*7+1* :: Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood

Today's 7+1 is with the host of my *favorite* podcast of all time: Craftsanity (link straight to iTunes). During college I spent many a night listening to Jennifer's podcasts while I worked on projects for the next morning until all hours. No worries, they're even more enjoyable now that I can curl up with my knitting or painting and listen :) On her podcast she interviews crafters & artisans from around the world. (I'll list some of my personal favorites at the end of this post.) Her blog (of the same name) acts in conjunction with the podcasts but also keeps you update to date with her many other projects...

Jennifer appears on local television in West Michigan doing craft segments, which are fantastic if you're looking for great projects for yourself or to get the kids crafting with you. She writes columns about art & craft for the Grand Rapids Press. She has another blog on their site called 'Running with Needles'–yep, she's a runner too! And, in July of this year, she quit her job as a reporter to be a freelance writer and a full-time maker. This is also around the time she began selling Craftsanity wooden looms in her Etsy shop. (I *totally* used to do this when I was little and now I've got the itch again!) Here is a project I *love* once you've made a few.

If you want to hear about Jennifer in her own words, I think this profile she wrote for the Press is really great. But, before we get to the questions, let me just tell you 2 things you should know ahead of time: She regularly wears aprons (as a part of her everyday ensemble), which I think is super kitschy *cute!* And, if you ever meet Jennifer in person, her first question will probably be, "What have you made lately?" And now what you've been waiting for...

Q1: What 3 sites do you visit regularly for inspiration via the interwebs?
A: I visit loads of blogs and websites, but I'll just mention a few. I like to check out: www.purlbee.com, whipup.net, and lurk about on etsy.com. I love getting inspired by free tutorials and I'm completely blown away by the things people are making. It's like sensory overload.

Q2: What 3 activities do you do regularly that keep you inspired?

A: I seem to get inspired by everything in my life, but here are three things that always seem to get those creative juices flowing.... I run, I go outside and photograph nature and I listen to my kids. They're only 4 and 5, but I get some of my best ideas from them. They are super inspiring little ladies.

Q3: What 3 books are on your nightstand right now?

A: The Time Traveler's Wife, the Twilight Series (Yes, I got  sucked in that vampire fiction, too.) and  Free-Range Knitter: The Yarn Harlot Writes Again 

Q4: Where do your ideas usually begin?

A: My ideas often begin In dreams at night, or in distracting flashes when I'm supposed to be working on something else during the day. Ideas never come to me at convenient times, so I try to be grateful and ready to record them whenever they arrive.

Q5: What was your last creative endeavor? 

A: Hmm. It seems that most of my creative endeavors are ongoing. My latest endeavor was to start a wooden peg loom business. This was not part of my long-term  plan, but I'm really enjoying making looms and teaching people to weave, so I'm so glad I decided to launch this idea on the fly.  (CraftSanity.etsy.com)

Q6: What were you before you became the *you* are now? (previous jobs, failed attempts, etc.)

A: I was a newspaper reporter who worked in the office. Now I'm a freelance writer, art & craft columnist, podcaster and blogger who works from home.  I quit my day job in July and launched the handmade peg loom business in August. Since 2006 I've been podcasting and blogging at CraftSanity.com. I love the career change. Now I just have to figure out how to make it pay. :)

Q7: What was the deciding factor that made you decide to be an artist/mom/blogger/podcast queen full-time?

A: My kids were the major factors in this decision. It didn't make sense to me to have someone else look after my children while I did a job that didn't completely suit me. So switching up my priorities to craft a career around my family life made total sense. I make less money than I did when I had the security of a regular pay check, but I'm so much happier. I was really ready to live the life I used to sit at my desk and day dream about.

*When I was 6, I wanted to be a______________________.*

I'm pretty sure I wanted to be a writer by the time I was six. Before that I wanted to be a mail carrier. That job has always seemed fun to me.  

  A few of my favorite Craftsanity podcasts:  

Episode 23 w/ Gayla Trail (from YouGrowGirl.com) 

Episode 28 w/ Debbie Stroller (co-creator of Bust & author of this book that is helping me a lot!)  

Episode 75 w/ Emily Martin (The Black Apple) 

Episode 96 w/ Jenna Woginrich (UT design graduate, homesteader & author of Made from Scratch)

Episode 102 w/ the Beerhorst family (their site + check out this amazing Grand Rapids event they participated in!)