I get so inspired sometimes when listening to podcasts, similar to how some books give you a different perspective, and after reading (or listening), your view of the world has changed. One little insight, a connection, a couple words put together in a new way, an idea or just a spark, a moment of relaxation, something just right and somehow it hit me right when and where I needed it.
How I listen to podcasts is, I think, unique. I work as an Accountant (In real life I am an Artist, but my secret identity is an Accountant), not a CPA or numbers-crunchy type, mostly researching and rearranging numbers, but still something that takes a certain part of my brain. While I’m working, and using that logic part of my brain, my creative brain section is completely free, and often bored if not fed. That’s why I’m listening to podcasts most all day as I work. Since my creative journey at this stage of my life often feels like I am in a gathering phase than a doing phase, I appreciate the creatively inspiring podcasts tremendously!
I am always so very inspired by Craft Cast, it would take too long to list all the inspired things I have learned from the great Allison. The latest episode, with Kelly Rae Roberts is a great example.
As I listen, I have a notebook that I jot down notes or sketch ideas in, and here randomly are some of the things that were said &/or my reactions to what was being said:
“Creative journey” I love this phrase (see I used it in the paragraph above!) I have often thought of other parts of my life as a journey-spirituality, parenting-but I want to remember that my creative soul is on it’s own journey as well, and it’s the journeying that is the important part, not getting there.
“Expressing vulnerability” through creativity. I have had thoughts similar to this recently, and didn’t have words for it. It is something that I am not sure how to do, and I want to let myself go and see what happens.
“Quiet time” and “Listening to the creative soul” Having to pause the podcast to start writing this post, and having to put into words how I listen to podcasts at work, I was made aware that my most quiet time actually is during my work time. This awareness makes me think a couple things: find ways to utilize this quiet even more, and/or see if I can carve a space (probably both physical and mental) into the rest of my life where I can actually feel the quiet and listen.
“Butterflies out of the cocoon” The word I chose for last year was Emerging. As of right now, it is still my word.
“Walking through the ring of fire” Allison has said this before, and I love this phrase and the image (not to mention the great song) it conjures up, my interpretation ****
“Redefining balance” and “Losing balance is part of the process” A few years ago I had a phrase I decided represented my life at the time. Just about time I think things are going to get back to normal, I realize that normal has up and moved, and there’s no getting back there from here. When I was able to be ok with the truth of that, and even laugh about it, and take it in stride, I was able to move forward in the non-normalness of my life. And everything was ok. And now, I want to add the knowledge that losing balance is part of the process and I can redefine balance, just as I redefined normal, and everything will continue to be ok.
So that's just a few things that really struck me while listening to this fantastic Internet Radio Show. There were more wonderful moments, but these are the moments that really struck ME. Listen for yourself, and see what inspires YOU.
Showing posts with label podcasts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label podcasts. Show all posts
2/11/09
2/21/08
Felt Fortune Cookie
Yes, I am doing more than only crocheting. I do tend to get obsessed when I'm starting something new...
On my breaks at work, I'm still mostly working with felt. Pin production has slowed, as I am experimenting with a whole 'painting' that will end up being mixed media I think, but is starting off with a felt background.
And when Craft Sanity had an interview about a month ago with Hilary Seabolt, who makes the cutest felt food, she was kind enough to give us a free pattern for this little cutie. I stitched it by hand, and almost put beads all around it, too. Next time I think I will.
On my breaks at work, I'm still mostly working with felt. Pin production has slowed, as I am experimenting with a whole 'painting' that will end up being mixed media I think, but is starting off with a felt background.
And when Craft Sanity had an interview about a month ago with Hilary Seabolt, who makes the cutest felt food, she was kind enough to give us a free pattern for this little cutie. I stitched it by hand, and almost put beads all around it, too. Next time I think I will.
2/6/08
Knit Wars
Since I've been practicing my crochet, I decided to finally go ahead and sign up for Knit Wars, the Lime & Violet knitting progress adventure. Since I'm just playing around practicing, I almost could take points for 'learning something new' every day. But I'll put that off until I'm learning something that is actually useful. Like the names for the stitches I'm discovering.
I'm sure I'll never get too far with the points, but it's fun. And I can at least keep track of my progress myself this way.
The invite link is on this L&V page, go sign up if you're so inclined. And don't worry, they have many beautiful avatar pictures to choose from, I just love Zombies!!!
I'm sure I'll never get too far with the points, but it's fun. And I can at least keep track of my progress myself this way.
The invite link is on this L&V page, go sign up if you're so inclined. And don't worry, they have many beautiful avatar pictures to choose from, I just love Zombies!!!
1/24/08
Currently
As I mentioned I was particularly inspired by a particular podcast last week. On one of he podcasts I always listen to, Craft Cast I noticed that host Alison Lee was going to interview Kathleen Dustin.
OMG! I thought, KATHLEEN DUSTIN!! Let me mention that in a previous part of my life, the label of choice I allowed myself to be pinned to was not "Crafter", and not just "Artist", but "Polymer Clay Artist". Kathleen was one of the first well-known poly clay artists, and is still doing ground-breaking work.
The interview was wonderful. Alison is so inspiring as an interviewer and artist herself, I really love all her interviews. I know I gush about creative podcasts, but really, if you want to be inspired, listen!
I don't know how, why, or when I stopped thinking of myself as a "Polymer Clay Artist", I think it was just RL (real life) getting in the way. But this podcast flipped a switch in my brain.
Kathleen was explaining the draw of poly clay to Alison, and she said (and this is a HUGE paraphrase on my part) "...polymer clay is the only medium where there is no tool between your fingers and the color, you get to touch it directly..."
Yeah.
I forgot about that part. I want to play with my clay again. So last night, I brought up the big plastic tub with all my clay supplies.
The next two years are clay.
OMG! I thought, KATHLEEN DUSTIN!! Let me mention that in a previous part of my life, the label of choice I allowed myself to be pinned to was not "Crafter", and not just "Artist", but "Polymer Clay Artist". Kathleen was one of the first well-known poly clay artists, and is still doing ground-breaking work.
The interview was wonderful. Alison is so inspiring as an interviewer and artist herself, I really love all her interviews. I know I gush about creative podcasts, but really, if you want to be inspired, listen!
I don't know how, why, or when I stopped thinking of myself as a "Polymer Clay Artist", I think it was just RL (real life) getting in the way. But this podcast flipped a switch in my brain.
Kathleen was explaining the draw of poly clay to Alison, and she said (and this is a HUGE paraphrase on my part) "...polymer clay is the only medium where there is no tool between your fingers and the color, you get to touch it directly..."
Yeah.
I forgot about that part. I want to play with my clay again. So last night, I brought up the big plastic tub with all my clay supplies.
The next two years are clay.
12/13/07
Felt Ric-Rac on Apron
Or I Sometimes Do What The Voices In My Head Tell Me To
Way back in October, I listened to Craft Cast episode 46, with guest Amy Karol of Angry Chicken. One of the many awesomely cool things they talked about was the wonder of ric-rac, and how ric-rac can beautify all sorts of things including aprons. Craft Cast host, Alison Lee mentioned that she had a utilitarian apron that she had (or was going to) put ric-rac on.
Hey, I thought, that's an awesome idea!! I have a great plain apron that my Mom gave me a few years ago, that would look nice with ric-rac. But, alas, I'm not really a ric-rac kinda gal, I thought.
A few weeks later, perusing the felt in a Joann's store, I found something amazing: FELT RIC-RAC!! OMG, how cool. It was with the scrapbooking supplies, which just goes to show that you have to look in all the departments of the craft store, even if it's not something you normally do. There were a few colors, I got the green one about a yard for a dollar. My next stop was an overstock store, where I found a package with yellow, pink, and green, only a couple feet each, for another dollar.
I finally sewed the ric-rac on to the apron a couple weeks ago, and I just love it. (despite the previous grease stains)
Way back in October, I listened to Craft Cast episode 46, with guest Amy Karol of Angry Chicken. One of the many awesomely cool things they talked about was the wonder of ric-rac, and how ric-rac can beautify all sorts of things including aprons. Craft Cast host, Alison Lee mentioned that she had a utilitarian apron that she had (or was going to) put ric-rac on.
Hey, I thought, that's an awesome idea!! I have a great plain apron that my Mom gave me a few years ago, that would look nice with ric-rac. But, alas, I'm not really a ric-rac kinda gal, I thought.
A few weeks later, perusing the felt in a Joann's store, I found something amazing: FELT RIC-RAC!! OMG, how cool. It was with the scrapbooking supplies, which just goes to show that you have to look in all the departments of the craft store, even if it's not something you normally do. There were a few colors, I got the green one about a yard for a dollar. My next stop was an overstock store, where I found a package with yellow, pink, and green, only a couple feet each, for another dollar.
I finally sewed the ric-rac on to the apron a couple weeks ago, and I just love it. (despite the previous grease stains)
11/16/07
See Shell's Felt
I am so obsessed with felt right now! Besides the angel pin I posted here, I have six other pins finished, and three more in stages of done-ness. And the felt tissue box, and the felt die, to go with the dice bag. So much felt work, it's becoming a joke around the house.
But like I pointed out to My Guy, there are definitely worse things I could be addicted to. More expensive things. I went to the hobby store tonight, and got two pieces of felt, two embroidery threads, and would have been embarrassed to whip out the debit card for just that (barely a dollar), so I purchased the swivel knife that I have been eyeing after Mom let me try hers (and Mom, I found one for only $4.77-it's not the brand name one, that's probably why it's so much cheaper!), and a great find in the clearance section.
As I mentioned before, I started my felt infatuation with a stack of felt that I had picked up at a thrift store, and the embroidery thread from my high school cross-stitching phase. And I worked with only the old supplies until only a couple weeks ago. A couple dollars there, another dollar here, there's so much I can do with it, and it is so affordable. I'm just in felt heaven!
One of the pieces of felt I bought was just a color I was running low on, but the other piece is my next step into the abyss of this mania: glitter felt!! The store I went to is the only store in town that has more than just regular felt pieces. They have some prints: frogs, hearts, flowers, dots, tiger stripes, tie die, camouflage, and I could have sworn that they had a print that was clouds, but it wasn't there last night. They have some embossed felt, and larger pieces (though all the larger pieces are stiff), and some glitter felt. After a 'just looking' trip a couple weeks ago, I'd been thinking about all these other felts and what could I do with them. So I brought home a gorgeous piece of lavender glitter felt.
In thinking about what to make first with this new felt, I was searching Crafster and others, and I wondered if anyone had a crafty blog dedicated to just felt!! So I did a blog search, and came up with these two: Fieltromania (All about felt things) and The Felt Mouse. Now I am off to read everything they've written, and blogmark them!!
P.S. I felt a little creatively crazy when in the felt isle, I had to pause my iPod, set all my purchases down, dig out my notebook and pencil, and start back up the iPod, so I could write down the name of the site that Amy was talking about on CMP 73. It was The Artist's Survival Kit which I need to go check out, too!
Me: I want to show you what I'm making. My Guy: Is it FELT!?!
But like I pointed out to My Guy, there are definitely worse things I could be addicted to. More expensive things. I went to the hobby store tonight, and got two pieces of felt, two embroidery threads, and would have been embarrassed to whip out the debit card for just that (barely a dollar), so I purchased the swivel knife that I have been eyeing after Mom let me try hers (and Mom, I found one for only $4.77-it's not the brand name one, that's probably why it's so much cheaper!), and a great find in the clearance section.
As I mentioned before, I started my felt infatuation with a stack of felt that I had picked up at a thrift store, and the embroidery thread from my high school cross-stitching phase. And I worked with only the old supplies until only a couple weeks ago. A couple dollars there, another dollar here, there's so much I can do with it, and it is so affordable. I'm just in felt heaven!
One of the pieces of felt I bought was just a color I was running low on, but the other piece is my next step into the abyss of this mania: glitter felt!! The store I went to is the only store in town that has more than just regular felt pieces. They have some prints: frogs, hearts, flowers, dots, tiger stripes, tie die, camouflage, and I could have sworn that they had a print that was clouds, but it wasn't there last night. They have some embossed felt, and larger pieces (though all the larger pieces are stiff), and some glitter felt. After a 'just looking' trip a couple weeks ago, I'd been thinking about all these other felts and what could I do with them. So I brought home a gorgeous piece of lavender glitter felt.
In thinking about what to make first with this new felt, I was searching Crafster and others, and I wondered if anyone had a crafty blog dedicated to just felt!! So I did a blog search, and came up with these two: Fieltromania (All about felt things) and The Felt Mouse. Now I am off to read everything they've written, and blogmark them!!
P.S. I felt a little creatively crazy when in the felt isle, I had to pause my iPod, set all my purchases down, dig out my notebook and pencil, and start back up the iPod, so I could write down the name of the site that Amy was talking about on CMP 73. It was The Artist's Survival Kit which I need to go check out, too!
6/29/07
More On Pod Casts
When I wrote podcast reviews, or just in everyday life listening to them, I've had people tell me they don't listen to or understand podcasts, so I thought I'd explain a little more about why I love podcasts, and hopefully encourage more folks to try them!
First of all, I think some folks that don't think they are computer savvy think the name 'podcast' is another daunting computer thing that they don't understand, like html or L33T. But it's not. A 'podcast' is basically just a radio show. The 'radio' is just your computer in this case. The other thing I think people tend to think about podcasts, is that you have to have a 'pod' to listen to them. Well, you don't. A lot of podcasts, if not most, can be listened to right from the website they are on. The podcaster will have a nice site, often with some extra information and links of things they talked about, and a "Listen Here" button. If you are on the site, and you click their button, you can listen right on your computer. Even if they have less of a website, and no "Listen Here" button, you could listen to them through iTunes or another music player on your computer. Another way to think of a podcast is that they are one long song, and anywhere that you could listen to a song, you could listen to a podcast show.
Listening to a podcast from your computer would be great for times you are 'surfing the net' or playing a game. Or turn up the speakers, and listen while you're doing other things. If your computer is close to your crafting area, just get to work while you're listening.
And if you do have any sort of a 'pod' by which I mean an MP3 player, you can take your podcasts with you anywhere. I fell in love with audio books and podcasts when I drove a car with no radio, and I would listen to spoken word on my headphones, rather than music, as I believe music on headphones (like a cell phone!!) is too distracting, and dangerous while driving. So now, I still love listening to podcasts in the car, and for a long trip, my guy will put some music and podcasts on his iPod and use the car plug in to put the iPod output onto the car stereo system. There are many radio tuner things out there in many price ranges to make your MP3 player play through your car stereo, if you do have or get an MP3 player, I highly suggest you add the car stereo radio tuner thingy to your collection of accessories.
I listen to my crafty podcasts in the car on the way to work, on the walk from the parking lot to my job, all the way to my desk, and sometimes I can't bear to shut it off until it's time to clock in. I listen on my breaks, while I work on crafty things at my desk, or take a walk, and sometimes when I'm doing things I don't need too much brain power for, like filing. Then I listen on the walk back to the parking lot and all the way home. I also listen while I'm in the grocery store, that's one of my favorites. It helps me two ways, I get the enjoyment of listening, and I do a better job shopping. I have to make a good list, if I'm going to be listening while I'm shopping, and it's tons easier to stick to my list, because my brain is actually paying attention to the podcast, and not getting distracted with impulse purchases!! ;p
There are so many awesome podcasts out there, crafty and otherwise. One of my favorite podcasts, that was an hour a day Monday-Friday retired a while back, so I had a void of five more hours a week to fill! I serched around for some more crafty podcasts, because I really love being inspired!! I'll share some more specific reviews in future posts, but for now, here's a link to a whole list of crafty podcasts for you to puruse.
First of all, I think some folks that don't think they are computer savvy think the name 'podcast' is another daunting computer thing that they don't understand, like html or L33T. But it's not. A 'podcast' is basically just a radio show. The 'radio' is just your computer in this case. The other thing I think people tend to think about podcasts, is that you have to have a 'pod' to listen to them. Well, you don't. A lot of podcasts, if not most, can be listened to right from the website they are on. The podcaster will have a nice site, often with some extra information and links of things they talked about, and a "Listen Here" button. If you are on the site, and you click their button, you can listen right on your computer. Even if they have less of a website, and no "Listen Here" button, you could listen to them through iTunes or another music player on your computer. Another way to think of a podcast is that they are one long song, and anywhere that you could listen to a song, you could listen to a podcast show.
Listening to a podcast from your computer would be great for times you are 'surfing the net' or playing a game. Or turn up the speakers, and listen while you're doing other things. If your computer is close to your crafting area, just get to work while you're listening.
And if you do have any sort of a 'pod' by which I mean an MP3 player, you can take your podcasts with you anywhere. I fell in love with audio books and podcasts when I drove a car with no radio, and I would listen to spoken word on my headphones, rather than music, as I believe music on headphones (like a cell phone!!) is too distracting, and dangerous while driving. So now, I still love listening to podcasts in the car, and for a long trip, my guy will put some music and podcasts on his iPod and use the car plug in to put the iPod output onto the car stereo system. There are many radio tuner things out there in many price ranges to make your MP3 player play through your car stereo, if you do have or get an MP3 player, I highly suggest you add the car stereo radio tuner thingy to your collection of accessories.
I listen to my crafty podcasts in the car on the way to work, on the walk from the parking lot to my job, all the way to my desk, and sometimes I can't bear to shut it off until it's time to clock in. I listen on my breaks, while I work on crafty things at my desk, or take a walk, and sometimes when I'm doing things I don't need too much brain power for, like filing. Then I listen on the walk back to the parking lot and all the way home. I also listen while I'm in the grocery store, that's one of my favorites. It helps me two ways, I get the enjoyment of listening, and I do a better job shopping. I have to make a good list, if I'm going to be listening while I'm shopping, and it's tons easier to stick to my list, because my brain is actually paying attention to the podcast, and not getting distracted with impulse purchases!! ;p
There are so many awesome podcasts out there, crafty and otherwise. One of my favorite podcasts, that was an hour a day Monday-Friday retired a while back, so I had a void of five more hours a week to fill! I serched around for some more crafty podcasts, because I really love being inspired!! I'll share some more specific reviews in future posts, but for now, here's a link to a whole list of crafty podcasts for you to puruse.
4/6/07
Review: Crafty Pod
Let me start this review with a confession: Crafty Pod is my absolute favorite pod cast. There I said it.
First of all, our Pod host, Sister Diane has a wonderful voice, very calming to listen to, and professional sounding. She creates a biweekly podcast, that is usually right around 15-20 minutes, a perfect length to be able to listen in one break at work, and listen to over again anytime for an extra pick-me-up. They may be short but they are packed with so much information, interview bits, links, projects, ideas, that you can hardly believe it was that short. There are always bonuses on the site, and she's recently added a regular blog, so there are great posts of extra things that didn't make it onto the podcast. She's covered everything from buttons to felt, and has great podcasts of things to make for your cubicle, when you're sick, or on vacation.
Go LISTEN
P.S. The extra added bonus of the podcast? The adorible music. Zoom, zoom, zoom, zoom, zoom, zoom!
First of all, our Pod host, Sister Diane has a wonderful voice, very calming to listen to, and professional sounding. She creates a biweekly podcast, that is usually right around 15-20 minutes, a perfect length to be able to listen in one break at work, and listen to over again anytime for an extra pick-me-up. They may be short but they are packed with so much information, interview bits, links, projects, ideas, that you can hardly believe it was that short. There are always bonuses on the site, and she's recently added a regular blog, so there are great posts of extra things that didn't make it onto the podcast. She's covered everything from buttons to felt, and has great podcasts of things to make for your cubicle, when you're sick, or on vacation.
Go LISTEN
P.S. The extra added bonus of the podcast? The adorible music. Zoom, zoom, zoom, zoom, zoom, zoom!
2/17/07
Review: Craft Sanity
There are four podcasts that I never miss: Penn Jillette's radio show, CraftyPod, Never Not Funny, and Craft Sanity. Possibly an odd selection, but I guess that kinda reflects my personality. Craft Sanity is an in-deapth podcast, hosted by journalist and crafter, Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood. Each episode, she talks with a famous crafter, and I say talks with instead of interviews, because she definately adds her own perspective to each show. She is curious about everything, and asks wonderful thought provoking questions. Listening, I really feel like I'm getting to know the crafter personally, as well as getting to know Jennifer. Hearing other people's stories of how they got where they are is very inspiring to me, especially on those days when I'm feeling too old. (little funny quirk of the show, Jennifer always tells you everyone's age) And we get to find out all sorts of interesting side stories, too, which is what reminded me to write this post. Author Jessica Vitkus had awesome stories of behind-the-scenes at The Daily Show, which is one of my never miss TV shows. And on the latest podcast, which I just listened to last night, with cross stitcher Heather Holland-Daly, I learned that the head animator for South Park went to college here in Nebraska (he's good friends with Heather's husband who went to school here, too). Small world! Most guests provide a free project, and some bring a copy of their book for Jennifer to give away to her listeners.
If you're new to podcasts, and an hour (or more) seems like a big committment, look through the archives and start with a subject that particularly interests you. I find now, that even if the subject matter is not one that I would normally want to listen to, the interviewing and stories make it all interesting.
My rating on the Craft Sanity Podcast: Four Stars and Three Hugs! I would definately not be as sane as I am today without this wonderful show.
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