Beyond Crafting: Creating Your Most Inspired Life.

In this week’s episode we meet Nicole:  a maker, mama, mental health warrior, and the CEO and creative director at Dear Handmade Life. Nicole wears allllll the hats. She has a blog, a podcast, a shop, directs Camp Dear Handmade Life, puts on local makers festivals, and the highlight of her year is hosting the Craftcation Conference in California. (Did I mention it’s at the BEACH?!)Through curating events, education and community for creatives, Nicole is helping thousands upon thousands of women turn passion into profession while connecting and inspiring one another. Amazing, right?!There’s no denying Nicole does it all. How does she do it?? In this episode you’ll hear how Nicole juggles business, motherhood, and taking care of herself. Here are some episode highlights you won’t want to miss:Looking at your life through a lens of gratitude and also growthCollision between therapy and craftingProcess over ProductPriorities at different parts of lifeWhat Nicole wishes she had known about before starting her businessCoping with mental health disorderHow Nicole finds the good in the badBONUS: Find out which P word Nicole doesn’t use ;) Listen here!You can find Nicole on Instagram @dearhandmadelife and head on over to her website www.dearhandmadelife.com to find her latest blog posts, podcast episodes, and event information.  If you have questions for Nicole, email holli@hollimostella.com.  Support the show

In this episode, we meet Nikki with Steel Magnolia tumbler company. Nikki is a super math nerd and crafter turned bad ass business woman. As the owner, designer and creator of The Steel Magnolia, she just hit a HUGE milestone, selling her MILLIONTH cup! 🎉When it comes to cups, Nikki is the queen of versatility, originality and quality. She intentionally designs cups with YOUR busy, on-the-go schedule in mind. As a woman business owner in a man-led business world, it hasn’t always been the easiest. However, Nikki is an expert in her craft and she knows her customers which has truly allowed her business to grow to the successful place it is now. She loves hosting TumblerCon, an annual tumbler even to test new products from top vendors + learn techniques from some of the top designers! Check out @tumblercon on Instagram to see for yourself what it’s all about! As an artist, here are three of Nikki’s favorite tips:Heat Part A of your epoxy Seal, Seal, Seal!Get a plastic storage bin, cut a side out of it and cover your turners to protect from dust! Nikki's biggest piece of advice to other women in business is to LET GO OF CONTROL. Don’t kill yourself trying to do it all yourself! Remember our nemesis burnout?! Take a breath. Take a step back. Let people HELP YOU so you don’t experience burnout like Nikki did. If you’re interested in launching your own business, whatever that may be, Nikki’s advice is to get out there and TRY, just like she did! Start small, test the waters, see if you have a passion for it and then see where it takes you! She never in her wildest dreams thought she would be where she is now, having just sold her MILLIONTH cup! You’ll never know until you TRY. Listen to this episode to learn more about Nikki and her awesome company. You can find Nikki on Instagram @thesteelmagnoliacompany or her personal handle @the_nikkihamilton and on her website www.thesteelmagnolia.com. Support the show

In this week’s episode, I sat down with my AMAZING Virtual Assistant, Katie. If you’ve heard about ‘virtual assistants’ but not exactly sure what they do, what it’s like working from home or curious if YOU could potentially be a good fit in this role...then THIS episode is for YOU! Growing tired of the corporate job world, Katie knew she wasn’t meant for the 9 to 5 situation. Eager to be on the more creative side of things with a more flexible schedule, she joined some virtual assistant Facebook groups and landed her first few clients! Katie has now been working as a Virtual Assistant for 5 years helping bloggers, content creators, coaches + biz owners with the tasks that don’t light them up, so they can focus on the ones that do. Here are TEN key takeaways from my chat with Katie:Join virtual assistant Facebook groups - and don’t be afraid to reach out to potential clients! As a virtual assistant you can do SO MANY THINGS (which is the coolest thing!) - BUT find your niche, your ideal client, + hone into that. You make your OWN schedule as a VA - flexibility is one of the best parts about the job. It’s okay to do a trial run with a client before committing to any specific hours or pay - use the trial run to avoid any guesswork, especially when you're first starting out.If you’re a small business owner looking for a VA - join Facebook groups! (Trust me, Facebook is the best place for VAs to find clients + clients to find VAs). Building a base of clients was the hardest part of becoming a virtual assistant BUT reach out to people + trust that you can deliver on your promises. On the topic of promising - Don’t make unrealistic promises to clients.When it comes to getting paid: do your research first. See what other VAs in Facebook groups are charging for similar services, Google VA salaries in your area and then work backwards toward an hourly or package rate, and most importantly know your own worth and then add tax. A virtual assistant’s role is to amplify, not replicate, the client’s voice or brand.THE BIGGEST TAKEAWAY: Do NOT undervalue yourself. Don't feel bad for walking away from the person who doesn’t see your value. You'll be so happy that you now have the capacity to take on that perfect client. You’ve heard me say it many times before, I don’t know what I would do without Katie! I am SO grateful for everything she does for me. Thank you, Katie, for such good advice. If you want to get more information about being a virtual assistant, you can look into those virtual assistant Facebook groups.And NEVER underestimate your worth. Support the show

One way I love for my community to get to know me a little better is with a good ol’ Q & A. I have my amazing virtual assistant, Katie, on this episode with me asking me questions my patrons are asking + that I get asked often! We will cover topics ranging from mental health to spending fake money! Here’s a sneak peek into what Katie and I cover in this week’s episode of Beyond Crafting:Q: Who inspires you the most?There's a ton of people in our online community that inspire me. But overall, more than anything, my parents. They show me kindness, patience, and love.Oh, and Glennon Doyle (If you don’t know who she is, look her up here. She’s amazing.).Q: What is the hardest part of being a work-at-home mom?I think there are a lot of misconceptions about work-at-home moms, but the truth is, being a mom is hard no matter what you do - work-at-home moms, work-outside-the-home moms - we all have our trials. Truthfully. Without a doubt. The hardest part of being a work-at-home mom is trying to explain to people that I actually work at home. Can I get an amen?! Q: What have you found to be the best type of marketing for your business?Wait, you don’t just buy ads??? NOPE. I have in the past.BUT the best type of marketing is organic marketing. Find your people that really, truly believe in you. Investing in building my community in an authentic way helped me expand more than any paid marketing.Q: What goal or goals do you hope to accomplish by the end of the year? THIS PODCAST! I’m so passionate about staying consistent with this podcast. It’s not fair to me or you to keep letting it fall to the bottom of the list. Q:  When you have bad mental health days, what keeps you going?You have to find the thing that keeps you going. Whatever it is. For me it’s my parents, my girls, and my amazing community + the work I get to do. And knowing that there will be a break is what keeps me going. Q: If you could buy anything, no money restrictions. What would it be? No spoilers here! Go have yourself a listen to see. 😄------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Another inspiring person in my life is @thebirdspapaya. Do yourself a favor and check out her Instagram account -- she helped me realize it's okay to love myself.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Interested in what being a Virtual Assistant entails? We're going to do an episode with my VA, Katie, and she would love to answer any questions you have! Email those questions to holli@hollimostella.com.  Support the show

Let’s face it, 2020 did not end the way that it started. For any of us. For me, it ended in a separation, a new home and, in hindsight, a fresh start. So, Where Did I Go? In the mess of 2020, I realized how desperately I needed to take a b.r.e.a.k. I needed time to focus on my girls + myself. And that’s OKAY.It’s about time we ditched the hustle. You do not have to grind until you die. It is sometimes necessary (and dare I say mandatory) to take some time off to re-prioritize, set boundaries, and put yourself first so you don’t experience burnout.I give you permission to pause + breathe. You deserve it whether you think you do or not. My passion is this podcast, and I am so excited to be back with all of you where I have a voice to share my heart beyond crafting. Support the show

If you or a loved one has experienced domestic violence, you can visit thehotline.org, contact the National Domestic Violence hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to ncadv.org/rescources for a full list for help. Or visit the Show Notes Section at http://hollimostella.comKeep finding strength in each day. Keep pushing and finding yourself again. Keep moving forward, with the ashes of hell beneath your feet. Support the show

and how to get over it. Let's face it. No one and nothing is perfect. Once we can accept perfection is not obtainable, we can allow life to get a little easier. Get Show Notes at http://www.hollimostella.comSupport the show

Being a woman holds so many stories. Just like a diamond, so many facets. We are story tellers, passing down the knowledge that our mothers taught us and their mothers taught them. We are lovers. We are friends. We are sometimes mothers, and sometimes not. We hold secrets, and we hold truths. During an interaction with my patron group, I asked.. “what does it mean to be a woman?” Here are some of their answers.Get the Show Notes here: https://hollimostella.com/episode-11/Music: Hiraeth by Scott Buckley https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckleyCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: http://bit.ly/al-hiraethMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/iZdPxAXsd5kSupport the show

Meet Shantae Wright, and hear how her entire family of 4 survived Coronavirus. Listen to her share her story, her symptoms, and her family's recovery.See the Show Notes at: https://hollimostella.com/episode-10-meet-shantae-wright/Visit Shantae Here: http://www.instagram.com/simplytexasvinylSupport the show

Instagram. Like most social media, You either love it or you hate it. What if I told you I have tricks and tips that can help you beat the algorithm, gain followers, and improve your engagement? Let’s take a dive into what makes Instagram tick.Visit the Show Notes for more info, photos, and links: Support the show

Jennifer Maker works day and night to inspire those around her. Take a listen and hear about her journey, how she got started, and some of the amazing business tips she gives.Visit the Show Notes for more info, photos, and links: https://hollimostella.com/meet-jennifer-maker/Support the show

At some point in your creative career, you’re going to experience burnout. I think it’s important than you know it’s normal, and it doesn’t mean you're failing. Burnout is common, and it’s real. It casts false shadows that you’re not good at what you do, that you don't find happiness in things you once did, or even that you’re lazy. None of those things are true. Let me tell you about what exactly burnout is, and how to take steps to overcome it. See the Show Notes: https://hollimostella.com/episode-07-burnout/Support the show

Here are some important updates for the show! (Hey- did you notice the logo change, too?! A HUGE thank you to Alli Koch https://www.instagram.com/allikdesign/)The website is LIVE! You can now view Show Notes for all podcasts, and they will be live with each show. I'll also be providing break downs of tutorials, if you prefer to read and see photos vs. videos! You can shop merch for a short time (Until July 18, 2020) for amazing tshirts, sweatshirts, and even masks to support the show.Be sure to sign up for the newsletter to not miss any important news. I promise not to spam you, ever! BUT, most importantly, I want to hear from you! What episodes would you like to hear? What guests would you like to have on the show? Send me an email at: holli@hollimostella.com to let me know! Support the show

Balancing life with work, kids, social life, partnerships.. it's hard. So how do you do it? Join me as we walk through a little day to day of my own, and how I try to manage it all.Let's connect:-Support the Show: http://www.patreon.com/hollimostella-Instagram: http://instagram.com/hollimostella-Youtube: youtube.com/Hollimostella -My Facebook Craft Group: http://facebook.com/groups/cricutcraftlifeSee the show notes at: http://www.hollimostella.comAudio by Britt Burns Support the show

If you have been following me for a while, you know that I use my platforms to speak for those that feel they have no voice. Shattering stigmas around mental health, anxiety and depression, and body image. I have never been known to be an activist, but an advocate.In the recent weeks, I’ve found there’s another topic that I have to include as the basis of this podcast. Black Lives Matter. Today, yesterday, tomorrow, and every day after.One of the hardest aspects of this movement is finding out about white privilege. What made it even harder... was discovering that I have white privilege. It’s important to know that white privilege and racism is not the same.The last few weeks I’ve not been sleeping. After seeing the brutal death of George Floyd, and then researching to find many other deaths, I knew it was more than important to help others understand what our Black community is going through. I bear a heavy heart for what has been in front of me my entire life, and not seeing or understanding. More importantly.. not helping.But this is not new for the Black community. Thankfully, it is coming to light, and helping people like myself realize that people need more understanding.. so that we can continue to stand for humanity.This week I’m bringing in Bruce Jackson. He’s owner and master of operations at Backfist Customs, a glitter company I have loved and used for about 3 years now.Support the show

This episode I’m going to introduce you to Kim, from Sweet Red Poppy. She’s an amazing woman with a dark history that wears a constant smile on her face. She built her business from the group up, all while taking care of 3 children under 3. Let's hear Kim’s story. Support the Show: http://patreon.com/hollimostellaWrite to me on Instagram: http://instagram.com/hollimostellaAudio by Britt Burns Support the show

I recently took a poll in my patron group. The question was, have you ever struggled with your body image or loving your body? 100% answered yes. 100% of almost 500 people that participated said yes, they have struggled to accept their body. Here’s the thing. I have existed in small, medium, and a large body size. For the last 5 years, it has been a major burden. Something that attributed to depression, missing out on life memories, and experiences with my friends and families. Support the Show: http://patreon.com/hollimostellaWrite to me on Instagram: http://instagram.com/hollimostellaAmazing Audio by Britt Burns Support the show

Meet Brittany. A woman that went from a heroin addition, to an aspiring book author and mother. Join me as she takes us from her rock bottom, to where she is now, at her Manager Position at Cricut. Follow Brittany on Instagram: https://instagram.com/babesandbotanicals ------------------------------------------------Let's Connect:https://instagram.com/HolliMostellahttps://youtube.com/HolliMostellaBecome part of my Community:http://patreon.com/hollimostellaTheme Song:Journey - Atch https://soundcloud.com/atch-musicCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/atch-journeyMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/sIaZg9d6mjg ------------------------------------------------Support the show

You guys knows me as Holli Mostella, content creator. With this platform, i want to show you what it’s like behind the craft room doors. To bring in people that inspire me, and to have a place where my voice can be heard. Thank for joining for my first official episode of Beyond Crafting. Where I hope to encourage you in and outside of the craft room.. or if you are like me for many years, at the kitchen table.In this episode I want to reveal more of myself. So we can get to know each other before we get started on this amazing adventure. So, while we go through this journey together, here’s a few things to know about me: I am a mama to two beautiful daughters. Yes, it’s hard, yes, it’s almost impossible to get things done, but that’s for another episode. I am a huge advocate for mental health, and many other things that stigma surrounds. I am a lover of all things crafty. I make glitter and artistic tumblers, I love metal stamping like with Impressart, I love hand lettering images for my patrons, and I am a Product Expert for Cricut.Join My Patreon: http://Patreon.com/hollimostellaFollow Me on Instagram: http://Instagram.com/HolliMostellaA special thank you to my Angel Patrons:+Peachy Olive Glitters: http://peachyoliveglitters.com+Backfist Customs Glitter: http://backfistcustomsglitter.com+My Glitter Addiction: http://www.MyGlitterAddiction.com+Ann Dixon+Amy Sullivan: http://www.facebook.com/glitterismyjam+Molly Carroll+Wanderlust Glitter: http://www.wanderdustglitters.com +Ashley Marie: https://www.facebook.com/groups/417239642278873+Ciarla Jenisse: http://instagram.com/laracis.designs+Mayra Elena: https://www.instagram.com/craftingbymayra+Raven Noelle: https://instagram.com/lightningandskycreationsSee you next time. <3 Support the show

Hello and welcome to Beyond Crafting, a brand new podcast where I hope to help you create your most inspired life. Where I hope to encourage you in and outside of the craft room.. or if you are like me for many years, at the kitchen table. This is a place where I hope to uplift, and inspire you, beyond crafting. Creativity takes courage. And I hope to give you enough courage, to spark your most creative self. With this podcast, I’ll be diving in what it’s like behind the craft room doors. Connecting with you on a deeper level. I wanted a place that goes beyond crafting, to a place where our voices could be heard. For years I have felt the strong need to connect with our community, and to bring a new understanding of what it’s like run your business from home, what it’s like to balance life with kids and work, and bring a new, empowering message to creators of all skill levels. This is a new adventure for me, and I’m so excited to share this experience with you. Welcome to my empire of self-love, inspiration, and encouragement. If there is one thing you take away from me, I hope it is something that conquers all fear and doubt that holds you back. I want to help you reach your goals, and inspire you along the way.i’m so excited to use this podcast to connect with you. it seems like i’m going in so many directions, i wanted one place where we can sit down and say, hey – I’m here to inspire you.In my next episode, I will be taking you through a deep dive of my background. Who I am, what I do, and what it took to get me here. I’m excited to share my story with you, and to be honest, and little nervous, too. But- that’s what this podcast is about. Taking back control of what we can, and letting go of what does not serve us. Join me next week as I begin this journey with you, and follow me on Instagram Instagram.com/HolliMostella to stay up to date on when new podcasts launch. And I want to thank *you* for inspiring *me*, to go beyond crafting.    Sunray valley by Scandinavianz https://soundcloud.com/scandinavianzCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/-sunray-valleyMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Fpwzd8Nl6EoSupport the show