Craft A Life You Love

You are worthy of taking time each and every day to take care of yourself. Self-care is of the utmost importance and not enough people are prioritizing it in their lives. In this episode, I had on author, spiritual teacher and wisdom seeker, Mary Davis. Mary touched on why you have to be relentless with your self-care practices. She and I discussed a lot of great topics around learning to lean into your spirit, turning pain into purpose and working smarter, not harder.  (This episode was pre-recorded on October 20, 2020) What’s in this episode: What brought Mary to this level of wisdom How her upbringing brought her to what she does now Mary’s process of turning pain into her purpose The gift of growth and expansion that comes from life’s challenges Why women tend to put themselves last on their list Mary’s thoughts on divine timing How you can learn to listen to your spirit Why you should work smarter, not harder How small shifts can make the biggest transformations Why you should normalize your perspective on death Her advice for someone who is navigating something difficult Why you have to be able to tell your story Her encouragement about giving yourself the option to cry What her typical day is like  Why you have to prioritize yourself   About Mary:Mary Davis is the author of the beloved inspirational classic, Every Day Spirit: A Daybook of Wisdom, Joy and Peace, and the Every Day Spirit Gratitude Journal. She is a wisdom seeker, spiritual teacher, visionary, graphic artist and mystic entrepreneur. Her wallpaper app, Every Day Spirit Lock Screens, brings a little love, beauty and inspiration to phones around the world. Mary received her BSN from Georgetown University’s School of Nursing, after which she spent many fun years as a musician, songwriter, producer, piano teacher and yoga instructor. She completed her Compassionate Bereavement Counseling certification in 2017 and works with parents who have lost children and in hospice care. She has a house by the sea and lives a contemplative life in harmony with nature. Connect With Mary:Website Links:Every Day Spirit: A Daybook of Wisdom, Joy and Peace by Mary DavisEvery Day Spirit Gratitude Journal by Mary Davis   Hope you’ve enjoyed this episode! Would love to hear from you. What is one thing you can do with the wisdom and guidance you’ve extracted from this episode to make a positive and lasting change in your own life? Connect with me on social media. You can find me @amytangerine on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and pretty much anywhere. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please rate and review on iTunes, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and let your friends know about it too! The more we spread the creativity and happiness that comes from pursuing our passions, the better off our amazing community will be. Hope you feel uplifted, energized and inspired. 

I am so thrilled to introduce you to the guest on today’s episode, Nicole Barlettano. Nicole is an illustrator, designer and bullet journalist who has successfully turned her passion project into a career. In this episode, we talk about how she got into bullet journaling and her experience collaborating and doing brand deals. Nicole and I discuss why you shouldn’t look at mistakes as problems, how to handle negative criticism people dish out online and why you should be gentle with yourself during all of the seasons of your life.  (This episode was pre-recorded on October 15, 2020) What’s in this episode: How Nicole got started with bullet journaling  Nicole’s experience of working with Paper Pastel What she does for Zinnia Journal What stationery and art supplies she’s obsessed with right now How you don’t have to look at mistakes as a problem Her thoughts on creating content that will help people How she handles negative critiques from people What Nicole does to navigate when she doesn’t have the motivation Why you have to learn to be gentle with yourself in all seasons   About Nicole:Nicole is an illustrator, designer, and passionate bullet journalist with a background in the product development and crafting industries. Her passion project, Plans That Blossom, has not only turned into a lifestyle, but a dream job that allows her to share her bonkers enthusiasm with others.   Connect With Nicole:Instagram    Links:Ladder of Years by Anne Tyler The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level by Gay Hendricks   Hope you’ve enjoyed this episode! Would love to hear from you. What is one thing you can do with the wisdom and guidance you’ve extracted from this episode to make a positive and lasting change in your own life? Connect with me on social media. You can find me @amytangerine on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and pretty much anywhere. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please rate and review on iTunes, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and let your friends know about it too! The more we spread the creativity and happiness that comes from pursuing our passions, the better off our amazing community will be. Hope you feel uplifted, energized and inspired. 

A lot of people are frugal with their money. But have you ever considered being frugal with your time? In this episode, I was joined by Steve Glaveski, an entrepreneur, podcast host and author. Steve talked about this idea of how you can invest your time and become more time rich. We discussed time containers, his tips for working remotely and the importance of communicating your needs and boundaries with others. He also shared how to make the most of your life and the lessons he’s learned during the pandemic. (This episode was recorded on October 6, 2020).   What’s in this episode: How to make the most of your life with being time rich How to shift away from the mindset that you have to be working to be productive  The first few steps to getting out of a habit that isn’t serving you Steve’s thoughts on the collective pause and wanting to get things done  The most eye-opening lessons he’s learned during the pandemic 3 tips for working remotely Why you have to communicate your needs and put boundaries in place His tips for channeling your energy Steve’s advice on why it’s never too late   About Steve:Steve Glaveski is an entrepreneur, author and podcast host whose mission is to unlock the latent potential of people so that they can create more impact for humanity and lead more fulfilling lives. He is CEO of Collective Campus, an innovation accelerator based in Melbourne and Singapore, that works with large organizations around the globe. Collective Campus was recognized by the Australian Financial Review as one of Australia’s fastest-growing new companies in 2018. Steve’s company has worked with the likes of Telstra, NAB, Clifford Chance, KWM, BNP Paribas, Microsoft, Village Digital, Lufthansa, Ayala, Charter Hall, Maddocks, Australian Unity, BNZ, MetLife and Sportsbet. Collective Campus has also been home to and incubated over 100 startups which have collectively raised more than US$25M. He also founded Lemonade Stand, a children’s entrepreneurship program and edtech platform, and during COVID-19 lockdowns, established NOFilter Media. Steve is the author of Employee to Entrepreneur: How To Earn Your Freedom and Do Work That Matters, (Wiley, 2019), the children’s picture book, Lemonade Stand: From Idea to Entrepreneur (2019) and the forthcoming Time Rich: Do Your Best Work, Live Your Best Life (2020, Wiley). Steve hosts the Future Squared podcast, winner of the 2017 Australian Podcasting Awards People’s Choice award in the Business category, and now 370 episodes strong. His work has been featured in Harvard Business Review, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Australian Financial Review, Tech in Asia and numerous other outlets. He previously worked for EY, KPMG and Macquarie Bank.   Connect With Steve:Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter   Links:Time Rich: Do Your Best Work, Live Your Best Life by Steve Glaveski Meditations by Marcus Aurelius Time Rich Tools   Hope you’ve enjoyed this episode! Would love to hear from you. What is one thing you can do with the wisdom and guidance you’ve extracted from this episode to make a positive and lasting change in your own life? Connect with me on social media. You can find me @amytangerine on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and pretty much anywhere. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please rate and review on iTunes, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and let your friends know about it too! The more we spread the creativity and happiness that comes from pursuing our passions, the better off our amazing community will be. Hope you feel uplifted, energized and inspired. 

When life doesn’t go as planned, there’s always another path and calling on the horizon. That’s what happened to Theresa Haddow, an aspiring lawyer who failed the bar exam three times before deciding to pivot to something a little more fun. After working in the creative industry and participating in a challenge with her son, Thersa started her company, The Create Kit. In this episode, we talk about why she decided to start a subscription box and the why behind it. We talk about the magic of getting started with your dream and her advice on making the transition to doing what you love. She also talks about her experience with product sourcing, what a typical day in her business is like and how she’s navigated scaling her business since she got started.    What’s in this episode: How Theresa is staying creatively motivated this year Her experience with failing the bar exam three times Why she started a subscription box for kids Her advice on making the transition to do what you love Theresa’s thoughts on being upbeat and positive  Her goal behind the Create Kit What her typical day is like How this time is affecting her business, creativity and relationship with other crafters The process of sourcing sustainable products How she navigating scaling her business Why you have to get out of your head and take time for pausing and reflection   About Theresa:Theresa Haddow is a creative who lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and son. After failing the bar to become a lawyer (3 times), Theresa decided to pivot to doing something a little more fun, she began working as the Workshop Captain at Paper Source and soon realized that creating pretty things was something that wasn't just a hobby, but something she was REALLY GOOD AT. After her son was born she discovered her love of watercolor while participating in the 100 Day Project and friends began insisting on paying for the paintings that she made. She also discovered that she was really good at coming up with fun and engaging crafts for her little guy to do and how much he was learning when they would do these activities together, which led to the start of the Create Kit. Theresa is passionate about helping others discover the joy and learning that can come from creative play through her craft subscription box for little kids, the Create Kit. As an artist, Theresa uses her work to share stories of hope, love and fun through her use of bright colors and subject matter.   Connect With Theresa: Website | Instagram | Facebook   Links: Simon Sinek Ted Talk The Create Kit   Hope you’ve enjoyed this episode! Would love to hear from you. What is one thing you can do with the wisdom and guidance you’ve extracted from this episode to make a positive and lasting change in your own life? Connect with me on social media. You can find me @amytangerine on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and pretty much anywhere. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please rate and review on iTunes, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and let your friends know about it too! The more we spread the creativity and happiness that comes from pursuing our passions, the better off our amazing community will be. Hope you feel uplifted, energized and inspired. 

If you consider yourself to be a planner person then you’ll definitely enjoy today’s episode with Jeanette Richardson. Jeanette is the cofounder of Wild for Planners and Wild University. In this episode, we explored how she got started with her business and membership program. She talks about her popular, GO Wild Conference and what they’ve done to shift this event during the pandemic. We also chat about making your planning your own, being choosy about what you invest your energy into and the importance of daily celebrations.  What’s in this episode: What inspired her to start GO Wild and Wild for Planners Their experience with transitioning their event during the pandemic Advice for people who might be struggling right now Why she decided to create Wild University How you can make your planner your own Why you have to intentionally use your planner for goal setting Our thoughts on being choosy about what you put your energy into  Why you should take the time to celebrate each day What Jeanette’s looking forward to right now   About Jeanette: Jeanette Richardson is the co-founder of Wild for Planners, which hosts the annual GO Wild Conference. She and her team recently launched Wild University, a membership community that features leaders from the creative community teaching new skills each month. In addition to following along with creative content, members focus on making progress and connecting with others. When she isn't working on Wild projects, Jeanette loves to travel (she hopes to make it to her seventh continent soon), and practices small business law.   Connect With Jeanette: Website | Instagram | Facebook   Links: Wild University Planners Gone Wild When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi Blind Injustice: A Former Prosecutor Exposes the Psychology and Politics of Wrongful Convictions by Mark Godsey Hope you’ve enjoyed this episode! Would love to hear from you. What is one thing you can do with the wisdom and guidance you’ve extracted from this episode to make a positive and lasting change in your own life? Connect with me on social media. You can find me @amytangerine on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and pretty much anywhere. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please rate and review on iTunes, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and let your friends know about it too! The more we spread the creativity and happiness that comes from pursuing our passions, the better off our amazing community will be. Hope you feel uplifted, energized and inspired.

Creative passion can be the glue that holds us together during challenging times. In this episode, I was joined by Lauren Fitzmaurice, an elementary teacher, calligrapher and hand lettering artist. It was during a difficult year in her life when her love for lettering emerged. She shares her story of how she got started and her advice for those who are curious about this craft. We discuss how you can use your creative gifts to make the world a better place, how she discovered her style as a left-handed calligrapher and habits she developed to improve her lettering practice.   What’s in this episode: How letting has helped Lauren stay sane during times of uncertainty Her advice for people just starting out in lettering and calligraphy Lauren’s story of how her passion for letting came about What she did to discover her style as a left-handed calligrapher Frustrations she felt when first getting started Habits she developed to improve her lettering Why you don’t want your lettering to be “perfect” Her experience of working with Tombow The next step for her in her lettering journey Tips for people who don’t feel like they have time for their creative hobbies How crafting can help you through more difficult times   About Lauren:Lauren Fitzmaurice is a left-handed calligrapher and hand lettering artist from Owensboro, Kentucky. A full-time elementary teacher in real life, and when she’s not busy teaching or being a mommy to two sweet boys or wife to her husband of 10 years, she can be found in her lettering studio with a brush pen in hand. Lauren’s passion for lettering began 5 years ago right after her youngest son recovered from open heart surgery. Her mom bought her an online calligraphy class so that she could learn a hobby and have something to do for herself to help with healing and recovering from a difficult and stressful year. As Lauren learned calligraphy, she started sharing her work on Instagram and over the years has grown a large following with her lettering tips for lefties, positive quotes, and love of bright colors. She’s also loved the opportunity to work with brands she loves and adores teaching lettering and calligraphy in her own community through her in-person workshops. Lauren’s mission for Renmade Calligraphy is to lift others with letters and she continues to strive to bring joy and creativity to others’ lives through her love of lettering. Connect With Lauren:Website | Instagram | Facebook   Links:Everyday Watercolor: Learn to Paint Watercolor in 30 Days by Jenna RaineyBig Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert   Hope you’ve enjoyed this episode! Would love to hear from you. What is one thing you can do with the wisdom and guidance you’ve extracted from this episode to make a positive and lasting change in your own life? Connect with me on social media. You can find me @amytangerine on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and pretty much anywhere. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please rate and review on iTunes, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and let your friends know about it too! The more we spread the creativity and happiness that comes from pursuing our passions, the better off our amazing community will be. Hope you feel uplifted, energized and inspired. 

I am excited to be bringing you guys this conversation with Lydia Diaz. Lydia is a full-time crafter and she’s actually in the top 3% of sellers on Etsy!. We covered a lot in this episode including how she got into crafting, how she got her products featured in the press and why she follows her heart instead of trends when creating products. Lydia and I also talk about her experience as a Black woman, especially as it pertains to the crafting industry. She talks about why she wants to be on the right side of history and how she helps her children to understand the realities of the world.    What’s in this episode: How she got into crafting and made it on the top 3% of Etsy sellers Why she tries to not get caught up in trends How she got featured in publications The impact that crafts have on other people Why you need to decompress and practice self-care The unrealistic expectations of strength that are often placed on Black women Her experience with feeling underrepresented as a crafter Why she wants to be on the right side of history The ebbs and flows of progress in social justice How she shares the realities of the world with her children   About Lydia: Lydia Diaz is a wife, mother, and full-time crafter living in Central Florida. She uses her various social media platforms to share crafting tips, Etsy advice, self-care, and social justice content. Resin + vinyl is Lydia's medium of choice. She enjoys the fluidity and permanence of resin paired with the versatility of vinyl as a means of personalizing or making a clear statement in my pieces. Lydia also uses her digitally drawn art pieces in her resin work by transferring them to printable vinyl. Lydia will be launching her own online courses for resin crafting this summer. Connect With Lydia:Etsy | Instagram    Links:I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown   Hope you’ve enjoyed this episode! Would love to hear from you. What is one thing you can do with the wisdom and guidance you’ve extracted from this episode to make a positive and lasting change in your own life? Connect with me on social media. You can find me @amytangerine on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and pretty much anywhere. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please rate and review on iTunes, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and let your friends know about it too! The more we spread the creativity and happiness that comes from pursuing our passions, the better off our amazing community will be. Hope you feel uplifted, energized and inspired. 

Entrepreneurship isn’t easy. That’s something that Jaime Schmidt, founder of Schmidt’s Naturals knows all too well. Jaime is a multi-passionate entrepreneur who after partnering her business with Unilever, went on to start another company and an investment fund to support other founders. Jaime bootstrapped her business for many years and in this episode, she shares the lessons she learned along the way, her biggest pain points and what kept her going. She talks about the importance to her of staying grounded and being aligned with what she does. She also gives us the inside scoop on her new book, Supermaker: Crafting Business on Your Own Terms. What’s in this episode: What it means for Jaime to craft a life she loves Why she decided to move and make a change How she continued to explore and search for her passion  Her turning point where she realized her personal care products could be a big business How Jaime felt going through the process of taking her business to the next level The progression of her company growing through word of mouth Pain points she reached as she grew her business What kept her going as an entrepreneur Why she wanted to build her brand without taking on investors Her experience of getting approached by companies to sell Schmidt’s Naturals What made her decide to partner with another company Why she started her business, Supermaker The most common pain points she see’s female entrepreneurs going through How she stays grounded and aligned with her values Her non-negotiables for her daily life How she bases her decisions on what’s best for herself and her family Why she started an investment fund to help support other founders    About Jaime:Jaime Schmidt is an entrepreneur and the founder of Schmidt’s Naturals, a brand of natural personal care products that she started in her kitchen in Portland, Oregon in 2010. Jaime is known for modernizing natural personal care products, including the customer-favorite deodorant, and bringing them to the mainstream market. Under her leadership, Schmidt’s grew into a household name lining the shelves of retailers including Target, Costco, Whole Foods, Walmart and CVS across 30 countries. In 2017, Schmidt’s partnered with CPG giant Unilever, with Jaime continuing as the brand’s founder and spokesperson. Today, Jaime is focusing her efforts on helping emerging entrepreneurs pursue their own dreams. In June 2019, Jaime launched Supermaker, an editorial-driven platform that celebrates diverse, independent brands and creators, and hosts conversations that empower progressive values in the workplace. She has also authored the book Supermaker: Crafting Business on Your Own Terms, releasing April 2020 in partnership with Chronicle Books. Additionally, Jaime is the co-founder of Color, an investment portfolio that supports diverse and underrepresented founders, and co-owner of local entrepreneurial collective Portland Made. She is regularly profiled in prominent business media including Inc., Entrepreneur, Forbes and Fast Company. Jaime is an inaugural member of the Inc. Founders Project and has also been recognized as 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs (Goldman Sachs, 2017 & 2018), PNW Entrepreneur of the Year (Ernst & Young, 2017), Inc.’s Female Founders 100, and the Create & Cultivate 100.   Connect With Jaime:Website | Instagram | Twitter Links:Supermaker Supermaker: Crafting Business on Your Own Terms by Jaime Schmidt Hope you’ve enjoyed this episode! Would love to hear from you. What is one thing you can do with the wisdom and guidance you’ve extracted from this episode to make a positive and lasting change in your own life? Connect with me on social media. You can find me @amytangerine on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and pretty much anywhere. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please rate and review on iTunes, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and let your friends know about it too! The more we spread the creativity and happiness that comes from pursuing our passions, the better off our amazing community will be. Hope you feel uplifted, energized and inspired.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of being hard on ourselves when we’re chasing after our goals. In this episode, I was joined by YouTube content creator, Melanie Ham and we talked about why we should put less pressure on ourselves as creatives. Melanie got started on YouTube in 2011 after wanting to connect with other makers and quickly realized her love for sharing content. She shares how she started it as a side hustle, how she deals with criticism on the platform and what she does to stay grateful during challenging times.  What’s in this episode: How Melanie remains grateful and positive Why turning to your hobbies is a great way to get through challenges Her process for making a project happen How she felt when she first started as a creative on YouTube How she started her channel as a side hustle project Why you shouldn’t put too much pressure on yourself Melanie’s advice for custom handmade gifts  Her thoughts about dealing with criticism and negative feedback What she does to overcome supply limitations during the pandemic  Why you should use this time to finish a shelved creative project What Melanie enjoys most about crafting Her YouTube schedule for creating videos What Melanie does when she needs inspiration How her typical day looks About Melanie:Melanie took a beginning sewing class at Joann Fabrics back in 2007 and bought a sewing machine shortly after. She started sewing crafty stuff, just simple things and then in 2010 made her first quilt and has been obsessed ever since. In December of 2011 she started her youtube channel to first connect with other makers online. At the time she was an active duty military spouse living away from family, and desired that connection with other creatives. She also wanted to share her latest projects and teach others how to make them as well. It took off beyond her wildest dreams with now nearly 650k subscribers and 55 million views on Youtube. Her favorite thing about being a creative content creator is the ability to work from home and keep her family the top priority. She lives in a suburb of Los Angeles with her husband and 2 children. Connect With Melanie:Website | YouTube  Links:One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp    Hope you’ve enjoyed this episode! Would love to hear from you. What is one thing you can do with the wisdom and guidance you’ve extracted from this episode to make a positive and lasting change in your own life? Connect with me on social media. You can find me @amytangerine on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and pretty much anywhere. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please rate and review on iTunes, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and let your friends know about it too! The more we spread the creativity and happiness that comes from pursuing our passions, the better off our amazing community will be. Hope you feel uplifted, energized and inspired. 

Consistency is needed for growth in any business or endeavor you take on if you want to see growth and success. That’s why I had to bring on Teela Cunningham, founder of Every Tuesday. The name of her business came from the very idea that she would produce and share new content with her audience every Tuesday. In this episode, we talk about her journey of starting her business and why she strives for consistency. She shares how she finds inspiration for creative projects and her advice around managing your time and setting your own deadlines. Be sure to listen fully through so you don’t miss the funny ending! (This episode was pre-recorded on July 29, 2020) What’s in this episode: Her journey from getting her degree to where she is now The difficulty in being consistent when creating content How she finds inspiration for her projects Teela’s thoughts on self-directedness and why she enjoys being self-employed Her tips for setting your own deadlines and time management Their plans for hiring employees for the business Lessons that she’s learned along the way about motivation and hard work Why it’s good to take time for yourself and take breaks How the process differs when she creates courses herself vs. on Skillshare What Teela is excited about accomplishing next Her process for creating her lettering brushes About Teela:Teela is a graphic designer and hand letterer based out of Atlanta, GA. In early 2014, she published her first YouTube tutorial as a way of sharing her program tips and knowledge with others. The kind responses were overwhelming, which led her to publish a new design, lettering or illustration tutorial every Tuesday since then. Her weekly tutorials led to online courses and in 2015, she and her web developer husband, Spencer, quit their full time jobs and pursued their business, aptly named Every Tuesday together. Teela now offers online courses and digital products in addition to her continued free weekly tutorials. After 5 years, millions of tutorial views and over 100k students taught, the Tuesday tutorial tally continues with no end in sight. Connect With Teela:Website | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook Links:Intro to Watercolor Florals in Procreate Learn Font Making Procreate For Beginners Hope you’ve enjoyed this episode! Would love to hear from you. What is one thing you can do with the wisdom and guidance you’ve extracted from this episode to make a positive and lasting change in your own life? Connect with me on social media. You can find me @amytangerine on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and pretty much anywhere. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please rate and review on iTunes, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and let your friends know about it too! The more we spread the creativity and happiness that comes from pursuing our passions, the better off our amazing community will be. Hope you feel uplifted, energized and inspired.

There’s so much greatness that can come from honing in on the things that bring you joy. In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Alicia Harrison, founder of Crafts of a Different Shade. We touched on so many important topics in this episode around giving yourself grace, finding peace and taking time to rest. Alicia shared how she got started in crafting and how creativity has helped her to cultivate greater confidence. We talked about mom guilt, balancing creative dreams while working a day job and why you need to set boundaries in all areas of your life. (This episode was pre-recorded on July 29, 2020) What’s in this episode: How Alicia got into the creative space Her first experience with her Cricut What she finds joy in within crafting How she got started with Pass the Brush Why the act of sharing is valuable How creativity has helped to foster confidence within herself What she does to motivate herself and push through burnout How she’s learned to set boundaries Her experience with mom guilt  Alicia’s advice around giving yourself grace and not being so hard on yourself Why you need to give yourself rest when needed How Alicia has learned what she’s passionate about About Alicia:An advocate for inclusion in all areas, crafting is where Alicia's efforts take root. She describes herself as not your normal crafter! You won't hear stories about her growing up with a paintbrush in her hand, most likely it was a book or microphone. However, she has always thought and seen things from a creative perspective.   A Government Contracts Manager by day but a creative 24x7 she founded Crafts of a Different Shade in 2016 from a whisper and over the years has grown to love crafting and develop the much-needed patience that comes along with creating and leading. Outside of creating, she loves offering a practical, supportive, encouraging way to learn crafts, party favors, and anything else creative that her community needs. Away from my craft table, you’ll catch her being a mom to her very active, tall smart, handsome 14 year old son, engaging on FB or IG, shopping, posting hilarious and inspiring things to her IG stories, or spending time laughing with friends and family. Connect With Alicia:Website | Instagram | Facebook Links:Cricut Unshackled: From Ruin To Redemption   Hope you’ve enjoyed this episode! Would love to hear from you. What is one thing you can do with the wisdom and guidance you’ve extracted from this episode to make a positive and lasting change in your own life? Connect with me on social media. You can find me @amytangerine on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and pretty much anywhere. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please rate and review on iTunes, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and let your friends know about it too! The more we spread the creativity and happiness that comes from pursuing our passions, the better off our amazing community will be. Hope you feel uplifted, energized and inspired. 

Do you hold yourself to a high standard that isn’t always attainable? A lot of creatives find themselves doing this and it can set us up to be really hard on ourselves when we don’t meet those expectations. In this episode, I was joined by painter and author Tracy Verdugo. We talked about setting realistic expectations for ourselves and our creative projects. She shares so much wisdom in this episode about seeing the world through the eyes of a child, how to get more involved in the creative community during the pandemic and advice on taking the leap into the creative venture you’ve been dreaming about! (This episode was pre-recorded on July 6, 2020) What’s in this episode: How Tracy crafts a life she loves What it was like having Elizabeth Gilbert take her workshop How she’s navigating the art classes during the pandemic How art gives you both an escape and a way to be mindfully present Her advice for making the leap into your creative endeavor Tracy’s thoughts on seeing the world through the eyes of a child Why you should learn to be less hard on yourself Things she constantly reminds herself and students of  Pivots and turning points she’s made throughout her life How to feel more involved in the creative community virtually Her advice on having a lifelong lasting marriage About Tracy:If Tracy Verdugo was given the opportunity to coin a term for a new art movement based around what she teaches she might call it “Curiosity and Wonderism” or maybe “Loosen-upism” or “Endless possibilitism”. When she is not hanging out with her family in their artsy adobe home in a small village on the shores of Jervis Bay, Australia, or throwing paint around in her little purple studio in their backyard, you may find her painting beside thermal pools on an Italian island with an eager group of students, Aperol Spritz in one hand, paintbrush in the other, or sitting in a circle on St Pete Beach, Florida, listening intently as women share their stories of creative longing. Tracy is an inspiration instigator, prolific painter, bestselling author and lover of the written word, smitten traveler and soaker up of all that is beauty-full. She teaches her Paint Mojo and other creative workshops all over this amazing planet and reminds her students of the wonder that already resides within them. Her works are vibrant and filled with joy, inspired both by global travels and the simple beauty of the focused moment. Since 2000 Tracy has held 18 successful solo exhibitions and her works are held in collections both in Australia and internationally. Mostly though, she is mama bear to two gorgeous, zest-filled daughters, Santana and Cece, and co-adventurer in life with her amor of 34 years, the talented and brilliant Marco. Connect With Tracy:Website | Instagram | Facebook Links:Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth GilbertThe Power of Intention: Learning to Co-create Your World Your Way by Wayne W. DyerReal Magic: Creating Miracles in Everyday by Wayne W. Dyer Hope you’ve enjoyed this episode! Would love to hear from you. What is one thing you can do with the wisdom and guidance you’ve extracted from this episode to make a positive and lasting change in your own life? Connect with me on social media. You can find me @amytangerine on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and pretty much anywhere. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please rate and review on iTunes, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and let your friends know about it too! The more we spread the creativity and happiness that comes from pursuing our passions, the better off our amazing community will be. Hope you feel uplifted, energized and inspired. 

I’m happy to be sharing today’s very important conversation with scrapbooker, Victoria Calvin. This conversation was an important one as we touched on the very critical matters of representation, inclusion and equality. We dive into some of the deep issues that are relevant to the creative community and the world as a whole. Victoria and I explore her experience as a creator in the scrapbooking space and how she got into this career path. She talks about some of the current scrapbooking techniques she’s been loving and what she does when she’s feeling helpless. (This episode was pre-recorded on July 29, 2020) What’s in this episode: Why Victoria is so passionate about scrapbooking  How she's shifted her focus around scrapbooking and storytelling during this time What she does when she feels helpless The current scrapbooking techniques she’s been enjoying What she watches and listens to while working How she navigates conversation around racial inequality and division with her daughter Victoria’s advice on making equality apart of your core purpose Why representation and inclusion matters  Her thoughts on coming from a place of listening and understanding for those who are silent  Why she started a Patreon and her experience with the platform About Victoria:Victoria Calvin is the owner and creative director at Victoria Marie Designs, where she creates and teaches online scrapbooking classes, hosts annual scrapbook retreats, and creates video content on YouTube. Victoria also hosts several online scrapbooking groups on Facebook, posts daily content on Instagram, and creates exclusive videos and mini classes for her Patreon membership community. Victoria has served on a number of design teams to include Felicity Jane, Hip Kit Club, Tonic Studios USA, and Catherine Pooler Designs, in addition to guest designing for Freckled Fawn, Close to My Heart, and Citrus Twist. Additionally, she has been a featured guest on the Simple Scrapper Podcast and Get It Scrapped with Debbie Hodge. Victoria believes that scrapbooking is both an art form and a vessel through which our stories are given life through words and photos!  Connect With Victoria:Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Links:Victoria's Patreon The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi WaxmanI Was Told It Would Get Easier by Abbi WaxmanThe Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi WaxmanOther People's Houses by Abbi WaxmanAbbi Waxman Instagram Victoria Marie FB Group Hope you’ve enjoyed this episode! Would love to hear from you. What is one thing you can do with the wisdom and guidance you’ve extracted from this episode to make a positive and lasting change in your own life? Connect with me on social media. You can find me @amytangerine on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and pretty much anywhere. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please rate and review on iTunes, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and let your friends know about it too! The more we spread the creativity and happiness that comes from pursuing our passions, the better off our amazing community will be. Hope you feel uplifted, energized and inspired.

Have you ever had a rebirthing process? In this episode, I was joined by a dear friend of mine and artist, Courtney Jaye. Courtney is an artist with Island Records and has collaborated with some of the biggest musicians in the industry. She came on to chat about her rebirthing process, moving through trauma and learning from the setbacks you face. Courtney and I dive into her career as a musician and why she uses her platform to speak out on what’s right. She also shares her experience of living in Hawaii and how she’s gotten to this point in her career by following her rebelliousness. (This episode was pre-recorded on June 18, 2020)   What’s in this episode: How she’s gotten to where she is by following her rebellious spirit Why she moved back to Hawaii What her plan was for moving to Hawaii Why you should put more stock into your happiness Courtney’s thoughts on setbacks and learning from them How she’s going through a rebirth process How Courtney is more of a melody person than a lyric person Her thoughts on what’s going on in the world right now Why she wants to speak out on what is right   About Courtney: Shaped by a life spent traveling and observing sounds and styles from all around the country, Kauai-based troubadour Courtney Jaye boasts a personality as massive as the hooks in her songs.   Born in Pittsburgh and raised in Atlanta, Jaye followed her restless heart to such rich cultural settings as Nashville, Athens, GA, Flagstaff, Austin, Los Angeles, and now the island of Kauai, HI.   Signed to Island Records in 2005 by L.A. Reid - along the way she’s collaborated with the likes of Taj Mahal, Band of Horses, Rogue Wave, Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, The Indigo Girls, Matthew Sweet, comedian Stephen Lynch, Dar Williams, Jessie Baylin, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, and The Jayhawks.   That broad range of experience and musical interests comes together beautifully on her four diverse albums. Over the years she has performed with and opened up for artists such as Jack Johnson, Sting, SZA, Tom Jones, M. Ward, Robbie Williams, Jackson Browne, Wanda Jackson, Caetano Veloso, Citizen Cope, and many more.   Connect with Courtney: Spotify | Instagram | Twitter   Links: Rogue and Jaye Hope you’ve enjoyed this episode! Would love to hear from you. What is one thing you can do with the wisdom and guidance you’ve extracted from this episode to make a positive and lasting change in your own life? Connect with me on social media. You can find me @amytangerine on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and pretty much anywhere. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please rate and review on iTunes, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and let your friends know about it too! The more we spread the creativity and happiness that comes from pursuing our passions, the better off our amazing community will be. Hope you feel uplifted, energized and inspired.

I am so excited to have a dear friend on the podcast, Vicki Boutin. Vicki is someone who has completely transitioned her career and went from being in the dental industry to working as a creative. In this episode, we chat about all things scrapbooking including how she got into it and found her niche within her work. She talks about the different routes you can take scrapbooking and how many people have had a rejuvenation of crafting and creating through this pandemic. We also chat about in-person events, online workshops and what she does to help make art easy for everyone. (This episode was pre-recorded on June 24, 2020) This episode is brought to you by The Life Handmade Podcast by Scrapbook.com. This new podcast is for crafters, DIYers, and everyone who loves getting creative! New episodes are released every other Wednesday and cover topics from navigating challenges of everyday life to crafting advice and ideas to interviews with well-known creators and more. The Life Handmade Podcast is available anywhere you listen to podcasts. What's in this episode: How Vicki got started on her creative career path How she found her niche within scrapbooking Her goals for teaching and traveling in the crafting space The different routes you can take within scrapbooking What she would tell people who have a negative outlook on scrapbooking The rejuvenation of crafting that's happened from the pandemic The beauty and joy of in-person events The biggest accomplishment from her career Why you have to try out new things and be okay with failing About Vicki: Making art easy is Vicki Boutin's goal when it comes to scrapbooking, cardmaking, art journaling or any practice that combines paper, paint, inks and mediums and oftentimes photographs. A lover of colour, experiencing all that life has to offer and making connections through art, Vicki shares her process in a stress-free and exciting way through education, class kits, online content and video. Vicki has partnered with American Crafts with her signature brand that includes mixed media art, tools and paper products that embrace colour, beautiful art and easy to use mediums. Vicki’s goal to educate and make art accessible to all levels of artistic ability takes her around the world teaching workshops and meeting like-minded creative souls. If you are ready to find joy in the simple act of making artful magic join Vicki and let the discovery begin!   Connect With Vicki: Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube   Links: Scrapbook.com (Use code: AMYTANGERINE at checkout 10% off)Creativation Life Handmade Hope you’ve enjoyed this episode! Would love to hear from you. What is one thing you can do with the wisdom and guidance you’ve extracted from this episode to make a positive and lasting change in your own life? Connect with me on social media. You can find me @amytangerine on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and pretty much anywhere. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please rate and review on iTunes, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and let your friends know about it too! The more we spread the creativity and happiness that comes from pursuing our passions, the better off our amazing community will be. Hope you feel uplifted, energized and inspired.

Have you ever wondered what it might be like to be a magician? In this episode, I had on the amazingly talented magician, Joshua Jay. Joshua became inspired when he was young after his dad showed him a magic trick and has been practicing the art of magic ever since. Joshua tells us about his new book, Magic Mail and the other books he’s written during his career. We chat about how things have shifted for him during the pandemic and what magic shows will look like in the future. He and I discuss his love for magic, his creative process and some of his favorite memories from his career. (This episode was pre-recorded on June 24, 2020) What’s in this episode: The pivotal moment where Joshua got into magic Why Joshua feels lucky to have gone down this career path How he became an author and the books he’s written How he developed his new book, Magic Mail Why you should take pictures of things for memories What Joshua’s done to adapt his career during the pandemic When he feels the most creative and how his creative process has changed What’s Joshua loves about magic His reflections on what magic will look like going forward Joshua’s highlights in his career as a magician About Joshua: Joshua Jay is an award-winning magician, author, lecturer, Guinness World Record holder and co-founder of Vanishing Inc. Magic, one of the largest magic manufacturers in the United States. He has performed in more than 100 countries and on numerous nationally-syndicated television shows including, “The Tonight Show,” “The Late Late Show,” “The Today Show” and “Good Morning America,” and also fooled Penn and Teller on their hit television show, “Fool Us.” In 2019 Jay served as Artist-in-Residence at the University of Chicago, and gave the keynote address at Harvard's Radcliffe Institute. A graduate of Ohio State University, Jay currently resides in New York City where he most recently performed in his critically-acclaimed residency, Six Impossible Things. Connect with Joshua:Website | Instagram | Facebook Links: Magic Mail by Joshua JayMagic: The Complete Course by Joshua JayAmazing Book of Cards: Tricks, Shuffles, Stunts & Hustles Plus Bets You Can't Lose by Joshua JayA River Runs Through It by Norman MacleanM Train by Patti SmithJust Kids by Patti SmithA People's History of the United States by Howard ZinnVanishing Inc. Magic Hope you’ve enjoyed this episode! Would love to hear from you. What is one thing you can do with the wisdom and guidance you’ve extracted from this episode to make a positive and lasting change in your own life? Connect with me on social media. You can find me @amytangerine on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and pretty much anywhere. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please rate and review on iTunes, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and let your friends know about it too! The more we spread the creativity and happiness that comes from pursuing our passions, the better off our amazing community will be. Hope you feel uplifted, energized and inspired.

As a creative there will likely come times when you pivot and try new things within your industry. That’s what Lynn Chen did when she decided to create her debut film, I Will Make You Mine which she wrote, produced, directed and starred in. Lynn is an actor that has been featured in television shows, films, audiobooks and video games. In this episode, we chat about how her experience as a food blogger helped her career as a filmmaker and while she created her debut film. She tells us why she was inspired to create her movie and how a lack of diversity on-screen affected her. Lynn shares her advice for people who want to break into the industry and her plans for ditching uncertainty and honing in on her dream phase. (This episode was pre-recorded on June 10, 2020) What’s in this episode: What brought Lynn to the point of making a film How having a lack of Asian diversity on-screen affected her as an actress Why she wanted to create a movie about Asian Americans Her experience of acting and directing in her film Lynn’s BuzzFeed food series and how it came about Why it’s okay to pivot and try new things How her past as a food blogger helped her as a filmmaker Her experience with loneliness in creative fields Lynn’s thoughts on her movie being selected for the 2020 SXSW Film Festival Her advice for someone who wants to break into the industry What Lynn’s planning to do next About Lynn:Lynn Chen makes her filmmaking debut with I WILL MAKE YOU MINE, a feature film which she wrote, produced, directed and stars in. The movie is an Official Selection of the 2020 SXSW Film Festival and is available on cable/digital streaming/DVD through Gravitas Ventures. She is best known as an actor, with credits in over 50 television shows (SHAMELESS, SILICON VALLEY), films (SAVING FACE, GO BACK TO CHINA) audiobooks (CRAZY RICH ASIANS) and video games (CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS III & IV). She first discovered her love of storytelling behind the camera by writing a comedy pilot during her year-long talent holding deal with NBC. Lynn co-wrote, produced, and starred in the one-woman short film VIA TEXT and was a co-producer/series regular on NICE GIRLS CREW, which aired for two seasons on Comcast. Lynn has produced, directed, and hosted non-scripted content for outlets like BuzzFeed, Tastemade, Hello Giggles, and ISATV that have seen over 40 million views. She created the blogs/podcasts The Actor’s Diet and Thick Dumpling Skin which have won numerous awards, including the BlogHer “Voices of the Year” and the Editor’s Choice for CBS LA’s “Most Valuable Blogger.” Lynn was selected in Marie Claire Magazine as part of their feature on the “Next Generation of Social Activists.” Lynn has also been a spokesperson for The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), has worked with Time’s Up, the National Organization of Women (NOW), and is an Ambassador for Miry’s List. She has spoken at Disneyland California Food and Wine, WonderCon, Stanford, Dartmouth, and Wellesley University. Connect with Lynn:Website | Instagram | Facebook Links:I Will Make You Mine Hope you’ve enjoyed this episode! Would love to hear from you. What is one thing you can do with the wisdom and guidance you’ve extracted from this episode to make a positive and lasting change in your own life? Connect with me on social media. You can find me @amytangerine on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and pretty much anywhere. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please rate and review on iTunes, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and let your friends know about it too! The more we spread the creativity and happiness that comes from pursuing our passions, the better off our amazing community will be. Hope you feel uplifted, energized and inspired. 

Greeting cards are such a powerful tool for connecting with loved ones. Especially during times like now where you might not be there to celebrate birthdays, holidays or big milestones in person. In this episode, I was joined by Shayna Norwood, founder of Steel Petal Press. Shayna and I talked about how her business has been doing during the pandemic and what shifts she’s had to make to run her business during this time. She opened up about what it’s like to run a business with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and how the pandemic has fostered closer connections within the creative community. We explored where she gathers inspiration for designs, the differences in running a business on the retail and wholesale sides and why she’s so passionate about helping others to connect through stationery goods. (This episode was pre-recorded on May 27, 2020)   What’s in this episode: How Shayna crafts a life she loves by balancing her creative and analytical side How her business is doing during the pandemic Shayna’s history of running her business with Generalized Anxiety Disorder What advice she’d give to someone struggling with mental illness The difference between running wholesale and retail businesses What she did to shift her perspective through the pandemic Why she is passionate about helping people connect  How the community is coming together in new ways from the pandemic Where Shayna draws inspiration from for her designs How she plans for new releases for her business   About Shayna: Shayna Norwood is a professionally trained visual artist with a BFA from San Francisco Art Institute. She's been letterpress printing since 2004, and Steel Petal Press has been her full time gig since 2011. When not thinking up funny greeting card ideas or working with wedding clients you can find her riding her bike around Chicago, enjoying tacos, hanging out at home with her cats and plants, or out dancing to her favorite DJs and bands.   Connect with Shayna: Website | Instagram | Facebook   Links: Urbanic Paper 054: Embracing the Collective Pause with Audrey Woollen The Overstory: A Novel Hope you’ve enjoyed this episode! Would love to hear from you. What is one thing you can do with the wisdom and guidance you’ve extracted from this episode to make a positive and lasting change in your own life? Connect with me on social media. You can find me @amytangerine on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and pretty much anywhere. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please rate and review on iTunes, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and let your friends know about it too! The more we spread the creativity and happiness that comes from pursuing our passions, the better off our amazing community will be. Hope you feel uplifted, energized and inspired.

As an entrepreneur, it’s crucial to serve your customers. You should focus on creating value because this sends an important message to them about what you believe in. In this episode, I was joined by serial entrepreneur, CEO and co-founder of Wander Beauty, Divya Gugnani. Divya shares why they believe in serving rather than selling. She talks about the discovery process she went through that led her to start her company and how they decide on essential products. Divya and I discuss how the pandemic has shifted her outlook on life, her advice for starting your own business and her hopes for continuing to grow her business, Wander Beauty. (This episode was pre-recorded on April 28, 2020)   What’s in this episode: How Divya got started in her creative journey The discovery process that led her to start a clean beauty company  How they decided on essential products for their company Why they’ve made it a mission to serve instead of sell How the pandemic has recalibrated the way Divya operates Why Divya knows she wants to continue to grow Wander Beauty Divya’s advice for seeking fulfillment in your life How she’s reached a different place now versus her early years of being an entrepreneur What you should consider when starting a business of your own Why you have to create value for your consumers   About Divya: Divya Gugnani brings 20 years of investment and entrepreneurial experience to her role as CEO and co-founder of Wander Beauty, a company focused on multitasking beauty essentials created with global inspiration. Launched in 2015 Wander Beauty has proven to be one of the fastest emerging brands in the country, with over 30 highly prestigious beauty awards under their belt, plus a loyal following of A-list celebrities, top journalists and notable beauty and style influencers. Prior to that, Divya co-founded Send the Trend, an e-commerce site focused on personalized fashion and beauty, and sold it to QVC, where she focused on digital innovation. She is a serial entrepreneur and has co-founded multiple companies.   Divya started her business career in Investment Banking at Goldman Sachs and then moved on to private equity and venture capital at Investcorp International and FirstMark Capital. Divya is a self- proclaimed startup junkie, a food and fashion lover, as well as a beauty experimenter. She has appeared regularly on several shows on CNBC, NBC and MSNBC. She has also been featured in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, BusinessWeek, TIME Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, The Deal, and Crain’s, among several other publications.   Divya has contributed to The Huffington Post, TODAYshow.com, Daily Beast, The Nest Magazine and Woman’s World. She is the author of the book Sexy Women Eat: Secrets to Eating What You Want and Still Looking Fabulous, published by HarperCollins. In addition to a B.S. from Cornell University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, Divya attended the French Culinary Institute.   Connect with Divya: Website | Instagram | Divya’s Instagram | LinkedIn   Links: How to Get to the Top: Business Lessons Learned at the Dinner Table by Jeffrey Fox   Hope you’ve enjoyed this episode! Would love to hear from you. What is one thing you can do with the wisdom and guidance you’ve extracted from this episode to make a positive and lasting change in your own life? Connect with me on social media. You can find me @amytangerine on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and pretty much anywhere. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please rate and review on iTunes, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and let your friends know about it too! The more we spread the creativity and happiness that comes from pursuing our passions, the better off our amazing community will be. Hope you feel uplifted, energized and inspired. 

Being authentic is so powerful. No matter what you do or how you use your creativity, there’s so much strength in being authentically you. In this episode, I was joined by Krista Ripma, cofounder of Authentic Audience, a marketing agency that believes in honest marketing. Kristy shares some of the biggest misconceptions around marketing and what marketing truly means to her. She shares how she approaches marketing strategies for her clients and why she’s decided to keep a small but mighty team. We talk about authenticity, boundaries in business and so much more! (This episode was pre-recorded on April 9, 2020)   What’s in this episode: How Krista got into a career she loved doing Being open to the evolution of things Why naming your dreams and putting them out there is crucial How people approach working with Krista The biggest misconception around marketing What marketing means to Krista How she figures out the best approach for her clients Her big realization that she had this year and why she wants a small team Being in service to your own business Putting boundaries around your business and relationships Why Krista believes in being authentic    About Krista: At the center of Authentic Audience, is our cofounder, heart and soul, Krista Ripma. Her mission is to inspire others to tell their stories and share their truth through radically honest marketing. Because Krista intimately understands the web of personal passions, online platforms, and the human networks that drive success, she is able to create and hone stunning and compelling brands and digital launches.   Connect with Krista: Website | Instagram    Links: Walking the Talk with Gay Hendricks The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level by Gay Hendricks Marketing Fundamentals Course Sparketype Test The Pattern App The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield   Hope you’ve enjoyed this episode! Would love to hear from you. What is one thing you can do with the wisdom and guidance you’ve extracted from this episode to make a positive and lasting change in your own life? Connect with me on social media. You can find me @amytangerine on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and pretty much anywhere. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please rate and review on iTunes, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and let your friends know about it too! The more we spread the creativity and happiness that comes from pursuing our passions, the better off our amazing community will be. Hope you feel uplifted, energized and inspired. You are awesome! I’m Amy Tangerine encouraging you to forget the rules and follow your joy!