Hey there! I’m Betsy.
Over the years I’ve been called a lot of things, a crafter, an activist, an unsung hero, the godmother of craftivism, among others.
I’m also a freelance writer, speaker, brand marketer and workshop facilitator. (All these things ladder up to a body of work that blends words, creativity and vulnerability in different ways to get to the same place—that sharing our story can help us better navigate the world and help others know who we are.)
Want to know more? Keep reading! Want to get in touch or find me elsewhere on the internet? Click here.
The (somewhat) nerdy details:
After getting my B.A. in English literature at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I received my M.A. in sociology from Goldsmiths College. My dissertation was on knitting, DIY culture and community development. What’s my biggest takeaway since graduation? That humans can thrive when we find our people, even more so when we have a creative outlet that lets us learn, grow and communicate.
My story:
Raised in North Carolina, my mom kept my address on a Post-It note for years as I moved around the state, to England (Norwich, Watford, London, plus a month on a Sussex sheep farm), New York City, then the DC metro area before moving back home. Discovering craft and how it can be a force for good in my early 20s has led to me all sorts of research, conversations and engagements. You can learn about those adventures in more detail through using this site menu!
My work around craft is done through an ethnographic sociocultural lens, with an eye to how big feelings, authenticity and growth are transformative, connective and non-linear spaces within a wider (and wilder!) creative framework. I approach all my other work from a place of curiosity, vulnerability and conversation—because story needs those things to thrive, succeed and draw people in.
I’m always looking for new collaborations, projects and like-minded people to know, so if you have ideas about how we might work together or just want to say hi, send me an email.
Work experience:
In full-time positions, I’ve most recently worked with in higher education communications, edited factory audits written by people all over the globe in the labor industry and managed the Spoonflower blog as part of their brand marketing team.
(Little known fact: My very first real job was at Penguin Books in the production department. It was my dream place of employment but I wanted to work with words. So I left. It’s been an adventure ever since!)