It's evening, everyone's finally in bed, and you should be able to relax. But your brain won't stop. The racing thoughts, the tight chest, the constant hum of worry underneath everything you do. If you've noticed that your anxiety quiets when you're stitching, that the repetitive motion helps you breathe again, that working with your hands brings you back to the present moment—there's actually a reason for that.

In this episode, Kathleen explores the connection between hand crafts and anxiety management, sharing both the science behind why crafting calms an anxious brain and her personal experience using embroidery as a tool for regulation. You'll discover practical strategies for using your creative practice when anxiety hits, what to do when even crafting feels overwhelming, and how to build a creative practice that specifically supports your mental health.

You'll hear about:

1. Why your brain won't stop (and what anxiety looks and feels like for creative moms)
2. The science behind why crafting calms anxiety (repetitive motion, bilateral stimulation, grounding)
3. Kathleen's personal story with anxiety and how embroidery became her regulation tool
4. How to intentionally use crafting for anxiety management (accessible, simple, sensory-focused)
5. What to do when even crafting feels overwhelming (lowering the bar, five-minute approach)
6. Creating an anxiety-soothing practice (designated projects, calming rituals)
7. What this practice gives you over time (confidence, evidence, healthy coping)
8. An important note about professional help (crafting is a tool, not a replacement for therapy)

Takeaway: Hand crafts like embroidery aren't just hobbies—they're tools for managing anxiety and regulating your nervous system. When your thoughts are racing and everything feels chaotic, sometimes the answer is as simple as picking up your needle and making one stitch, then another, then another. Crafting gives your anxious brain something concrete to focus on, interrupts the worry spiral, and grounds you in the present moment. You're not alone, and you have more tools than you think.

1. Start stitching with the Stitch Deck
2. Free DIY name sweater video tutorial
3. Free Canva templates to create DIY name designs
4. Check out the shop: artsylyons.shop
5. Follow me on Instagram: @artsylyons

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on

You've tried to establish a creative routine a dozen times, and every time it feels like just another thing on your to-do list. What if the problem isn't your discipline—it's that you're thinking in terms of routines when you need rituals instead?

In this episode, Kathleen explores the difference between routines (which are about efficiency) and rituals (which are about meaning)—and why that difference changes everything for your creative practice. You'll discover why lighting a candle before you stitch transforms obligation into invitation, how to create rituals that actually fit your life, and why the simple act of showing up can become the most powerful ritual of all.

You'll hear about:

1. The crucial difference between routines and rituals (and why it matters for creativity)
2. Why rituals make creativity stick when routines don't
3. Kathleen's personal creative rituals (evening wind-down, Sunday morning create, first stitch pause)
4. How to create rituals that work for you (sensory cues, transitions, presence)
5. Small ritual ideas you can try today (gratitude start, boundary markers, closing ceremonies)
6. When and how to let rituals evolve as your life changes
7. The difference between rituals and perfectionism (one invites, one demands)
8. The most important ritual: simply showing up

Takeaway: Routines are about efficiency. Rituals are about meaning. When you shift from "I should stitch for 20 minutes today" to creating sacred containers for your creativity, everything changes. Your creative practice becomes something you honor, not something you check off. Start small, make it meaningful to you, and remember: the most powerful ritual is simply showing up.

1. Start stitching with the Stitch Deck
2. Free DIY name sweater video tutorial
3. Free Canva templates to create DIY name designs
4. Check out the shop: artsylyons.shop
5. Follow me on Instagram: @artsylyons

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more mamas who need this community.

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to The Artsy Ambition...

Scrolling through Instagram craft rooms with perfect lighting and organized supplies can make you feel like you need a dedicated studio to be a "real" artist. But here's the truth: some of the most beautiful, meaningful creative work happens on kitchen tables, in corners of bedrooms, on couches with kids nearby.

In this episode, Kathleen shares how she's run her embroidery business from her kitchen table for years, why creating in shared spaces actually has advantages you might not realize, and exactly how to set up a functional creative practice in whatever space you have right now. This is permission to stop waiting for perfect conditions and start creating in the middle of real, messy life.

You'll hear about:

1. Why the "studio myth" keeps us waiting (and why it's holding you back)
2. What creativity actually looks like in real life (kitchen tables, couch corners, baskets)
3. Practical strategies for making it work in small or shared spaces
4. How to protect your creative practice when your family shares your space
5. The surprising advantages of creating in the middle of everything else
6. Kathleen's actual kitchen table setup (spoiler: it's not glamorous)
7. How to start exactly where you are tonight—no studio required

Takeaway: The perfect creative space is the one you actually use. You don't need a dedicated studio, elaborate storage, or ideal conditions. You just need a basket, a corner, and a willingness to create in the middle of real life. Stop waiting for someday and start where you are right now—because that's exactly where the magic happens.

1. Start stitching with the Stitch Deck
2. Free DIY name sweater video tutorial
3. Free Canva templates to create DIY name designs
4. Check out the shop: artsylyons.shop
5. Follow me on Instagram: @artsylyons

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more mamas who need this community.

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to The Artsy Ambition Podcast! See you next week!