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.
shifting the dialogue of "art" vs "craft" with Hannah Austin and Jen Joyce
the importance of putting yourself first, aggressive optimism, and the audacity of men (especially the man who invented the knitting machine) w/ Tina Tse and Jen Joyce
embracing "go with the flow", the importance of representation, and a brief history of Amigurumi w/ Whitney Marie Anderson, Jen Joyce + special guest: Renee ;)
a crafty kickoff to spooky season: cryptids, yarn inspired by said cryptids, and all things WEIRD Ohio with Kelley Freeman of Dye Mad Yarns and Jen Joyce
stitch 'n spy: unraveling the history of knitting spies w/ Marina Scott & Jen Joyce
the importance of stretching & strengthening, exercises for makers (from a licensed physical therapist), and the two carpal tunnels w/ Mariah Stanford and Jen Joyce
Live-ish @ Flock Fiber Festival - "When did you become a maker?" pt. 3
Live-ish @ Flock Fiber Festival - "When did you become a maker?" pt. 2
Live-ish @ Flock Fiber Festival - "When did you become a maker?" pt. 1
Flock Fiber Festival, creating a fiber arts festival that's focused on the small businesses & not a big corporation + how Making is bringing a little Flock to you! w/ Jessica Povenmire & Jen Joyce
thrifting, upcycling, and mending as tangible resistance w/ Charlotte Durnford-Dionne, Pooja Devnani and Jen Joyce
creativity, tiny humans, and the history of friendship bracelets (aka the cutest episode ever) w/ Carson Zeable, Jen Joyce, and friends!
Ep. 130 // woodworking, supporting your community, and how it can be rough in the cheese-less streets w/ Terry Streetman & Jen Joyce
Ep. 129 // machines can't crochet, everyone can be good at marketing, and sometimes you gotta pivot! w/ Callie Hawley & Jen Joyce
Ep. 128 // mental health & the beautiful benefits of the act of making w/ Tamanna Rahman & Jen Joyce
Ep. 127 // food as celebration (let's make something delicious together!), food accessibility, and also a really good reminder to...just start w/ Andreya Nightingale & Jen Joyce
Ep. 126 // BRIGHT Collective BTS w/ Isaiah Moses & Sharon Chandler Correnty
Ep. 125 // a conversation about art, AI, using technology for good, and a special manifestation involving Carly Rae Jepsen w/ Lars Laing-Peterson & Jen Joyce
Ep. 124 // tattoos are art and art is making. A brief history and a celebration of very amazing (non-male) tattoo artists! w/ Marina Scott & Jen Joyce
Ep. 123 // fiber arts & magic, crafty paranormal tales, a ghost snake, and wait...is this audio haunted? w/ Quayln Stark & Jen Joyce
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