Painting & Purpose: Ashley Spitsnogle on Art, Anxiety, and Healing
Wendy Crafts
Nebraska artist Ashley Spitsnogle invites us inside the rush and calm of live painting—how she prepares for a three-hour “performance,” finds flow in front of hundreds of people, and reconnects to purpose after heartbreak. Ashley shares the Florence, Italy moment that convinced her to pursue art, why she writes a “why” before every piece, and the community stories behind her most meaningful works—from memorial portraits to a Cattlemen’s Ball canvas that honored flood recovery. If you’ve ever wondered what’s really happening inside a live painter, this episode is your...
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Letters to Barley: A Dog's Role in a Family's Darkest Days
Wendy Crafts
Wendy shares a deeply personal story of her West Highland White Terrier, Barley. She recounts how Barley joined her family during the "pretty dark days" of her husband Matt's prescription pain medication addiction. Wendy reveals her struggle to care for herself amid the chaos, and how Barley became her "constant loyalty," a unique alpha that helped her survive. She discusses how writing and crafting handmade cards help her process the loss of her beloved companion. Check out Wendy Crafts on - - - - and online at . https://wendycrafts.co This podcast is produced by .
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Make, Don’t Scroll: Scrapbooking for Mental Health with Beth Kingston
Wendy Crafts
Scrapbooking for mental health isn’t just a trend—it’s a lifeline. In this heartfelt conversation, Beth Kingston (Kingston Crafts; longtime HSN craft expert) joins Wendy to explore how creativity, connection, and simple printed photos can help us process hard seasons, reduce doom-scrolling, and feel truly seen. Beth shares candid stories from years as a military spouse, why she opens her studio to neighbors and Naval Academy students, and how her “Everyday Stories” system lowers the barrier to memory keeping for busy lives. You’ll learn practical ways to spark community through...
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Unpacking Mental Health, Creativity, and a New Journal
Wendy Crafts
Discover the powerful collaboration between sisters Heather Kell and Holly Rohring on their new mental health journal. Learn how their unique backgrounds in design and counseling shaped this vital tool, offering a gentle yet effective way to process emotions and find support. This episode unpacks their journey, from childhood creativity to addressing mental health stigma, and reveals how their journal provides a safe space for self-reflection and healing. https://wendycrafts.co/wendy-crafts-heather-kell-holly-rohring-and-kell-of-a-plan-release-new-mental-health-journal/ Check out these links...
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Building Lifelong Friendships Through Scrapbooking
Wendy Crafts
When national craft chains are struggling, local, independently owned stores like The Scrapbook Haven are thriving by focusing on community. In this episode, store managers Brandy Lewis and Gena Christofferson share how they’ve cultivated a space where people feel like family. They discuss why crafters of all skill levels, including men, are drawn to the store and its weekend "crops," and how this creative community provides a powerful source of healing, friendship, and sanity in a busy world. Follow this link for your free information: Learn more about The Scrapbook Have on - - ...
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The Power of Offering It Up: A Story of Faith, Family, and Creative Healing
Wendy Crafts
Mary Lenaburg shares her powerful story of finding purpose amidst immense suffering. She reveals how her 22-year journey of caring for a profoundly disabled child, navigating a marriage on the brink of collapse, and overcoming personal struggles was transformed through faith, therapy, and creative pursuits. Mary discusses the concept of "redemptive suffering" and how to transition from pain into a gift of sacrifice for others. This episode is a candid and heartfelt conversation on finding hope, learning to love hard, and embracing the imperfect beauty of life. Complete the following form to...
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How a Single Card Can Spread Joy to Millions
Wendy Crafts
In a digital world, the Creative Kindness Foundation proves the power of a tangible connection. Megan Stahlecker, from the Arizona-based non-profit, shares how their organization collects handmade cards from crafters to distribute to millions of people in need of cheer and support. This act of creative giving not only brings joy to recipients but also provides healing and purpose for the crafters themselves, creating a cyclical ripple effect of kindness. Follow this link to learn how you can share your cards across the world: Learn more about Creative Kindness Foundation on - or online...
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Finding Hope and Empathy After Loss
Wendy Crafts
When Tiffany Wachtler lost her mother, she discovered the power of creative compassion and the importance of having a community that "loves you a little louder". This experience inspired her to create The Kindness Concierge, a service that helps people show up for loved ones in difficult seasons. She shares how laughter, music, and simple, thoughtful gestures become powerful tools for healing. This episode is a heartfelt guide to moving through grief, offering hope and practical ways to support others without feeling paralyzed. Follow this link to find the right words for any occasion. ...
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Reclaiming Flow: How to Find Creative Resilience
Wendy Crafts
Joining us is artist and designer Lisa Congdon as she reveals the vital role of community in fostering a thriving creative life. Discover her journey into sobriety, a transformative decision that brought profound clarity and reshaped her approach to work and well-being. Lisa shares how finding her "creative allies" and establishing firm boundaries, including "loud quitting" obligations, has cultivated spaciousness and sustained her artistic passion. This discussion offers invaluable lessons on embracing vulnerability, defining success on your own terms, and nurturing the relationships that...
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Embracing Emotions Through Tattoo Art
Wendy Crafts
Discover how the deeply personal art of tattooing can be a powerful source of healing and self-expression. Joining us is Wendy’s own tattoo artist, Topher Charnley, to explore the adventurous journey of an artist whose creative life bloomed from family interactions, upbringing, and even a mental health diagnosis. Topher reveals how his art has manifested over the years and the profound impact this intimate art form has on both him and his hundreds of clients. This episode dives into the therapeutic aspects of creativity, including how art provides a conscious meditative space, a...
info_outlineDiscover how the deeply personal art of tattooing can be a powerful source of healing and self-expression. Joining us is Wendy’s own tattoo artist, Topher Charnley, to explore the adventurous journey of an artist whose creative life bloomed from family interactions, upbringing, and even a mental health diagnosis. Topher reveals how his art has manifested over the years and the profound impact this intimate art form has on both him and his hundreds of clients.
This episode dives into the therapeutic aspects of creativity, including how art provides a conscious meditative space, a reprieve from overthinking, and a way to process emotions. Sharing his experience navigating bipolar disorder and how he's learned to harness his emotional cycles to his artistic advantage.
Learn about the unique relationships between tattoo artists and clients, the transformative power of a new tattoo, and why comparison is a trap. This conversation will inspire you to embrace creativity as a vital tool for mental well-being and personal growth.
Takeaways
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The creative life of an artist can begin at any point.
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Support from family is crucial for nurturing creativity.
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Creativity can serve as a form of meditation and emotional balance.
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Art can help process and deal with mental health challenges.
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Navigating ADHD and bipolarity can influence creative expression.
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Tattooing creates deep connections between artists and clients.
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Memorial tattoos serve as a way to honor lost loved ones.
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Art can be a way to express emotions that are hard to verbalize.
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The experience of getting a tattoo is a roller coaster of emotions.
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Creativity is a gift that can help others heal.
Follow this link for tips on how to select you first or next tattoo:
https://wendycrafts.co/wendy-crafts-embracing-emotions-with-tattoo-artist-topher-charnley/
Learn more about Topher on Instagram and check out Black Lantern Collective on Instagram.
Check out Wendy Crafts on - YouTube - Pinterest - Instagram - Facebook and online at wendycrafts.co.
This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative.