Fiber Hooligan

On the next edition of Fiber Hooligan (9/9/13) by guest will be the lovely Anne Hamilton Bean. Anne will be joining us to talk about the Arkansas Fiber Arts Extravaganza, taking place in December. After leaving the teaching profession in 2007, Anne became active in the needle arts world and has worked with many companies and people in the industry. Currently, she works from home, serves on the board of the Extravaganza, and enjoys spending LOTS of time knitting.    For those of you who don't know about the event, the Arkansas Fiber Arts Extravaganza is a yearly gathering of knitters, crocheters, spinners, weavers, and all fiber arts lovers. People of all ages, genders, and backgrounds come together to enjoy a special community with classes taught by nationally respected teachers, top-notch vendors, 2 fashion shows, a keynote address, door prizes, and other fiber-related fun. This year’s event will be held in Hot Springs, Arkansas, on December 5-7, 2013. Sally Melville is their special guest teacher this year. The Extravaganza is an up-and-comer in the fiber events world. And my good friend Anne speaks very passionately about what she and the board are trying to do with this event. I hope you'll join us to listen to this great lady.

Laura Wilson-Martos and Jennifer Moraca from the Knotty Girls Knitcast have something they want to talk about. I think it's great. So we're going to have a special, short episode of Fiber Hooligan on Labor Day (9/2/13). If you want to know more you can go and listen to their 8th Podcast at http://knottygirlsknitcast.wordpress.com or you can join us this Monday at noon (yes I changed times for this show) and hear more about it on Fiber Hooligan. Let's get ready to rumble!

On the next edition of Fiber Hooligan (8/26/13) my guest will be designer, author, and owner of Trendsetter Yarns, Barry Klein.   For those of you who don't know about Barry, he grew up in the knitting industry by working in his mothers’ knitting store. With special training and the love of creating things by hand, Barry learned how to custom design patterns and create knitwear for customers and the movie industry.  Barry and his Mom started Trendsetter with the idea of bringing the most exciting textured and fashion yarns to the knitting customer. 24 years since the start of his company, Barry continues to guide Trendsetter Yarns and create yarns that truly set the trends. He is a published author of 5 knitting books, T.V. knitting personality, knitting spokesperson/teacher at STITCHES Events, Vogue Live events, in store Trunk Shows and more. Barry has been a voted member of “Top 10 Men who Knit Throughout History.”  He is also good friend… and I'm very excited to share him with all of you. I hope you'll join us.

On the next edition of Fiber Hooligan (8/19/13) my guest will be the very talented Susan B. Anderson. Many people know Susan from her popular knitting blog at www.susanbanderson.blogspot.com. Her designs have appeared in Knit Simple, Interweave Knits, Parents, Crafts Beautiful, and elsewhere. She is the author of Spud & Chloë at the Farm, Itty-Bitty Toys, Itty-Bitty Nursery, Itty-Bitty Hats, and of course her newest book, Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys.  We'll be talking about her designs, her teaching schedule, and her newest book. Susan is one of those really talented and sweet people in the industry. I'm really looking forward to this show. I hope you'll join us.

On the next edition of Fiber Hooligan (8/5/13) my guest will be my dear friend Pamela Haschke, founder of Halos of Hope. Pam's inspiring story of beating stage 3 breast cancer—nine years now in fact—then turning that experience into advocacy through Halos of Hope always touches my heart. We're going to talk about some of the strides that Halos of Hope has made, since the BuZZ shaved my head last year, including a review of a wonderful in-store event that just recently took place at Purlescence Yarns in Sunnyvale, CA. And we're even going to be announcing a fun new campaign, working to help more cancer centers across the country, with a very special opportunity for our Hooligans for Hope.   This show will be an affirmation. I hope you'll join us for what I know will be an inspiring episode.

Chelsea King was a 17 year old fatal victim of a sex offender. But she was a lot more than that. She was a beautiful soul who loved & was loved by everyone. When her life was cut tragically short, her family wanted to do something to carry on her spirit & help protect other children. So they created Chelsea’s Light Foundation. Chelsea’s Light’s mission is to unite & lead people who are passionate about protecting children. Chelsea’s Light has been instrumental in passing stricter sentencing laws for sex offenders & providing scholarships for young adults. When Nancy Leuer & Veronica Van from Dream In Color wanted to honor Chelsea's life & support the foundation, they decided to create a one of a kind accessory dyed in an exclusive color… Chelsea's Shawl. Stephen West graciously agreed to help by donating the proceeds from one of his patterns. My guests for the next show (7/29/13) are Veronica Van from Dream In Color, and the founders of Chelsea's Light Foundation, Kelly & Brent King, Chelsea's mother & father, who will be joining me to talk about Chelsea, the foundation, & Chelsea's Shawl. I have rated this pre-recoreded show mature. Some of the subject matter on this show could be upsetting. This is not a show for little kids. This may not be an easy show to listen to for some adults. But this is an important story to tell. So if you think you can handle it, I hope you'll listen to my courageous & inspiring guests.

On the next edition of Fiber Hooligan (07/15/13) my guest will be Laura Wilson-Martos from Dizzy Blonde Studios. Laura is an indy dyer and an aspiring knit designer based in Southern California.  She started Dizzy Blonde Studios in 2008 and she refers to it as her “Kitchen Sink” business. Laura specializes in hand-painted and hand-dyed yarns in various weights. Each of the colorways in the 2 main lines have been inspired by one sort of blonde or another. Dizzy Blonde Superwash sock are all classic/classy blondes. The Dirty Blonde Superwash DK have been inspired by blondes who have a bit of a “reputation." Laura is well know for her annual yarn club; The Mean Girls Yarn Club. The colorways are inspired by villainesses in literature, in both the written and visual mediums. As fun as this sounds her newest endeavor is even more fun… the KnottyGirls Knitcast (a podcast which Laura co-hosts with Jen Moraca). Laura describes her new podcast as a place… "Where Knit Culture and Geek Culture collide…and ADD meets OCD on the OC." If you haven't already figured it out, this podcast is going to be very funny. I hope you'll tune in for this episode.

On the next edition of Fiber Hooligan (07/08/13) my guest will be designer, teacher, author and illustrator Franklin Habit. Franklin is the author of It Itches: A Stash of Knitting Cartoons (Interweave Press, 2008) and proprietor of The Panopticon, one of the most popular knitting blogs on the Internet. On an average day, upwards of 2,500 readers worldwide drop in for a mix of essays, cartoons, and the continuing adventures of Dolores the Sheep. He recently founded Yarn Shaming, because while he loves yarn, yarn does not always love him back.   Franklin’s varied experience in the fiber world includes contributions of writing and design to Vogue Knitting, Yarn Market News, Interweave Knits, Interweave Crochet, PieceWork, Cast On: A Podcast for Knitters, Twist Collective; and a regular columns for both Knitty.com and Lion Brand Yarns. Several of his independently published designs are available via Ravelry.com.   He travels constantly to teach knitters at shops and guilds across the country and internationally; and has been a popular member of the faculties of such festivals as Vogue Knitting Live!, STITCHES Midwest, Sock Summit, and the Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat. I'm very excited that he could fit the show into his very busy schedule. I hope you'll join us for what should be an historic episode.

On the next edition of Fiber Hooligan (07/01/13) my guest will be the very talented and dynamic, Becca Smith, owner of BagSmith. One of the things that I love about Becca's company is that it's really a family operation… Becca's mother, son, and husband have all be involved in the business. BagSmith is perhaps most well known for Big Stitch projects and yarns, worked on size 11 needles and larger (and their size 35 and 50 needles are also very popular). Becca, herself, is a lifelong knitter and longtime fixture in the fiber industry. Becca & BagSmith offers fun, innovative, and creative challenges to an ever-changing market through a line of unique products featured at more than 600 independent yarn shops throughout the United States, Canada, the UK and France. Becca is not only a good friend, she's an 'out of the box' thinker… and it shows in her products and ideas. I hope you'll join us for what should be a very unique episode.

On the next edition of Fiber Hooligan (6/17/13) my guest will be my dear friend and 'Dye Pot Goddess', Jeannie Randolph, owner of Fiesta Yarns. Jeannie has been the owner of Fiesta Yarns for over 12 years and is the driving force behind the amazing colors that her company produces… if you've ever picked up a skein of La Boheme, you'll know what I mean. Jeannie is also one of the most savvy marketing minds that you could ever meet. I hope you'll tune in next week when I'll have the distinct pleasure of sharing one of my best friends with you.

On the next edition of Fiber Hooligan (6/10/13) my guest will be Lindsey Martin of Erin Lane Bags. Lindsey is an 8th grade teacher by day and organizational superhero by night. Armed with a sewing machine and design prowess, (from her mom) she is solving the organizational problems of the knit/crochet community. She founded Erin.Lane with her mom 4 years ago with just 5 products. Since first exhibiting at STITCHES, they now have 19 products that organize everything from notions to large blanket projects. Lindsey runs the studio after school & during her planning period (please don't tell her principal). Lindsey is unlike any business person that I know. She's charismatic. She's outspoken. She's more interested in what's real than what is politically correct. And find her a 'breath of fresh air' in the business community. Like most things in Lindsey's life she doesn't do anything the way you would expect. How else can you explain a full teaching schedule & running a small business--total insanity and a dash of creative drive.   This show should be a lot of fun. I hope you'll join us to see what Lindsey will say (I know I'm curious about how it will go).

On the next edition of Fiber Hooligan (6/3/13) my guest will be designer, teacher, and entrepreneur Gwen Bortner. Gwen is a Craft Yarn Council Certified Teacher, teaching at venues, including STITCHES, throughout the country and is the author of Entree to Entrelac. Her designs can be found in a variety of knitting magazines and through her business, Knitability, LLC. Education is probably the most important component of the Knitability business plan as all efforts focus on the company motto of "Taking Knitters to the Next Level". Whether teaching at a local yarn shop or at a national knitting convention, meeting new people and sharing the love of knitting is one of her greatest joys.   Gwen’s teaching philosophy can be summed up in the following quote, “My job is to make the students’ toolbox bigger.  If all you own is a hammer, everything looks like a nail! In the process of providing options, more skills are developed and a better knitter is the result. My mantra is knitting is fun, if you added something to your toolbox and had fun doing it, then I consider that a successful class.”   Gwen has a lot to say about designing, teaching, and the teaching of teaching. I hope you'll tune to hear what she has to say on what should be an exciting and insightful episode of Fiber Hooligan.

On the next edition of Fiber Hooligan (5/20/13) my guests will be the marketing powerhouse duo, Kathy & Steve Elkins who are the co-owners of WEBS - America's Yarn Store located in Northampton MA & online at yarn.com. WEBS was founded in 1974 by Steve's mom. Kathy & Steve took over in 2002. Prior to WEBS, Steve was Director of On-Premise Sales in CT for Pepsi while Kathy was Director of Marketing for Tommy Hilfiger Footwear. They both hold MBAs. When not at WEBS you are most likely to find them in a hockey rink cheering on their two boys.  Steve & Kathy continually bring excitement & energy to the fiber arts world. They're also really sweet people who are always willing to support worthwhile charities. Their own podcast, Ready, Set, Knit!, is one of my favorites. I've been privileged to have been a guest on their show where they let me ramble on about me. I'm thrilled to be able to have them on Fiber Hooligan so we can talk about THEM! Please join us for this very cool show.

On the next edition of Fiber Hooligan (5/13/13), my guest will be Laura Bryant, owner and creative force behind Prism Yarns. Laura specializes in color & hand-dyed yarns, and has published over 70 pattern booklets for Prism. Laura has written six books, including The Yarn Stash Workbook, The New Knitter's Template (coauthored with Barry Klein), and recently produced the DVD Knitter's Guide to Color with Laura Bryant and Yarn to Fit with Barry Klein. Her newest book newest book is Artful Color, Mindful Knits from XRX Books. She teaches and designs with a 'no rules' approach, and her very popular classes are designed to bring out the creativity within all of us. Laura will be sharing her story with us… and talking about her inspirations and her take on the fiber arts world. She is one of smartest people in the industry. You owe it to yourself to NOT miss this podcast episode.

On the next edition of Fiber Hooligan, my guest will be Nathania Apple, co-owner of Purlescence Yarns in Sunnyvale, California. Her designs have appeared in Knitty, Twist Collective, Blue Moon Fiber Arts, and on Ravelry.com. Her passion for color & texture meet in the intricate workings of lace, cables & colorwork. Nathania is an award-winning image consultant, certified color designer, and yoga instructor. When not in the shop, she spends time with her husband, three daughters, and three dogs in downtown San Jose?and teaching Yoga Tune Up®, a therapeutic yoga technique.  Nathania is also one of the most beautiful souls I have ever met. She'll be talking with us about what it's like to run a yarn shop, her philosophies on the industry, her approach toward customer service & building a community, and about a charity project that she's working on in her store with her partners. Everyone who meets Nathania falls in love with her… and if you tune in next week, you will too.