Heart and Hands of a Maker

Discover the inspiring journey of Brandi Tracey, founder of NET Creative Designs, on this episode of Heart & Hands of a Maker. From her career as a paralegal to becoming a passionate metalsmith, Brandi shares how she turned personal loss into creative empowerment. Hear about her experiences navigating grief, learning the craft, and building a supportive community. Perfect for anyone seeking motivation, insights on starting a creative business, and the value of resilience in the face of challenges. Tune in for practical advice, heartfelt moments, and Brandi’s unique story of growth and artistic discovery.

In this episode of Heart & Hands of a Maker, host Tamara Honaman interviews renowned jewelry artist, author, and teacher Loretta Lam. Loretta shares her inspiring journey from her early love of jewelry making to discovering polymer clay, which transformed her career. With over 25 years in the craft industry, Loretta opens up about her experience building a successful jewelry business, the challenges of writing her book Mastering Contemporary Jewelry Design (Schiffer Publishing), and her passion for teaching design principles to help other makers find their artistic voice. This episode is a must-listen for jewelry designers, polymer clay artists, and creatives of all kinds looking for insights into the world of art, running a craft business, and the importance of design in creating unique, personal work. Learn how Loretta adapted her teaching to online platforms during the pandemic and how she continues to mentor and inspire makers around the world.

In this episode of Heart & Hands of a Maker, host Tamara Honaman interviews Jill MacKay, an acclaimed jewelry designer and digital content creator. Jill shares her creative journey, overcoming challenges, navigating fear, and building a successful art career. Discover insights on resilience, mentorship, and embracing change as a modern artist. Listen now for inspiring advice on turning your passion into a thriving business!

In this episode of Heart & Hands of a Maker, jewelry expert and business owner Kierston Aiello shares her creative journey and how community, authenticity, and collaboration shaped her success. Kierston opens up about the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of finding your niche, and her exciting plans for her new foundry. Tune in for inspiring insights on following your heart and surrounding yourself with supportive, like-minded people. A little about Kierston:  Born and raised in sunny California, Kierston Aiello is a metalsmith and designer with a passion for American craft. While getting her B.A. in Art History at Humboldt State University, she unexpectedly fell in love with Metalsmithing and Jewelry. She has spent the last 12 years working in the Jewelry and Art trades, serving for the last 4 years as the designer and head of Product Development for a well-known manufacturer for the DIY trade. Kierston is now in the process of opening a new business, an artisan pewter foundry and artist collective in Sonoma County. A craft enthusiast to the core, Kierston’s hobbies include collecting more hobbies, hoarding shiny things, going to the library, and making an obscene amount of messes.

Join us on Heart & Hands of a Maker as Carrie Story, a talented metal clay artist and entrepreneur, shares her journey from hobbyist to founder of Clay Revolution. Discover the challenges and triumphs of starting a business in the metal clay industry, the importance of self belief, and the art of mastering your craft. Tune in for inspiring insights and practical advice on turning passion into a thriving business.

Join us as we chat with Jessica Coté, a metalsmith from NC, known for her bold jewelry brand, Rosy Revolver. Discover her journey in metal fabrication, teaching experiences, innovative products, and future plans. Learn from her insights on business challenges, social media impact, and creating an inspiring space for artists. Perfect for jewelry artists, creatives, and anyone inspired by entrepreneurial stories.

In this Heart & Hands of a Maker episode, Tamara Honaman and Cat Kerr delve into the challenges of valuing and monetizing creative work. They discuss balancing joy and financial reward, Cat’s early online career strategies for wider reach, and the healing power of art. Cat highlights the importance of focus, goal-setting, supporting others, and discipline for success in the creative industry.

Discover how Handcraft Nation is empowering artists and makers across the United States. Learn about this innovative platform connecting consumers with local artisans, promoting sustainability, and supporting local economies. With over 60 makers listed, Handcraft Nation helps creators overcome social media challenges and thrive online. Tune in to hear more about their mission and future plans to become a hub for all things handmade including jewelry, personal care items, and clothing.

In this conversation, Tamara Honaman and Allie Perry discuss the challenges and roadblocks faced by jewelry makers and small business owners. Allie emphasizes the importance of taking action and not waiting for the perfect time to start. She also highlights the value of community and finding support from like-minded individuals.

In this episode, Tammy interviews Sandra Lupo, a jewelry artist, educator, and inventor. They discuss Sandra's creative journey, the invention of her tool Conetastic, and the importance of collaboration and bringing personal talents into the DIY and jewelry making space. Sandra shares her insights on navigating the business side of being a maker and offers advice on dealing with self doubt and negative feedback. They also emphasize the importance of having fun and staying true to oneself in the creative process. Sandra encourages continuous learning, staying relevant, and being mindful of sustainability in the DIY space.

In this episode, Francesca Watson shares insights from her personal maker journey, emphasizing the intrinsic value of creativity and making. Aspiring entrepreneurs will receive invaluable advice from Francesca, highlighting the imperative of seeking professional guidance and crafting robust business strategies. Francesca shares her passion for teaching and creating a safe space for students to learn and grow. She recommends taking classes from different teachers to gain different perspectives and techniques and mentions several notable artists in the jewelry making community who helped her to be where she is today.

Dive into the transformative power of self-care, boundary setting, and embracing imperfection in this episode of Heart & Hands of a Maker podcast. Join host Tamara Honaman and guest Jen Cushman who challenges cultural norms, discusses the essentiality of art, and emphasizes the importance of mutual support on our creative journeys. Tune in for insights on prioritizing authenticity and navigating the evolving landscape of creativity.

Discover the inspiring journey of Chris Anderson, the creative force behind Lion Punch Forge. From jewelry design to tool making, Chris shares invaluable insights on building a thriving business in the maker community. Learn about the importance of networking, embracing failure, and nurturing a supportive customer base. Tune in for expert advice and upcoming projects!

Tammy interviews Milagros Rivera, a mixed media artist and instructor living in Puerto Rico. They discuss Milagros' creative journey, her business evolution, and the challenges she has faced, including hurricanes and the pandemic. Milagros shares the importance of being adaptive in business and finding inspiration in her surroundings. She also emphasizes the power of giving and sharing, as well as taking risks and embracing mistakes. Milagros encourages artists to be unique and authentic in their work and highlights the value of in-person connections at shows and events.

Jill Bartlett has been working in the eLearning space for over 20 years. She translates that experience into her dog wear designer business, where she is also teaching others to make their own dog wear. She shares lessons learned and tips we can all apply to our practices, no matter where you are in your maker and creative journey.

Ann Tudor is a lampworker, knitter and educator - we discuss all the twists in her creative journey, explore her business evolution and hear what she has coming up next!

Heart & Hands of a Maker: the Creative Journey trailer, with a taste of what's to come. Tammy Honaman is your host. Production by Ryan Honaman.