CRAFTCAST the Podcast #234

craftcast.com Polymer clay, color, pattern, creativity, and the courage to follow your own artistic path. In this episode, Patrik and I sit down with polymer clay artist and teacher Lucy Struncová to talk about her creative journey, where inspiration comes from, finding your own artistic voice, and what keeps you excited about making after years of creating. We'll get into the magic of polymer clay, the role of color and pattern in Lucy's work, the joys and challenges of teaching, and what happens when experimentation leads somewhere completely unexpected. Because sometimes the most interesting part of being an artist isn't what you make. It's discovering where your creativity takes you next.

craftcast.com What if your creative life doesn't follow the plan? What if the road takes you from biomedical engineering… to art history… to the technology industry… and eventually to becoming a metal clay artist, teacher, publisher and champion of a creative community? That's the wonderfully winding story of Brandy Boyd. On this episode of CRAFTCAST: Where Soul Meets Craft, Alison Lee and Patrik Kusek talk with Brandy about discovering metal clay in the early days of the medium, becoming a certified instructor, teaching for nearly two decades, and eventually becoming the editor and publisher of Metal Clay Today. But this conversation goes far beyond metal clay. We talk about finding your creative voice, changing direction, following curiosity, sharing what you know, and trusting a creative path that doesn't always make sense while you're living it. Brandy's story is a reminder that the things we think are detours may actually be preparing us for the work we're meant to do. So whether you're a longtime metal clay artist, a curious beginner, or simply someone wondering where your own creative journey might take you, come join us. Because sometimes the winding road is the best part of the journey.

craftcast.com What if travel could change the way you see craft, culture—and yourself? Join Alison Lee and Patrik Kusek for a fascinating conversation with Gregory Hamilton Miller, founder of Ceramic Adventures. Gregory has spent years exploring the world through craft, including an apprenticeship with legendary Japanese potter Shimaoka Tatsuzo. Together, they'll talk about craft as a doorway to culture, the magic of stepping off the beaten path, what we discover when we spend time with makers, and how travel can awaken our curiosity and creativity. We'll explore the connections between making, tradition, imperfection, discovery, and the people who bring craft to life. Because sometimes the greatest adventure isn't the place you travel to, it's what you discover along the way. Join us for this inspiring CRAFTCAST conversation: Where Soul Meets Craft.

craftcast.com Have you ever wondered why taking a break isn't always enough? In this episode of CRAFTCAST ~ Where Soul Meets Craft, Patrik and I have a heartfelt conversation about what it really means to do a hard reset after life's challenges leave you feeling creatively depleted. Over the past several months, I've personally walked through some difficult life challenges that made it almost impossible to feel motivated to create. That experience led me to realize there's a big difference between taking a break, going on vacation, and truly recovering. Recovery is about more than resting. It's having patience to let the nerve endings reconnect. If your creative spark feels out of reach, this episode is a reminder that you don't have to force inspiration. Sometimes the first step isn't making something; it's allowing yourself the space to recover. Trusting the process is different than procrastinating. Join us as we share our experiences, what we've learned, and gentle encouragement for anyone finding their way back to the joy of creating.

craftcast. com Remember the feeling of the last day of school? The final bell rang, summer stretched out in front of you, and suddenly the world felt full of possibility. No schedules. No homework. Just endless days to ride your bike, build forts, make art, explore the woods, catch fireflies, or simply let your imagination lead the way. In this episode of CRAFTCAST ~ Where Soul Meets Craft, Alison and Patrik take a joyful trip back to those carefree summers and ask an important question: Where did that feeling go? Together they explore the freedom, curiosity, and creative play that came so naturally as kids—and how adulthood often replaces it with deadlines, responsibilities, and the pressure to always be productive. But what if that magical summer mindset isn't gone? What if it's simply waiting for an invitation? Join us as we reminisce about favorite summer memories, laugh about childhood adventures, and share simple ways to reclaim that sense of wonder, play, and possibility in our creative lives today. Whether you're an artist, maker, or simply someone longing to feel a little lighter, this conversation is your reminder that it's never too late to give yourself permission to wander, create, and rediscover the joy of an endless summer. Because sometimes the most creative thing we can do... is remember how to play.

craftcast.com We all go through those times where we feel creatively exhausted. The ideas stop. Everything feels harder than it should be, and we start to convince ourselves we're failing because we're tired. We are good at being hard on ourselves. In this episode, Patrik and I talk honestly about burnout, losing your creative mojo, and why being hard on yourself usually makes everything worse. We share some of the things that help us get through those stuck periods, from giving ourselves permission to make bad art, to stepping away for a bit, to remembering that creativity doesn't completely disappear just because your energy does. Patrik also shares his thoughts on the difference between being creatively blocked and simply being burned out (which honestly explained a lot for me). If you've been feeling overwhelmed, uninspired, or guilty for not creating "enough," this episode is a good reminder that you're probably a lot more normal than you think. And hopefully by the end, you'll have laughed a bit and felt more like your creative self… and maybe even be ready to make something again.      

craftcast.com Me: Be honest. If I walked into your studio right now, would I see: A) a clear, inspiring workspace… or B) twelve half-finished projects, three mystery tools, and something sticky? Patrik: First of all, the sticky thing is probably important. LOL Me: Of course it is. LOL Patrik: Look, people, love to say they're "creatively stuck," but sometimes, you just can't find your pliers. Me: Never happened to me. LOL Patrik: I'm just saying, if your studio is fighting you, you're going to lose. Me: And if your studio is too clean, where's the personality? Patrik: Personality is not the same as chaos. Me: hmmm  I need your help That's how the idea for today's podcast started. Listen if you dare, but we promise lots of aha moments and LOL!  

Silver prices are up. Is your creativity up as well, or feeling the pinch?  craftcast.com In this episode, Patrik and I sit down with the smart and resourceful Pam East to talk about what's on every metal clay artist's mind right now and how to keep creating when silver clay feels like a luxury item. Pam shares clever, real-world ways to stretch your materials (without sacrificing design), smart substitutions you may not have considered, and how constraints can actually push your work in exciting new directions. We also dive into inspiration. Where does it actually come from, and how to find it when you feel tapped out. Sometimes the best ideas show up when things aren't going perfectly. If you've been side-eyeing your silver stash or waiting for a spark to hit, this episode is your pull to get back to the studio.

What really goes on behind the scenes of the craft world? This week on CRAFTCAST, we're hanging out with Abby Glassenberg, co-founder and president of Craft Industry Alliance, and talking about the creative world from a whole different angle. Abby has her finger on the pulse of what makers are creating, teaching, selling, worrying about, and celebrating, so this conversation wanders into the real stuff like what's changing, what's surprising, what people in the craft world are quietly figuring out, and what still makes us laugh along the way. Expect honest insights, practical ideas, and plenty of lively conversation along the way.

Creative block is rude. One minute you're full of ideas, the next you're staring at your worktable like it personally betrayed you. In this episode, Patrik Kusek and I share favorite quotes sent in by listeners. It's those lines people return to when creativity goes missing, confidence dips, or starting feels strangely difficult. Some quotes are brilliant. Some are comforting. Some sound simple until they hit exactly the right nerve. And of course, with Patrik involved, one quote quickly turns into stories, side roads, unexpected honesty, and quite a bit of laughter. If your inspiration has been hiding lately, this episode may coax it back out.