Woolful

I’m your host Ashley Yousling and this week I’m talking with the most amazing maker with the most soothing voice ever, Yarrow Magdalena. Yarrow is an incredible artist with a deep devotion to helping others find creative and personal wellbeing through art, reflection, community, and love of our own bodies and souls. We traverse many stories and topics, from personal creative practice, grief, the impact social media and technology has on our lives, and feeding our imaginations. This month Yarrow is hosting a beautiful creative winter retreat. Join them and others for a five day creative retreat you can do from home, like an artist residency but without the travel and time away from your favorite mug, bed & art supplies. Meet from December 29th to January 2nd every day to close out the year, create together and set meaningful intentions for 2023. Come to as many sessions as you like, work on whatever project speaks to you and start the year in a magical & creative way that will stay with you throughout

I’m your host Ashley Yousling and today I’m talking with someone whom I’ve known for many years, all the way back to when I first began this podcast and she purchased some yarn from my little online shop. Françoise Danoy whom you may also know as Frenchie, is the creator behind Aroha Knits, Swatch Studio Circle, and other fun ventures like the Yarn Alchemist. But we don’t spend much time talking about knitting or making, and just like with every episode, we go where the conversation leads and sometimes that means we go deep, to vulnerable and tender parts of our lives and stories. I’m so grateful for Françoise’s openness, for sharing this part of her story, heritage and heart, and for her permission to share that with you. I hope you take a moment to really hear Françoise’s story and all the richness and beauty of it, while also gaining more insight through the lived experience she so graciously takes time to share with us. You can connect with Françoise on the Making app and Instagram @arohaknitsWe believe t

Today I’m talking with artist, maker, crafter, and designer Elīza Māra. That intro will make a little more sense once you dive into this episode haha, but I think it’s important to mention that since its inception I’ve approached each podcast episode as a conversation between myself and the guest, because of this these conversations can often be quite intimate and nuanced. My conversation with Elīza is no exception, we cover a lot of ground and it may resonate with some and not others, all of which is ok. I’m grateful to Elīza for her transparency, for sharing her authentic story as she’s still actively navigating her creative journey. I hope we can all be inspired by her courage and bold dreams. I hope you enjoy listening in on our conversation.You can connect with Elīza on the Making app @elīzamarā and Instagram @elīzamarāstudioWe believe that the simple act of making can transform your life and in turn change our world. This is why Making exists. It all starts with inspiration. We’re inspired by people, by

Today we get to hear the story of Aimée Gille the founder of La Bien Aimée. Aimée is a whole vibe, one that bubbles up and overflows in the form of joy, encouragement, all things soft, and of course the color yellow. Today we go to deep tender places, reflect on the effects of the pandemic, and explore exciting possibilities. I’m grateful for Aimée and all she brings to this community of ours and I hope you enjoy listening in on our conversation. You can connect with Aimée on the Making app and Instagram @labienaimeeWe believe that the simple act of making can transform your life and in turn change our world. This is why Making exists. It all starts with inspiration. We’re inspired by people, by places, by experiences—a beautiful photo, a soft wool, a kind heart. These are the things that motivate us to make.Making is here to disrupt systems—systems of oppression, systems that only benefit certain groups of people, and systems that extract. We’re here to challenge the narrative of profit over people. We belie

Today we’re taking it back, specifically to November 2016 to one of my favorite past episodes of what was then, the Woolful podcast. We’ll be re-sharing some of these highlight episodes over the coming months and I’m excited to re-listen along with you. Paola is an amazing woman with an amazing story, from growing up in rural Italy to immersion in Tibetan life to finding herself in Brooklyn, with a family and a rich history and future for her fiber and textile company mYak. Like with many yarns, mYak has a beautiful story and impact on our global fiber community and I hope you enjoy getting to know Paola and the mYak vision as much as I have. You can find Paola at mYak.it and on Instagram @myak_fibers. We believe that the simple act of making can transform your life and in turn change our world. This is why Making exists. It all starts with inspiration. We’re inspired by people, by places, by experiences—a beautiful photo, a soft wool, a kind heart. These are the things that motivate us to make.Making is here

Today I’m talking with embroidery designer and soon-to-be author Melissa Galbraith of McreativeJ. We’ve loved getting to know Melissa over the past year as she was an early maker on the Making app, joined many of our online gatherings, and has shared her love of embroidery and passion for teaching others. Next spring she’s releasing her first book, How to Embroider Texture and Pattern : 20 Designs That Celebrate Pattern, Color, and Pop-Up Stitching, so make sure to keep an eye out! I love Melissa’s down to earth approach not only to embroidery and crafting in general, but also when it comes to building a business. I think you’ll feel encouraged and inspired. You can find Melissa on the Making app @melissa-mcreativej and on Instagram at @mcreativej.We believe that the simple act of making can transform your life and in turn change our world. This is why Making exists. It all starts with inspiration. We’re inspired by people, by places, by experiences—a beautiful photo, a soft wool, a kind heart. These are the

We’re in the midst of a series here on the podcast where we get to know everyone on the Making team. If you haven’t already caught up on some of these more recent episode, I definitely recommend you do. Making is what it is because of a small and very special group of people, people that I feel incredibly lucky to work and experience life together with. Today I’m talking with someone I absolutely adore, Jen Joyce, our head of marketing. It’s likely you’ve seen and heard Jen as she is everywhere and does many things, including all of our TikTok and Instagram content. Jen has the biggest heart of anyone I know and that comes through in our conversation. Many times in our team meetings we all find ourselves in tears, with Jen leading the charge, she is a Cancer after all. I feel incredibly grateful that she “said yes” when I asked her to join the Making team and I’m thrilled you get to hear more of her story today. You can connect with Jen on the Making app and Instagram @knitpurl We believe that the simple act

Today I’m talking with Adella Colvin the founder of LolaBean Yarn Co. When I was writing this intro I was trying to figure out how to capture who Adella is and her passion for all she does and wants to do, but that’s proven to be a bit difficult and those of you who know Adella can understand why. With an incredibly strong voice and spirit, Adella is on a mission to make the world a better place, whether that be for individuals, communities, aspiring business owners and makers, or her daughter Lola. Adella shares her story and takes us from the South, to Spanish Harlem, to Georgia, and on into the future. She is one of the funniest people I’ve had on the podcast, I left our call with my cheeks sore from laughing and smiling, and I hope you do too. You can connect with Adella on the Making app and Instagram @lolabeanyarnco We believe that the simple act of making can transform your life and in turn change our world. This is why Making exists. It all starts with inspiration. We’re inspired by people, by places,

I’m your host Ashley Yousling. Today I’m talking with Madelynn Sare. I first met Madelynn when she came into our family to help watch our three boys. Shortly after meeting her, I knew one day she would work at Making. Madelynn has a huge heart for kids, for people, for those who often go unlooked and underestimated, and an intense passion for changing the world. She does so much at Making, from managing all the classes, to social media, and helping make everyone around us feel loved. Madelynn‘s story is a really good one and I’m so happy you get to hear it today.You can connect with Madelynn on the Making app @madmakes Immerse yourself in crafting culture. Making is a first-of-its-kind social marketplace app for makers, crafters, and artists where you can track projects, post to the feed, discover new makers, take classes and more! The marketplace will launch Fall 2022 and is an opportunity for sellers to increase their discoverability and audience, generate revenue, and build community. Making also just laun

Today I’m talking with knitwear designer and founder of Native Knitter, Jennifer Berg. We’ve had the privilege to get to know Jennifer over the past few years as a featured contributor for Making Magazine. Today Jennifer shares her experience of growing up in her family’s 4th generation retail store on the reservation and the lessons, inspiration, support, and confidence she carries with her from the strong women in her life.From hats to cowls and sweater patterns to beaded stitch markers, you can find her knitting patterns and Native Knitter gear at nativeknits.com where 5% of all proceeds from Jennifer’s self published patterns go to the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women, which works to bring justice, advocacy, and community based solutions to gender based violence in tribal communities.You can find Jennifer on the Making app @NativeKnitsShop and on Instagram at @Native.Knitter.Immerse yourself in crafting culture. Making is a first-of-its-kind social marketplace app for makers, crafters, and

Today I’m talking with Marina Scott. Marina leads our user research and so much more here at Making, she is a mother, designer, maker, occupational therapist, and she also happens to be one of my favorite people on this earth. Marina has a powerful story and voice, one that I’m so excited for you to hear today. You can connect with Marina on the Making app and Instagram @heartbunknitsandmore Immerse yourself in crafting culture. Making is a first-of-its-kind social marketplace app for makers, crafters, and artists where you can track projects, post to the feed, discover new makers, take classes and more! The marketplace will launch Fall 2022 and is an opportunity for sellers to increase their discoverability and audience, generate revenue, and build community. Making also just launched BRIGHT Collective—a crafty content experience delivered monthly to your inbox and the Making app! Think patterns, recipes, special discounts, monthly member events and more! We have a special 10% discount on BRIGHT Collective y

Today I’m talking with Candice English of The Farmer’s Daughter Fibers, a hand-dyed yarn company and storefront in downtown Great Falls, Montana. In 2019 she founded Sisters United, a nonprofit organization that grew from a deeply personal place for Candice. The mission of Sisters United is to share aid, opportunity, and tools for healing with the Indigenous women and children in the rural Montana area, where she shares familial roots. Our conversation touches on the many paths of Candice’s journey, with creative drive and spirit leading the way. The various roles we play in life as makers and entrepreneurs all start with an exploration of the imagination, and a vision for a better world.To donate, support, or collaborate with Sisters United, visit sistersunitedmt.org and check out the Sisters United merchandise at thefarmersdaughterfibers.com, where 90% of proceeds go to the Sisters United Fund. You can connect with Candice on the Making app @thefarmersdaughterfibers and on Instagram at @thefarmersdaughterfi

I’m your host Ashley Yousling. I started this podcast back in 2014 in the laundry room/closet of my San Francisco studio apartment. At the time I was working full time leading product at tech companies and while fulfilling, I was looking for a way to connect with makers and creatives outside of my tech life. I’ve always loved stories and could easily sit for hours listening to others share their creative journey’s. That is where this podcast all began, a way to story tell, a way to come together and connect with others just like ourselves. The podcast aired regular weekly episodes for a few years until I became a mom of two. Still working in tech, I found it nearly impossible to keep up and the podcast went on hiatus. Over the past few years it’s been an intention to relaunch the podcast in a consistent weekly format, to bring back the stories and some fresh new content. So here we are, back and better than ever. We’ve made a lot of changes to Making over the past year and Carrie my co-founder and I thought i

Today I’m talking with Julie Robinson whose journey as a maker crosses traditional routes with unconventional destinations. Throughout our conversation, we return to Julie’s bravery and risk-taking along her path. With an education and profession in the world of fashion design, her creations have shifted from creating for the masses to making for the individual. As a designer, Julie shares her expertise through patterns and masterclasses that inspire and clothe diverse bodies with care. Julie’s exquisite knitwear designs and accessories are available on her website julieatwork.com and are featured in Making Magazine’s No. 12 / DUSK and No. 10 / Intricate, both available at makingzine.com. You can follow Julie’s journey on Instagram at @julieatwork and find her masterclasses at thetecheditorhub.com. This week we’re giving away a knit kit for the Rivi Hat designed by Camille Romano for Making Magazine. Each kit includes 2 skeins of Biches et Bûches Le Gros Silk and Mohair yarn to create your very own Rivi Hat a

Today I’m talking with Rachel Gloria Adams. We cover a lot in this episode, from Rachel’s upbringing and the role her mother played in helping her discover her calling in art, to her experience as a Black mother and artist. Her unique perspective is visualized in bold graphic prints and natural forms. She also heads TACHEE, a textile design company featuring her bright prints on small batch clothing and home goods. Together with her husband Ryan, the pair founded the Piece Together Project, a rotating collection of murals in Maine’s East Bayside neighborhood, in Portland. This project celebrate the people that built and thrived in this special neighborhood.Rachel's art is featured on the cover of our brand new publication BRIGHT, and you can find her in the pages of our latest issue of Making No. 12 / DUSK - both available for purchase and 2022 subscriptions at makingzine.com. Follow Rachel on Instagram at @rachelgloriaia & @shoptachee. You can find more about Rachel and her work at rachelgloria.com.

Welcome to Making Conversation, a podcast for makers where we share with you some incredible people within this community we love so much. Here’s where you get to listen to a little part of their making journey.Interview Intro: I’m your host Ashley Yousling. Today I’m talking with Quayln Stark of QUOE. As an artist and designer, Quayln’s passion for self-expression and inclusivity shine through each of his creations. From sewing and quilting to knitting and crochet, Quayln pairs traditional fiber arts techniques with imaginative designs, colors, and textures. You can find his free Crochet Lentil pattern–an adorable amigurumi cat designed for Making–when you log in at themakingapp.com. Quayln is featured in the inaugural issue of our newest publication BRIGHT, a bi-annual magazine centered on diverse voices, repurposing, craftivism, and the future of making - now available for 2022 subscriptions at makingzine.com. You can follow Quayln’s process on the Making app, Instagram @portquoelio, and TikTok @quoe, and

Today we talk with Arounna Khounnoraj of Bookhou. It's no secret that Arounna is a powerhouse in the creative world. Whether working as an artist, designer, maker, instructor–and even as a student–Arounna's passion for one-of-a-kind creations has followed her throughout her life's journey.Arounna's story tells of her deeply personal connection to making that began in the home during childhood and continues in the creative spirit shared by her children. From inspiration to finished product, Arounna's passions for material, form, process and experimentation are key to her personal and creative growth.Together with her husband John Booth, Arounna co-founded Bookhou–a multidisciplinary studio showcasing their individual and collaborative work from textiles to woodwork–including patterns, tools, and finished goods for makers.Arounna is the author of Visible Mending: A Modern Guide to Darning, Stitching and Patching the Clothes You Love and Punch Needle: Master the Art of Punch Needling Acc

Leila Raven is an artist, knitter, designer and maker, Leila leads a life where her creative and technical sides often converge in unlikely ways. Through personal connection and mindful process, Leila has found herself leading many creative endeavors in her career, pushing past personal and societal boundaries, into a space of self-love, spiritual, and physical healing. Through her story, Leila shares her excitement and love for creating honest, meaningful work and digs deeper to uncover a need for connection and communication among a diverse range of voices and backgrounds. Leila’s fingerprint is embedded in our Making publications, as well as in the hearts of our team and our community, through her contributions, creative direction, and open and honest friendship. You can follow her work at calloftheraven.com and on Instagram @leila_raven. Music by Despatches. If you'd like to give a shout-out, have a question that you'd like us to answer on the podcast, or are interested in sponsoring Making Conv

Anna Maltz is charming and delightful, and her voice is strong…as an artist, designer, entrepreneur and story-teller. If you follow her on Instagram, you’re probably familiar with her sweater spotting adventures along with her ingenious new book, Marlisle – a beautiful combination of marled and fair isle knitting. Anna has spent her life exploring as a maker, and observer of beauty, both in the expected and unexpected. Here she share’s a bit of her story and what drives and inspires her. Grab your latest project and have a listen…I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. You can find anna at annamaltz.com and on Instagram @sweaterspotter. / listen / You can also and listen and subscribe on iTunes and Stitcher. / notes & resources / Anna Maltz / Guest site Marlisle / Anna’s new book Farrell Hat / Anna’s hat design in Making No. 5 / COLOR Woollenflower / Julia Billings, natural dyer Garthenor yarn / Yarn mentioned by Anna and used in Farrell Hat – Find it at makingzine.com / giveaway / This weeks giveaway is s

I love hearing people’s stories, the journey, the deep and the not so deep. It’s the very reason I started the podcast back in 2014, because hearing someone’s story, their creative story, is inspiring and motivating. Sanae Ishida is a quiet force in this community, whether you’re familiar with her work or not, her story and message is so very powerful. She’s an incredible maker, designer, author and artist, in fact she painted the cover for our newest issue, COLOR and she’s had projects in nearly all of our past issues. I think you’re really going to enjoy what she has to share, so grab your project bag and settle in for an inspiring hour. You can find Sanae at sanaeishida.com and on Instagram @sanaeishida. / listen / You can also and listen and subscribe on iTunes and Stitcher. / notes & resources / Sanae Ishida / Guest site / maker on the street / Many of you listeners might be familiar with a segment I used to have on the Woolful podcast called Man on the Street, well we’re reintroducing this fun segme