How to adapt to an evolving world of fiber art and craft w/ with Jonna Helin, Aimée Gille, Ashley Yousling, Joji Locatelli, and Jen Joyce, Ep. 155

During Vogue Knitting Live 2024, Jen took the stage with big names in the fiber arts and maker industry to talk about how we can adapt to the ever evolving world of craft-what has changed, where the opportunity is, and advice on what to do when things are challenging. 

Our Panelists
Jonna Hietala is the co-founder, creative director and CEO of Laine Publishing and the editor-in-chief of Laine Magazine. Jonna has worked in lifestyle and crafts magazines both in Finland and in Sweden. Before Laine, she also ran her own yarn shop. In 2021, Jonna won the prestigious Taito-Finlandia award for her groundbreaking work on handicrafts and applied arts. Jonna lives in Tampere, Finland with her two children, cats and dogs.  

Aimée Gille was born and raised in the United States, in Kansas, and later moved to France, where her passion for knitting was reignited. In Paris, where she now lives with her family, she first opened L’Oisive, thé a wonderful knitting café, and later La Bien Aimée. Established in 2015, La Bien Aimée is an artisanal dye studio located in Paris, France. Aimée and her team dye beautiful and sophisticated colors of yarn that reflect a unique and vibrant point of view.  Her book, Worsted, was published by Laine Publishing in the fall on 2021. Her latest book Neons & Neutrals was published in March of 2022.

Ashley Yousling is the founder and CEO of Making and started our podcast back in 2014. She is an award winning designer with over 15 years of experience, leading and executing product + content vision and strategy in tech and consumer industries. Her work has been featured in outlets like The New York Times, Forbes, and Fast Company. She resides in Boise with her three boys, pup, and you can always find her in her art studio.

Joji Locatelli is an Argentine knitwear designer living in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After studying as a physician, in 2004 she rediscovered knitting. She is a Mom of two boys, and a wife to a loving non-knitting husband. She hopes to inspire with her knitting patterns and loves draped fabrics, beautiful details, simple lines.

Moderator
Jen Joyce is the Head of Marketing and Podcast Host at Making. She’s been a marketing professional for the past 14 years and has worked for tech startups, hospitality, fintech, and even an agency. She lives in Seattle with her partner, her dogs, and her 21-year-old cat. Jen can always be found knitting and watching “bad” TV, enjoying lovely Seattle but also traveling as much as possible and lifting heavy weights for that extra serotonin boost.
Photo credit for Jen’s pic: https://www.jacobpritchard.com

If you'd like to watch this episode...
https://www.youtube.com/@making_co

Music by Despatches.

If you'd like to give a shout-out, have a question that you'd like us to answer on the podcast, or are interested in sponsoring Making Conversation, email us at [email protected].