CraftSanity with Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood

I took this picture in my kitchen on Nov 27, 2004. I was on my second maternity leave from my job as a newspaper reporter and feeling totally conflicted about the big return to work. My husband had recently clued me into the high tech world of podcasting and I almost immediately decided that I, Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood, was destined to become a podcaster.

It was probably one of the quickest, most ill-informed decisions of my life. I knew I wanted to interview artists and crafters from all over the world and post free project tutorials every week, but that was it. I didn't know anything about the technology involved, how much time it would take to produce or how exactly I was going to convince people to agree to be interviewed for a podcast that didn't exist yet.

Somehow I thought it would really help if I had a cute logo. (This logic seems ridiculous to me now.) I'm a lousy sketch artist so, I decided I would assemble my logo in 3-D. I took several pictures including this one of a bespectacled cone of purple wool balancing a ball of cotton on it's head. After shooting a few frames it was clear this was not "it." This was not the symbol I wanted to represent my podcast which was at that point only a figment of my imagination.

I grabbed a skien of hot pink cotton, some pipe cleaner, buttons and googly eyes and tried to create a fun character to represent "CraftSanity." Within minutes I felt like I had it. It was strange actually because I remember how happy I was when I looked at the pictures of that pink skein with googly eyes and pipe cleaner hair. Looking back, I believe the act of creating that crazy looking yarn face was the first sign that I was headed in the right direction. I was having fun creating the symbol of this podcast and let myself get caught up in all the potential of what this podcast could be.

I sent the photo to my brother-in-law, Andrew, who turned it into the cool logo I use today and still completely love.

The day I stood in my kitchen shooting photos of a yarn ball with pipe cleaners sticking out of it, I had no idea what was going to happen next. I had no idea whether or not I would actually ever have an audience, or if any of craft superstars would ever agree to be guests on my show. The only thing I knew then was that the prospect of those things possibly happening made me very happy. And for that reason, I knew I had to give this podcasting thing a try.

I posted my first show Jan. 23. 2005, the day I returned to work after a three-month maternity leave. Then I posted another show about a week later, an then another and I got hooked. Even though my earliest shows were pretty rough, I started getting kind feedback from people who identified themselves as listeners. They thanked me and encouraged me to stick with it. And so I did.

I never imagined that I would get such a wonderful opportunity to have a regular dialog with people who share my love of art and craft, so the events of the last two years have been amazing fun for me. I've learned a lot during the last two years and I'm very exited about the possibilities on the horizon.

I've enjoyed interviewing dozens of artists and crafters from around the globe who have been very generous with their stories, projects and time. And, I've so enjoyed exchanging e-mails with several of you who tune in. The connections I've made within the creative community online and in person have enriched my life and helped me realize the tremendous joy that comes with following your bliss. And I wish that same joy for all of you.

Thanks for two great years!

CraftSanity my friends! It works for me!