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.
Episode 42: Tif Fussell – Aunties, holistic healing, following fiber, and Dottie Angel
Episode 41: David Ritchie, Claire Wilson, Libby Mills and Kate Salomon – Study groups, building a New England fiber mill, growth of a fiber family and Green Mountain Spinnery
Episode 40: Pam Allen – Motherhood, Nursing School, Coastal Maine, and Quince and Co
Episode 39: Jill Draper – Fine arts, color girl, small farm yarns, and Jill Draper Makes Stuff
Episode 38: Emmaline Long – Early farming, showmanship, advocacy, and Orchard View Lincoln Longwools
Episode 37: Amanda Malachesky – The Lost Coast, local fiber, permaculture influence, and Lost Coast Yarn
Episode 36: Daphne Marinopoulos – West Africa, a Maine fiber mill, creative fulfillment, and The Fibre Company
Episode 35: Allison Volek Shelton – Glass blowing, Nashville, Woven fabric, and Shutters and Shuttles
Episode 34: Brooke Sinnes – Boarding schools, California, Natural Dyeing and Sincere Sheep
Episode 33: Laurie Gonyea – Fiber entrepreneurism, silver spun yarn, therapeutic fibers, and Feel Good Yarn Co
Episode 32: Cecelia Campochiaro -Rational tech thinking, sequence knitting, self-publishing and the importance of books
Episode 31: Jaime Jennings and Amber Corcoran -Coffee shops, Fiber travel, Partnership and Handspun tiger fluff
Episode 30: Kristin Ford – Architectural influence, Northwest palette, Patagonian Merino, and Bleacher projects
Episode 29: Jackie Ottino-Graf – Spinning in backwoods Maine, all things Swans Island yarn, Commercial Natural Dyeing, Sustainable production
Episode 28: Rebekka Seale – Alabama Gulf Coast, Renaissance reenactments, Handspun goodness and Fiber comfort
Episode 27: Brittany Cole Bush – Modern shepherding, Land stewarding, Urban grazing, and Holistic hides
Episode 26: Hannah Fettig – Maine fiber, simplistic design, balance and presentation
Episode 25: Mountain Meadow Wool – A bale of wool, Community support, Ranch wools and Learning from your mistakes
Episode 24: Hanahlie Beise – Alpacas, Canadian fiber production, Animal-Caretaker Relationships, and Natural Dyeing
Episode 23: Dianna Walla – Confidence, Cultural influence, Fiber awareness, and Norway
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Knit Picks’ Podcast
ELISE GETS CRAFTY
Stash and Burn
Anne of Green Gables
A Tale of Two Cities
2 Knit Lit Chicks
From Scratch with Jessica Harris