Show Notes
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
More from The Craft Room Podcast
Hello and welcome to The Craft Room Podcast. I'm so glad you're joining me today, as we are talking about forgotten gems. If you've been crafting for a long time, like me, then you likely have a LOT of amazing products and resources. Back in episode 40 I talked about The Craft Stash, and this is kind of an extension of that episode. Usually when people talk about forgotten gems, they're referring to old movies or television shows, paintings or travel destinations. But this is a craft podcast, so, of course, we are going to be talking about them in the context of crafting. In thinking about this for a few weeks, I've found that forgotten crafty gems tend to fall into one of three categories … 1. Physical (which falls into 3 sub-categories - Consumables, Tools, References/Resources) 2. Virtual/digital 3. Techniques/knowledge So … what can we do to uncover our forgotten crafting gems. Well, before we talk about that, I would like to remind you of one important thing. If you were out in Lightning Ridge mining for opals, not everything you dig up is going to be a beautiful gem. There's going to be a whole lot of rubble, and, let's be honest … there's going to be some dirt. The same applies when searching for forgotten crafting gems, in your stash, on the internet, on your computer, your phone or in your memory. Be prepared to find a few things that you look at and wonder 'Why did I keep this?', and I suspect there will be some dust, and potentially a dead bug in there somewhere. The easiest way to find anything is to look for it, and I'll walk you through from low effort / low time options, then we'll level up. 1. Look 2. Closer Look 3. Sort 4. Organise If there's anything I hope you take away from this episode, I hope it is this … * It's worth pressing pause on bringing new things into your home so you can take some time to look at what you have, decide what you love and curate a craft stash that is a true treasure chest. * Keep track of your virtual and digital gems so you can enjoy them before they disappear. Block out some time to watch that video, look at old bookmarked pages, work your way through that online course or print those checklists and templates and use them. * Sometimes we need to clear the rubble and the dirt (and the dead fly) so our gems can truly shine. One crafters rubble is another crafters treasure. Mostly I hope that you find great joy in your craft stash, and if you find a truly amazing treasure, please feel free to share it, maybe in the Craft with Dawn Lewis Facebook group (link in show notes and on the blog). Enjoy the gem hunt, and happy crafting!
Today on The Craft Room Podcast, let's talk about something that most crafters will probably consider at some point in their lives … a no spend year. Sometimes it's a month, a quarter, six months … but most commonly I see people setting this goal for a whole year. It might sound drastic, even unthinkable to some, but in this economy, especially with the rising prices of craft supplies, there are plenty of people doing a no-spend year. I'm not trying to talk anyone into such a dramatic situation, and, of course, there are some alternatives, so let's talk about the difference between a no spend, low spend and mindful spend year, the reasons you might consider them, and how you can succeed at such a challenge.
Hello and welcome to The Craft Room Podcast. I'm so glad you're joining me today, as we are talking about the benefits of swatching. Yes, I am on a swatching kick right now and it all started thanks to my friend Sally. I went to visit her last month and she showed me her beautifully organised craft supplies, but more importantly she showed me her ink pad swatches. I knew the second I saw it that this was the solution I had been looking for for years. It's not like I've never swatched before. My Copic markers are swatched out on a hex chart, I've swatched some pencils and a watercolour palette. But I didn't have what I have always wanted … a swatch folder with all the colours in one place. Until I saw Sally's I didn't know why I was baulking at it, and the reality is … I wanted more swatches to a page. It's not like a plastic sleeve with pockets is a revolutionary product, but I'd never seen coin collecting sleeves used for swatching before. I will link to the ones I used below.
Today on The Craft Room Podcast, let's talk about my Big Announcement and Product Longevity.