The Rev Craft Biz Podcast
DEIA and Sneakers - with Kimberly Bennefield
· Summarized
Key takeaways
- Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are crucial elements in creating supportive quilting spaces.
- Navigating leadership roles in quilting guilds requires patience, effective communication, and a focus on fostering a collaborative environment.
- Creative pursuits can serve as vital outlets for self-expression and personal growth, especially amidst mental health challenges.
- Education and mentorship play significant roles in empowering individuals within the craft community to share skills and knowledge.
- Combining traditional techniques with modern designs, such as in Kimberly's sneaker workshops, can invigorate the crafting world.
Summary
Introduction to Kimberly Benefield
In this episode of Rev Craftways Podcast, Sam Hunter talks with Kimberly Benefield, a prominent figure in the quilting community, having served as president of the Portland Modern Quilt Guild and currently involved with the MQG's IDEA Committee. Kimberly brings a wealth of experience as a multi-maker, combining her passions for quilting and sneaker design.
DEIA in Quilting Spaces
A major theme of the conversation is the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in the quilting community. Kimberly shares her efforts on both local and national levels to guide and promote these principles. They discuss how essential it is to maintain open communication within the community to foster an inclusive environment.
Transitioning into Sneaker Design
Kimberly discusses her journey from quilting to designing sneakers, which she initially explored during the pandemic. This segment reveals her process of taking courses and experimenting with various materials, infusing her love for quilting fabric into the sneaker designs.
Community and Guild Leadership Challenges
Sam and Kimberly reflect on the challenges they faced in leading their respective quilt guilds, particularly in navigating generational differences and resistance to new ideas. They emphasize that effective leadership in creative communities is about managing relationships and maintaining a focus on the core mission: quilting.
Overcoming Personal Challenges
The episode touches on personal challenges faced by both Sam and Kimberly, such as energy depletion post-pandemic and navigating health issues. They discuss the importance of support systems and finding balance while pursuing creative passions.
Education and Mentorship in Craft
Kimberly shares her vision for education and mentorship within the craft community, emphasizing the need for guilds to provide resources and establish supportive environments for members, particularly for historically marginalized groups.
Final Thoughts and Future Directions
As the episode wraps up, Kimberly shares her aspirations for future workshops and lectures focused on innovative projects that combine traditional quilting with contemporary design approaches. Sam encourages listeners to follow Kimberly's journey and support her initiatives.
Sponsors
- NW Pepper · Kimberly Benefield runs a business focused on craft and design, which is discussed throughout.
- Black Web Diva · Kimberly is also associated with this platform, emphasizing her work in craft and community.
- QuiltCon · The podcast mentions QuiltCon as a significant event for the quilting community, highlighting the challenges faced in terms of accessibility.
- MQG IDEA Committee · Kimberly discusses her involvement with the IDEA committee, which focuses on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in quilting.
- Shoe SRGN Class · An educational opportunity for those interested in sneaker design, which Kimberly discusses during the episode.
Show notes
040 - Kimberly Bennefield talks to us about volunteering to help locally and nationally with guidance for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in quilting spaces. She emphasizes that everything starts with people, and needing to communicate! She also talks about her path to becoming a sneaker designer.
Show Notes
NW Pepper - https://nwpepper.com/
Black Web Diva - https://www.blackwebdiva.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/nwpepper
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nwpepper/
NW Pepper Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nwpepper/
Portland Modern Quilt Guild - https://portlandmodernquiltguild.com/
Simi Valley Quilt Guild - https://www.sccqg.org/simi-valley-quilt-guild.htm
Mimi G - https://www.mimigstyle.com/
Shoe SRGN Class - https://www.srgnacademy.com/
QuiltCon - https://quiltcon.com/
MQG IDEA Committee - https://www.themodernquiltguild.com/committees/
Melissa De Leon Mason - https://www.quiltallthethings.com/
MQG Affinity Spaces - https://quiltcon.com/accessibility/
Kimberly’s Lectures and Workshops - https://nwpepper.com/lectures-workshops/
Island Quilter - https://www.islandquilter.com/
Alison Glass - https://alisonglass.com/
Denyse Schmidt Quilts - https://dsquilts.com
*Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns by Barbara Brackman
Annmarie and her shoelaces - https://www.instagram.com/p/CqROKvLvuf3/?img_index=1
Some of Kimberly’s Playlists:
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Where to find Sam Hunter:
How to Own a Revolutionary Craft Biz - www.revcraftbiz.com
Hunter's Design Studio - www.huntersdesignstudio.com
Embroidered Journey - www.embroideredjourney.com
Creatively Sorted - www.creativelysorted.com
Sam Hunter Art - www.samhunterart.com
The RevCraftBiz Podcast is a Quilt Talk™ product
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