The Craft Room Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Hello … welcome to The Craft Room Podcast. I’m so glad you’re joining me today, because we are talking today about the upcoming Card Maker Success Summit. 

I’ve been attending these summits for the past few years, and even though I’ve been making cards for over 30 years, I still come away from the event having learned something new, and loaded up with inspiration. So imagine my excitement when an invitation to speaker this year landed in my inbox! At the time I was putting finishing touches on the All Occasions box, so when I saw the theme for this summit … Card Maker Success … saying yes was an easy decision. The theme completely aligned with what I was already working on. Now, after months of secret-keeping … I can finally talk about it!

So today we’re going to cover a few things you might find helpful to know about this summit, including …

What even is a card making summit?
What does it cost?
Who is the summit for?
When is it happening?
How to get the most out of the Summit experience?
What is an All Access Pass?

And most importantly, what’s in it for you.

I’ll try to be concise, because it’s open for sign-ups now, and there are some important things to share before you go grab your ticket.

The Card Maker Success Summit - get your free ticket here

Stamp Me Some Love live YouTube videos

World Time Buddy (time converter)

Happy new year to you, and I’m so glad you’re joining me today as I answer the most common question I’ve received so far this year, which pertains to glue. Way back in Episode 26 I talked a lot about glue, but I’ve learned a few new things this week, so I thought it was time to share updated information and answer a question that lands in my inbox almost every day … “What is the ETA on the Precision Glue Press”. I made a short video about this today, but there’s more to know, so while this isn’t a super long episode, it does have some useful information, about the product, and glue in general.

LINKS

Blog post (with full transcript)

Precision Glue Press short video (YouTube)

Precision Glue Press (in my shop)

Pre-order form

Video about the Precision Glue Press by MSP

Jennifer McGuire’s review

Simon Hurley’s YouTube review - (start at 1:05)

Altenew StampWheel

Waffle Flower Grip Mat collection

Bearly Art glue

Art Glitter glue 4oz

Art Glitter glue 2oz

Gina K Connect 59ml

Gina K Connect 15ml

Tombo Mono glue

Make it By Marko glue holders

Fine Tip Squeezy glue bottle

Gina K Fine Tip bottles, 3 pk

Bearly Art Glue short video

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

Last month The Craft Room Podcast had it’s first birthday, and I had my … something-th birthday, and that started me thinking about how tricky it can be to buy for crafters sometimes. Then the Coronavirus became a pandemic, and I’ve found myself sending cards and little gifts to people to brighten their day (and perhaps I bought myself some little gifts as well). During that time we had a blackout, and whilst looking for a book to read, I came across a rather old book called The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. It got me thinking about how people show their affection for others, and how others actions make them feel loved and appreciated … and I realised that this could absolutely be applied to gifting crafters! So, for a bit of fun, let’s have a look at the five love languages, and how we can use them to figure out great gift ideas. Some of these were easy, a couple were rather tricky, and I’ll have some bonus suggestions at the end. It’s also helpful to note that most people have more than one of these love languages, which doubles your options in the way that you approach gift giving for them.

1. Gifts
2. Quality Time
3. Acts of Service
4. Words of Affirmation
5. Physical Touch

I have some other ideas as well, and you can find photos and links mentioned in this episode on my blog HERE.

Pixel Power Design
Fangirl Stitches
Clouds Factory
Episode 5 - Top 10 things you need to start quilting
The Five Love Languages, Gary Chapman
Gift Certificate to my store
My YouTube channel
My TikTok channel

In January 2020 I attended Creativation ... a craft trade show in Phoenix, AZ, USA. I have wanted to attend this show for over a decade, and the 33 hour travel time was 100% worth it.

In todays episode I'm answering the questions people asked me before, during and after the show, sharing my take-aways and some behind the scenes stories.

You can find a full transcript of todays episode and a whole lot of photos on my blog.

LINKS
Ep 23 Blog post
Jess Francisco - Instagram
The Perfect Stamp, UK - Instagram
Pear Blossom Press - Instagram
Heffy Doodle - Instagram
RinaK Designs - Instagram
Simon Hurley - Instagram
Tim Holtz - Instagram
Lynda Kanase / iCrafter - Instagram
Darkroom Door - Instagram
Jennifer McGuire - YouTube
The Crafty Chica (Kathy) - YouTube
Laura Bassen - YouTube
Claire Reagan - Etsy

Before we get into todays episode, a quick content warning. I will be mentioning Australian bushfires, animal rescue carers and people who have passed away, including angel babies. It’s not a graphic discussion, it’s more part of the narrative about how we can help people in distressing situations. If these are sensitive topics for you, please take care of yourself when listening.

Today we are talking about crafting in times of crisis. We crafters are really good at this … we’ve done it so many times before and we are doing it right now. Over the past few weeks, watching the craft community band together to make a very big difference to Australia's wildlife carers, I’ve felt very proud to be a crafter. I’ve had a lot of thoughts, a lot of emotions, and thought we could talk about ways we can use our crafting superpowers for the greater good.

When someone is suffering … our friends, our family, our community, our country, our world at large … we feel, as human beings, like we wish there was something we could do. Obviously the go-to response is to make a monetary donation. But sometimes even if you do make that donation, you still feel like it's not enough. We wish that we, personally, could physically do something to help right now. And as crafters I think we are really lucky and privileged because there is often something that we can do with our own two hands right now to help out. Here are the top five ways that we, as crafters, can help in times of crisis.

1. Make physical items
2. Donate from your stash
3. Teach
4. Spread the word
5. Make to sell / fundraise

Photo credit for podcast thumbnail (Joey in a hanging pouch) - Courtney White

LINKS
Article about crafting in times of crisis

Animal Rescue Craft Guild FB group

Rescue Craft Co FB group

Knitting Nanas Against Gas

Pussy Hat Project (Women’s Electoral Lobby)

Angel Gowns for Australian Angel Babies HERE

Knitting socks for soldiers - article

Sewing For Charity Australia
Website ... or ... Facebook page

Craft Ministry Australia
Website ... or ... 4 page directory

I went on a craft retreat with my friend Marni a couple of months ago. It got me thinking about all the amazing retreats I have been on, ones I would like to go on and the differences between them. Craft retreats come with different durations, different price points, different levels of structure and different kinds of accommodation. You can expect a different experience from different types of retreats. So I thought we could have a chat about them.

1. Day tripping
2. Cheap and cheerful
3. Mid-range retreat
4. High-end retreat
5. Conference
6. Craft cruise
7. Overseas tour

You can find a full transcript of todays episode HERE

LINKS

FDAA (Folk & Decorative Artists Association of Australia)
Unmistakable Creations Craft Cruises
Darkroom Door India Tour
My 6x6 template blog post (free)
One Sheet Wonder PDF (free)
Perfected One Sheet Wonder template
Mario Quilt pattern & instructions (free)
Minecraft Quilt pattern & instructions (free)