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Joleen's Happy Time Craftcast
Welcome to the Happy Time Craft Cast with Joleen Emery, the podcast where crafting meets inspiration, laughter, and the wonderful art of making. Join Joleen, your crafting companion, as she takes you on an exciting journey into the world of creativity.
Discover the joy of crafting and find comfort in knowing that not everything goes perfectly the first time. Joleen's good humor, contagious laughter, and 'muscle it together until it fits' attitude will keep you entertained and motivated throughout your crafting adventures.
In each episode, we explore thrilling DIY projects, converse with talented artisans, and share heartwarming stories that celebrate the beauty of imperfection. Crafting isn't just a hobby; it's a way of life that brings happiness and fulfillment.
Whether you're a seasoned crafter or just starting, this podcast is your crafting community, offering inspiration and support. Embrace the ups and downs of your creative journey, finding joy in every crafty endeavor.
Get ready for a dose of creativity, motivation, and a whole lot of crafting goodness. Tune in to the Happy Time Craft Cast and let's make some happy crafting memories together!
Joleen's Happy Time Craftcast
Fiber Meets Ink with AJ Young – Joleen’s Happy Time Craftcast 68
Craftonians! Welcome to Episode 68 of Happy Time Craftcast! Joleen beams from Big Raven Farm as she chats with AJ Young, a fiber artist whose work beautifully weaves together craft, community, and identity. They share laughter, love, and creative inspiration while exploring AJ’s series “Stitching Our Histories,” which transforms LGBTQ+ archives into powerful quilted art.
Guest Bio
AJ Young (he/they) is a queer, trans fiber artist and educator from Fennville, Michigan. A lifelong maker, AJ works across knitting, quilting, weaving, bag-making, and mixed media art. With a background in sociology and LGBTQ+ community work, AJ’s artistic mission is to blend creativity and social awareness. His series “Stitching Our Histories” reimagines archival queer documents into modern quilts — offering a vibrant, tangible way to preserve and celebrate LGBTQ+ stories through fabric and thread.
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Episode Chapters with Timestamps
[00:00 — 04:59] — Big Raven Farm updates & new cooking retreat news
[05:00 — 08:44] — 2026 retreat calendar opens
[08:45 — 09:59] — Meet today’s guest: AJ Young
[10:00 — 15:59] — AJ’s creative journey — from yarn to weaving and quilting
[16:00 — 19:59] — The inspiration behind Stitching Our Histories
[20:00 — 30:59] — Joleen shares a heartfelt story
[31:00 — 33:59] — “Poly-craftual” — AJ’s joyful take on loving all crafts
[34:00 — 39:59] — Favorite tools and creative materials
[40:00 — 45:59] — How community influences creativity
[46:00 — 48:59] — The emotional thread behind Stitching Our Histories — honoring queer voices
[49:00 — 51:59] — The beauty of imperfection — learning through making
[52:00 — 58:59] — Favorite moments in AJ’s creative journey
[59:00 - End] — Closing thoughts — creativity as courage and kindness
Quotes from the Episode
“I’m never afraid to try anything at least once — and if I can do it with fabric and yarn, even better!” — AJ Young
“Creativity gives us another way to tell our stories — one stitch, one layer, one moment at a time.” — AJ Young
“The experiences of one generation change the world for the next — and that’s something to celebrate.” — Joleen Emery
“I identify as poly-craftual — I just love making in every way possible.” — AJ Young
“Art has this quiet power to heal and connect us — especially when it comes from the heart.” — Joleen Emery
Resources and Links
🌿 Big Raven Farm Retreats — Explore creative retreats for 2025–2026!
💸 Exclusive Discount for Listeners! Use code "happytime" on AJ’s website to save $20 on Quilt As You Go Virtual Class!
📚 Book Nook for Makers: The Collage Workbook by Randall Plowman
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