Collage Creative With Amy Small

In today's episode I take you behind the scenes into what the heck is going on in my life. I tell you about juggling knitalong planning but some major life baggage I am trying to let go of. 

Today on the show I'm excited to welcome Lizzie Shriner, the brains behind cult yarn store The Mermaid's Purl in Wickford, RI. Lizzie tells us about buying the shop at age 35 and what her journey has been like including all the ups and downs, plus how she's coping in current, covid times. I cannot wait for you to hear about her favorite way to relax - it is a hoot! Learn more about Lizzie and support her business at the link here

Today on the show I have the Samantha Brunson, the founder of Bobble Club House, a social group that gathers around crafting and chillaxing (think Netflix binging!) She is also a blogger and designer too. What I’m most excited for you to hear about here is how from day one she built in fun, community and creativity into her business. So many times we think (or is that just me?!) having a business, starting and running a business – that can’t all be just for fun. Samantha completely proves this wrong. I cannot wait for you to hear. Show notes here.

Today on the show I have the Grocery Girls!!!! Also known as  Tracie Millar and Jodi Brown! If you’re anything like me, you spend time with these ladies on YouTube and Instagram, know a fair amount about them and yet you WANT to know a lot more! That’s where this podcast comes in...and we go deep. We cover their creative stories, how the YouTube channel came to be, what Rhinebeck was like for them, their feelings on authenticity and those people that give the thumbs down. There’s a lot! I cannot wait for you to hear. Show notes here. 

Today on the show I have Gavriella Treminio – she is a knitwear designer, natural hand dyer and much more – we’ll get into all of it! I’m excited for you to hear about the first sweater she knit and how that design by a previous podcast guest resonated with her. AND how scratching her own creative itch has served her business so well. Show notes here.

Today on the show I have Amanda Hsiao, the co-owner of the Observatory Shop – but really it’s a lot more than just a yarn shop and you’ll hear about that soon. Amanda’s story has this powerful theme of turning hard things into opportunities – from finding knitting in the wake of 9/11 to starting her business after she got laid off from her corporate job. I cannot wait for you to hear the details! Show notes here. 

Today on the show I have Jacqueline Cieslak. She is a knitwear designer with a passion for making the world more body positive – this means inclusive sizing, modeling all of her designs on herself and so much more. As usual, I am thrilled for you to hear this episode but also a little nervous. I get vulnerable her, Jacqueline gets vulnerable – it is a deep conversation. That is why I love this show so much- because the conversations are deep, juicy and fascinating. All of that said, if you do not want to hear about eating disorders, this may not be the episode for you. It's not one to listen to around kids - and I do swear once at the end! Show notes here. 

Hi everyone! Today on the show I have the insanely creative Alex Reynoso the creator of Alex Creates! He is a yarn dyer, hand spinner, potter (the ceramic kind!) and a crochet designer. I'm incredibly excited to welcome you to the show Alex. Show notes here.

Hi there! Today on the show I have Marisa Morisson Stein. She is the creator of the Neon Tea Party, a business that is all about celebrating your creativity in a colorful happy way. At the Neon Tea Party you'll find craft supplies and DIY kits. She also hosts virtual workshops where she teaches things like how to make fancy pom pom designs. YES, they are amazing. Let's dive in! Show notes here.

Today on the podcast meet Virginia Johnson. She is the founder, along with her partner Noah, of Gather Here, a craft supply store in Cambridge, MA, chock full of the latest and greatest yarns and fabrics. Her shop goes WAY beyond just a physical space and stuff. It's a community bursting with creativity and a huge love for making of any kind. OH YEAH and she is ALSO a costume designer for so many incredible movies.... Let's dive into her story! Show notes here.

Today on the show I have Toni Lipsey, AGAIN. She is a crochet designer and the founder of TL Yarn Crafts! She was originally guest number 18 and here she is again. Since that episode, her business has sky rocketed into a full time career. I loved hearing this next chapter in her career but more than that, her perspective on how she's coping with the corona virus was gold! Let's dive in...

Today on the show I have Whitney Crutchfield of We Gather – weaving and textile company that is all about the magic and joy of making. Whitney’s got such a good story – from puff paint, to the crafts dept at Martha Stewart, she has a lot of making experience under her belt! I am excited for you to hear her inspiring story – especially the small steps she took to make that big leap into starting her own business….Let's dive in!

Today on the show I have Diane Ivey. She is the owner and founder of Lady Dye Yarns, based right out of Boston a hop and a skip away from me. For a long time now, I’ve wanted to have Diane on the show and FINALLY here she is! Here are some of the topics we cover: coping during Covid, her best advice for starting a creative small business, how to make diversity and inclusion a bigger part of your business (or your life!) AND probably least importantly PEANUT BUTTER!

Today on the show I have Nancy Ricci the creator of Getting Purly with It! Nancy is a designer and blogger based in NYC. I’m excited for you to dive into this one – Nancy has a story to tell that is full of adventure! Her heart led her to NYC and then to yarn. As I relistened to this episode, I kept thinking, even though she is not elderly at all, she had this elder like wisdom about it. If felt very grounding and uplifting – especially as we are in the midst of the pandemic. Let's dive in! Shop notes here. 

I am getting back into the routine of doing solo episodes every tenth episode - so here we go! In today's episode, I dive into our upcoming spring knitalong. I cannot wait to get started and share more details with you! Show notes here. 

Today on the show I have Tara Morris. Especially now, I am so excited for you to hear this episode. Tara is a yoga teacher, photographer and world traveler. I am in awe of the way she’s woven all of the things she loves into her life and career. She tell us how she came to photography and yoga and why yoga is so important to her. She helps give us perspective on how to get through this crazy time we’re living in with the corona scare in full force. Show notes here.

Today on the show I have Sabrina Ward Harrison and woah friends this is a good one. It's a long episode that is just jam packed. Sabrina is an author, artist and teacher. Through her work, she encourages us to get vulnerable, lean into our true selves and let whatever it is inside out – messy, random – in whatever way. Speaking to her felt like one GIANT exhale, especially in light of Corona and the madness that is happening in the world right now. Show notes here.

Today on the show I have Melissa Jenkins. Melissa is the owner and founder of Melissa Jenkins Designs – a jewelry company that makes stunning brass and yarn jewelry! I cannot wait for you to hear her story – from her creative childhood to how she balances owning her business and being a mom to two little kids. There’s a lot of us to resonate and learn from here, let’s dive in!

Today on the show I have Shelley Brander. She is the founder of Knit Stars which 10,000 people have participated in (which is insane, percolate on that). She is also the owner of the Tulsa based yarn shop Loops, as well as an online knitting community called Loops Together. Oh and she is also a published author with another book all about her story coming out in Jan 2021. I’m thrilled for you to hear from her! Stick around for the end when I share more about all the travel I did in February, my intensifying yoga practice and my business goals for 2020. Show notes here. 

Today on the show I have Gaye Glasspie aka GG Made It. She’s a prolific knitter, a designer and a youtube podcaster. Her impact on our community reaches far – her work packs a punch and in this episode you’ll see why. Learn about why orange is so meaningful to her, the double meaning of GG Made it and so much more. What I love the most is her authenticity, warmth and strength. It is truly contagious. Let's dive in!