This last Monday (08/10/2020) my guest was the Oink Pigments team.
This interview lasted about an hour and 25 minutes. Most of our conversation revolved around how they all met and how it evolved into Oink Pigments. This was the very first time I had four people on the air with me. I thought it might be a mess... but it wasn't. What impressed me most is how socially conscious this business is and how much they give/donate even under hard economic times. Please list to this great interview to hear from these amazing folx. About Oink Pigments: Established in 2010, Oink Pigments is a purveyor of small-batch, hand-dyed yarns in Vista, CA and Indianapolis, IN. Our owners (Alexa, Helena, and Julie) are a trio of strong-willed humans who love pigs, puns, and purls. They have over 140 bright and playful colorways, available on over a dozen yarn & fiber bases. Let me introduce you to the team... Alexa Wilson (she/her) learned to knit in 2009, and knew from the moment she picked up the needles that she wanted to build a career in the fiber arts industry. She started dyeing in 2010, and has been in love with adding a bit of color to life ever since. Alexa continues to work hard to grow Oink Pigments, along with the rest of Team Oink, embarking on an incredible adventure through the yarnisphere. You can find her on the couch starting another new project, or buried under doggos, but probably both. Helena Bristow (she/they) has been Vice Pigmentologist at Oink Pigments since its inception in 2010. She learned to crochet at age 4, and taught herself to knit when she started graduate school for the first time. She often jokes that “knitting stuck; grad school did not” -- Helena has now dropped out of two different graduate programs because she would rather be playing with yarn. Helena can usually be found driving all over the country in her yarn van, to fiber festivals and local yarn stores. Julie Gillespie (she/her) keeps things running as Chief Oink Operator and head of Social Media & Marketing. She started knitting in 2007 on a whim and has been collecting different crafty skill sets ever since. Julie first joined Team Oink at Stitches West 2015, and was immediately informed that she was never allowed to leave. She can be found manning the Oink Pigments social media accounts, surrounded by a grumble of pugs. Founder of Sparkle Saturday, she always encourages others to shine bright. Harper Hodes (they/he) has been a member of Team Oink for a few years now, and loves helping customers pair colors. They have been knitting since they were in high school and are strongly involved in advocacy for mental health issues, the LGBTQIA+ community, and disability access. Harper is a process knitter who enjoys color work, but much prefers petting and buying yarn to finishing projects. They can often be found in their wheelchair at the Oink booth reminding people to hydrate. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Here are the resource links to some of the things we talked about on the show...
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This last Monday (08/03/2020) my guest was Diane Ivey from Lady Dye Yarns. Diane joined me from her home in Boston, MA. Diane's pronouns are she and her.
This interview lasted about an hour. Most of our conversation revolved around business, craftivism, and equality... both in the fiber arts industry and in America. We talked about not only equality but equity... and how that was important. We talked about the way yarn companies work with designers. Diane spoke about the socio-economic impact of black women who want to join the fiber arts industry but who also have to hold down an 'essential job'. Diane talked a lot about how important this next election is. And she has started an initiative, emPOWER PEOPLE, that she and I invite you to get involved and participate in. Diane finished with a positive note... thanking some people in the fiber arts industry for the work they have done in the area of inclusion and diversity. Please list to this great interview to hear all this and more from a very smart and charismatic lady. Diane Ivey's Biography: Diane Ivey is the owner and Creative Director of Lady Dye Yarns, an indie-dye yarn company since 2010. A knitter for 18 years and a dyer, spinner and crocheter for 13, Diane looks forward to not only expanding her company but using her expertise in growth and expansion with other BIPOC businesses to grow on a national scale. She spent 16 years in the non-profit sector. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Mass Communication with a concentration in Print Journalism from Georgia College & State University. She also holds a Masters in Public Administration with a concentration in Non-Profit Management from Suffolk University. "Our freedom and our equality is tied to each other no matter what race, gender identity, socio economics, or background. If we all want equality in pay, work, reproductive rights, and more, we must work together as one." ------------------------------------------------------------------ Here are the resource links to some of the things we talked about on the show...
This last Monday (07/27/2020) my guest was Jennifer Wenger-Turchen from Jennifer Knits. Jennifer joined me from her office in Los Angels. Jennifer's pronouns are she and her.
This interview lasted about an hour and twenty minutes. Most of our conversation revolved around business. Jennifer told us her story... how she had been working in an LYS since she was 15. She talked about eventually getting her own shop and figuring out how she wanted her business and her life to work. We talked about the economy, the challenges of COVID-19, and the fear of the uncertainty of how business is going to work in the next year. Jennifer did share with us her Top 10 things she'd advise a small business to do right now. But you'll have to listen to the show to hear them. (smile). Jennifer Wenger-Turchen's Biography: Jennifer has worked in the knitting industry since 1985. This year she is celebrating her 20th anniversary as the owner of Jennifer Knits, a fabulous, one-of-a-kind knit shop located in Brentwood Village, Los Angeles. She is known for her custom patterns—from her imagination, or inspired by your favorite ready-to-wear designer, and tailored to your gauge and measurements. Over the years, she has developed relationships with textile mills in Italy and imports the finest cashmere and merino directly to her shop. In 2005, she authored “Teen Knitting Club”, with Maureen Lasher and Carol Abrams, and embarked on a nationwide book tour, inspiring the creation of more than 500 knitting clubs in colleges and high schools across the country. She also offers a “How to Make a Profit” seminar, teaching women how to run successful small businesses (not just knit shops). Jennifer believes that anyone can have their dreams come true with hard work, integrity, and determination. Jennifer was president of the Brentwood Village Chamber of Commerce for eight years and served four years on the Brentwood Community Council. Her efforts helped bring local businesses together with the West LA VA to raise money for veteran’s housing, services, and job building. Working with government, the local community, and individuals, she was instrumental in helping to pass the HR3484 bill in 2017, helping to house previously homeless veterans on VA property—and made sure they had housewares, linens, and handknit potholders for their new homes. Jennifer was raised in the South Bay and resides there with her husband and their youngest daughter. She is also a favored aunt and knitwear supplier to her two darling nephews. Jennifer Knits sells across the country and beyond, with loyal longtime customers of all ages. With tons of Instagram instructional videos and a website full of beautiful yarns & accessories & kits, Jennifer Knits can be your “local yarn shop” no matter where you live! ------------------------------------------------------------------ Here are the resource links to some of the things we talked about on the show...
This last Monday (07/20/2020) my guest was Adella Colvin. Adella joined me from her home in Grovetown, GA. Adella’s pronouns are she and her.
This interview lasted an hour and thirty minutes. We had a dynamic conversation and we talked about a lot of things. We talking about Adella's family and her career. We talked about her culture shock... moving from New York to rural Georgia. We talked about how she got into the fiber arts world through her neighbor while her husband, Jimmy, was away in Afghanistan. We talked about how Adella got into dyeing and how she eventually made a business out of her passion for color and texture. We talked about the rebranding of her company using her daughter's name and why she did so. Adella shared some of her stories of racism. She shared her thoughts about where we are going in the fiber arts industry and in our country. She expressed her happiness that more people of color are getting into the fiber arts world. Of course, Adella and I talked about a lot more than these highlights (above)... so I encourage you all to listen to the show. I think you'll really enjoy it. Adella Colvin's Biography: LolaBean Yarn Co. (formerly Adella’s Crochet Cottage) began 5 years ago with a single stitch; that quickly turned into a thousand stitches as Adella contemplated on what she would do to pass time while her husband was away in Afghanistan. Adella first learned to crochet and knitting soon followed. She became obsessed with all of the different colors, textures and compositions of the different yarns she came across. One day, she came across a Youtube video of someone dyeing yarn, and she thought to herself… “Hey I should try this!” So she did. Dyeing came very naturally to Adella and she was encouraged by her friends and family to start her own business and sell her hand dyed creations. The rest is history. After the birth of her daughter, Adella realized that she had much more to live for and be grateful about. She decided to rebrand her company in honor of her little princess, in hopes that one day she would be able to pass something down to her daughter and keep the legacy alive. As a woman of color, Adella wants to show her daughter, and hopefully inspire others, that they can achieve success regardless of the circumstances. Adella looks forward to growing and expanding her brand, not only for her daughter, but for the future generation of independent fiber artists ------------------------------------------------------------------ Here are the resource links to some of the things we talked about on the show...
This last Monday (07/13/2020) my guest was Heavenly Bresser. Heavenly joined me from her home in Warrenville, IL.
This show lasted an hour and forty five minutes. And we talked about a lot of things. We talking about Heavenly's career and her family. We talked about how she got into the fiber arts world. We talked about some of her work that has been published in various magazines (please see the links below). We talked about Heavenly's propensity to collect spinning wheels. We talked about her teaching career. And we talked about the things she's doing online... including Tour de Fleece. We also talked a little about the work she will be doing with STITCHES at Home (our upcoming virtual events). Heavenly also shared a disturbing story of her first experience in a yarn shop. Of course, Heavenly and I talked about a lot more than these highlights (above)... so I encourage you all to listen to the show. I think you'll really enjoy it. Heavenly Bresser's Biography: Heavenly Bresser is a self-taught, well-rounded fiber artist from Chicago. She has over 10 years of experience with crochet and knitting, but also loves dyeing fibers, hand spinning, weaving and repairing spinning wheels. Working from fleece to project is one of her favorite things to do. Her passion for fiber arts and the joy of seeing others grow in their craft is part of her motivation as an instructor. Heavenly’s goal is to uplift, inspire and encourage those around her and challenge them to think outside the box and to do things they’d never imagine could be done. Outside of her fiber adventures, her time is spent caring for her husband, two young boys, and Morkie named Samson. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Here are the resource links to some of the things we talked about on the show...
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