8 inspiring podcasts for creatives

For me, listening to a podcast has the same sweet, immersive escapism as getting lost in a good book. It's a chance to get your mind to halt its frantic whirring for a little while and focus on something else instead. If I'm gym-going (pah!), walking to the office or stitching away at my To Be Adorned desk, I'll always whack a podcast on. It's like minimal-effort multitasking. Here's what's been in my ears lately. What do you love listening to? I want your recommendations!

Hashtag Authentic

This is one of those 'why didn't I already know about this?' kinda podcasts. You NEED to give it a listen. Blogger and Instagram duchess (you're probably already following her as @meandorla) Sara Tasker shares really valuable and honest insights on creative social media for bloggers, small biz folks and anyone who loves Insta. Without the spambots. She's had some stellar guests on already and I always come away feeling encouraged and with some practical ideas to try. 

Explore Your Enthusiasm

Host Tara Swiger is from a yarny background, so I instantly knew her podcast would be my cup of tea. On this weekly podcast, she talks business – frank advice and insights for creative folks who are selling their stuff. She's not afraid to talk money and numbers, or to give out some tough love, but it's always passionate, jargon-free and encouraging. I've not been listening to this one for long, but I've already found it really helpful for my Etsy side hustle in terms of goal-setting, social media and audience. Ooh, and Tara often posts Instagram live vid while she's recording the podcast, so you can get a bit more interactive with it. 

Pardon My French
In a series of inspiring interviews, plus giggly chats with her Atelier Dore team, Garance Dore talks all things lifestyle. I'd long been a fan of Garance's beautiful illustrations and blog, so I kind of freaked out when I realised there was a podcast, too. This one's my go-to for walking to work. Garance has a brilliant warmth and honesty to her, so you feel like you're listening in on a natter between friends. My favourite guests so far have been Linda Rodin and Elle McPherson.

Get It On
Dawn O'Porter is #bobgoals AND she's way into vintage fashion, so I gave it a listen and it quickly became one of my faves. Each episode she talks to a pal (usually of the showbiz variety) about their personal style. Rather than being super-fashiony, it's more about why people wear what they wear. And it's a riot. When I'm laughing out loud with my headphones on, it's probably because I'm listening to this. After hearing this, you'll probably have urges to ransack your wardrobe for the brightest thing in there. Or maybe that's just me? 

Rookie

She's a deep thinker, that Tavi Gevinson. I loved her Style Rookie blog and really admire her Rookie mag work (although maybe I'm too old now?!). It very much feels like an audio version of the online magazine, which is fantastic. It's aimed at teens, but feels relevant for everyone. Also, there's a WINONA episode. I WISH Rookie had been around when I was a teen.

Blogtacular

Blogtacular superwoman Kat MOLEsworth (you'll know what I mean when you listen in!) hosts this  natter with indie business owners and bloggers. You could say it's an extension of the Blogtactular conference, with an aim of inspiring and connecting bloggers and content creators. It's in interview format, but Kat also answers listener questions as part of the show, which is so useful! My favourite episodes have featured Kristabel, The People Shop and Nikki McWilliams. 

Magic Lessons
Eat, Pray Love and Big Magic author Elizabeth Gilbert talks about finding passion, purpose and inspiration. She's all about exploring the soul connection we have with creativity and how to overcome what stands in the way of us doing our thing. And it gets pretty emotional, you guys. There haven't been any new episodes in a while, but there are plenty to catch up on. 

The Cheerful Visit
Prepare yourself for some VERY Texan accents. I heard about this podcast via One Social Girl. It's a faith-based show for creatives hosted by Pollen Events florist Andi. With an emphasis on living out your calling with integrity, Andi interviews fellow makers about their creative journeys and what keeps them encouraged. 

hometown tourist: Upfest 2016

 My eyeballs are still reeling from the weekend, in the best possible way. 

Upfest, a live street art festival (apparently Europe's biggest), was right on my doorstep in Bristol so I took a wide-eyed wander round. 

Saturday afternoon, the sun was blazing, ice cream vans were out and so many artists were busy creating. There's something pretty magical about seeing beautiful things progressing right in front of you. I love gawping at people's WIPs (hello, Instagram) any day of the week, but one dedicated weekend where it all happens live? That's pretty cool. Count me in.

I'm a real sucker for illustration, so I enjoyed seeing this mind-boggling Russian doll by Liz Clayton materializing. Note: she wasn't the only one whose outfit coordinated with their work! 

Add of course I tracked down some yarn. Can I say life goals? This embroidery in the wild by Danielle Clough is the best thing ever. I'm so pleased I came across her work. She stitches seriously beautiful stuff. Makes a girl wanna pack up her own suitcase full of yarn, right?

Some of the other enchanting things I spotted included pugs, children spray painting a car, Skeletor riding a banana (a painting) and an IRL glitter beard. I mean, am I the only one who thought they just didn't exist outside of Pinterest? Sadly no pictorial evidence of said be-sparkled facial hair was obtained - we chickened out of asking for a pic!

So much colour, vibrancy and inspiration. I basically know nothing about street art, so I'll let the pictures speak for themselves, but I will say that I'll be back next year for more colour-fuelled gawpings. With bells on. Nice one, Bristol. 

Have you encountered anything awesome in your hometown lately?

Handmade Christmas

Penguin power!

Last Friday I put on that jumper (it was Save the Children's Christmas Jumper Day! Did you get involved? I saw a lot of people rocking awesome holiday knitwear that day)...

I packed my hook and yarn, got on the train and went here...

Yup, Handmade Christmas at London's 02! A Christmas market packed full of British handmade goodies, and only handmade goodies. I got my granny square on, helping out at a crochet workshop in the afternoon, had a much-needed cuppa, and then went to explore! There was a lot of amazing stuff, and once again I took some embarrassingly poor quality pics of a few things. Wanna see?

Pretty paper things

Delicious knitted lambswool creations from Catherine Tough. I love their colour palette. And those pom-poms, man.

Munki Make's feltie creatures

Scrabble, Lego, need I say more?

Books from beer mats, like you do.

Also, I didn't get a snap of their stall, but Ashanti Lou's brilliantly bonkers couture shoes were stunning. Seriously, there was a jungle pair with a lizard crawling up the heel. I mean, what?! Plus, the Ashanti Lou ladies were super-friendly. 

I live far enough away from London that's it's still pretty exciting to go there. That's normal, right? By far the coolest, non-handmade thing that happened while I was there was that I heard Two Door Cinema Club warming up for their gig that evening - genius!

I'd already done most of my Christmas shopping and making, but I did snap up a couple of gorgeous typewriter notebooks from Blank Inside. Have you been to any craft fairs this year? What goodies have you been making for Christmas?

knitting in the workplace

I have been knitting, I promise! 

A couple of weekends ago I had a visit from the lovely Katie.  We got a bit haberdashery high.  I bought new knitting needles and this gorgeous Charlotte Farmer tote from Wool.  Katie picked up some goodies for quilting.  You can see her much more eloquent post about it here.  

Anyhow, these new knitting treats inspired me to actually get something on the needles.  I'm in the midst of this little lace-edged bonnet.  My working method is to sneak in a few rows on my lunch break.  So happy to be getting my knit on.

Do you guys have any locations where you sneak in a few clandestine rows?

Knitting.  Illustration.  A bag.  Gah!

the card, the curtain and the little lace collar

Little by little, crafting has crept back in.  I've been making things, en fin!  

First was the somewhat impromptu Christening card for Baby Newton (recipient of the knitted bootees).  Wasn't sure whether the card should be to the parents, the baby, or both.  Any ideas?

Then I was asked to make a curtain for someone.  My first ever curtain!  I was a little bit proud when I finished it.  The delightful Miss McHugh was kind enough to let me use her sewing machine.  I'm in love.  It's super easy to use.  Quite a step for me.  I fell out with sewing machines after mine got stuck in reverse halfway through an embroidery project.  Grr.  

A friend bought me this beautiful vintage Peter Pan collar last year.  Finally I have stitched it on to my boring cardigan.  Granny-chic ahoy!  

Obligatory poor quality picture of said cardigan.  My neck is really working the camera.  

What have you been crafting lately?

Rebecca Henderson draws

Anthophobia

Knitting circle regular and gorgeous gal Becky is someone whose scribblings I just can't get enough of!  I saw some of her work at the degree show and wanted to know more about how she produces these illustrations.  She was kind enough to let me gently grill her last week.  Here's what went down.  

Your drawings are incredibly detailed, and I love the use of flowers and insects.  Who or what inspires your work?

A cliché without doubt but the music I adore and evocative lyrics within largely inspire me, as well as stories I read, overheard conversations and anecdotes told. I realise my own childhood has influenced my work- My elder brother's deep fascination for wildlife has allowed me to appreciate nature and natural history and it is no coincidence entwining ornate clock-hands into my work when my father is a clock-maker! I have a love of juxtaposing something of beauty with something more grotesque and I am inspired by an array of artists, Spunky Zoe, Ross Mcewan, Fernando Vicente and Frida Kahlo to name a few!

Miss H busy a scribbling

Pen? Pencil? Laptop? Magic wand? Just how do you conjure up your drawings?

When the ole' magic wand's being temperamental I tend to resort to the trusty pencil- It seems I'm quite the traditionalist when it comes to media. More often than not my laptop sits beside me with reference material, though occasionally I like to practice drawing from life.. ever the difficult quest!

Do you have a must-have bit of equipment that you couldn't do without? (e.g. Lime green HB that you swear by)

My beloved cd collection without a doubt! On a more technical note I nerdily have an electric sharpener that loyally grinds many a pencil to a flaky mound of wood and lead!

Brilliant! What's your favourite drawing memory?

Drawing a close friend from uni many a time over an abundance of movies! 

Wolf Like Me

You called the bank and they've put you on hold. What are you doodling with your pen and paper?

I've always envied my mother's doodles of quirky, odd characters that always make an appearance in biro when long phone calls have been made! Just now I came across a bewildered, cross-eyed, gawky yet eyelash-fluttering creature of the canine kind adorning a page of her address book.. My absent-minded doodles cease to find such figurative forms and disjointed patterns generally splay themselves out awkwardly over the page!

Wolf Like Me II

What's next for you, Miss H?

I'm very excited to live and work in the arty, vibrant city of Bristol and the dream is to eventually become a freelance illustrator, travelling in between illustration jobs to feed my wanderlust!

What a brilliant insight.   I'm equally excited that the lovely Miss Henderson will be in the city next door!   You can find more of Rebecca's work on her Tumblr.  I'm off to sharpen all my pencils.  

lifeboats, jellyfish and knitted brains - the 2012 BACA degree show

Our final show is in full swing at last.  (Hit the link for more info and much better pictures).  It was a hard slog getting the space ready and all the work together, but I'm pretty chuffed with the results.  It's a great exhibition.  Here are a few highlights.  

Well done class of 2012!

Letty all at sea in her Life Raft.  It's okay, she packed paperbacks.  

from inside Camila's  Notions of Home

Alice's exquisite sequin portrait

me and my squiggles

Phew!

the avenue

My final hand in was on Monday, but preparations (i.e. panic) for the degree show continue.  The past couple of weeks have looked a little bit like this.  

1.  Try to sit at desk and work.  Fail.  

2.  Walk to studio

3.  Do some scribbles and squiggles. 

4. Walk home.  Repeat steps 1 to 4 until weekend.  

5.  Get slightly engaged.   Be ecstatic.  Resume steps 1 to 4 until deadline.  

6.   Feel the fear.  Worry about unnaturally pink toes.  Hand in all work and then escape to Devon.  

 And that's where I'm up to so far.  This week will be work, our good Queen's diamond jubilee and then painting pandemonium at the gallery space.  

Will you be celebrating or escaping anywhere this week?

reading list lovelies

gorgeousness by Gemma Correll 

Recently I've stumbled across some really brilliant blogs, (it's funny how much blog reading you can catch up on when deadlines are looming) so I thought I'd share a few.  Check out these beauties who I stalk appreciate!

Knitters at large:

The Purl Bee - Clean, oatmealy knit projects from Purl Soho.  

Tiny Owl Knits - Just magical.  You need this in your life.

Whodunnknit - The notorious Deadly Knitshade guerilla knitting/yarnstorming in London, and fab patterns too!

Nimble fingers and steady eyebrows - Knitting and crafting on both sides of the pond.

Yummy illustration:

Gemma Correll - How did I not know about this lady?!  Pugs, puns, 'nuff said.  Also, check out this interview with her in this sugary edition of Cellardoor Magazine

Dear Friend - Rebekka Seale - The most gorgeous of scribblings.

What/who are your blog favourites?

little miss literature

How adorable are these?

I recently came across the fabulous work of Alison Oliver (no relation!).  She's illustrated the Baby Lit series of books, written by Jennifer Adams; chew-proof counting books based on the classics.  In raptures I devoured a copy of Little Miss Austen Pride and Prejudice.  Forget toddlers, I want them!

They're very much number focussed, but the illustrations pull you into the world of the novels.  I quite like that the real stroytelling is left largely up to the reader. Just lovely, sugary but very much alive.

Pride and Prejudice and Romeo and Juliet are available now.  From March you'll be able to get tiny mitts on Alice in Wonderland and Jane Eyre too.

You can see more of Alison Oliver's work here.