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Creativity isn’t a side dish; it’s the main course for building sharper thinking and genuine confidence. We sit down with Madeline, a homeschooled teen who treats art as both a learning engine and a way to find her voice. Together we unpack why open-ended making exercises different mental muscles than subjects with single right answers, and how that challenge translates into autonomy, resilience, and better problem-solving.

Madeline shares how an unschooling mindset lets her master core subjects through formats that fit—listening, researching, reading, then making—while pursuing passions like public speaking and psychology. We talk about facing stage fright through community theater, turning nerves into fuel, and using performance to practice presence, recovery, and clarity. Along the way we link sketching and mindful doodling to focus and memory, and explore the growing movement to “prescribe art” as preventative care. Art for wellness isn’t fluff; it’s a practical tool for stress regulation, connection, and self-knowledge.

We also dig into originality in the age of AI and remix culture. Your voice is the differentiator, and the only way to find it is to make more—try new mediums, accept critique, and iterate. From micron pens to needle felting to movie-inspired projects and holiday ornaments, the studio becomes a sandbox for curiosity and courage. The result is a class culture where friendships form, ideas travel beyond the room, and students feel safe to speak up and stand out.

If you care about youth empowerment, homeschooling, arts education, mental health, or the craft of public speaking, this conversation delivers practical insights and plenty of heart. Listen, share it with someone who needs a nudge to create, and tell us: what’s the next small, brave thing you’ll make? Subscribe, leave a review, and join the conversation so we can bring more voices to the mic.

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Ever wonder how a single creative pivot can bloom into a multi-venue art business? We sit down with exhibiting artist Rachel Blakney and trace her path from early painting classes to a pandemic-era leap into polymer clay that reshaped her practice and presence in the community. Rachel’s world is rooted in nature—florals, animals, and organic textures—and she brings that love to both canvas and jewelry with moody palettes, crisp outlines, and tiny sculpted details that people can’t stop talking about.

We unpack why acrylic has become her medium of choice over oil and watercolor, digging into dry times, layering, finish, and the confidence that comes with working fast. Rachel explains how black backgrounds and bold lines make petals read like stained glass, and how value mapping helps students and collectors see the structure beneath the beauty. On the clay side, she reveals the process behind her miniature florals and playful food pieces—croissants, cupcakes, and tiny ice cream cones—and how tailoring designs to each venue boosts sales and connection. From bakeries to farms to a bustling mall shop, her location-aware merchandising shows what happens when product storytelling meets audience intent.

If you’re a maker, you’ll appreciate her candid tips on switching mediums, building a cohesive style, and balancing wholesale with direct sales. If you’re a collector, you’ll find out exactly where to shop locally and how to snag her seasonal drops online. We also preview her upcoming classes focused on florals and still lifes, plus an open house where you can meet her in person and see the work up close.

Subscribe for more artist stories, share this with a friend who loves tiny details, and leave a review telling us your favorite medium—acrylic, oil, or watercolor. Your feedback helps us bring more thoughtful, creative voices to your feed.

Rachel’s Clay Cafe- Instagram

Rachelannee on Etsy

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Want a clear path from creative spark to shipped product? We’re opening the studio doors and sharing the exact systems that turn sketches into physical goods, classes, and sustainable income. After a burst of community events and a busy month, I’m launching a streamlined Patreon built for artists, dreamers, and entrepreneurs who want practical support without the fluff.

We walk through why a single, creator-first tier keeps things simple and focused: weekly Q&A threads, one recorded monthly session you can watch anytime, and a guided theme that helps you make measurable progress. November dives into print on demand—choosing reliable vendors, setting up drop shipping, preparing files for mugs, posters, and apparel, and bridging traditional art with Procreate so your textures and color stay true on real products. You’ll see the brushes we rely on, the naming and folder systems that save time, and the export settings that prevent expensive misprints.

December zooms in on building class materials that scale: turning an 11x14 painting into a layered, step-by-step Procreate guide you can print or package as a kit. We break down palettes, annotation tips, and layout choices that help students succeed at home or in micro-workshops. Along the way, we share how we blend analog and digital, manage feedback through a private community, and offer perks like a 20% discount in our store and opportunities to guest on the show. The goal is simple: shorten your learning curve and give you a supportive place to launch work you’re proud of.

If you’re ready to move from scattered tutorials to a repeatable workflow, this is your seat at the table. Join the Patreon, bring your questions, and help shape the next themes. Subscribe to the podcast, share this episode with a creative friend, and leave a quick review so more makers can find the community.

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A camera on a backyard bird feeder sparked an entire art series—then the community took notice. We sit down with exhibiting artist Glenda Hake to trace the winding path of a maker who blends painting, collage, masks, photography, and graphic design into a practice rooted in nature and fueled by curiosity. From foraging moss and grapevine to transforming empty bottles into lit fairy houses, Glenda shows how repurposed materials can carry stories as well as beauty.

We dive into the birth‑month birds concept and how each piece weaves together a bird, the month’s flower, and gemstone color for an instantly personal connection. Along the way, Glenda talks about winning 13 ribbons at the Canfield Fair, why local shows can outperform algorithms, and how a simple craft directory became a roadmap for opportunities across Ohio and beyond. She shares the reality of balancing full‑time work with weekend photography gigs, a growing line of pet portrait commissions, and the practical routines that keep her studio momentum alive.

Glenda opens up about stepping back from photography to recover creative energy, then booking out once fall arrived. We explore the thrill of learning new skills like felting and pottery, the pros and cons of not selling on major platforms after an unexpected Etsy ban, and the serendipity of a radio interview that connected her to our gallery. If you’re an artist, maker, or art lover, you’ll leave with ideas for sourcing materials sustainably, structuring series with built‑in meaning, and building visibility through fairs, galleries, and word of mouth.

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Glenda Hake personal Facebook

Glenda Hake Photography and Design

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The month kicked off like a creative sprint—teens asking to guest on the show, paint-streaked fingers from Iris Scott–inspired experiments, and a calendar full of community art events that turned blank spaces into living galleries. We open up about what it takes to build a studio that puts joy and access first, from rolling the art dice with students to running lessons that nudge confidence higher one brushstroke at a time. Between laughs and paint splatters, we also get candid about the moments nobody posts: the wrong mic turned on, the edits we let go, the faith to publish anyway.

You’ll hear why a conversation with Beth Buffington’s mastermind felt like a turning point, surfacing the quiet truth that creators at every level need encouragement and a circle that elevates rather than drains. We talk through practical ways to find those people, protect your focus, and keep showing up when perfection tries to slow you down. There’s exciting news, too: our studio was selected for a local award announcement, a reminder that community-centered art—classes, pop-ups, youth programs—does more than teach skills; it builds belonging. We spotlight new work on our walls from photographer and designer Glenda Hake, fresh off a ribbon-stacked showing at the Canfield Fair, and share why her pieces have visitors leaning in and talking to each other.

From painting 250 pumpkins in Hartville to gearing up for another amphitheater session, the theme is simple: create anyway. Start where you are, with the tools you have, and let progress beat polish. If you’re a parent, educator, or maker looking for real-world inspiration and practical ideas to spark creativity, you’ll feel at home here. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a nudge to start, and leave a review to tell us what project you’re daring to launch next.

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Ever wondered what happens when you blend classical orchestral music with tacos, ballet, and rock legends? Join us as we sit down with Rachel Hagemeier, the dynamic President and CEO of the Canton Symphony Orchestra, who is revolutionizing how orchestral music connects with communities.

Rachel's journey from Oklahoma bassoonist to symphony leadership reveals how passion and vision can transform traditional institutions. Under her guidance, the Canton Symphony has evolved into a community cornerstone, averaging an incredible event every four days throughout Stark County and beyond.

What makes this orchestra special isn't just musical excellence (though their musicians come from across the country to perform), but their commitment to making orchestral music accessible and relevant. Their innovative programming includes the Divergent Sounds series, where local musicians of all genres collaborate with symphony players, and Pops concerts featuring everything from holiday classics to the music of Queen, Pink Floyd, and Canton's own Macy Gray.

Behind the scenes, Rachel shares candid insights about the challenges of orchestral management—concerts costing up to $75,000 just for musicians, ticket sales covering only one-fifth of expenses, and the constant balance between artistic excellence and financial reality. This transparency highlights how vital community support through attendance, volunteering, and donations truly is.

Looking ahead to their "When Our Stories Meet" season, the Symphony will showcase diverse American voices through music, from Amy Beach's groundbreaking compositions to Jesse Montgomery's contemporary expressions, all while inviting community participation through unique initiatives like photo choreography projects.

Whether you're a classical music enthusiast or someone who's never set foot in a concert hall, this conversation will change how you think about orchestras and their potential to build community through the universal language of music. Ready to experience the symphony in a whole new way?

Canton Symphony website

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Canton Symphony Instagram

Tickets for 10/4/25

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Creativity blooms across generations in this heartwarming episode recorded while traveling in Seattle with my granddaughters Jojo (5) and Franny (7). Surrounded by the Pacific Northwest's lush plant life and buzzing insects, we embark on a ladybug-themed art project that captures the magic of making art with children.

Armed with watercolor paints and paper, we create vibrantly unconventional ladybugs – Jojo opts for a royal purple while Franny chooses sunny yellow. Throughout our painting session, we share delightful conversations about bugs, art preferences, and even a traditional ladybug nursery rhyme from my childhood. The girls offer their unique perspectives, with Franny confidently informing me that ladybugs eat raisins, showcasing the wonderful imagination that children bring to creative sessions.

The project evolves beyond simple painting as we transform our two-dimensional artwork into pop-up creations. Using scissors, glue sticks, and folded paper, we engineer our ladybugs to stand up on their painted leaves and flowers. The process becomes a lesson in spatial awareness, fine motor skills, and problem-solving disguised as play. All the while, the natural conversation flows between us reveals glimpses into their lives – from video games to face painting adventures from previous visits.

This episode serves as a reminder of art's power to connect across ages. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, teacher, or creative adult with children in your life, I hope this inspires you to sit down for a simple crafting session with the young people you care about. The masterpieces you'll treasure most aren't the physical creations but the memories and bonds strengthened through creative collaboration. Why not gather some basic art supplies and create your own "buggy" adventure today?

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Have you ever wondered what would happen if you trusted your wildest creative ideas and actually built a business around them?

On this special anniversary episode, I'm celebrating one year since the ribbon-cutting ceremony of Brewtifully and reflecting on the incredible journey of transforming an unconventional vision into a thriving creative space. When people ask how I developed this business model, they're often surprised to learn I literally made it up from scratch – no franchise, no template, just a clear vision of what I wanted to create for my community.

The path hasn't been without challenges. Transitioning from full-time employment to entrepreneurship brought sleepless nights wondering if bills would get paid or if my ideas would resonate. Yet the fulfillment of building something authentically mine has been worth every moment of uncertainty. What began as a desire to support local artists and provide a creative haven has exceeded expectations – we're now booked with artists through 2026 and halfway through 2027, attracting creators from across the region.

I share the pivotal role mentors played in refining my vision without dampening it, particularly through our local SCORE chapter. Their expertise helped transform my ideas into a viable business plan while encouraging me to maintain the uniqueness that makes Brutally Made special. This episode offers honest insights about embracing imperfection, taking daily steps toward your dreams, and the power of authenticity over perfection.

Whether you're harboring creative aspirations or simply need inspiration to trust your instincts, this anniversary reflection might be the gentle push you need. Your dreams don't require perfection – they just require you to begin. What creative vision are you ready to bring into the world?

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