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...
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This last Monday (05/18/2020) my guest was author Debbie Macomber. Debbie joined me from Hood Canal, Washington.
This show lasted just over an hour. Debbie is an old friend of mine. She was also the first and last guest on the original Fiber Hooligan show. You can check those episodes out on the archived episodes page. Debbie shared the story of how, as a young girl, her dyslexia moved her into knitting. It was a sweet story and you should listen to the podcast if for no other reason than that. We talked about her husband, her kids, and her grandkids. We talked about the 5 year time span it took her to get a book published... and the very personal, professional, and economic trials in her life during that time. Debbie told us that when she combined her two passions, knitting and story telling, her career as an author really took off. She talked about some of those successes; in some cases vindicating some of the earlier rejections she had gotten. Debbie and I talked about her connection to the fiber arts industry. She had actually been going to STITCHES for several year before I met her. We finally met when we served on the board of Warm Up America! together. Debbie talked about her series, Cedar Cove becoming a series on the Hallmark Channel. She also talked about her Mrs. Miricle books becoming movies and some of my Christmas favorites. Debbie talked about her two upcoming books... A Walk Along the Beach (to be released in July 2020) and Jingle All the Way (to be released in October 2020). We talked about her slowing down a bit and only writing maybe one book a year while helping with her new online magazine, Welcome Home Magazine. It was great to catch up with Debbie after so many years. She really is a delight and she knows how to tell a story. I hope you'll listen to the show and check it out for yourself. Debbie Macomber's Biography: Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Thirteen of these books hit the number 1 spot. In 2020, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publications include A Walk Along the Beach (July) and Jingle All the Way (October). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, an adult coloring book, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books. Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and five have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons. She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series. ------------------------------------------------------------------ During the show we talked about a lot of things. Here are the resource links to some of those things...
This last Monday (05/5/2020) my guest was Gaye Glasspie (aka GGMadeit or GG). Gaye joined me from her home in Clifton, New Jersey.
This show lasted almost about an hour and 20 minutes. It was a comfortable conversation with someone that I admire. Gaye talked about her personal history and her family. She talked about how she came to knitting during a very hard time in her life which was full of loss. She talked about how she used knitting a form a therapy for her sadness, crying into her knitting. We talked about her thoughts on racism and the call for diversity within the fiber arts community. And she talked about her own experiences, both positive and negative, surrounding the fiber arts industry as well as in the world. We talk about her love of orange, of course. And she told an interesting story about that (please tune in and listen to hear it). She talked about the rise in her social media following... particularly on Instagram. She told us that she is uncomfortable with moniker, 'influencer'. You can hear more about why on the show. And I challenged all of you to send me another word that she can use to describe herself. We talked about STITCHES Events and some of the other shows she's done. We talked about Knit Stars and the fact that she will be among the teachers in that roster. The back and forth in this show was engaging and Gaye's story is compelling. I hope you'll listen to the show and check it out for yourself. Gaye Glasspie's Biography: Gaye Glasspie a.k.a. GGmadeit or GG is a 50-something-year-old who fell in love with knitting late in life—in just the last 9 or 10 years. a.k.a. Gaye is self-taught via YouTube, some wonderfully friendly yarn stores... and she is obsessed with all things orange. Gaye discovered knitting during a very challenging time in her life. She says that knitting is her ride or die, her BFF, and her kind of therapy. Knitting has also become a beautiful bridge into a world of wonderful people and a way to universally connect with others. ------------------------------------------------------------------ During the show we talked about a lot of things. Here are the resource links to some of those things...
This last Monday (05/04/2020) my guests were Shannon & Jason Mullett-Bowlsby (aka The Shibaguyz). Shannon & Jason joined me on the show from their home in Seattle, WA.
This show lasted almost 2 hours with one small technical glitch. We're friends... and I had a pretty good idea that the show would get away from us. We laughed a lot. And there was some good natured kidding in both directions. We talked about their history's We talked about their introduction into the fiber arts world and their evolution from makers to designers to instructors. We talked about STITCHES Events and some of the other shows the Shibaguyz taught at. We discussed their concerns as activists and members of the LGBTQIA community. And we talked about the future of the industry. The back and forth in this show was fun. And Shannon & Jason were a delight to hear from. I hope you'll check out the show. Shannon & Jason Mullett-Bowlsby's Biography: Shannon and Jason Mullett-Bowlsby, the dynamic DIY duo known as the Shibaguyz… and the inspired creators of Shibaguyz Designz Studio. Jason’s pronouns are he and him. Shannon’s pronouns are he and him as well as them and they. Their award winning crochet, knit, and sewing designs have been featured in and on the covers of dozens of domestic and international publications. Together, the Shibaguyz team has over 300 published patterns and 11 books credited to their name since their first design was featured on a magazine cover in 2010. Currently, they are finishing work on a new book with C&T Publishing scheduled for release December 2020. In addition to their design work, the Shibaguyz are sought-after freelance book-packaging designers having crafted books and photography for major publishing companies like Sterling Publishing, Leisure Arts, and Creative Publishing. The Shibaguyz have been teaching adults for 30+ years. Their enthusiasm, quirky sense of humor, and relatable teaching style have made them sought after teachers in both local and national venues like STITCHES Events, Sew Expo, and Houston Quilt Market. In addition to their live classes, the Shibaguyz also have a wide range of online classes available from Blueprint and Interweave. Shannon and Jason are proud ambassadors for Aurifil, Clover, BERNINA, Horn of America, the Daylight Company, and are members of the Justice League (yes, they have capes to prove it). Shannon and Jason live in Seattle, Washington with their three Shiba Inu who, more or less, support their ventures in sewing, stitching, and crafting… so long as enough time is taken for walks and treats. ------------------------------------------------------------------ During the show we talked about a lot of things. Here are the resource links to some of those things...
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