Art Supply Insiders Podcast

Picture yourself diving into the vibrant world of crafting, armed with the highest quality cutting  tools, and surrounded by a sea of yellow - a color that has become synonymous with creativity and inspiration. In our latest episode, we welcome Yvonne Busdeker, the brand channel manager for OLFA, a trailblazer in the realm of cutting tools, and we venture into the vast universe of crafting. Yvonne shares profound insights about OLFA's quality products with a special focus on their Pro Section, as well as the story behind the distinctive yellow branding that has become a hallmark of their identity.

We journey beyond the usual, exploring unconventional and imaginative uses of OLFA's tools. Imagine making wavy microwave bacon with OLFA's rotary blades or using them for cosplay! And did you know that their stainless steel blades are food-safe? With OLFA's cutting tools, your creativity knows no bounds. From quilting to crafting, Yvonne inspires you to take on your next project with confidence and enthusiasm.

And what's crafting without a splash of color? Yellow, a color that ignites creativity and symbolizes the joy of crafting, is a vital part of this exciting world. We discuss its significance and how it's become an identifiable color on craft tables. We celebrate the diversity of craft activities and the endless potential that lies within everyone to create. As we wrap up this episode, we hope to ignite your passion for crafting and motivate you to keep exploring until you find your niche. Remember, at OLFA, there's a tool for every craft and a craft for every creator.

Ever wondered how a renowned artist's journey unfolds? This episode has you covered as we invite the versatile and highly talented Drew Steinbrecher, a collage, printmaking and fiber artist, with an unshakeable connection to the influence of the historic German Bauhaus design school. In an immersive conversation, Drew shares his artistic voyage, from his first tryst with design in high school to his degree in graphic design, onto his evolution as a distinct artist in the world of collages. Get a glimpse of Drew's creative transition from modern quilts to collages, as he elucidates on his unique style of using jelly plates for creating grungy, texture-rich prints.

We also navigate through Drew's digital presence evolution and his innovative offering of online art classes. Tune in to understand the importance he gives to creating art for himself and the pure joy he extracts from the process. His classes offer a plethora of techniques ranging from traditional sketchbooks to grid journals, from stencil making to using acrylic paint markers. Hear about his recent collage maker summit and the continued engagement it's creating within its associated Facebook group. And, you certainly don't want to miss exploring Drew's vivacious and joyous artwork on his website - a true testament to his growth and innovation as an artist. Ready to get enlightened by Drew Steinbrecher's artistic mastery?

Just imagine a journey through time, revealing the captivating story of a renowned company in the art supply industry, Speedball. We have the pleasure of hosting David Valliere, VP of Marketing and Business Development at Speedball, whose insights are sure to pique your interest. David recounts Speedball's evolution from its quaint origin in 1899 as the Hunt Penn Company to its impressive expansion under Walt Glazer’s ownership, focusing on US manufacturing. 

Ever wondered how a company can successfully branch out into various product lines while maintaining its core competence? Speedball has done just that. Growing exponentially over the past 15 years, the company's offerings now cater to an array of consumers, from budding artists to seasoned professionals. David gives you a close look at how their products, coupled with resources such as catalogs and a user-friendly website, are designed to be easily understood and discovered. 

Art and craft lovers, prepare to be delighted by the secret behind Speedball's unique demo artist program. This ingenious initiative not only supports art communities and retailers but also facilitates better consumer engagement. Find out how you can contribute by showing your support for the art and craft supplies industry. Explore the exciting ways you can connect with Speedball, from locating their store to experiencing their factory tours. Join us on this fascinating journey and discover something new and exciting at every turn.

Prepare to be entranced as we navigate the intricate world of Natural Pigments, unraveling the captivating tale behind the creation of historically accurate art supplies. Founded by George and Tatiana in a humble garage, this innovative company has passionately committed to crafting art supplies that mirror their historical counterparts. With a range of unique products that include dry powder pigments and pigments pre-dispersed in water, they source natural pigments from every corner of the globe. 

This episode is not just about narrating the journey of Natural Pigments; it's about expanding your knowledge on art supplies and the raw materials that shape them. We unpack the essential services offered by Natural Pigments, from their comprehensive tutorials to their monthly online Artist Materials Advisor program. By the end of our chat, you'll have a broader understanding of the history of painting materials, and how today's manufacturing techniques have revolutionized artists' creative process.

As we venture further, George and Tatiana offer a peek into their sourcing and development process, detailing how they craft their distinctive colors and authentic art supplies. We explore the need for artists to comprehend the raw materials used in art supplies, which is an underlying theme throughout our conversation. This insightful episode is an invitation to immerse yourself in the unique and groundbreaking world of Natural Pigments. So, are you ready to unravel art's historical threads with us?