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25 Ways to recharge creativity & de-stress
Business Tips

25 Ways to recharge creativity & de-stress

ByNicole Stevenson December 1, 2020December 26, 2020

You know that feeling when your TO-DO list seems better suited to being written on an extra long roll of paper towels than on a Post-it? It seems like for every thing you cross off, a new thing (or two…

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Attending Craftcation on a Budget
Business Tips

Attending Craftcation on a Budget

ByKatie MacAvoy August 24, 2018February 14, 2023

The word budget used to make me cringe! I thought being on a budget meant limiting my ability to have fun. And who wants that? But what I’ve learned as the CEO of my household of four humans, one dog…

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How to prepare for a creative conference
Business Tips

How to prepare for a creative conference

ByNicole Stevenson February 2, 2016January 14, 2017

Welcome to the fourth post in our series as we prepare for Craftcation 2016 on making the most out of attending a creative conference. If you missed the first three posts you can check them out here: 1. 7 reasons…

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7 reasons why attending a conference will revolutionize your business and creativity
Business Tips

7 reasons why attending a conference will revolutionize your business and creativity

ByNicole Stevenson January 14, 2016January 14, 2017

When Delilah I took the leap and started planning the first ever Craftcation Conference nearly six years ago (that’s right! 2017 will be our 6th anniversary!) I had not only never planned an event of that size, but had never even…

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Upcoming Online Workshops
Business Tips | DIY Projects

Upcoming Online Workshops

ByNicole Stevenson May 20, 2015August 1, 2015

Even after teaching for nearly 20 years I still get that same awe-inspired excitement when I see one of my students have an ah-ha moment when they learn a new skill. I love watching people’s faces light up when they…

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Why Attend a Creative Conference? An interview with Lauren Venell
Business Tips

Why Attend a Creative Conference? An interview with Lauren Venell

ByNicole Stevenson February 17, 2015February 16, 2015

Welcome to our interview series about attending creative conferences! Since our Craftcation Conference is just around the corner (March 26-29, 2015) we’re sharing tips and advice from Craftcation attendees for making the most of your experience at Craftcation or other…

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Why Attend a Creative Conference? An interview with Natalie Cuen
Business Tips

Why Attend a Creative Conference? An interview with Natalie Cuen

ByNicole Stevenson February 10, 2015January 25, 2015

Welcome to our interview series about attending creative conferences! Since our Craftcation Conference is just around the corner (March 26-29, 2015) we’re sharing tips and advice from Craftcation attendees for making the most of your experience at Craftcation or other…

Read More Why Attend a Creative Conference? An interview with Natalie CuenContinue

Why Attend a Creative Conference? An interview with Kelly Affleck
Business Tips

Why Attend a Creative Conference? An interview with Kelly Affleck

ByNicole Stevenson January 27, 2015January 25, 2015

Welcome to our interview series about attending creative conferences! Since our Craftcation Conference is just around the corner (March 26-29, 2015) we’re sharing tips and advice from Craftcation attendees for making the most of your experience at Craftcation or other…

Read More Why Attend a Creative Conference? An interview with Kelly AffleckContinue

Why Attend a Creative Conference? An interview with Vennice James
Business Tips

Why Attend a Creative Conference? An interview with Vennice James

ByNicole Stevenson January 6, 2015January 22, 2015

Welcome to our interview series about attending creative conferences! Since our Craftcation Conference is just around the corner (March 26-29, 2015) we wanted to share some tips and advice for making the most of your experience at Craftcation or other…

Read More Why Attend a Creative Conference? An interview with Vennice JamesContinue

Printing the perfect business card + an Oubly giveaway
Business Tips

Printing the perfect business card + an Oubly giveaway

ByNicole Stevenson September 5, 2014September 11, 2014

I remember my mother sitting at the kitchen table clipping coupons for hours when I was a kid. I’d be in the living room half-watching one of my favorite shows like Three’s Company or Punky Brewster while I agonized over…

Read More Printing the perfect business card + an Oubly giveawayContinue

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Want a FREE booth at @thepatchworkshow ? You could Want a FREE booth at @thepatchworkshow ? You could win one—just for signing up for @pirateship (our go-to shipping platform)

Yup. It’s that easy.
Comment PIRATE, and I’ll send you a link to sign up for a FREE Pirate Ship account, and you could win a @thepatchworkshow booth.

📆 Deadline to enter: 10.1.25
🎉 Winner notified via email on 10.10.25

Now... why are we so obsessed with Pirate Ship?
💸 Lowest USPS & UPS rates
📦 No monthly fees
📍 Print labels from home

Now we actually smile (okay, smirk) while packing.
And if you run a creative biz, you need tools that make your life easier, not more overwhelming.

So…
🏴‍☠️ Sign up today. Enter the giveaway. Save some cash. Rule your shipping.

—

This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, or associated with Instagram.
Must be 18+ and based in the U.S. to enter. One entry per person. Patchwork Show booth must be used during the 2025 season. Full rules at bit.ly/shippirate. 

#shipping #packagingsolutions #craftersofinstagram #makersofinstagram #smallbusinesssupport
You don’t need another planner to stop the overw You don’t need another planner to stop the overwhelm in your mind. You need this...

If you’re a creative juggling all the things, feeling stuck, or just craving a little accountability, clarity, and real community—The Club is where you belong.

We’re currently closed, but the waitlist is open—and people on the list get early access. 

Comment MENTOR to join the waiting list or CLUB to see what it’s all about. 

#makersofinstagram #craftersofinstagram #smallbusinesssupport #smallbusinessowner #creativeentrepreneur #overthinkersclub #theclub
This idea started as a light moment during a works This idea started as a light moment during a workshop I was teaching. I was giving examples of reels someone could create and offhandedly mentioned curating a list of products to make summer a little easier for us fat girls. It got a laugh—and then @onegoodthing_daily said, “You should actually make that list.”⁠
⁠
So I did.⁠
⁠
Yes, it’s a list of practical things—comfort-forward, joy-centered, fat-girl-approved summer essentials. But it’s also more than that. It’s about reclaiming ease, about not waiting for our bodies to change to deserve care or celebration.⁠
⁠
One of the first times I felt that kind of radical acceptance—and was inspired by it—was at @CraftcationConference. It was the first place I heard women openly swap tips about chub rub and share the little things they do to feel good in their bodies. No shame. Just honest sharing. That energy stuck with me. It helped me feel less alone in my body and more at home in myself.⁠
⁠
You can find the list at the link in my bio. I hope it helps you feel good this summer—and reminds you that your body is not a barrier to joy, creativity, or belonging.⁠ Thanks to @tomboyx @nooworks and @megababe.
This idea started as a light moment during a works This idea started as a light moment during a workshop I was teaching. I was giving examples of reels someone could create and offhandedly mentioned curating a list of products to make summer a little easier for us fat girls. It got a laugh—and then @onegoodthing_daily said, “You should actually make that list.”⁠
⁠
So I did.⁠
⁠
Yes, it’s a list of practical things—comfort-forward, joy-centered, fat-girl-approved summer essentials. But it’s also more than that. It’s about reclaiming ease, about not waiting for our bodies to change to deserve care or celebration.⁠
⁠
One of the first times I felt that kind of radical acceptance—and was inspired by it—was at @CraftcationConference. It was the first place I heard women openly swap tips about chub rub and share the little things they do to feel good in their bodies. No shame. Just honest sharing. That energy stuck with me. It helped me feel less alone in my body and more at home in myself.⁠
⁠
You can find the list at the link in my bio. I hope it helps you feel good this summer—and reminds you that your body is not a barrier to joy, creativity, or belonging.⁠

#makersofinstagram #craftersofinstagram #smallbusinesssupport #selflove❤️ #belonging #fatgirlapproved
Hey, I’m Nicole—mentor for creative misfits, m Hey, I’m Nicole—mentor for creative misfits, midlife multi-passionates, and anyone building a business that actually feels like theirs.

I share real talk about creativity, mindset, and making progress without selling your soul to hustle culture.

I also run @thepatchworkshow + @craftcationconference, and offer mentorship, workshops, and resources to help you figure out your next step—on your terms.

Ways we can work together:
✨ Craftcation – 5-day beachside conference with 500+ creatives, hands-on workshops, biz classes, and real community.
🛍️ Patchwork Show – A California makers festival supporting small creative businesses.
🔥 CAMP – A 6-week online bootcamp for creatives who want clarity, momentum, and accountability—minus the burnout.
🌙 The Club – Monthly mentorship with goal setting, live classes, and support from folks who get it.

Not sure where to start?

Drop a comment or DM me—I’d love to hear your story.

#creativemisfits #creatives #makermentors #creativeentrepreneur #goalgetter #mentor #smallbusinesssupportingsmallbusiness
When @textile_collections_ invited us to peruse th When @textile_collections_ invited us to peruse their downtown LA warehouse and choose fabric for the @craftcationconference sewing workshops, I hopped on the train and spent the afternoon oohing, ahhing, and treasure-hunting with @leannicorn. The best part? Watching our attendees transform those 100% cotton quilting fabric gems—straight from top designers and manufacturers—into clothing, accessories, and so much more. Thank you @textile_collections_ for inspiring and supporting our community! 

#Crafter #fabrichaul #makersofinstagram #craftersofinstagram #smallbusinesssupport

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