Super Creative Catie Dawson | Super Creative

Today on the podcast, I speak to former fashion designer turned ceramicist Deborah Sweeney.
After a successful career in fashion that saw her working in New York and London, Deborah returned to New Zealand to establish her fashion label in 2002. Her collections were stocked in select boutiques around the world - including the UK, USA, Japan, Denmark, and Australia; her designs were featured in publications like British Vogue, Women's Wear Daily ID, Nylon, and Elle.
However, after fifteen years of running her brand and looking for a change of pace, Deborah took a short sabbatical to spend time with her youngest before he started school. During this time, she completed a clay workshop and fell in love. She left fashion behind in 2017 and has been making ceramics ever since. 
In the following years, Deborah established herself as a creative and innovative ceramicist. Her work is characterised by its simple yet beautiful aesthetic; her creations exude quiet beauty, reflecting thoughtfulness and consideration. As you listen to Deborah discuss her journey from fashion to clay, you'll see that her natural talent, hard work, and dedication have allowed her to master this new craft and build a thriving business on her own terms.
I just loved this chat with Deb. Her thoughtful approach to life and her journey and work are truly inspiring. How cool that taking a break and embarking on a new creative adventure has evolved into a new vocation. 
After this episode, head straight to @_deborahsweeney_ on Instagram to be mesmerised by Deborah's work, process, beautiful ceramics, and gorgeous studio. Then, visit deborahsweeney.com to view the full collection.
I know you will love my kōrero with Deb as much as I did.
 

For more podcast information visit supercreativepodcast.com

Hosted by Catie Dawson
Bought to you by Somewhere Creative
Find us on Instagram - @supercreativepodcast

Today on the podcast, I speak to artist and writer, Fleur Wickes.
After a very successful twenty-year career in photographic portraiture, and with published short stories and poetry under her belt, in 2008 Fleur began drawing the words she wrote: the shape of the drawn words acting as an emotional landscape, adding depth and meaning to the poetry.
 Since then, she’s made a career and a studio as an artist working in word and image, using photography, drawing and painting as her medium.
Fleur is a long-time listener of this podcast and will regularly message me words of wonderful encouragement. When I asked her to come on the podcast, she mentioned it would be an honour but, in all honesty, I think you will agree after listening to this episode, the honour is all mine. I am beyond inspired – not only by Fleurs work which I adore but also by her strength, hard work, grit and determination to turn her true talent into a working business, despite all the curveballs life throws in your way.
I was trying to write an intro to this podcast that would adequately describe Fleur's journey in art and in business, but I think it's just best if you just listen to her story in her own words. In our conversation Fleur is open, raw, funny, vulnerable, and honest – which is exactly like her work, an extension of herself.
And also, I should mention that we recorded this chat in November 2023, towards the end of an extended period of creative leave and not long after this episode goes live, I think March 2024 (Fleur will confirm that!) she will be releasing some new work which I am excited about!
After this episode visit fleurwickes.co.nz to learn more about Fleur and her work. And you must also connect on Instagram @fleurwickes where you will get a wonderful glimpse behind the scenes at Fleurs life as a working artist. 
 



For more podcast information visit supercreativepodcast.com

Hosted by Catie Dawson
Bought to you by Somewhere Creative
Find us on Instagram - @supercreativepodcast

Today on the podcast, I speak to Kristy McGregor, publisher, and editor-in-chief of Shepherdess. From the Women, For the Land — Shepherdess is here to connect, empower and inspire women across rural Aotearoa. An organization passionate about creating vibrant rural communities through storytelling and events.

Starting life as a blog and then launching as an independent printed publication in August 2020, Shepherdess was started around Kristy’s kitchen table on a dairy and beef farm in the Horowhenua. Shepherdess believes that telling stories is a great way to reduce social and geographical isolation, stimulate ideas and thinking, and foster connections.

And over the past few years Kristy and the Shepherdess team have expanded their offering which now includes a tv series, an online social club, and as of next week the inaugural Shepherdess Muster will take place in Mōtū, Te Tairāwhiti. The Muster is a three-day rural festival and retreat gathering women from across rural Aotearoa.

Kristy's story and the Shepherdess journey is a wonderful example of prioritising the needs of the community it serves, resulting in a thriving organisation.

And, if you haven’t picked up a print issue of Shepherdess before now, no matter where you live, you will fall in love with this beautiful publication. Every aspect of this magazine is thoughtfully curated – from the inspiring storytelling to the incredible photography and everything in-between.

We had a few technical difficulties with this episode – recorded over three sessions, I’ve stitched this wonderful story together but please bear with if you hear any glitchy edits!

After this episode visit shepherdess.co.nz to learn more. And of course you can connect on Instagram @shepherdess.nz 

For more podcast information visit supercreativepodcast.com

Hosted by Catie Dawson
Bought to you by Somewhere Creative
Find us on Instagram - @supercreativepodcast

Welcome to a special edition of Super Creative. In this episode, I'm thrilled to present our very first 'Holiday Spectacular'!

This is an episode I've wanted to do for quite a while; a chance to share some of my recommendations, my quick-fire faves, and shows, books and podcasts I've been enjoying throughout the year. And rather than ramble on by myself for an hour, I've invited previous guest and friend of the pod, Mandy Myles from Bookety Book Books to join me. Mandy is the perfect person to recommend all of our holiday reading (of course), and she's got some great TV and podcast recommendations to share.

We kick things off with an overdue business catch-up with Mandy. Our original episode went live in September 2020, and SO much has happened since then. It's lovely to hear how the business is going three years after we first spoke - as always, we cover the highlights, navigating challenges and everything in between.

Enjoy! 
x Catie 

For more podcast information visit supercreativepodcast.com

Hosted by Catie Dawson
Bought to you by Somewhere Creative
Find us on Instagram - @supercreativepodcast

Today on the podcast I'm catching up with the wonderful Sarah Page - founder and CEO  of the Kindness Collective.

I first interviewed Sarah this time last year and as we have just launched our second Kindness Collective Christmas Joy Store giveaway, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to check in with Sarah and see how the Kindness Collective is getting on a year later. 

The Kindness Collective is such a special organisation, but as this is a podcast where I talk to creative Kiwi women in business, I still think there's also so much we can learn from Sarah in terms of how they run this non profit organisation, the challenges they face, the approach to business, and everything that that encompasses.

So anyway, I hope you get something out of this short episode.

And if you get a chance and you're listening to this in the right time, I'd love it if you would consider donating to my Kindness Collective Christmas Joy Store giveaway. Thanks. (You can find all the information on Insta!)

You can listen to my original episode with Sarah on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

For more podcast information visit supercreativepodcast.com

Hosted by Catie Dawson
Bought to you by Somewhere Creative
Find us on Instagram - @supercreativepodcast

Today on the podcast, I speak to Jane Allan, founder of Finery - a range of unique ready-to-pour low and no alcohol cocktails. Finery is here to voice moderation. Since 2019, Finery's mission is to reshape Australasia's drinking culture with low and non-alcohol alternatives. You’ll find Finery on shelves in New Zealand's largest supermarket chains and specialty liquor outlets as well as in their online store.
 Jane’s background is in finance and commercial property. After going through a health and fitness journey in late 2018, Jane couldn’t find anything that ticked the boxes for what she wanted in a refreshing, but healthier cocktail and she found herself thinking more and more about creating a beverage of her own. With no previous experience in FMCG, Jane reached out to people in the industry and step-by-step – including a few setbacks – her vision started to gain traction. 


 What intrigued me about Jane's journey was the idea of starting a self-funded FMCG brand from scratch, family owned with no corporate backing. In a relatively short time, she has developed and launched a product that is now competing with big brands and going from strength to strength. 


 For more information about Finery and their delicious low and no alcohol cocktails visit finerycocktails.co.nz or follow along with the Finery journey on Instagram @finerycocktails

I know you will love my kōrero with Jane as much as I did.
_

Thank you to Bookety Book Books who are the sponsors of this episode and the first ever sponsors of this podcast. Thank you Mandy and Bookety for your support.

Super Creative listeners can enjoy a 10% discount on their next order at www.booketybookbooks.co.nz – use the code SUPER2023 at checkout. Discount code cannot be used in conjunction with other offers. Valid for one purchase per customer. Code expires 30th of November 2023.

For more podcast information visit supercreativepodcast.com

Hosted by Catie Dawson
Bought to you by Somewhere Creative
Find us on Instagram - @supercreativepodcast