The Crafty Mariana Podcast

Mariana Jacinto
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Arts
  • Updated Biweekly

Welcome to The Crafty Mariana Podcast! I’m your host Mariana, former corporate marketing girlie turned crafting workshops host. If you’ve ever thought, ‘Can my crafts actually make money?’—this is the show for you. Each episode, I share stories from creators who dared to think differently and went beyond the “make and sell’ model, along with lessons from my own journey building a six-figure workshop business. You can expect honest conversations, tips and tricks about what it really takes to build a creative business. Grab yourself a cup of tea and let's dive in!

  1. let's catch-up: prep phase; rebranding & recent struggles

    May 25

    let's catch-up: prep phase; rebranding & recent struggles

    In this solo episode, Mariana opens up about the part of business no one talks about: the prep phase. After months of quiet content, she shares why she's been building behind the scenes, what imposter syndrome looks like when you're "not doing the thing yet," and walks through the full rebuild of her workshop business ahead of the Europe launch in July, from decluttering the studio to rebranding, researching new markets, and finally building proper systems before the business starts running. What we cover in this episode ✎ why she's been quiet on content and what the "prep phase" actually looks like ✎ the difference between retrospective content and creating from inside the build ✎ why most of what she's learning right now doesn't translate to her usual audience ✎ the imposter syndrome of being in preparation (and the trap of hiding in it)✎ closing the studio: the physical aftermath nobody warns you about✎ inside the rebrand: why clarity work comes before design work ✎ how she's researching the european market three months before arriving ✎ what to actually look at when launching workshops in a new city (venues, days, timing, tone) ✎ finding the gap between what already exists and what you can offer ✎ building infrastructure before activity, the opposite of how she's done it before ✎ documenting processes she hasn't run yet and writing SOPs for a business that doesn't exist✎ a reframe for anyone in their own prep season Resources for your workshop business 📌 Free Guide: How to Start Your Own Workshop Business [link here] Stay connected with Mariana 🌎 Website: craftymariana.com📷 Instagram: @craftymariana📩 Exclusive content, resources, and deals: craftymariana.com/newsletter Let’s make this interactive Have questions or topics you want covered in future episodes? DM me on Instagram or email hello@craftymariana.com  If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review or share it with a workshop friend. And if something landed for you, send me a message with your biggest takeaway :)

    16 min
  2. How a paper artist went from kitchen table to giant crepe paper installations across Ireland with Nodlaig Caffrey

    May 1

    How a paper artist went from kitchen table to giant crepe paper installations across Ireland with Nodlaig Caffrey

    Do you want to learn how to turn your crafts into sold out workshops? Join the Crafts Workshops Academy IN THIS LINK In this episode of the Crafty Mariana Podcast, Mariana sits down with Nodlaig Caffrey, founder of The Paper Petal Studio in Ireland. Nodlaig specialises in creating breathtaking small and large-scale crepe paper flowers — from delicate bridal pieces to giant six-foot installations — and has built a creative business that now spans bespoke commissions, weddings, brand activations, corporate workshops, and an online academy. Nodlaig shares the full story of how she went from leaving the corporate tech world in 2009 to raising her four children, before accidentally stumbling across a TV segment about crepe paper flowers in 2016 that completely changed her path. She talks honestly about the early years of self-teaching, the confidence shift that came with stepping back into business after years at home, and how local networks and mentoring helped her build a real business around her craft. The conversation gets into the nitty-gritty of running a multi-stream creative business: how she structures her week around big milestones, how she pre-cuts templates with a cutting machine to make corporate workshops viable, the moment a TikTok video during COVID went viral and led to a DIY kit launching in five languages, and how she's now expanding into an online academy. Nodlaig also opens up about the perception challenges around paper flowers, the loneliness of doing it all solo, and the dream of one day opening her own gallery. Whether you're a workshop host, a maker, or a creative entrepreneur navigating multiple revenue streams, this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and inspiration. What We Cover in This Episode:  ✎ Leaving the corporate world to raise four children ✎ Discovering crepe paper flowers by accident on TV ✎ The years of self-teaching, trial and error at the kitchen table ✎ Finding the right materials (and why Cartotecnica Rossi changed everything) ✎ Building confidence to re-enter the workforce as a business owner ✎ How local networks and enterprise office mentoring shaped her early years ✎ Using COVID as a time to restructure and grow her skills ✎ The LinkedIn post that led to her first London corporate workshop ✎ Why pre-cut templates make corporate workshops financially viable✎ Structuring her week around milestones, content, and outreach ✎ Going viral on TikTok and turning it into a multi-language DIY kit ✎ The launch of The Paper Petal Studio Academy ✎ Building signature and premium wedding collections ✎ Why every creative needs a network (and permission to start) ✎ The dream of a gallery exhibition within the next year Connect with Nodlaig & The Paper Petal Studio:  ✎ Instagram: @thepaperpetalstudio✎ TikTok: @thepaperpetalstudio✎ Website: www.thepaperpetalstudio.ie ✎ LinkedIn: Nodlaig Caffrey✎ Email: nodlaig@thepaperpetalstudio.ie  Resources for Your Workshop Business: 📌 Free Guide: How to Start Your Own Workshop Business Stay Connected with Mariana: 🌎 Website: craftymariana.com 📷 Instagram: @craftymariana📩 Get exclusive content, resources, and deals: craftymariana.com/newsletter Let's Make This Interactive! Have questions or topics you'd like me to cover in future episodes? DM me on Instagram or email me at hello@craftymariana.com!

    58 min
  3. How a Fiber Artist Quit Her Job to Teach Knitting Across Australia with Pru Raymond

    Mar 3

    How a Fiber Artist Quit Her Job to Teach Knitting Across Australia with Pru Raymond

    Do you want to learn how to turn your crafts into sold-out workshops?Join the Crafts Workshops Academy — LINK HERE In this episode of the Crafty Mariana Podcast, Mariana sits down with Pru Raymond, a fiber artist, knitting educator, and author from South Australia. Pru has taught over 200 workshops across Australia and internationally, specializing in technique-based knitting classes that help students level up their skills. What started as community workshops alongside her full-time teaching career has evolved into a thriving business built on collaboration with yarn stores through her signature "Stackable Knitting Retreat" model. Pru opens up about the leap from educational consultant to full-time creative entrepreneur, the systems that keep her business sustainable, and why she still supplements her income with university teaching - and why that's totally okay. This conversation dives deep into the reality of building a creative business, the power of venue partnerships over owning a studio, and how to design workshops that create lasting transformation for students. Whether you teach fiber arts or any other craft, Pru's strategic approach to workshop business will give you so much to think about. What We Cover in This Episode:✎ Pru's journey from high school teacher to full-time knitting educator✎ Why she chose to quit her permanent job - and what happened next✎ The "Stackable Knitting Retreat" model and how B2B partnerships work✎ Teaching 66 workshops in one year while traveling across Australia✎ Why venue collaborations are more sustainable than owning a studio✎ Designing technique-based classes vs. product-based workshops✎ The reflective practice structure that transforms learning outcomes✎ How to manage different skill levels in one workshop✎ Creating a portfolio career: why supplementing income isn't failure✎ Systems that scale: color-coded calendars, databases, and boundaries✎ The Yarn Store Passport and building an ecosystem around your craft✎ Cash flow strategies for workshop teachers (50% deposits FTW)✎ The magic moment when an entire workshop enters flow state✎ Why reconnecting with childhood creativity is so powerful✎ The analog movement and what it means for workshop businesses Connect with Pru Raymond:  ✎ Instagram: CLICK HERE ✎ Website: CLICK HERE ✎ Upcoming workshops & events: CLICK HERE Resources for Your Workshop Business: 📌 Free Guide: How to Start Your Own Workshop Business📌 Free Spreadsheet: Figure Out Your Numbers! Stay Connected with Mariana: 🌎 Website: craftymariana.com📷 Instagram: @craftymariana🎨 Facebook Community: Crafting Workshops Community📩 Get exclusive content, resources, and deals: craftymariana.com/newsletter Let’s Make This Interactive! Have questions or topics you’d like me to cover in future episodes? DM me on Instagram or email me at hello@craftymariana.com!

    1h 4m
  4. Building a Creative Studio in Montreal with Tyler aka Dr. Lemco

    Feb 15

    Building a Creative Studio in Montreal with Tyler aka Dr. Lemco

    Do you want to learn how to turn your crafts into sold-out workshops?Join the Crafts Workshops Academy — LINK HERE In this episode of The Crafty Mariana Podcast, Mariana sits down with Tyler (aka Dr. Lemco), a Montreal-based creative, entertainer, and founder of Dr. Lemco’s Creative Club. What started as an experiment in hosting art sessions in cafés and bars quickly evolved into a thriving creative community — and now, a brand-new physical studio dedicated to making art, building connection, and having fun. In this episode of The Crafty Mariana Podcast, Mariana sits down with Tyler (aka Dr. Lemco), a Montreal-based creative, entertainer, and founder of Dr. Lemco’s Creative Club. What started as an experiment in hosting art sessions in cafés and bars quickly evolved into a thriving creative community — and now, a brand-new physical studio dedicated to making art, building connection, and having fun. Tyler shares the real story behind building a creative business from the ground up: from years working as a content creator and host (including some very unexpected projects!) to deciding it was time to stop building for others and start building something of his own. He opens up about the shift from digital to in-person experiences, the lessons learned from hosting workshops in borrowed spaces, and what it actually took — financially and mentally — to open his own creative studio. The conversation dives into the realities of creative entrepreneurship: managing energy, building community, pricing experiences, and embracing imperfection while figuring things out along the way. Tyler also shares his philosophy of “figure it out as you go,” and why selling creative experiences — rather than just art — can be a powerful and sustainable business model. Whether you’re a workshop host, artist, entertainer, or someone dreaming of creating your own creative space, this episode is full of honesty, humour, and practical insight into turning creative passion into a real-world business. What We Cover in This Episode:  ✎ How Tyler went from digital content to in-person creative workshops ✎ The moment he realised live creative experiences were “the thing” ✎ Hosting workshops in cafés and bars vs. having your own studio ✎ Building community through consistent, in-person events ✎ The emotional and logistical realities of opening a creative space ✎ Why selling experiences can be more sustainable than selling art ✎ Learning business skills (and numbers) on the fly ✎ The importance of vibe, energy, and environment in creative events ✎ Managing creative burnout and finding your “sweet spot” ✎ Putting the cart before the horse — and figuring it out as you go ✎ Advice for creatives who want to build something of their own Connect with Tyler / Dr. Lemco:  ✎ Instagram: CLICK HERE ✎ Website / Creative Club: CLICK HERE ✎ Upcoming workshops & events: CLICK HERE Resources for Your Workshop Business: 📌 Free Guide: How to Start Your Own Workshop Business📌 Free Spreadsheet: Figure Out Your Numbers! Stay Connected with Mariana: 🌎 Website: craftymariana.com📷 Instagram: @craftymariana🎨 Facebook Community: Crafting Workshops Community📩 Get exclusive content, resources, and deals: craftymariana.com/newsletter Let’s Make This Interactive! Have questions or topics you’d like me to cover in future episodes? DM me on Instagram or email me at hello@craftymariana.com!

    1h 14m
  5. 3 lessons from my hardest year in business (and what’s next)

    12/26/2025

    3 lessons from my hardest year in business (and what’s next)

    In this solo episode, Mariana reflects on the biggest lessons from 2025 after opening a studio, navigating major health challenges, and rethinking how she runs her workshop business and the Crafts Workshop Academy. She shares three shifts: build for sustainability (not intensity), choose clarity over endless ideas, and remember that workshops are a community business. Plus, a glimpse into 2026: travel, collaboration, hiring support, and expanding Field Notes. What we cover in this episode ✎ a quick recap of 2025: opening a studio, health challenges, and the reality check that followed ✎ lesson 1: stop building for intensity and build for sustainability ✎ protecting your energy as a real business asset ✎ the peru reset: what shifted after time offline and away from the noise ✎ lesson 2: clarity is more valuable than ideas ✎ the shadow side of always seeing how things could be better (and how it affects satisfaction) ✎ lesson 3: a workshop business is a community business ✎ why people don’t just buy a craft, they buy a feeling ✎ what to expect in 2026: systems, hiring, collaboration, and travel starting July ✎ Field Notes: the vision for documenting and analyzing workshops around the world ✎ a life-first reflection: what do you actually want your life to look and feel like? Mentioned in this episode ✎ a related episode on the “two lanes” of workshop businesses (community-first vs experience-first) [episode like here]✎ sign-up to the Crafts Workshops Academy [in this link] Resources for your workshop business 📌 Free Guide: How to Start Your Own Workshop Business [link here] Stay connected with Mariana 🌎 Website: craftymariana.com 📷 Instagram: @craftymariana🎨 Facebook Community: Crafting Workshops Community 📩 Exclusive content, resources, and deals: craftymariana.com/newsletter Let’s make this interactive Have questions or topics you want covered in future episodes? DM me on Instagram or email hello@craftymariana.com  If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review or share it with a workshop friend. And if something landed for you, send me a message with your biggest takeaway :)

    22 min
  6. From Studio Walls to 40K Months: how Lucy Dujmovich built her creative business in her Sydney studio and online.

    11/11/2025

    From Studio Walls to 40K Months: how Lucy Dujmovich built her creative business in her Sydney studio and online.

    In this episode of the Crafty Mariana Podcast, Mariana sits down with Lucy Dujmovich, artist and founder of Studio Inner West in Sydney. In three years, Lucy has hosted 5,000 plus students, built a team of six, added mobile and corporate bookings, and launched a high-touch six-week program that teaches artists how to run profitable workshops. She shares the real numbers behind opening a studio after lockdown, how she engineered a welcoming beginner experience, and why online education unlocked multiple 40k months in 2025. Whether you’re testing your first resin class or scaling to corporates and retreats, you’ll love Lucy’s simple systems, distribution-first mindset, and grounded take on growth without burning out. What We Cover in This Episode ✎ Origin story - art school, small-business jobs, graduating into lockdown, and choosing to invest in a studio ✎ Naming and location for SEO - why “Studio Inner West” helps people find you ✎ First hits - resin homewares as a fresh alternative to paint-and-sip fatigue ✎ Safety and materials - choosing low-fume, food-safe resins and teaching a proper briefing ✎ Distribution that works - ClassBento for early discovery, platform vs widget fees and when each makes sense ✎ Offer ladder - adding foam clay and punch-needle tufting for lower ticket options ✎ Hiring and capacity - moving from solo to a team of six so weekends are sustainable ✎ Experience design - shelf of examples, signature scent, Pinterest prompts, photos at the end, asking for reviews ✎ Social proof engine - how Lucy passed 700 five-star reviews by making it a step in the flow ✎ Corporates and privates - Google, Canva, Apple, Amazon, banks, and why most deals came inbound ✎ Mobile, festivals, retreats - doubling delivery without a bigger lease and turning trips into paid craft holidays ✎ The numbers - 20k startup cost paid back in 2 months, about 150k in ticket sales year one, multiple 40k months after launching a six-week online program ✎ Mentors, SEO, ads - the marketing stack that leveled up year two and beyond ✎ Admin realities - bookkeeping, invoices, and building systems so you still get to teach ✎ Studio footprint - why she’s keeping classes intimate instead of upsizing the lease ✎ Where students get stuck - social media anxiety and what actually moves tickets ✎ One piece of advice - you only need to be a couple of steps ahead and open to questions Connect with Lucy ✎ Instagram: @studioinnerwest  ✎ Website: studioinnerwest.com  Resources for Your Workshop Business 📌 Free Guide: How to Start Your Own Workshop Business Stay Connected with Mariana 🌎 Website: craftymariana.com📷 Instagram: @craftymariana🎨 Facebook Community: Crafting Workshops Community📩 Exclusive content, resources, and deals: craftymariana.com/newsletter Let’s Make This Interactive! Have questions or topics you want covered in future episodes? DM me on Instagram or email hello@craftymariana.com

    1h 7m
  7. from living-room paint nights to brand collabs: building even numbers with Kayla Jagusch founder of Even Numbers

    11/06/2025

    from living-room paint nights to brand collabs: building even numbers with Kayla Jagusch founder of Even Numbers

    In this episode of the Crafty Mariana Podcast, Mariana sits down with Kayla Jagusch, founder of Even Numbers, a Milan-based creative community known for vision boarding nights, “speed-date-in-art,” bag-charm labs, and their lush “linger longer” still-life sessions. What began as a four-person paint night in Kayla’s living room became 60-person gatherings across Milan, Paris, and New York, plus brand collaborations with Dr. Martens & Uniqlo. Kayla shares how she turned a solo move to Italy into a community, why brand activations fund the mission while community events build the soul, and the practicalities of running 4 to 5 events a month, while growing a business, without burning out. Whether you’re testing your first living-room workshop or mapping a multi-city calendar, you’ll love Kayla’s grounded business model, host-with-heart philosophy, and portable-format tips!  What We Cover in This Episode ✎ Kayla’s origin story: New Jersey to FIT textile design, luxury fashion, Milan, and the first living-room workshop ✎ Naming “Even Numbers”: the triplet backstory and designing for balance and belonging ✎ From 4 seats to 60: taking people from online to offline and building trust in a new city ✎ Signature formats: vision boards, bag charms, “speed-date-in-art,” Creatives Connect, and “linger longer” still-life ✎ Business model that works: brand activations, team and private events, community nights ✎ Capacity and energy: why 4 to 5 workshops per month is a healthy ceiling for a hands-on host ✎ Multi-city operations: Milan, Paris, New York, venue scouting with local allies, research on Instagram ✎ Travel logistics: choosing light, modular projects and reusing materials across dates ✎ Pricing realities: smaller European spaces, seat caps, and why community nights aren’t the breadwinner ✎ Creative practice vs operations: guiding not grading, keeping personal art alive in small daily ways ✎ Momentum moments: iBlues in-store lab, Uniqlo launch, Dr. Martens activation, 400-person weekend ✎ Near-term vision: 3-month planning cadence, launching a membership, building a small team, dreaming of a dedicated space ✎ Industry trends: the offline connection wave, differentiation through hosting style and communication Connect with Kayla ✎ Instagram: @kaylajag • @evennumbers.milano ✎ Website: evennumbers.art ✎ Even Numbers Substack: evennumbers.substack.com Resources for Your Workshop Business 📌 Free Guide: How to Start Your Own Workshop Business Stay Connected with Mariana 🌎 Website: craftymariana.com📷 Instagram: @craftymariana🎨 Facebook Community: Crafting Workshops Community📩 Exclusive content, resources, and deals: craftymariana.com/newsletter Let’s Make This Interactive! Have questions or topics you want covered in future episodes? DM me on Instagram or email hello@craftymariana.com

    1h 4m
  8. Inner Child, Play, and Sold-Out Workshops with Susan Schwager (Sydney)

    10/31/2025

    Inner Child, Play, and Sold-Out Workshops with Susan Schwager (Sydney)

    In this episode of the Crafty Mariana Podcast, Mariana sits down with Susan Schwager, the Sydney-based creator behind heart-led inner child workshops that blend craft, connection, and gentle facilitation. After a life-shaking accident in 2023, a family trip to Lapland and Disneyland reawakened Susan’s sense of wonder. Back home, she bottled that feeling into intimate women’s workshops that now sell out and spark real friendships. Susan shares exactly how she ran her first trial at home, pitched her first venue, priced those early tickets, and kept momentum going with simple Instagram boosts and comment-triggered DMs. We dig into the experience design that makes her events feel safe and special — a short inner child meditation, permission-forward facilitation, journaling or foam-board collage with nostalgic stickers and a closing share that helps strangers feel seen. She also opens up about rest, feedback loops, space holding, and the venue evolution from cafe to bookshop to a small white-box gallery that fits her brand and the work. Whether you’re early in your journey or exploring how to bring more soul into creative experiences, you’ll love Susan’s clarity, courage, and practical steps. What We Cover in This Episode ✎ The Disney parade moment that sparked Susan’s mission to honor the inner child ✎ First steps that worked: 5-venue outreach, Eventbrite listing, pricing the very first tickets ✎ Experience design: opening story, short meditation, full permission to play, and a closing share ✎ The craft formats: joy journals or foam core boards with stickers, trinkets, and hot glue ✎ Safety and space holding: why one man with a camera changed her ops approach ✎ The perfectionist sticker problem and how permission dissolves creative fear ✎ Marketing that’s enough: small Instagram boosts, “comment a word” CTAs, 3-week promo cycles ✎ Venues that match the vibe: cafe to bookshop to a small gallery that photographs clean ✎ Fashion crossover: a 21-day dress-up challenge to practice being seen ✎ Retreat vision: partnering with an inner child healer for a 2-night play and healing format ✎ Lessons learned: rest, feedback, icebreakers, and getting comfortable being uncomfortable ✎ CWA takeaways: pricing spreadsheets, costs per head, and the confidence to pitch venues Connect with Susan ✎ Instagram: @susan.schwager ✎ Workshops and tickets: [view here] Resources for Your Workshop Business 📌 Free Guide: How to Start Your Own Workshop Business📌 Free Spreadsheet: Figure Out Your Numbers! Stay Connected with Mariana 🌎 Website: craftymariana.com📷 Instagram: @craftymariana🎨 Facebook Community: Crafting Workshops Community📩 Exclusive content, resources, and deals: craftymariana.com/newsletter Let’s Make This Interactive! Have questions or topics you want covered in future episodes? DM me on Instagram or email hello@craftymariana.com

    50 min
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About

Welcome to The Crafty Mariana Podcast! I’m your host Mariana, former corporate marketing girlie turned crafting workshops host. If you’ve ever thought, ‘Can my crafts actually make money?’—this is the show for you. Each episode, I share stories from creators who dared to think differently and went beyond the “make and sell’ model, along with lessons from my own journey building a six-figure workshop business. You can expect honest conversations, tips and tricks about what it really takes to build a creative business. Grab yourself a cup of tea and let's dive in!

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