You might have noticed that enamel pins are having a bit of a moment. Austin, TX based illustrator Beckly Helms of The Pink Samurai is here to help you keep your pin game strong.  Becky talks a lot about enamel pins from manufacturing and dealing with factories but we also go deep into Instagram and how to use the platform to sell all those enamel pins!  

Ever dreamed of being a New York Times Best Selling author? Well today’s Creative Queso Podcast guest Natalie Lloyd did just that and more.  Not just the New York Times, a Snicker of Magic has won praise from Amazon, NPR, Parents Magazine and most recently has been optioned by Sony Tri-Star for television.  

When Katie Kortman made a commitment to start sewing her own clothes, she decided to put her art degree to good use and go ahead and make her own fabric as well. Fast forward to Katie having a successful Spoonflower store after wining an online sewing contest and teaching herself how to create a repeat pattern.

Shelly Kim of Letters by Shells got her start as many of us do working on a side hustle passion while balancing a day job.  Shelly’s adventure began because she wanted to decorate her cubicle with positive affirmations.  Almost 300,000 Instagram followers and a new book called Digital Hand Lettering and Modern Calligraphy later, it’s safe to say she is doing something more than just lettering right Listen in to my entire conversation with Shelly Kim on the Creative Queso Podcast Episode #28 on iTunes Stitcher Spotify Letters by Shells Lettering is definitely having a moment in the handmade space and Shelly Kim is the perfect person to talk to about how to make it into a full time career.  

Ashland Viscosi knows A LOT about event planning.  Not only does she work on events for the Austin Film Festival and the ATX Television Festival she also puts on her own event – the Creatives Meet Business Experience.  Putting on the perfect event whether that be a pop-up, book signing or your own interactive experience comes with a specific set of nuances.