Vibrant Artist Podcast

Feeling stuck or a bit "meh" in your creative practice? Whether you're an author, poet, painter, graphic designer, knitting pattern designer, potter (you get the idea, right?) -- I have a free challenge designed just for you.

I’m hosting a FREE 3-day Creativity Challenge to help you generate fresh, meaningful, and uniquely YOU creative ideas using my signature Creative Thought Journey process. Each day, you’ll receive a new prompt designed to guide you through your experience, inspiration, and personal creative voice so you’ll have at least three brand-new ideas, each with a built-in story and de...

Sometimes, things don’t go as planned—and that’s okay. This episode is a little more behind-the-scenes than normal, and it's a reminder that sometimes pausing to realign is the most productive thing you can do.

I had a different episode planned, but instead I'm doing a bit more behind-the-scenes work to create super valuable content that's strategic so it reaches the right people. So this is your permission slip to slow down when you need to, step back when necessary, and focus on making your efforts truly effective. If you’ve ever fel...

Marketing doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or scattered. Whether you’ve been putting in the effort but something just isn’t clicking -- maybe your audience isn’t growing, engagement feels flat, or sales aren’t coming in like you hoped -- or you’re just getting started on your marketing, this challenge is for you.

I’m hosting a free marketing challenge this week (March 7-9, 2025) called "Clarify Your Marketing Foundations." We’re diving into the three core parts of your marketing funnel to help you identify any gaps that might be holding you back, so you can creat...

In an online world dominated by the "need" for engagement, negative headlines soar above the positive and mundane happenings around us. I'm not familiar with the scientific reason, but I do know the human brain seems to be captivated by negativity and controversy. It creates a fascination, a reaction, and a response; so our news, media, social media, and conversations are often oversaturated with it.

However, statistics indicate the world isn't any more "bad" than it was in the past; we are just more aware of it. But just because we have access to the constant stream...

The podcast previously named "Pattern Design Circle Podcast" is now named "Vibrant Artist Podcast." In this episode I dive into why I've made the change, what you can expect on the podcast moving forward, and how this impacts you if you're a knit or crochet pattern designer.

I'm excited to dive deeper with you into living vibrantly as a creative entrepreneur.

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I feel a lot like I'm coming back to business with a fresh start after about 2 years marked by burnout followed pregnancy and then maternity leave. I still have the same excitement and passion for my business, but as a work-from-home mom with a baby, my work schedule looks a bit different. And my planning process is no exception.

In this podcast episode, I dive into exactly what my slow, organic planning process is looking like for this year. If traditional planning doesn't resonate with, if you still haven't planned out your year, and/or you feel...

One of the most popular podcast episodes from last year was where I answered questions that you submitted, so we're going to do it again, but we're going to make it topic specific! Tune into the episode for all of the details on what kind of questions I'll be answering, and beyond.

Submit your questions here no later than February 28, 2025. If you include your email address, you'll be entered in a chance to win a free coaching call.

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If you've found this episode helpful or inspiring, feel free...

We're already to the last episode of this series of podcasts inspired by video interviews from the Collin & Samir show. I hope you've found them thought-provoking, inspirational, and filled with value that you can use in your life and business.

This final episode is inspired by a discussion that was "just" between Collin and Samir - no guests. They were talking about Twitter becoming X and discussing what kind of content would and would not work well on that platform, and in this conversation, they brought up the concept of 'Forgettable versus Memorable Content,' an idea...

New and exciting changes for you are here!

In an effort to make my communities as accessible, generous, and helpful as I can, I've adjusted the Pattern Design Circle community membership, so it's now split into three communities:

I hope you absolutely loved the previous episode inspired by Jacob Collier's interview on the Collin & Samir Show, and that you're ready for part two!

While part one felt a bit like a motivational pep talk (or at least I hope it did - that was my intention!), in part two we're diving deeper into some of the realities of business ~ and Jacob's advice concerning fear and growth mindset.

As always, I hope you enjoy this chat and take away something valuable to implement in your life or business today.

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I've completely restructured the opportunities that I offer for you to work with me 1-on-1, and I couldn't be more excited! I now offer the same one-time coaching calls (but with more clarification on how I can help you) AND brand new coaching packages to help you follow through after our call(s).

Tune into this episode to get all of the details or check out the booking page here. PLUS, I am offering 50% off the coaching packages for the first 2 people that sign up for each package option. This includes:

Do you ever read a book, watch a movie, or listen to an interview that inspires you so much that you just want to talk about it with someone - or everyone? That's how I felt after listening to Jacob Collier's interview on the Collin & Samir Show. And that's what this episode is all about: digging deeper into some ideas that really resonated with me from the interview.

Finding your passion, becoming an expert, following your purpose, and making an impact... this is just the tip of the iceberg from this podcast episode. I can't wait for...

Over the past couple of years, I've been fascinated to learn about the natural cycles of humans, including seasonalities, hormones, habits, and more. As we lean into these natural cycles, our businesses can feel more easeful, our time more productive, and our energy more optimized. If you're ready to lean into what's already instinctual in your body (rather than working against it), this episode is for you!

In this episode with Renae Fieck, we talk about Cycle Syncing: what it is, how it works, and how to optimize it in your life and business to save time...

With Amazon's Big Deal Days just behind us and Black Friday sales just ahead of us, I have some thoughts. Did you notice how many other businesses followed Amazon's lead with Big Deal Days by hosting their own "big" sales at the same time? Do you wonder if you need to jump on all of the sale/discount bandwagons too?

In this podcast episode, we dive into all things discounts and sales: trends that I've been seeing, when discounts/sales work well (and when they don't), how to create a good discount/sale, and how to decide...

If you're an abled person who doesn't have to worry about ableism in your day to day life, you're likely unaware of the many different shapes and forms that ableism can take. I know it's certainly a relatively new topic for me! And that's why I'm so excited to share this episode with you, featuring Beth Gorishek from Adaptive Knitter.

Beth has been adapting everything ~ including her knitting ~ her entire life as someone who is limb different. She's passionate about teaching folks how to become more adaptive, but she's also passionate about bringing more awareness to ableism...

Hurricane Helene recently dumped a ridiculous amount of rain on western North Carolina: a mountainous region that is not used to hurricane weather. The massive amount of rainfall led to power outages, water lines breaking, houses and roads drifting into the lakes and rivers, and more. While my home wasn't touched, there are homes not far from me that were. And the worst of the destruction is just a 2-3 hours' drive from me.

Long story shorter: western North Carolina needs our help! The weather is getting colder, so I've started a project (called Keep...

As much as we might try to see the world through a black and white, right versus wrong lens, that's often not the case. 

In this podcast episode, I chat with Karel Chan from KC Knitting Co, and we discuss some hot takes for the knit and crochet pattern design industry, which are linked with a discussion of the nuances of running a creative business, and specifically as a knitwear or crochet designer. 

You may not be surprised to know that we believe, whether driven by necessity, passion, or the desire for creative freedom, understanding wh...

Finding a technical editor that you work well with and that does good work can be difficult to find, and it often takes time to build a trusting relationship. I feel as though I have a great working relationship with my technical editor, but it wasn't always that way.

Prior to working with Joanna (of Precision Technical Editing), I'd worked with a few other technical editors, typically for just one or two patterns. One I felt spoke to me in a bit condescending way. Another I didn't quite trust with more complex designs. You get the idea...

Being vulnerable and asking for help can be difficult and intimidating in any situation, let alone when you're the CEO of your business and you feel like you're supposed to be the expert - the person who knows everything and can do everything. But the reality is... you're human. We're all human. And just as vulnerability tends to be valuable in nearly any relationship, so it is in business. Vulnerability is a great way to build trust and connection, for starters.

It can feel scary, but aren't scary things usually worth it?

In this episode...

As an entrepreneur, it can be difficult to take off a month or more for your business, especially if you're working alone and used to wearing all of the hats. But as a new parent, it's extremely valuable and important that you're able to step away from work to care for yourself and your new little one(s). Plus, this is why you're a business owner: so you have the freedom and flexibility that you want and need in life!

In this episode with Johanna of Anna Johanna Designs, we talk through our different approaches to planning...

Whether you're on the brink of burnout, you're in the middle of suffering from burnout, or you're wanting to prevent burnout in your creative business, this podcast episode is for you!

In this episode, we chat with Kam of Hand Knit by Kam. Kam and I were both dealing with burnout around the same time, but she chose to take a break. Tune in to hear what her break looked like, how she felt returning to her business, and how things look different now.

Ultimately, I want you to know that there is absolutely no...

If you are a creative entrepreneur, I really really hope you'll listen to this episode, because I think it's so important for all of us to be reminded of this over and over and over and over again!

This episode is a continuation of my series of diving into inspiration from other creative entrepreneurs and sharing their stories, wisdom, motivation, and work with you.

Today we are diving into Dan Pearce's Donkey Mud Pottery Studio. I've really enjoyed following his Instagram account for a few years, in part because of the way he showcases the...

Sometimes our businesses take unexpected turns that we never would've imagined... but that turn out even better than we might have planned! Last year, an opportunity arose for Jessie Rayot of Jessie at Home to purchase Crochet Foundry, and she jumped right on it!

In this podcast episode, Jessie shares all about her (unexpected) experience taking over an existing publication, including the ups and downs, and everything between! Plus, she shares her insider tips and opportunities for knit and crochet pattern designers looking to work with publications, and specifically Crochet Foundry!

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In this episode, I answer all of the questions (a bit rapid-fire style) that you submitted on the podcast survey in April. We cover picking a business name to starting a business legally, feeling aimless in your business, revenue streams, mindset, systems, and more.

There are two reasons that I chose to approach these questions this way:

Are the measures you're taking to be more "productive" actually just causing you more headache and wasting you more time? Or are your productivity habits actually moving you toward your goals?

In a world of hustle culture and a huge emphasis on being efficient and productive, it seems we've sometimes lost sight of what our real goals are and what productivity actually means and looks like.

Inspired by an episode on Mark Manson's YouTube channel, where he interviews Cal Newport about one of his books on productivity, in this podcast episode I talk about: 

When I approached Kim McBrien Evans of Indigo Dragonfly about being a guest on the Pattern Design Circle Podcast, she said, "Let's talk size inclusivity and what TRUE size inclusivity looks like!"

Kim wears many hats, as a knitwear designer, yarn dyer, teacher, and passionate advocate for inclusive sizing.

She shares, "I believe that size inclusivity and good fit work best as a partnership between the maker and the designer. The designer's role is to understand how body proportions work and how they interact with clothing. The maker's role is to understand how their body...

I won't lie... I've been dragging my feet about recording (and sharing) this episode. At first, I had a sense of relief having spoken the words into existence... and then all the fears and imposter syndrome came creeping back in again.

Why have I been procrastinating on this episode? Three main things:

But once I'd recorded the episode and thought about sharing the...

Creative entrepreneurs are a special kind of entrepreneur, and as a creative entrepreneur, I say that in the most positive and loving way. Our mission, our fuel, and our inspiration are different than others. We have a passion for creating, and sometimes that can make entrepreneurship difficult. Sometimes we feel like it's a constant pulling between creativity and entrepreneurship. Where's the balance? Is it possible to be "successful" financially and to be fulfilled creatively? Is it better to be focused on the passion and creativity or to be focused on the business?

This podcast episode is inspired...

Rather than asking what Carolyn has done, perhaps we should be asking, "what hasn't she done?!" From pattern designing to teaching classes in the local yarn shop she co-owned to working with creatives on Patreon (and so much more), Carolyn of Coulee Crafts truly has dabbled in so many areas of the fiber arts industry (and beyond)! I believe she truly deserves to be called a multi-passionate creator!

In this episode, I introduce you to Carolyn and we talk about her passion for crochet design, what makes her designs so fun and unique, how teaching classes has...

The Pattern Design Circle Podcast just celebrated its second birthday! I don't know if I'm feeling like “it's already 2 years old?!” or “it's only 2 years old?!”

But I do know that it's definitely something I really love doing, and that I've been continuing to make it more and more a focus in my business. I love how I can show up authentically and talk about business and all the things with you.

In this episode I recap a bit from the past - including some statistics and favorite episodes - and share a bit about what to...

Recently, I've been feeling very inspired by listening to content from creatives outside the arts and crafts industries. A couple of weeks ago I watched the Project Iceman documentary produced by Yes Theory!, and I absolutely loved it, and keep mentioning in all sorts of conversations. It's one of those pieces of content that not only resonated with me, but it truly inspired and motivated me as a creative entrepreneur... which is why I want to share about it with you, in case you need the same kind of boost.

In this episode we're talking about what...

Something I hear over and over again is, "I didn't get into this because of the business side of things; I got into it because I love knitting!" and I know it's something that most of my audience can relate to. So, chances are pretty high that you don't jump up and down with excitement over "all the legal stuff."

Thankfully, I'm going to introduce you to your new best friend in this episode! Kiffanie Stahle is both a lawyer and a creative business owner. She's even a maker in the fiber industry! So she gets...