Rescued & Upcycled with Sonnet

One question I get asked a lot is, how do you do it all?

How are you filming YouTube videos, writing blog posts, recording a podcast, putting together the Maker’s Box, showing up inside the community, prepping for events, and still keeping everything moving?

In today’s episode, I’m sharing a real behind-the-scenes look at what that actually looks like for me. I’m talking about the moving pieces, the mental load, the different hats I wear, what helps me stay organized, and the honest truth about the weeks when it all feels a little...

There are some changes coming to the Maker’s Box… and while I’m not sharing everything just yet, it felt like the right time to start letting you in a little behind the scenes.

With the two-year anniversary coming up, I’ve been reflecting on where the Maker’s Box started, how it’s grown, and what I want this next year to look like. In this episode, I’m sharing a little bit of that journey, along with a few things I’ve been working on behind the scenes—including opening up the vault of past designs, new...

In today’s episode of Rescued & Upcycled, I’m sharing the story behind Antique Acres — one of my favorite vintage events of the year, and the only vendor event I still choose to do.

I’m talking about what makes Antique Acres so special, how it all started, why this event feels so different than the many shows I used to do, and how this season of life and business has taught me to simplify, pivot, and hold onto the parts that still bring me joy.

If you’ve ever outgrown something...

In this episode of Rescued & Upcycled, I’m sharing five of my favorite projects I’ve created as part of the IOD Artisan team — and the stories behind each one.

From a vintage minnow bucket and old countertop canisters… to beautiful storage pieces, a well-loved guitar case, and oversized decorative eggs… each one has its own creative spark, transformation, and reason why it became a favorite.

I’m taking you behind the scenes of the thought process behind each piece, the products and techniques I used, and why some of the best ideas don’t always show up...

In today’s episode of Rescued & Upcycled, I’m sharing a little peek into my own personal style and the vintage pieces I’m always drawn to.

These are the collections that have slowly shaped the way I decorate my home, my studio, and even my garden over the years.

From old, galvanized watering cans and brass hose nozzles… to McCoy pottery, ironstone, butter pats, jadeite, and more… I’m talking about the pieces I just can’t seem to pass up—and why they mean so much more than just decor.

This episode is reall...

Have you ever wondered how to take a project from looking “just okay” to something that feels layered, aged, and full of character?

In this episode of Rescued & Upcycled, I’m sharing five creative techniques that I’ve been loving lately — the ones I keep coming back to again and again because they truly transform a piece.

We’re talking about:
 • Creating crackle and chippy goodness for that authentic aged look
 • Layering transfers, decoupage, and paint inlays
 • Adding dimension with raised stenciling
 • Distressing and waxing for depth and vintage character
 • And emb...

Creativity can often start as a personal journey, something we do quietly in our studios or craft rooms. But over time, I’ve realized that creativity becomes even more powerful when it’s shared.

In this episode of Rescued & Upcycled, I’m talking about the incredible impact of creative community and why creating together can inspire us in ways we never expected.

From our Monday night lives to the Maker’s Creative Community, the Maker’s Box creative team, collaborations with other creatives, and the Vintage Soul Creative Retreat, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is when c...

Last week we talked about scraps — letting go of perfection and simply creating with what you already have. But after that episode, and after kicking off Sonnet’s Scrap Challenge on my live, it got me thinking about something deeper.

If creativity feels so freeing… why do we sometimes make it so hard on ourselves?

In this episode of Rescued & Upcycled, I’m sharing 10 things creative women secretly struggle with. These are the quiet thoughts and feelings many of us experience at different points in our creative journey.

We’re talking about things like:
...

Do you have a stash of beautiful scraps you just can’t throw away?

Those leftover pieces of transfers. The bits of decoupage paper you saved because they were too pretty to discard. The fragments of paint inlays, gelli pad prints, and layered papers that inspired you—but are still waiting for their moment.

In this episode of Rescued & Upcycled, I’m sharing how those scraps aren’t leftovers at all… they’re opportunities.

We’ll talk about how scraps can actually free your creativity, removing the pressure that sometimes comes with using a full sheet...

In today’s episode of Rescued & Upcycled, I’m sharing why thrifting became such an important part of my life—and how it completely changed the way I see creativity, beauty, and possibility.

Thrifting didn’t start as a hobby for me. It started as a necessity. But over time, it became so much more. It became the foundation of my creative journey, the way I learned to trust my eye, and the way I created a home filled with character, meaning, and story.

In this episode, I’m diving into:

• Why thrifting shaped who I...

In this episode, I’m sharing what this current season of creating looks like for me — not in theory, but in real life. From being an IOD Artisan and working with the newest release, to creating multiple videos on my own channel, thrifting again, styling my booths, and showing up live with more intention, this season feels different in the best way.

I talk about how having more space has changed the way I create, why deadlines no longer feel heavy, and how allowing myself time to explore, experiment, and imagine has brought creativity back to the cent...

After stepping away from the mic for a season, I’m sharing an honest reflection on where I’ve been and what this past year taught me about burnout, survival mode, and losing touch with the joy that originally led me here.

In this episode, I open up about a powerful wake-up call from my mom that made me realize I was doing everything required to run my business — but not enough of the things I truly love. We’ll talk about being reactive instead of proactive, the freedom that comes from asking for help, and how making s...

Today I’m sharing a very real, very behind-the-scenes episode of Rescued & Upcycled — the story of reclaiming my creative space. After years of collecting thrifted treasures for future projects, my garage became so full I couldn’t even see the floor.

During my 12 Days of WhatNot, I pulled out 100 items a day and sold over 600 pieces… yet the garage was still overflowing. That’s when I realized this journey wasn’t just about decluttering — it was about rediscovering my creativity.

In this episode, I’m talking about:
✨ How clutter was crowding out my inspiration
✨ The forgotte...

Have you ever been scrolling Pinterest and stopped mid-scroll because something about an image just pulled you in? That’s exactly where this episode begins.

In today’s Rescued & Upcycled, Sonnet shares how her creative membership group uses “Stop the Scroll” sessions to study what makes a vignette truly captivating — from color and composition to texture and storytelling.

She then takes you behind the scenes of their latest community challenge, Deck the Chairs, inspired by a stunning holiday photo from Country Sampler Farmhouse Style Magazine. What began as a simple styling exercise turned into a full-blown...

Step inside three unforgettable days of creativity, community, and inspiration at the Vintage Soul Creative Retreat 2025!

From October 2nd–4th, six amazing creatives gathered at the 10th Frame in Appleton, Wisconsin — and together, we created, laughed, and connected through paint, paper, and passion. In this video, I’m taking you behind the scenes for a full recap of every project, every teacher, and every magical moment that made this year’s retreat so special.

Featuring:

Sally from Iron Orchid Designs (IOD) – Paint inlays, molds & stamping magic

Sasha from Sweet Pickin’s Milk Paint –...

If you’ve ever felt like a project would be so much easier if you just had the right tools — this episode is for you. Today, I’m opening up my toolbox and sharing the top 10 tools I can’t live without in my DIY and upcycling projects. From my trusty Dewalt sander and brad nailer to the jigsaw that lets me cut creative shapes, these are the workhorses that make every build, flip, and furniture rescue smoother and more enjoyable.

I’m also spilling my secrets on the unsung heroes — like the inexpensive thumb sander, the green scrubb...

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how we start our creative projects — and how sometimes, the hardest part isn’t the making… it’s the getting started. You know that feeling: you’re excited to create, but you get stuck trying to find the perfect paint, the right paper, or the pieces that will all work together. And by the time you’ve pulled it all together, the spark is gone.

If that sounds familiar, then today’s episode is absolutely for you.

Join me weekly as I tell my story and start interviewing oth...

Every maker has their secret stash of supplies they just can’t live without—and today, I’m opening up my DIY toolbox and sharing mine! From IOD moulds and Fusion Mineral Paint to Roycycled Decoupage papers, Sweet Pickins Milk Paint, and even my own Digital Press prints, I’m breaking down the products that inspire nearly every project I create.

I’ll tell you why I love them, how I use them, and share stories (and a few tips!) that might just inspire your next project.

Join me weekly as I tell my story and start...

As summer winds down, our homes can sometimes feel caught between seasons—bright and airy, but missing that cozy vibe we start craving in the fall. 🍂 In this episode of Rescued & Upcycled, I’m sharing simple, subtle swaps you can make to transition your decor from summer to fall.

No giant tubs of pumpkins, no overwhelming projects—just easy, impactful ideas that bring warmth and charm into your space. From cozy textiles and layered rugs, to natural elements, mood lighting, and small styling touches, these little changes will help you welcome fall one step at a time.

...

I’m sitting down with Kathy Goers of Waste Not Upcycled — a teacher, a mom, a reseller, and an upcycler with a one-of-a-kind creative passion. Kathy takes something as simple as old, broken crayons and transforms them into colorful, custom letters that make the perfect gift, party favor, or keepsake. We’re going to dive into how she came up with this idea, what her process looks like, and why these little creations have captured so much attention.

But that’s not all — Kathy also runs a vintage booth in Lake County, Illinois, and she shares her love of re...

Have you ever felt burnt out, uninspired, or like your creativity is running on empty? In this episode of Rescued & Upcycled, I’m sharing how my time at the 127 Sale became more than just days of junkin’—it was my version of self-care.

Sometimes, taking care of yourself doesn’t look like a spa day or bubble bath. For me, it looked like backroad treasure hunts, belly laughs with creative friends, and the joy of doing something purely for myself. That time away wasn’t just fun—it was refueling.

We’ll talk about why creatives need...

In this episode of Rescued & Upcycled, I’m joined by three incredible creatives—Tara from The Reclaimed Ranch, Sylvia from Backyard Brushes, and Julie from Dirt Road Relics—as we take you behind the scenes of our adventure at the 127 Sale, the world’s longest yard sale. From fighting (playfully) over rusty treasures to sharing laughs, stories, and creative inspiration, this is the inside scoop on what it’s like to thrift, junk, and road trip with your favorite creative friends.

This year’s trip was extra special because we were attending “Jazzing Up the...