The Craft Room Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Happy New Year! 

Today is the first day of 2026, so I figure it's a great time to talk about new year crafting resolutions. Yes, I have talked about this before, back in episode 32, mainly focusing on planning and different types of crafting resolutions that can be done over 12 months.

Today, I want to focus on something different, plus I have an exciting announcement.

LINKS

Episode 42 blog post
Episode 32, New Years Crafting Resolutions
Tim Holtz announcement video
My Website
Sign up for newsletter
Rule of Three playlist
Craft with Dawn Lewis Facebook Group

Today on The Craft Room Podcast, let's talk about my Big Announcement and Product Longevity. 

Last week I made a really big decision, which led to a big announcement this week … it's time for me to close my shop. You can see my full announcement video on the home page, and most recent blog post, at dawnlewis.com.au.

Closing the shop got me thinking a lot about how we use our products, inspiration, motivation and perfectionism. Then this morning the group chat for Homemade Cards for Seniors Australia collection points really got me thinking about giving our products longevity. And I know two big ways we can do that … Rule of Three, and destashing.

You will find a full transcript of this episode HERE

LINKS
Homemade Cards for Seniors Australia

Episode 35 - Cost vs Value

Episode 40 - The Craft Stash

Gina K Designs, Tall Stems stamp set

Rule of Three Notepad

Closing announcement blog post

Simon Hurley Lunar Paste

Ep 5 - Quilting - https://dawnlewis.com.au/podcast5/

Frankensteins Fabrics - https://www.frankensteinsfabrics.com/

Creative Fabric Fans - https://fans.creativefabrica.com/creators/dawn-lewis-imagery/

Unsplash - https://unsplash.com/

Minecraft Quilt pattern - https://www.kellifanninquilts.com/p/minecraft-sew-along.html

Mario quilt pattern - https://angelapingel.com/category/quilt-alongs/mario-quilt-along

Achieve (craft donations) - https://www.achieveaustralia.org.au/the-sewing-basket

Gift Vouchers - https://dawnlewis.com.au/product-category/gift-certificates/

Copic Subscription Box - https://dawnlewis.com.au/product-category/copic-subscription-box/

Ep 20 - Craft Planner - https://dawnlewis.com.au/podcast20/

Helen Shrimpton's Crochet patterns - crystalsandcrochet.com

In todays episode I thought I'd catch you up on what's happening with international shipping. Between pandemic and Christmas levels of demand, USPS has become overwhelmed and suspended all shipping to Australia (and some other countries).

I have some insights, as well as suggestions for alternatives to shopping overseas.

LINKS
Blog post - https://www.dawnlewis.com.au/podcast31

In todays episode I'm answering a question from my awesome friend Renee who wants to host a swap for her online community. She wanted to know exactly how it's done, so I thought it would be fun to talk today about how you can be a great swap host, and also a great swap participant. I have talked about craft swaps in an episode previously, but this will be more about the technicalities of what goes on behind the scenes and what makes a swap great.

There are lots of different types of craft swaps, which I talked about in Episode 17, but the style of swap that I host are where participants create multiples of a single design, send them to me, I do the swapping around, and send them back an envelope with the same number of pieces created by other swap participants. I choose this style of swap, because it's the style of swap we did as part of OzSwapTillYouDrop, which was a tried and true method well before I came along. Sure, I have participated in one-on-one swaps, but sometimes people don't come through, their partner misses out, and that leads to angry and upset folks who have put in a whole lot of work, but received nothing in return. So, while it is a lot of work, I stick with the host-swaps-out method. Today I'm going to walk you through the way I choose dates & themes, announce swaps, send emails, create graphics, swap out and handle the bad stuff like complaints and problems. For anyone who thinks they might like to host a swap, I have a free PDF host checklist that you can download over on my blog. I will link to that in the show notes.

My final word of advice for hosts. Start small, find what works for you and your community and be very clear in your communication. Also, don't forget to download your free Swap Host Checklist on the blog. And for swappers, read the information, ask questions if you need to and hit your deadlines. Most of all ... have fun with it, enjoy the process and be sure to do a little happy dance when your swap envelope arrives.

If you are a card maker in Australia, and you would like to join one of my swaps, I have a new swap opening this month, which is helpful if you're listening when this episode goes live. But if you're listening later, and still want to join, you can always sign up to my email newsletter to be notified when a swap is happening. There is also a swap tab on the website where you can find the latest information, including the date of the next swap announcement.

Episode 17 - Craft Swaps

Episode 12 - Clever Craft Storage Solutions

Episode 19 - Handmade Christmas

Episode 5 - Top 10 things you need for quilting with Marni Franks

Jotform

Trello

Newsletter signup

Swap detail page on my website

Unsplash

Canva

Affinity Photo

Sample swap blog post

Today, let's talk about embossing. Breaking it down to bare basics, embossing refers to a technique resulting in a raised area on your project. For those of us in the paper-crafting world, there are two main methods of embossing that we can achieve an embossed effect. There's dry embossing and heat embossing. They use very different methods and products, and there's a distinct difference between the two. So, if a crafter in your life has hinted at a gift of embossing goodies, it's important to know which method they're referring to. Let's talk about the differences between them.

You can find a full transcript HERE.

LINKS

Altenew 3D embossing folders

Blog post (for show notes)

Episode 28 - Stencils

Toaster embossing video 

Embossing Powder

Hero Arts White Satin Pearl embossing powder

Jennifer McGuire heat embossing playlist

Jennifer McGuire embossing folder playlist

Distress Ink + Oxide ink pads

Simon Hurley ink pads

Watercolour pencils

Watercolour paper

Embossing ink pads

LF Embossing ink pen

Ink blending tool

Ink blending brushes

Mary Polanco blender brush video

DD Abstract Triangle stamp

Perfect Pearls

Aquabrush

Antistatic Powder Bag 

i-C reverse tweezers

Glass Media Mat

WF Mini media mat

Totally Tiffany heat embossing stand

I know it's been a while between episodes, but Covid and lockdown have kept me extra busy with the shop. I'm excited to be back … thanks for tuning in!  Today, let's talk about one of the oldest, most used, versatile and affordable pieces of kit that you can have in your crafting stash - stencils.

Stencils are, essentially, a tool that helps you create a design quickly and easily by masking off the areas where you don't want to apply your ink, paint or medium. There are lots of different sizes, shapes and types of stencils. You can buy them or make them, and there are a few different materials that are commonly used. These days, commercial crafting stencils are a thin flexible plastic, but you can make your own using specialty stencil plastic, acetate, a fused laminator pouch, cardboard or paper. You can cut them by hand or use a die-cutting machine using your dies, or a more sophisticated electronic cutting machine like the Scan N Cut, where you could scan any print or hand-drawn image then cut. Alternatively you could use a machine like the Silhouette or Cricut using an SVG file (and I will link to my favourite SVG file resource in the show notes). When creating your own stencil the most important thing to remember is that the openings of the design need to be bridged. There can't be any loose pieces … the whole thing needs to be joined as one piece.

LINKS
Creative Fabrica SVG files
Planner goodies
Tia's Pretty Creations (planner stencils)
Stencils in my shop
Flying animals with Balloons stamp set
Layering Stencils
Shifter Stencils
Edge Stencils
Planner Addicts Australia Facebook group
Pink & Main Blending Brushes
Altenew Blending Brushes
Honey Bee Stamps Blending Brush
i-Crafter, I-Brush mini brushes
The Stamp Market Blending Brushes
Make It By Marko Brush Buddies
Purple low tack tape
Embroidery monogram technique
Hero Arts, Unicorn White pigment ink pad
Cookie stencil TikTok video
Mary Polanco Blending Brush comparison video
Jennifer McGuire stencilling technique video
Gina K Transfer Gel Duo video

Today I thought we'd talk about digital craft resources ... essentially the way that digital resources have changed and affected and influenced us in the crafting community. In the last 20 years, I have seen a significant shift away from traditional resources like books, paper patterns, and in-person classes to a very big influence and presence of digital patterns and resources and classes. And I see that it's affected us in the crafting community in three main areas.

Accessibility
Affordability
Achievability

If you have a computer, a laptop, a smartphone, a tablet, a printer, or access to one through a friend or family member or even your local library, you have access to digital craft resources now. 

Zoom Tour Dates & Free Tickets
Tours are now complete.

Want to learn how to use cool digital files like these? Check out Digital Craft School, where I teach you how to turn digital craft resources into finished craft projects you can hold in your hand.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Digital Craft School

LINKS
Blog post
Copic Subscription Box
Episode 4, trimmers & diecutting machines
Mo Manning Digital stamps
Ravelry
Etsy
Jasart Pencils
Bin video & code
Creative Fabrica
Scarf Pattern
Hand Holding digital stamps
Mario Quilt pattern
Digital Craft School

Today we are talking about adhesives, and there are so many different options, each suited for a variety of uses. Over the years I've found that adhesives fall into one of three categories …

Spray adhesives
Liquid adhesives
Dry adhesives

Having a sound understanding the strengths and weaknesses and the pros and cons of each different kind of adhesive is beneficial to all crafters. Having a good knowledge of what the different adhesives have to offer can help save your hard work and your beautiful project from a tragic end at the hands of poor glue choices.

LINKS

Episode 5 - Top 10 things you need to start quilting
Episode 17 - Craft Swaps
Marni's Blog
Tombow Mono Liquid Glue
Ranger Glossy Accents
Ranger Multi Medium Matte
Tonic Tim Holtz Glass Media Mat (Left Handed)
Xyron Adhesive Eraser
Double Sided Tape

This is happening … I think we need to talk about crafting in isolation. If you're listening to this as it goes to air, it is towards the end of April 2020 and we're in a pandemic. Whether you prefer to say that you're stuck stuck inside or safe at home, self isolation is a thing.

Now, I know you might be thinking, "Oh, she's going to tell us we should make the most of our time, seize this opportunity and do lots of craft.". Well, yes and no. I do have a list of 14 things that you, as a crafter, might find useful right now. But they are only ideas. This list might be equally as useful to you in other situations, like if you find yourself confined to the house with a broken leg, recovering from surgery, taking annual leave … so it's not all COVID-19 doom and gloom. If you just don't feel like doing anything, I have some thoughts on that as well.

1. Make items for essential workers
2. Art Exhibition
3. Craft for Charity
4. Level up your craft skills
5. Organize your Craft Supplies
6. Finish Things
7. Teach someone your craft
8. Do a Challenge
9. Craft socially via Zoom
10. Catch up on Your Favourite Crafty YouTubers
11. Break up with a craft
12. Take an online class or course
13. Take stock of your Supplies and Shop Online
14. Prepare for Christmas

Also ... do something ... or do nothing. What will make you feel better today?

If you found this episode helpful, and wish to support the postcast, you can head HERE and make a small donation.

LINKS:
Episode 25 blog post
Episode 22 - Crafting in Times of Crisis
The Kindness Pandemic (Facebook group)
Blog Post - Cardmaking Super Powers
Free Digital stamps (pinned to top of Facebook page)
Crafting for charity directory
Episode 12 - Organising craft supplies
Episode 7 - Should you Kondo your Craft?
Cartooning YouTube Channel (Brad Colbow)
Cartooning Class
TikTok desk makeover video
Episode 6 - Lost Craft Mojo
Episode 20 -Set up a Custom Planner
Episode 19 - Handmade Christmas