Compulsory, With Kim Werker

Isaac Watson is a project manager, grand-scale organizer, and maker of things like jewelry and homes. In 2014, he launched Maker’s Nation, a nonprofit educational program and community platform for independent creative entrepreneurs. He's also the production manager for the World Domination Summit, co-producer of Pioneer Nation, and a hired gun that excels at design project management. From time to time, Isaac writes about various things on his two blogs: Voiced features musings on creative business and productivity (with a few recipes for good measure); and Built is all about building a tiny cabin on a mountain, and various improvement projects he does on his home, where he lives with his partner Justin and their dog Zeus, in Vancouver, WA. Relevant Links Isaac's website, Twitter and Instagram Maker's Nation (also on Twitter and Facebook) Jewelry designer Betsy Cross To get future episodes immediately when they drop, subscribe to Compulsory on iTunes, Stitcher, or Soundcloud!

Miriam Felton is a knitwear designer and all-around maker living in Salt Lake City. She has been self-publishing since 2004 and now teaches and designs full time. In 2013, she committed to what she called a Year of Making – every day that year, she documented something she made by sharing a photo of it online, with the hashtag #yearofmaking. To get herself going, she further committed to make all of her new clothing that year. Miriam continued into a second year of making in 2014, without the clothing constraint, and on a whim last January 1st, I decided to do it, too. Many others have joined in over the course of the year, but I had never managed to talk to Miriam about this project. Until now. Relevant links: Miriam's website Miriam on Twitter, Facebook, Ravelry and Pinterest Social Print Studio and their Memory Box Bullet Journal If you're doing a year of making, or you want to start one, use the #yearofmaking hashtag on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to tag your photos of daily making, and to follow alo

Meighan O’Toole is a digital media strategist who is passionate about connecting people to objects, art, and ideas that better their personal or professional lives, and she derives great meaning in her own life from fostering those connections. In today's episode, we talk about Meighan's compulsion to share, and about the connections, conversations and relationships that result from sharing. Relevant links: Meighan's website, and the What's Your Story podcast Meighan on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook My Love for You art blog Stanford researcher explores why cliques thrive in some high schools more than others TEDxVictoria - Alexandra Samuel: Ten Reasons to Stop Apologizing for your Online Life Please subscribe to Compulsory on iTunes or Stitcher. (And, you know, tell your friends!)

Soft-toy designer Abby Glassenberg runs a successful online pattern shop and blogs regularly about the business of craft. In today's show, we discuss the siren song of immediacy and impulsiveness, the focus of identifying a very narrow niche interest, and the value of practice. Plus: the tensions between imperfection and perfection, and serving yourself and serving others. Also: cooking! Relevant links: Abby's website and blog, and the While She Naps podcast Abby on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Thanks so much for your enthusiasm as we get this podcast party started! Please let me know your wishlist of people to have on the show (just leave a comment or shoot me an email), and if you're enjoying so far, please leave a rating on iTunes so other people can discover Compulsory and enjoy it, too!

Artist Rachael Ashe makes cut-paper works of intricate, repeating designs. In today's show, we discuss focus, repetition, tediousness, and more. Relevant links: Rachael Ashe's website and portfolio Rachael on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Vancouver's Eastside Culture Crawl Hot Talks at Hot Art Wet City Podcasts: This American Life, Serial, 99% Invisible The tutorial I used to make my pop filter