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...
0 Comments
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...
|
Fiber Hooligan Show NotesI've started this blog to keep track of our shows and to provide show notes with follow up. Archives
August 2020
Streaming episodes...
The RSS feed from BlogTalk Radio is working. Please click on the button above to access that RSS feed.
The main Facebook page for the Fiber Hooligan is currently my personal Facebook page.
Click on the graphic above to go the Fiber Hooligan portal on BlogTalk Radio.
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed
