Rags To Riches Textile Upcycling Podcast

How’d You Get Here From There? - Crispina’s Story - Part 2

It's time for the next chapter of Crispina's Story! In case you missed last week's episode, we've put our hostess with the mostest in the guest seat for a 3-part series delving into her long and winding road as a textile upcycling entrepreneur and educator.
Crispina's friend Sarah Stewart is here to ask the questions, and Crispina is bringing all the juicy details born from her decades of experience in the industry. 
This is Part 2 of a 3-part series of interviews with Crispina and Sarah entitled "How'd You Get Here From There?"Are you ready?

How’d You Get Here From There? - Crispina’s Story - Part 1

We sure do have a treat for you today, because on this week's episode of Rags to Riches Textile Upcycling Podcast with Crispina ffrench, our special guest is... Crispina ffrench!!
That's right, we decided that we need to know all about Crispina's journey from rags to riches, from college hustle to large production company and back around to gentle education and nurturing a global upcycling movement.
Crispina's friend Sarah Stewart is here to ask the questions, and Crispina is bringing all the juicy details of her decades of experience as a creative entrepreneur in the textile upcycling scene. 
This is Part 1 of a 3-part series of interviews with Crispina and Sarah entitled "How'd You Get Here From There?"Are you ready?

Manny Jackson’s Focus on Sustainability of Self and (A)Dressing the World

"You can't pour from an empty cup!" We're all familiar with the concept, and yet it's such a struggle sometimes for creative entrepreneurs to apply it to ourselves! Especially textile upcyclers, who tend to feel personally responsible for saving the world along with maintaining our businesses and caring for our loved ones. We find ourselves burned out, unfulfilled, and/or overwhelmed while supposedly living the dream.In this refreshingly honest and insightful deep-dive, Crispina and Manny Jackson of Thread Haus tap into the power of getting vulnerable and sharing our human struggles...slowing down and taking time to care for our mental health so that we can sustainably create, operate our businesses, and thrive in a healthy environment while supporting others to do the same.

Snow Milk - Dreaming Big and Making Something Out of Nothing

Inspired by the need to provide for his new family, and by the whimsical magic of children's classics such as Willy Wonka and the Wizard of Oz, Doobie Duke Sims is a fantastic example of a textile upcycling entrepreneur who is making something out of nothing... and living his dreams while he's at it!
Dive into Episode 18 to learn how Snow Milk grew from an unexpected experiment into a creative dream worthy of Willy Wonka - and a robust livelihood. Doobie and Crispina discuss the values and strategies that have worked really well for Snow Milk, as well as the "dream big, create your own magic" philosophy that Doobie brings with him everywhere.
Are you ready to be inspired, encouraged, and supported? That's what we do here! Let's go!

Frust Upcycling is Making (Much More Than) Do

This week, Crispina delves into the art and business sides of creative textile entrepreneurship with Seren Atilgan of Frust Upcycling.
Their conversation touches on slow growth, figuring out what to delegate to others and what brings you the most joy to do yourself, the ins and outs of creating few-of-a-kind and one-of-a-kind products, and how much bookkeeping is really necessary.
There's so much to learn and it's all so inspiring!
Are you ready?

Serving Looks...and Community with RE-Covergirl Jennifer Moore

This week we chat about using textile upcycling, recycling and reuse as tools for community engagement and connection. 
Jenn Moore, aka Re-Covergirl, shares her experience organizing Project Upcycle a smashing regional upcycled fashion show and how clothing swaps got her there…. (oh and how YOU can apply to be showcased in the 2023 event)!
Are you ready?

From Music Tour to Thrift Store - Pivoting with Bea Lorimer

Inspired by the enormous volume of clothing donations that were not being resold at her local Op Shop (that is Kiwi for Thrift Shop), this week’s guest, Bea Lorimer launched Heke Design to call attention to, and address the issue with creative ingenuity. 
She shares her focus on building her business to an international audience and how she traded in touring all over the world in the music industry for her island studio and retail collective. 
Are you ready?

YOU got the Role!

Have you noticed the beautiful mushrooming of conscientious designers using textile waste to create new makes? 
How about the vintage and thrift fashion bloooom? 
You guys, the world is changing and, I dare say, textile upcyclers, recyclers, and re-users are leading the way!  This we week we dive into actionable steps you can take to be counted, voice your concerns and challenges and celebrate your wins and accomplishments.  
It is your time to step into the spotlight with your starring role in addressing global textile waste with creative ingenuity...
Are you ready?
 

Darn Good Accidental Entrepreneur

Learn about how one woman came to run a global upcycling company by accident.
Nicole Snow started "Darn Good Yarn" on accident. What started out as a side hustle in her guest bedroom and two boxes of recycled silk yarn has exploded into a world-wide company working to better the lives of our global community. Since her humble beginning, Darn Good Yarn has grown into a strong and steady powerful business thats creating a positive impact on the world.

Next Level Upcycling - Kathryn Swanson is Trash Rich

Have you ever wondered what happens to all the grandma's fabric stashes?  Are you building your own stash?  
If you are like me, you have been asked a 100 times if you want boxes (and boxes) of neatly folded fabric, notions, threads etc someone left behind.  
Hard to turn down, but....
No Thank you... Do call my friend Kathryn Swanson.  She has need.    
Wait till you meet her and learn about Swanson's Fabrics and the mind-blowing business model she is developing.  You are not going to want to miss this one.  She has magic up her sleeves...