Join host Misty Doan on Homespun as she sits down with the incredibly talented Kira Delaney, a fiber arts educator and pattern designer who has transformed her lifelong love of crafting into a thriving career. In this inspiring episode, Kira shares her unique journey from theater costume design to teaching middle schoolers after-school fiber arts programs, and how working in yarn shops led to publishing her own knitting and crochet patterns. Discover the profound differences between teaching children versus adults, why "letting yourself be a beginner" is crucial for learning, and how her theater background unexpectedly prepared her for inclusive pattern design. Kira also introduces hybrid crochet (Tunisian crochet) as an accessible entry point for nervous beginners and shares her philosophy that creativity should bring joy, not frustration.

Key Episode Highlights:

• Kira's evolution from theater costume design to full-time fiber arts teaching and pattern design
• Why children are naturally better students than adults - and what we can learn from their fearless approach
• How theater costume experience led to inclusive pattern sizing and fitting expertise
• The introduction of hybrid/Tunisian crochet as an ideal beginner technique combining knitting and crochet benefits
• Teaching philosophy: "If we're frustrated, we're missing the point of creativity"
• Building a fiber arts career through yarn shop teaching, pattern publishing, and festival workshops
• The importance of making tangible things in our increasingly digital world

Join host Misty Doan as she sits down with Jess Barrera, founder of Sally Tomato, to explore her inspiring journey from working at a family quilt shop to building a successful bag pattern and hardware business. In this engaging conversation, Jess shares how she turned her college entrepreneurship major into a thriving creative business, the challenges of scaling from her basement to a full operation, and her passion for making bag-making accessible to sewists of all levels. Discover the story behind her viral prom dress made from denim, her approach to product development, and valuable advice for aspiring creative entrepreneurs looking to turn their passion into profit.

Key Episode Highlights:

• Growing up at Nancy's Notions quilt shop and turning college entrepreneurship major into Sally Tomato empire
• The denim prom dress challenge that proved friends wrong and built her design confidence
• When inventory overflow took over the house - the moment she knew the business needed help
• Hardware innovation solving customer frustration with coordinated supplies and matching components
• First trade show chaos with homemade brick walls and learning the industry through trial by fire
• Balancing workaholic tendencies with family life using habit trackers and vintage movie inspiration
• Making bag-making accessible through educational tutorials and supporting sewists at every level

Join host Misty Doan on Homespun as she sits down with Tian Connaughton, a talented knitter, crocheter, designer, and tech editor who made the bold leap from corporate finance to pursuing her passion for handmade crafts. In this inspiring episode, Tian shares her fascinating journey that began with learning to crochet from a coworker in 2001, evolved through watching knitting shows during naptime with her toddler son, and ultimately led to creating her groundbreaking book "Cardigans for Everybody." Discover how a corporate layoff became the catalyst for building a fiber arts business, her mission to create wearable garments that fit every body type, and her approach to blending financial savviness with creative passion.

Key Episode Highlights:

• Tian's unexpected entry into fiber arts - learning crochet from a suspicious coworker who turned out to be a gateway to her future career
• The transition from hobby crafter to professional designer after a corporate layoff provided the perfect opportunity to reassess life priorities
• Her revolutionary approach to inclusive sizing in knitting/crochet patterns and why standard pattern grading often fails real bodies
• The business side of creativity - implementing "CEO days" and using corporate finance skills to build a sustainable craft business
• Why she tells beginners to skip washcloths and scarves and start with what they actually want to make
• Her philosophy on celebrating bodies that "have done a lot" rather than constantly seeking the "perfect" fit
• How she's inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs by involving her son in business discussions at the kitchen table

Join host Misty Doan on Homespun as she sits down with Deb Strain, Moda Fabrics' longest-standing designer with an incredible 27-year career. In this captivating episode, Deb reveals her extraordinary creative journey from public school art teacher to greeting card entrepreneur to becoming part of the Moda family after a serendipitous trade show encounter. Discover how she creates beloved fabric collections entirely by hand using traditional pen, ink, and watercolor techniques that haven't changed in centuries. Learn about the surprising technical constraints that shape every collection, witness a live demonstration of ancient damask creation methods, and see how Christmas color trends have evolved over nearly three decades of design.

Key Episode Highlights:

• Deb's unexpected journey from art teacher to greeting card company owner to Moda designer after a chance trade show meeting 27 years ago
• Her completely hand-drawn design process using pen, ink, and paint - refusing to go digital despite family pressure to modernize
• The 17-color printing limitation that constrains every collection and how she hand-mixes paint recipes for consistency across years
• Live demonstration of creating symmetrical damask patterns using the ancient mirror-and-paste technique
• How fabric collections are designed like stories, with panels as main characters and coordinating prints as supporting cast
• The evolution of Christmas color trends from deep primitive '90s colors to bright neons to today's traditional palette
• Working 18 months ahead to predict future trends and the partnership with quilt designer Barb from Coach House Designs

Join host Misty Doan on Homespun as she sits down with Jen Bellnap of The Smitten Chicken, a mom of six who transformed her darkest moment into a thriving quilting business. In this deeply moving episode, Jen shares how a late-night purchase of a rainbow jelly roll became the foundation for her healing journey after pregnancy loss. Discover how what started as a creative outlet evolved into pattern design success, the surprising realities of running a quilting business (hint: it's 80% computer work!), and why breaking the silence around difficult topics creates unexpected community. From stitching herself back together with that first rainbow baby quilt to designing patterns that help other women feel less alone, Jen's story is a powerful reminder of creativity's healing power and the quilting community's incredible support.

Key Episode Highlights:

• The pivotal rainbow jelly roll purchase that became a healing "rainbow baby quilt" - literally stitching herself back together during her darkest time
• How a late-night creative outlet for a busy mom of six organically evolved into The Smitten Chicken pattern design business through social media
• The surprising reality of creative entrepreneurship - spending 80% of time on computer work (photography, marketing, editing) and only 20% actually sewing
• Design philosophy born from necessity - creating large-block patterns that come together quickly while drawing inspiration from family travels
• Breaking the silence around pregnancy loss and the overwhelming response from women sharing "that was me too"
• The collaborative quilting community that taught essential business skills from Adobe Creative Suite to newsletter management
• Future aspirations in fabric design while building a portfolio and expanding from pattern designer to potential fabric creator

Join host Misty Doan Homespun as she sits down with the incredibly talented Stephanie Organes, a fabric designer with Andover Fabrics based in Mexico City, Mexico. In this inspiring episode, Stephanie shares her unique creative journey that began with graphic design studies in Italy, led her through the world of professional cookie decorating, and ultimately brought her to fabric design during the pandemic. Discover how a health scare became the catalyst for pursuing her true passion, the challenges of learning quilting as a Spanish speaker, and her advice for aspiring fabric designers who aren't afraid to knock on doors.

Key Episode Highlights:

• Stephanie's creative evolution from graphic design studies in Florence to cookie decorating competitions at Cookie Con
• How becoming a new mom led to discovering quilting and making her first adorable quilted bear project
• The pandemic health scare that became her wake-up call to pursue fabric design seriously
• Building her portfolio with Spoonflower samples and the nerve-wracking process of pitching to Andover Fabrics
• Why following up after months of silence landed her the dream contract - and the vulnerability of putting creative work out there
• The unique challenges of learning quilting in English while being a native Spanish speaker (inches vs centimeters!)
• Her "schedule creativity like a doctor's appointment" philosophy and the truth that inspiration finds you working, not waiting
• The growing need for Spanish-language quilting resources and celebrating the first Spanish-speaking retreat at Missouri Star

From Missouri Star Quilt Co

Join host Misty Doan on Homespun as she sits down with Sara Delaney, Missouri Star's in-house crochet and knitting expert, for an intimate conversation about her creative journey from theater costume design to becoming a published author and fiber arts educator. Sara shares her non-traditional path to finding her calling, discussing how financial hardship led to rediscovering yarn crafts, her transition from retail work to yarn shop employee, and eventually becoming a full-time designer and teacher. This heartwarming episode explores the intersection of creativity, family traditions, and the therapeutic nature of working with fiber, while offering practical advice for aspiring designers and makers.

Key Episode Highlights:

• Sara's journey from theater costume design to becoming Missouri Star's fiber arts expert
• Her unique design process - starting with visual sketches and treating knit/crochet as fabric construction
• The difference between "project people" vs "process people" in crafting philosophy
• How financial hardship in 2008 led to rediscovering yarn and launching her career
• Career advice for aspiring fiber artists and the transition of One Big Happy into Missouri Star
• Family crafting traditions, generational skill-skipping, and creating memorial quilts during lockdown
• The therapeutic nature of constant creating and learning from mistakes as design opportunities

From Missouri Star Quilt Co

Join Misty Doan in this inspiring episode of Homespun as she sits down with Missy Luukkonen, the creative force behind "The Little Green Bean" design company. Missy shares her journey from creative struggles to building a successful pattern and kit business in the quilting and fiber arts world. This candid conversation covers the real challenges designers face, from burnout to business roadblocks, and reveals the strategies that transformed Missy's creative passion into a thriving enterprise. Whether you're a maker looking to turn your hobby into income or simply seeking inspiration for your creative journey, Missy's story offers valuable insights into building resilience and success in the crafting industry.

Key Topics Covered:

• Avoiding creative burnout and maintaining passion for your craft
• Making a complete reset when your creative business isn't working
• Planning for future growth and expansion in the design world
• Overcoming roadblocks and setbacks in the creative industry
• Building "The Little Green Bean" brand from concept to success
• Transitioning from hobbyist to professional pattern designer
• Creating multiple revenue streams through patterns, kits, and tools
• Balancing creativity with business demands
• Learning from failures and pivoting when necessary
• The importance of finishing projects over perfectionism

From Missouri Star Quilt Co