The World of Women Create Podcast

Artist and Interior Designer Kalen Mehlman of Kalen's Place joins Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Blot for a conversation on how our “creative selves” can transform over time, tapping into new opportunities and growth as professionals and artistic beings. Kalen shares the importance of recognizing our inner creative journey and how that can serve us professionally and personally.

A lifelong “creative”, Kalen Mehlman can be found in Phoenix, Arizona working as an artist and full-time interior designer…and taco slinger at her family’s local restaurant, The Beach House. Kalen’s scope of creative work includes providing custom pieces of whimsical artwork that were sold in boutiques and directly to clients throughout the Valley, teaching children’s art classes and inspiring workshops for many years, and designing interiors for both residential and commercial spaces. Currently, her primary focus as a creative and female entrepreneur is in the interior design world…but to her, there’s always room for new future “creative career” opportunities just around the corner!

Artist and author Kristina Henson joins Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Blot for a conversation on the Instagram phenomenon known as the 100-Day Project. Kristina provides insight on how and why she hopped on the trend, where to find inspiration for each day and how you can take your own 100-day project to the next level!  

Kristina Henson is an artist, author and storyteller living in Central New York, surrounded by the Finger Lakes that provide endless inspiration for her artwork and writing. Her career in graphic design has provided her with the skills needed to design and self-publish her two books: One Hundred Birds Telling One Hundred Little Stories and Letters to Lily. In both books, she weaves her observations and imagination into art and stories that touch the human spirit; she makes you see the sunset, smell the flowers and hear the birds.

Co-founder and President of Craft Industry Alliance Abby Glassenberg joins Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Blot for a conversation on the benefits of a membership organization and various aspects of building a successful business in the crafts industry, including email marketing campaigns, collaborations and finding a compatible retail marketplace.

Abby is a sewing pattern designer, craft book author, teacher and writer. She has an undergraduate degree in history from Johns Hopkins and a master’s degree in education from Harvard. She taught middle school social studies in Mississippi through Teach For America and sixth grade in the Newton Public Schools before becoming a textile artist. Abby is the author of three sewing books and lives in Wellesley, Massachusetts, with her husband and three children.

In this episode, Abby shares the ins and outs of Craft Industry Alliance, advice on where to begin with email newsletters, a bit more on her creative work today and more!

Artist, author and entrepreneur Jane Pollak joins Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Blot for a conversation on setting aside excuses and doing what you love NOW. An artist throughout her life, Jane took a detour for a couple of decades as a coach for creative entrepreneurs. But she reclaimed her role as an artist at the start of the pandemic when everything shut down and she had just learned a new craft — Penny Rug Pillow-making. She re-created herself at warp speed (though it felt like millennia to her), accomplishing in less than three years (and getting the attention of high-end interior designers) what took decades to build the first time around when her art form was Ukrainian Easter eggs.

In this episode, Jane shares the fascinating story of her entrepreneurial and creative journey, including displaying her work at the White House and drawing the attention of a high-profile tech pioneer. She also provides insight into the importance of shutting out negativity and surrounding oneself with a team of supporters.

In this episode of FROM MY KITCHEN TABLE, Jo Packham is joined by professional quilter-turned-weight-and-life-coach Dara Tomasson to discuss being weighed down physically and mentally by thoughts in our lives.

Dara helps women get to the root of the problem so they can shed the extra weight and start really loving and feeling accomplished with their lives. In Dara's professional quilting life she published free motion quilting books and did custom quilting. Since being certified as a life and weight loss coach she liberating women to change their relationship with themselves and their bodies. Her method is called Love Yourself Thin. When you learn to accept yourself as you are and understand how you got there you will be able to change.

"I teach women to feel comfortable getting to the root of their problems and solve them so food or people pleasing or procrastination or perfectionism isn’t such a problem."

Dara has 5 kids from 10-19 and lives on Vancouver Island. She was an elementary school teacher for 10 years. She turned her passion for teaching to teaching quilting with a specialty in free-motion quilting. She created custom quilts for women far and wide, taught across Canada and the USA, and published 4 books, one of which is the 12 Step Perfection Recovery Program. When she isn't helping her clients have more fun in their lives you can find Dara quilting for fun on her long arm, cheering her kids on in basketball, and making the most of this wonderful one life we all have been given!

Learn more about Dara:

Love Yourself Thin – Podcast

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Join Dara's Weight-Loss Program

In this episode of FROM MY KITCHEN TABLE, Jo Packham invites Wendy Batten to discuss the art of balancing being a creative — and having a vision and dreams — with the reality of being a CEO and all the “unsexy and unfun parts” that come with that role. As a business coach and creative herself, she understands what it takes to turn a hobby and passion into a thriving business.

Wendy Batten is on a mission to improve the lives of creative shop owners across the globe. Wendy works with established independent brick and mortars who have big hearts and passion for what they do and want to elevate their skills and reclaim their dreams, profits, and passion. She brings a collected mix of experience to the table, including decades of being in the self-employed trenches, learning the hard way how to run a business, she’s since sold 2 successful companies, franchised one, and co-founded a 3rd with her husband; has extensive leadership and customer experience and has worked with industry leaders as the primary educator and on their business teams.

Along the way…she realized helping other see what’s possible for them and thrives in her role as their guide - giving them the tools, resources and map along with a big dose of cheerleading. She became the coach she wished she’d had. 

Learn more about Wendy Batten:

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Join The Retailer's Inner Circle - Wendy's popular monthly creative shop owners group

In this episode of FROM MY KITCHEN TABLE, Jo Packham and Kelly Rae Roberts join together to discuss elevating your artistic journey and taking what life brings you and running with it!

Kelly Rae is an artist, author, guide, and former social worker. She is obsessed with possibility (a Possibilitarian!). She is passionate about
creating art that uplifts, encourages, and inspires. I also love helping women nourish their souls and unleash their joy through creativity and self-kindness. As a seasoned entrepreneur, one of Kelly Rae's favorite things to do is radiate possibility with other creative entrepreneurs, mentoring them toward all that is calling. Along the way, Kelly Rae has created several well-loved e-courses and retreats, sharing all that she has learned by crafting a creative life and running a profitable art business.

Learn more about Kelly Rae:

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In this episode of FROM MY KITCHEN TABLE, Monica Michelle, the founder and CEO of BloomTV, joins Jo Packham to discuss "living bold" and letting your big ideas bloom into reality. Monica has a background in digital marketing and entrepreneurship, and has a special passion for bringing beauty to the planet. She is on a mission to help build connections between people, and to the planet, through innovative ideas and initiatives that combine technology with education.

Learn more about Monica Michelle and BloomTV:

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