In this latest episode, I had the heartfelt pleasure ofsitting down with Christie Lower, the kind and deeply creative force behind Rustic Fiber.

Some conversations feel like opening a letter from an oldfriend—filled with gentle wisdom, creative sparks, and the comforting sense that you’re not alone in your journey. That’s exactly how this conversation with Christie felt.

You may know her for her exquisite needle-felted birds,or perhaps through her Rustic Fiber Art Academy—but behind each of those creations lies a story of resilience, loss, inspiration, and a whole lot of love.

Christie shared the quiet evolution of her creative path,from discovering needle felting in the quiet spaces of new motherhood to navigating grief through art after losing her beloved grandmother. It was a moment of true serendipity—her first felting kit arriving just after her grandmother passed, and her hands protected by her grandmother’s gardeninggloves as she worked.

We spoke about teaching as an act of giving, the beautyof community over competition, and the challenges of building a business from scratch—especially when you're doing it alone. From her artist residency in Mexico to building an online academy that welcomes all levels of makers,Christie has created something profoundly nurturing.

Her story is full of gentle encouragement andhonesty—whether you're a hesitant beginner, a lonely solo creator, or just someone wondering if their art matters.

So pop the kettle on, settle into your cosiest chair, andjoin us for a rich and restorative episode about birds, grandmothers, creative courage, and the quiet magic of making things by hand.

Podcast Produced by Selina Wright

You Can Read The Blog Here

https://sallybonniefibrenart.com/blog/the-diary-of-a-courageous-artist

In this latest episode, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Kamilla from Our Craft Nook.

Sometimes conversations are surprisingly sweet, honest and even a little magical like a leisurely stroll through a storybook. The conversation with Kamilla felt exactly like that.

You may be familiar with her small magical worlds and her whimsical needle-felted mice. Her ability to combine storytelling and craft has a very happy and intimate quality.

We talked about the quiet perseverance required to transform a passion into a legitimate business as well as creativity motherhood and the anxiety that comes with trying something new.

When she described her workshops and the moment her students brought their mice to life it was one of the moments that truly resonated with me.

"They always end up falling in love with them even those who wanted to throw their mice across the room"

That soft humor, the candor and her perspective on the world are just the kinds of discussions that make me remember why I initially began this podcast- to share the journey stories of women creators who take a slightly different approach.

It's a very touching one so pop the kettle on, and join us for a truly heartwarming episode.

Podcast Produced by Selina Wright

You Can Read The Blog here https://sallybonniefibrenart.com/blog/the-diary-of-a-courageous-artist

In my latest instalment of the Threads of Inspiration Podcast series, I was delighted to spend some time with Sarah from Seven Hands.

Some conversations stay with you long after they’ve ended,reshaping the way you think about your own creative path. My recent discussion with textile artist Sarah Lyte was one of those rare, thought-provoking moments. As we delved into creativity, resilience, and authenticity, I found myself not only absorbing her insights but also re-examining my own journey as a maker.

Sarah has a remarkable way of cutting through the noise thatso often accompanies artistic pursuits—self-doubt, external validation, and commercial pressures—to focus on what truly matters: the act of making.

"For me, the making is important,” she told me.“The selling is just a by-product.” In an era where creativity is often measured by its marketability, her perspective feels refreshingly pure. Yet, she understands the balance—recognising that selling her work is necessary but never allowing it to dictate her artistic process. Instead, she approaches each year as an evolution, a steady push into new creative territory.

"Each year, I push myself in a slightly different way,” she said.“I build on what I did before.”

Sarah's words left me inspired, and I hope they do the same for you.

You can read the Blog⁠⁠Here

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Podcast produced by Selina Wright