CRAFTCAST the Podcast #225

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.

In this Craftcast podcast episode, Patrik and I are joined by CRAFTCAST instructors Mags Bonham and Wizz Stearne for a lively conversation about the quotes that inspire us, guide us, and sometimes make us laugh out loud. We shared favorite words and sayings that have sparked creativity, helped us through challenges, and stayed with us over the years, along with plenty of humor, laughter, and unexpected stories. A fun, thoughtful episode filled with creative sparks, friendship, and a few memorable lines you may want to borrow for yourself

craftcast.com Today I'm talking with Janine Vangool, founder and editor of Uppercase, a magazine that celebrates creativity in all its forms. We talk about building an independent print publication, curating inspiring content, supporting artists, and why print still matters in a scroll-happy world. Janine shares how UPPERCASE began, how it evolved into books, compendiums, and creative projects, and what she looks for when featuring artists and makers. It's thoughtful. It's honest. It's inspiring.

craftcast.com Patrik and I had the absolute honor of talking with Harriete Estel Berman, artist, activist, and one of the most fearless voices in contemporary jewelry. We dive into recycled materials, social commentary, creative courage, and how to build a body of work that truly stands for something. But this episode isn't just about jewelry. It's about voice. It's about courage. It's about deciding what you want your work to stand for and having the conviction to stand behind it. If you're a maker, whether you work in polymer clay, metal clay, fiber, paint, paper, or anything in between, this conversation is for you. Because at some point, every one of us has to ask: Is it enough to make something beautiful? Or do I want my work to say something more? Harriete has been asking and answering that question for decades. And today, we get to learn from her.

craftcast.com In this episode, we chat with Annie Morhauser, founder of Annieglass, to talk about what it really takes to build a design brand that lasts. Annie began creating her signature hand-painted, kiln-fired glass in the early days of the American craft movement — and somehow turned it into a nationally recognized luxury tableware brand that's still thriving decades later. I still love her iconic gold rimmed plates, simple and elegant. This is a conversation about vision, resilience, evolution — and trusting your aesthetic even when no one else sees it yet. If you've ever wondered how a handmade product becomes a household name, you'll love this one.

craftcast.com We're told to think outside the box. But today's guest asks a better question. Patrick Duffy, the cardboard artist behind Clever Fool, calls himself a Cardboard Creative. Instead of escaping the box, he asks: What can I do with the box? In this episode of Craftcast: Where Soul Meets Craft, we talk about cardboard as both a material and a metaphor, about creativity, constraint, play, and the long view of a creative life. If you've ever felt boxed in, this conversation might change how you see what's already in your hands.

This week, Patrik and I are joined by the wonderful Tamara Honaman for a lively, behind-the-scenes conversation about her new book, Projects and Techniques for Metal Clay Jewelry, and what it really takes to bring a creative book to life. We talk about the projects and techniques inside the book, the joys and challenges of the writing process, and why we're all so deeply passionate about making things with our own hands and teaching others to do the same. There are lots of stories and laughs while we chat about: ✨ Creating and sharing knowledge ✨ Turning ideas into tangible projects ✨ The magic of teaching and watching someone say, "I made this!" ✨ Why metal clay continues to inspire us after all these years It's a feel-good, inspiration-filled episode for makers, teachers, and anyone who loves learning how things are made by hand and by heart. Tune in and enjoy the conversation! 💛