This is my first official solo episode and I’m chatting about what worked, what didn’t work and what I’d like to add to my creative practice in the coming year.

In an attempt to give myself a little space during the busy holiday, this is a short solo episode. I’m taking a note from Carla in episode 2 and evaluating my creative endeavors this year. It was so nice to look back on my hobbies and various projects and really consider how they served me over the course of 2024.

As promised, here are some photos and resources mentioned in the episode:

Here’s the charm pack quilt tutorial that Carla suggested I follow: (TW: the creator of this playlist has since passed away, in case you’re sensitive to that right now.)

My first two bitty quilts:

The “quilted ornament” tutorial:

And what I made, plus one of my sequin beauties:

Lastly, here’s a link to the book The Artist’s Way. Full disclosure, I haven’t finished it and it does mention God quite a bit. I like to replace that terminology with “the universe”, but take what works for you and leave the rest!

If you want to watch this video on YouTube:

My artist friend, Tash, of Hatchling Makes chats with me about the evolution of her business from embroidery to enamels pins, plus how she got into supporting animal conservation with her unique wildlife illustrations.

Links

Find Tash:

* https://hatchlingmakes.com/

* https://www.instagram.com/hatchlingmakes

Other fun stuff:

* https://www.rainforesttrust.org/uk/ways-to-give/

Today, I’m talking to one of my favorite people on the planet, Stacey of Stacey Martin Tattoos.

In this episode we talk about big moves, pivoting and diversifying your business, supporting your community in times of hardship, the love of crafting and a lot about books!

This is such a fun conversation and I can’t wait for you to get into it.

Links

Find Stacey:

• https://www.staceymartin.com/

• https://www.instagram.com/staceymartintattoos/

Find me:

• https://www.beckyhelms.com/

• https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms/

• https://patreon.com/beckyhelms

More:

• https://bookcrumbsco.substack.com/

I’d like to introduce you to my artist friend, Jessica Watkins of Tiny Deer Studio and The Pin Department.

We’ve been friends for years and this conversation was just so fun! If you’ve watched my YouTube videos about making pins, you’ll know that Jessica helped me produce my first enamel pins and effectively changed my life.

We chat about making difficult choices and big life moves. We chat about doing markets, different ways we find time to play in our creativity and lots about our love for H-E-B as Texans in different states. Plus, how she manages running two very different kinds of businesses and how they’re both creatively fulfilling in different ways.

There’s so much more in this chat and I hope you enjoy!

Links

Find Jessica:

• https://tinydeerstudio.com/

• https://www.instagram.com/tinydeerstudio

• https://www.thepindepartment.com/

• https://www.instagram.com/thepindept

Find me:

• https://www.beckyhelms.com/

• https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms/

• https://patreon.com/beckyhelms

My artist friend, Carla of Shark City Slicker, sat down with me to talk all about her creative life, her business journey, quilting and action movies. I love how intentional she is about creating a fulfilling, creative life.

Find Carla:

https://www.sharkcityslicker.com/

https://www.instagram.com/sharkcityslicker/

https://www.instagram.com/sharkcitystitcher/

Find me:

https://www.beckyhelms.com/

https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms/

https://patreon.com/beckyhelms

Today, in my first interview, I'd like to introduce you to my artist friend, and real life best friend, Libby of LuxCups!

We talk all about the orgins of her business, her wholesale journey (including tradeshows and working with a rep group) and most importantly, her dogs.

This conversation was so fun! It's a combo of business talk and friend chat and that's what this podcast is all about.

Please forgive my audio quality, I'm still very new and figuring it out.

LINKS:

• LuxCups shop: https://www.luxcups.com/
• LuxCups Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luxcups
• https://www.beckyhelms.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/thebeckyhelms
• https://patreon.com/beckyhelms

In the pilot episode of 'My Artist Friend,' Becky Helms introduces her podcast, sharing her journey as a creative entrepreneur and the motivations behind starting this platform.

She discusses her transition from running a creative business to focusing on family and community, emphasizing the importance of supporting small businesses and artists.

The podcast aims to create connections between artists and their audiences, fostering a sense of community and understanding in the creative world. Becky expresses her excitement for the conversations to come and her desire to highlight the unique stories of artists.