I’m your host Ashley Yousling and today I’m talking with someone whom I’ve known for many years, all the way back to when I first began this podcast and she purchased some yarn from my little online shop. Françoise Danoy whom you may also know as Frenchie, is the creator behind Aroha Knits, Swatch Studio Circle, and other fun ventures like the Yarn Alchemist. But we don’t spend much time talking about knitting or making, and just like with every episode, we go where the conversation leads and sometimes that means we go deep, to vulnerable and tender parts of our lives and stories. I’m so grateful for Françoise’s openness, for sharing this part of her story, heritage and heart, and for her permission to share that with you. I hope you take a moment to really hear Françoise’s story and all the richness and beauty of it, while also gaining more insight through the lived experience she so graciously takes time to share with us.
You can connect with Françoise on the Making app and Instagram @arohaknits
We believe that the simple act of making can transform your life and in turn change our world. This is why Making exists. It all starts with inspiration. We’re inspired by people, by places, by experiences—a beautiful photo, a soft wool, a kind heart. These are the things that motivate us to make.
Making is here to disrupt systems—systems of oppression, systems that only benefit certain groups of people, and systems that extract. We’re here to challenge the narrative of profit over people. We believe a company can be founded for the purpose of good and change the world for better, while also creating opportunity at scale. Makers are tired of the monoliths. The few companies that comprise our only choices of how we connect, how we transact, and how we learn.
Makers are ready for a better alternative and that is what we are building.
Becoming a BRIGHT Collective member helps us accomplish this. Visit makingzine.com to learn more.
We have a special 10% discount on BRIGHT Collective yearly memberships for podcast listeners! Use discount code makingconvo10 during checkout.
The biggest of thanks to everyone involved in this weeks episode. I hope you’ll join me each week as we talk and learn from more fascinating makers. For podcast notes and transcriptions, visit our blog at makingzine.com. Have a wonderful week!
Music by Despatches. 💖
Download the Making app and join our amazing community of makers by visiting themakingapp.com
If you'd like to give a shout-out, have a question that you'd like us to answer on the podcast, or are interested in sponsoring Making Conversation, email us at hq@makingco.com.
See you in the Making app!
ps- We talk about our values a lot. Just in case you're curious, take a peek.
Growing into your purpose—Meet crochet artist & Making engineer Abi Santiago w/ Ashley Yousling, ep. 163
Releasing self-assigned boundaries of creativity w/ Emily Botelho & Jen Joyce, Ep. 162
A Making update + some maker inspiration & musings on fear w/ Ashley Yousling & Jen Joyce, Ep. 161
Love is in the Making w/ Catherine Clark of Brooklyn General Store & Jen Joyce, Ep. 160
Sheep heroes, lamb gangs, and a very, very good book w/ Jane Cooper and Jen Joyce, Ep. 159
Meet & Greets New York City Edition Pt. 3 | Brooklyn General Store & VKL 2024 w/ Jen Joyce, ep. 158
Meet & Greets New York City Edition Pt. 2 | Brooklyn General Store & VKL 2024 w/ Jen Joyce, ep. 157
Meet & Greets New York City Edition Pt. 1 | Brooklyn General Store & VKL 2024 w/ Jen Joyce, ep. 156
How to adapt to an evolving world of fiber art and craft w/ with Jonna Helin, Aimée Gille, Ashley Yousling, Joji Locatelli, and Jen Joyce, Ep. 155
How to enhance your making | Get to know Liza Laird, author of Yoga of Yarn w/ Jen Joyce, ep. 154
All about pricing for makers w/ Quayln Stark, Brittany Garber, Terry Streetman & Jen Joyce. Ep. 153
Barcelona Knits 2023: Meet the artists and vendors w/ Jen Joyce, ep. 152
Sacred Sheep 2023 - Making Meet and Greets with vendors and artists, ep. 151
Storytelling with Ashley & Jen: starting with community, ep. 150
Tips from a Chef: Gathering w/ loved ones, good food, and how the proper prep can lead to (little to) no stress w/ Chef Andreya Nightingale and Jen Joyce
LIVE at Barcelona Knits 2023 w/ Aimée Gille of La Bien Aimée and Jen Joyce
Setup at Sacred Sheep 2023: Behind the Scenes w/ vendors and artists! w/ Jen Joyce
building meaningful community by being authentically you + appreciation vs appropriation w/ Terrance Williams + Jen Joyce
Size Inclusivity in the maker space: a (frustrating) history of sizing, where to find size inclusive patterns, and how designers can be size inclusive in the year of our Beyonce 2023 and beyond w/ Aut
what is happening w/ Making? Time for a BIG update! w/ Ashley Yousling & Jen Joyce
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