommends for photography
28:47 Felicia asks Sylvia how she gets her beautiful "thrown in the air" shawl photos
31:35 Sylvia discusses what she's working on right now
33:33 The difficulty of sizing in knitwear patterns
36:49 Felicia and Sylvia chat about dealing with the discomfort of seeing photographs of yourself
40:43 Sylvia offers advice to those wanting to get into knitwear design or photography
43:35 Felicia asks Sylvia how she manages to publish knitwear designs on her own
47:09 Where to find Sylvia online and her new YouTube podcast
48:30 Felicia's Final Thoughts and giveaway!

Here's Where You Can Find Sylvia:

Instagram: @softsweater

Website: www.softsweaterknits.com

Ravelry: softsweater

Ravelry group: www.ravelry.com/groups/softsweater-knits

YouTube: The Wrong Side Podcast

Facebook: Softsweater Knits

Enter the Giveaway for a copy of Gentle Armour:

Sylvia has generously offered our listeners a chance to win a hard copy of her shawl collection Gentle Armour: Five Shawls for Sensitive People! If you'd like a chance to win these gorgeous patterns click the link below and enter this episode's secret word. Thank you so much Sylvia!

Thanks for Listening!

Thank you so much for joining us this episode! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your fellow fibre art friends. And if you like what we're doing here, please leave a rating and review on iTunes for the show. We read each and every email and bit of feedback, whether it’s on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, so we welcome your comments.

Thank you all so much for your continued support of our show! Until next time, enjoy colour!

Music Credits:

Playbook of Happiness – by RimskyMusic

076: Zombies, Skulls, and Sheep - Extraordinary Colourwork with Andrea Rangel Feb 26, 2019

This week Felicia is chatting with Andrea Rangel: a prolific and popular knitwear designer living in Victoria, British Columbia. She is the author of two books: Alterknit Stitch Dictionary and Rugged Knits. Although creating knitting patterns and planning workshops keeps her busy most of the time, Andrea also loves cycling and hiking when she can. She also has a great passion for sewing and dreams of having a wardrobe that is entirely handmade!

Please join us as Felicia and Andrea discuss colourwork motifs and how to modernize them.

“I think the thing about knitting is that it’s so infinite… I never stop learning, there’s always more… That is really exciting.” – Andrea Rangel

In this episode, we talk about:

1:17 Felicia and Andrea chat about the recent Knit Social industry retreat on Galiano Island
3:58 Felicia asks Andrea what her plans for 2019 are
6:03 Andrea discusses her other crafty interests and how she started knitting
11:30 What pulled Andrea into the knitting rabbit-hole
15:56 Unique knitting niches and groups on the Internet
17:18 Andrea’s design process and how she organizes the many steps that go into publishing a pattern
23:55 Digital vs Analog: How Andrea keep track of her project management
26:25 Felicia and Andrea chat about bullet journalling (and their lack of Instagram fanciness)
28:18 How do you knit for fun when it’s also your job?
32:33 The ladies chat about Andrea’s book: AlterKnit Stitch Dictionary
36:28 Felicia asks Andrea how she modernized colourwork motifs for her book and designs
41:19 “Remember: what matters is how you feel about your work.”
43:40 How did Andrea create her tidy swatches pictured in her book?
50:54 Andrea discusses where you can find her online
52:00 Felicia’s Final Thoughts and prize giveaway!

Here’s Where You Can Find Andrea

Instagram: @andrearangelknits

Website: www.andrearangel.com

Ravelry: Andreakr

Ravelry group: https://www.ravelry.com/groups/andrea-rangel-knits

Twitter: AndreaRKnits

Facebook: Andrea Rangel Knits

Enter the Giveaway for a copy of Alterknit Stitch Dictionary

If you’ve been inspired by Felicia and Andrea’s conversation and want to give stranded colourwork knitting a go, enter our contest to win a free copy of Andrea’s book: Alterknit Stitch Dictionary!

Thanks for Listening!

Thank you so much for joining us this episode! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your fellow fibre art friends. And if you like what we’re doing here, please leave a rating and review on iTunes for the show. We read each and every email and bit of feedback, whether it’s on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, so we welcome your comments.

Thank you all so much for your continued support of the fourth season of The SweetGeorgia Show! Until next time, enjoy colour!

Music Credits:

Playbook of Happiness – by RimskyMusic

075: Kicking off with Questions about Creativity, Art, and Fear with Felicia Lo Wong Feb 12, 2019

Welcome to the first episode of season four of The SweetGeorgia Show! Thank you all for your patience in waiting for this season as it’s been a long time coming. Last year was a busy one of new challenges as we worked diligently to grow my online fibre arts school: The School of SweetGeorgia. Now that the school is off the ground, it’s time to get back to having great discussions with some amazing artists.

Please join Felicia this week as she kicks off the fourth season of The SweetGeorgia Show!

In this episode, Felicia talks about:

0:53 Why she started The SweetGeorgia Show
2:35 Why she took a year off of the podcast and why she created The School of SweetGeorgia
3:52 The creative itch and the fear that accompanies it
7:13 Felicia’s Final Notes

Check out Felicia’s Vlog

Every Friday Felicia posts an episode of my vlog “Taking Back Friday” on the SweetGeorgia YouTube channel! In this vlog, Felicia discusses what current project she’s working on, happenings at the SweetGeorgia studio, and how to organize life more efficiently to have more time for the crafts we love.

Thanks for Listening!

Thank you so much for joining us this episode! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your fellow fibre arts friends. And if you like what we’re doing here, please leave a rating and review on iTunes for the show. We read each and every email and bit of feedback, whether it’s on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, so we welcome your comments.

Thank you all so much for your support of the fourth season of The SweetGeorgia Show! Until we meet again, enjoy colour!

Music Credits:

Playbook of Happiness – by RimskyMusic