Brewtifully Made

I Am Learning How To Live With The Replay

Send us Fan Mail Grief does not just hurt, it rewires your days. I’m juggling the ordinary and the unbearable at the same time: picking up my granddaughters after therapy, planning a whale watching trip that’s equal parts excitement and anxiety, and trying to let it sink in that my daughter is taking me to Hawaii. These “yes” moments feel surreal, but they’re also how I’m building new memories when everything inside me wants to shut down. I also share a raw update on my mental health and healing process, including my first group therapy session. When it’s my turn to talk, I can’t get the words out at first, and that experience reminds me how real trauma lives in the body. We talk about common grief patterns like intrusive replay, the exhausting “should’ve” thoughts, unexpected anger, and the strange feeling of catching yourself laughing and not knowing what to do with it. Creativity is the thread I’m holding onto. From setting up an easel and trying to paint my way back to brightness, to reading for perspective, to making art with kids, I’m looking for practical ways to stay here. My granddaughters even design their own custom mahjong tiles using their drawings, including a little cryptid they call “pants,” and that kind of playful making brings real light into a heavy season. If you’re navigating grief, trauma, or creative healing, come listen, then share what helps you get through the hardest moments. Subscribe, send this to a friend who needs hope, and leave a review so more people can find Brewtifully Made. Support the show Catch the doodles on YouTube My socials: Sign up for my monthly newsletter Portfolio website: Brewtifully.com Instagram: /Brewtifully Facebook: /brewtifully TikTok: GettingSmallwithGrandma LinkedIn: Tracy Dawn Brewer

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I Keep Creating Even When I Feel Broken

Send us Fan Mail Grief doesn’t just break your heart, it can scramble your creativity, your motivation, and your sense of who you are. I’m sharing a real-time recap of a week in Seattle where I’m trying to make things again while I’m still deep in trauma and loss. If you’ve ever felt like you can only create when someone gives you a prompt, or like your “voice” went quiet after a hard season, you’ll recognize a lot of what I’m working through here. We start with the small stuff that still matters, like caring for my little dog after surgery and feeling grateful for a great vet. Then I talk about a character development class at the library that unexpectedly gave me the structure I needed. I drew myself as a kiwi (yes, menopause made it into the character design), and I felt that rare mix of humor and honesty that makes art feel possible again. I also get into sewing, applique, thrifted finds, and repurposing fabric when your supplies and your life are still in boxes. The heavy layer is navigating widowhood logistics and support: I found the book “Different After You” by Michelle Hernandez, learned about Camp Widow and Soaring Spirits International, and signed up for a local Seattle group. I also open up about the frustration of being denied twice for VA DIC benefits, missing medical records, and how overwhelming it is to fight a convoluted system while you’re grieving. To cope, I lean on comfort shows like Gilmore Girls and Frasier, plus reading and writing things down when the spiral starts. If this resonates, subscribe, share the episode with someone who’s rebuilding, and leave a review so more people can find the show when they need it most. Support the show Catch the doodles on YouTube My socials: Sign up for my monthly newsletter Portfolio website: Brewtifully.com Instagram: /Brewtifully Facebook: /brewtifully TikTok: GettingSmallwithGrandma LinkedIn: Tracy Dawn Brewer

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I Am Learning To Grieve And Create At The Same Time

Send us Fan Mail Watching a home you loved turn into a listing can feel like losing it twice. I’m Tracy, and I’m sharing what it’s like to put my Ohio house on the market while I’m still carrying fresh grief, big feelings, and the weird in-between space of a brand-new life. I talk about the pride and heartbreak of leaving behind years of design choices, routines, and neighbors I truly care about, plus why counseling days have become an anchor. Creativity is still my work, but it’s also my way back to myself. I share how I’m getting paint on the page again with watercolor florals, and I explain a new limited edition mahjong mat release tied to my own artwork, including the surprise gift that comes with each mat. We also get real about what it takes to keep a small creative business going while you’re grieving: commissions, wholesale orders, restarting a newsletter, and leaning on community support without feeling like you’re “selling” your sadness. Grief isn’t just emotional, it’s sensory. I talk about why certain sounds and songs are suddenly hard to tolerate, why lo-fi music helps when lyrics feel loaded, and how I’m trying to replace old memories with new experiences. From knitting classes and teaching mahjong locally to line dancing lessons, bike rides, and exploring Edmonds, this is a conversation about rebuilding after loss one hour at a time, with honesty, anger, tenderness, and a little hope for what comes next. If this resonates, listen through, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review or subscribe so you don’t miss what comes next. Support the show Catch the doodles on YouTube My socials: Sign up for my monthly newsletter Portfolio website: Brewtifully.com Instagram: /Brewtifully Facebook: /brewtifully TikTok: GettingSmallwithGrandma LinkedIn: Tracy Dawn Brewer

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What If Healing Starts With Micro Joys

Send us Fan Mail Grief doesn’t just hurt, it reorganizes your whole inner world. I’m Tracy, and I’m talking openly about what happens when trauma and betrayal blow up your sense of safety, your memories, and even your ability to make the kind of art you used to love. I’ve got supplies unpacked and the urge to create, but the quiet can feel brutal, and the blank page can pull up anger, shock, and the life I thought I had. I share what betrayal trauma feels like in real time: the way songs and TV can trigger instant spirals, the loneliness of having no one left to confront, and the heavy reality of selling what I believed was my forever home. Starting over at this stage of life is daunting, especially when trust in your own decisions feels broken. I also talk about the guilt of leaning on my kids for comfort and why I’m trying hard not to make them carry that weight. There are small lights, though. My therapist keeps reminding me to chase micro joys and micro goals, and I’m trying: journaling, writing, moving my body, taking a knitting class, and letting myself consider making darker art when that’s what needs to come out. Community helps too, especially mahjong and the chance to teach and share what I’m creating. If you’ve ever felt like you can create for others but not for yourself, you’ll hear your own thoughts in this one. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find honest conversations about grief, healing, and creativity. Support the show Catch the doodles on YouTube My socials: Sign up for my monthly newsletter Portfolio website: Brewtifully.com Instagram: /Brewtifully Facebook: /brewtifully TikTok: GettingSmallwithGrandma LinkedIn: Tracy Dawn Brewer

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What Does Safety Mean After Everything Breaks

Send us Fan Mail A normal day at a huge family event can turn into a life-or-death sprint in seconds, and the aftermath doesn’t end when you finally get out of the crowd. We’re sharing a raw, first-person story of being caught near a mass shooting in Seattle with young grandkids, the split-second choices we made to keep them safe, and what it feels like to watch children stay brave while adults try not to fall apart. That trauma hits on top of a season already packed with grief and disorientation: losing a spouse, moving across the country, rehoming pets, watching your old life disappear, and fighting through the mental load of VA systems and unanswered questions around PTSD and support. We talk honestly about therapy, the daily effort of getting up, and the heavy, lonely moment of looking in the mirror and wondering what the day will bring. We also look for the next tiny foothold forward: rebuilding self-trust, untangling perfectionism as an artist, and taking small steps that create real momentum like getting a library card, signing up for a class, reaching out to local creatives, and letting yourself sit in a coffee shop with a book without rushing to “fix” everything. If you’re searching for coping strategies for grief, trauma recovery, or starting over later in life, this conversation offers both truth and practical next moves. What motivates you when life feels uncertain? Support the show Catch the doodles on YouTube My socials: Sign up for my monthly newsletter Portfolio website: Brewtifully.com Instagram: /Brewtifully Facebook: /brewtifully TikTok: GettingSmallwithGrandma LinkedIn: Tracy Dawn Brewer

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What Happens To Your Identity When Your Life Shatters

Send us Fan Mail One day you’re making plans, and the next you’re standing in the wreckage of a life you thought was secure. I’m back on Brewtifully Made to tell the truth about what the last two months have been: becoming a widow at 56, closing my art studio, letting go of my home, and moving across the country to start over with two of my daughters and granddaughters nearby. It’s overwhelming, messy, and nothing like the “strong and steady” version of me I expected to be. I talk about suicide loss and what it’s like to carry grief while trying to protect six kids between us, especially his sons. I also share the complicated layers that come with a veteran’s PTSD, the frustration of navigating support systems like the VA, and the shock of realizing how much a digital footprint can reveal. Finding messages, images, traces of his thought processes and writings after he’s gone has been gut-wrenching, because it can change how you understand the person you loved and it can make you question everything, including yourself. I’m leaning hard on therapy, community, and the small acts that keep me tethered to life. Creativity is still part of my healing, even when my heart is too heavy to make “bright and fun” art. I’m trying to find a new normal, even if normal feels overrated, and I’m holding onto glimmers of light through family, pets, and tiny creative steps. If this resonates, share this with someone who needs it...maybe it can help more people find honest conversations about grief, trauma, and creative healing. What’s one small thing that helps you keep going? Support the show Catch the doodles on YouTube My socials: Sign up for my monthly newsletter Portfolio website: Brewtifully.com Instagram: /Brewtifully Facebook: /brewtifully TikTok: GettingSmallwithGrandma LinkedIn: Tracy Dawn Brewer

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Pause in the podcast

Send us Fan Mail My husband passed away 5/13 unexpectedly. I am pausing my podcast as I have to close my art studio, sell and relocate. Please know I hope to be back soon. If you are a Veteran, PTSD is a silently-lurking ailment and you are not alone, please seek help early and diligently. Support the show Catch the doodles on YouTube My socials: Sign up for my monthly newsletter Portfolio website: Brewtifully.com Instagram: /Brewtifully Facebook: /brewtifully TikTok: GettingSmallwithGrandma LinkedIn: Tracy Dawn Brewer

I Built A Creative Life By Saying Yes

Send us Fan Mail A crowded studio, a “cap it at 40” plan that turns into 50-plus guests, and a spring season that suddenly feels like it’s accelerating. I’m checking in from Brewtifully with a real-time look at what it takes to grow a creative studio around mahjong, art, and community and what happens when you let people in, even when the day doesn’t go exactly as planned. National Mahjong Day brought tables full of laughter, unexpected visitors, and the kind of feedback that makes me want to schedule more events immediately. Next up, I’m leaning into collaborations that connect new audiences: a June pickleball mahjong event at a new spot called Hotshots, plus another gathering tied to the Ohio State University Alumni Association. I also share an invitation to Art in the Park in Hartville, where I’ll be setting up tables and teaching the art of mahjong to anyone curious. If you’re building a small business, planning community events, or trying to grow a creative brand, these partnerships are a practical reminder that you don’t have to do it alone. On the making side, I talk through how I’m creating my own mahjong tiles from blank tiles to drawing, laser engraving, and hand painting, plus how manufacturing and licensing help turn artwork into products people can actually buy. The biggest takeaway is simple and hard-earned: leave room in your plans for the unplanned, share the littlest thing, and let it grow into something bigger than you could have mapped out. If you like this kind of creative business update, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a quick review so more makers and mahjong lovers can find us. Support the show Catch the doodles on YouTube My socials: Sign up for my monthly newsletter Portfolio website: Brewtifully.com Instagram: /Brewtifully Facebook: /brewtifully TikTok: GettingSmallwithGrandma LinkedIn: Tracy Dawn Brewer

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Sharing What You Love Can Become Your Next Business

Send us Fan Mail Mahjong started as pure fun for me, and it keeps turning into something bigger: a creative business thread that connects art, friendship, and a surprisingly deep design world. Coming to you from a late Friday afternoon as the shop winds down, fresh off a lively mahjong session and the simple joy of putting a beautiful new set on the table. I talk about trying a new Jonathan Adler mahjong set sourced through Michael’s, why exploring new tiles and layouts sparks new ideas, and how those small details shape the whole playing experience. Then, a wild update from the product side: our mahjong mats are doing really well, and the company licensing our artwork is heading toward a television moment through a new collaboration with a studio and network. If you’re curious about art licensing, building a niche product line, or what it looks like when a creative career takes an unexpected turn, this one is for you. Also, I lay out our affiliate program for people who genuinely love playing and want to share mats, tiles, and game-night culture with their audience. I will explain how the special code works, how commissions are tracked, whyIe offer a big first-order discount for samples, and the platform (UpPromote). To bring it back to community, I preview upcoming local classes, share how to teach without gatekeeping, and invite you to send tile photos or ask about a custom mahjong mat if you can’t find the right match. Subscribe for more honest creator updates, share this with a mahjong friend, and leave a review if it helped you see a new path forward. What’s one hobby you could share more boldly this month? Support the show Catch the doodles on YouTube My socials: Sign up for my monthly newsletter Portfolio website: Brewtifully.com Instagram: /Brewtifully Facebook: /brewtifully TikTok: GettingSmallwithGrandma LinkedIn: Tracy Dawn Brewer

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I Walk You Through My Shop So You Can See How The Ideas Become Real

Send us Fan Mail A busy spring can make a podcast drop a day late, but it also makes for the best kind of behind-the-scenes update. I’m Tracy, and I’m inviting you into my Brewtifully Made studio for a quick, real-time tour of what my creative shop looks and sounds like when it’s in motion from the little background noises outside to the displays I’m building for the weekend. We start with the flower cart, where the goal isn’t just to “buy flowers.” I’m turning the cart into an artsy bouquet experience: make your own card, color your own flower, draw with crayons, pencils, or markers, and use real blooms as inspiration. I also share how these ideas sometimes show up in the middle of the night, and what it takes to write them down, paint the umbrella, and make them real by morning. From there, I walk you through a community art month and our itty bitty art exhibit prep, including tiny details like my mini mahjong scene and a mini version of one of my mahjong mat designs. You’ll also hear what’s on the merchandise wall, what craft kits and class supplies are out, and how the studio balances retail with hands-on making. Mahjong is a big theme too: I became a Miss Mahjong dealer, I’m stocking sets you can touch in person, and I’m building out custom made mats, bags, and even a pickleball collaboration with custom covers and paddles. I wrap with a candid update on launching wholesale on Faire, the realities of being a one-woman show, and an open invite if you want to come on the podcast to share your passion. Subscribe for more studio updates, share this with a creative friend, and leave a review if it helps you keep going. What passion are you ready to pursue next? Support the show Catch the doodles on YouTube My socials: Sign up for my monthly newsletter Portfolio website: Brewtifully.com Instagram: /Brewtifully Facebook: /brewtifully TikTok: GettingSmallwithGrandma LinkedIn: Tracy Dawn Brewer

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Mahjong Made Me Do It

Send us Fan Mail I had to hit pause for a minute because my business took a big leap: I launched a wholesale branch on Faire and built out a full wholesale catalog from scratch. That meant moving products over, setting wholesale pricing, and doing the kind of detailed backend work that most people never see. If you’re an artist, maker, or small business owner trying to grow without burning out, you’ll recognize this season fast. I’m also honest about the reality of being a one-woman show. On any given day I’m creating artwork, coordinating manufacturing, managing listings, running a physical retail shop, bringing in seasonal inventory, and still taking freelance clients and commissions. The thread that holds it together is learning how to pivot on purpose, not just react, so the work stays joyful instead of exhausting. And then there’s the part I didn’t expect: mahjong. Learning the game pulled me into a new community, new friendships, and events at the shop where people laugh, learn the card together, and share their love of the game. I even talk about getting my husband to learn at the library, plus ideas for teaching kids with mini major cards so the fun can travel across generations. If you want more real-life creative entrepreneurship, wholesale tips, and community-building ideas for your art business, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review. What’s one new thing you want to learn this year? Support the show Catch the doodles on YouTube My socials: Sign up for my monthly newsletter Portfolio website: Brewtifully.com Instagram: /Brewtifully Facebook: /brewtifully TikTok: GettingSmallwithGrandma LinkedIn: Tracy Dawn Brewer

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How A Busy Week Of Creative Work Turned Into A Licensing Breakthrough

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a busy week of community events, student workshops, and gallery nights collides with an unexpected dream offer? I opened the door to spring with color, coffee, and collaboration—and then share how a national Mahjong company discovered my work and invited me to design beautiful mats that bring pattern, play, and personality to the table. We start with First Friday momentum and a morning meetup that sparks a new nonprofit experience design. From there, we head to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Village with Junior Achievement to guide five thousand students through hands-on art: a collaborative bokeh-style landscape built dot by dot, conversations about creative careers, and tiny “charcuterie” boards that teach composition through play. The week levels up with a scout workshop where simple birdhouses gain a digital soul—stickers become animated birds and butterflies with the Artivive app—showing kids how traditional craft and technology can sing together. Back at the studio, we get ready for live painting at the Home and Garden Show, a St. Patrick’s plaza crawl, and a slate of fresh classes: mosaic lights, acrylic-and-resin techniques, and needle-felted bangles. Then let’s pull back the curtain on the licensing milestone—how sharing genuine joy about learning Mahjong led the right partners to my doorstep, and what’s next as we explore wholesale, affiliate options, and bringing elegant tiles to the local community. Along the way, I want to talk upcycled fashion, supportive teachers, and the one practice that keeps everything grounded: carving out ten minutes a day to make something that makes your heart happy. If you love creative entrepreneurship, community art, and real-world steps to grow your practice, you’ll feel right at home. Press play, share with a friend who needs a spark, and leave a quick review to help more makers find us. Support the show Catch the doodles on YouTube My socials: Sign up for my monthly newsletter Portfolio website: Brewtifully.com Instagram: /Brewtifully Facebook: /brewtifully TikTok: GettingSmallwithGrandma LinkedIn: Tracy Dawn Brewer

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Sharing What You Love Inspires Others To Try

Send us Fan Mail A room full of students, a pile of glitter, and the soft shake of sensory bottles turned an ordinary morning into a small lesson on joy. We walk you through the workshop—choosing colors, tucking tiny treasures into clear bottles, laughing as horses and little people float into view—and show how a low-pressure creative space can calm nerves and spark curiosity. That simple act becomes a doorway to something bigger: giving people permission to make without chasing perfection, and letting the path be the point. From there, we connect dots across our town’s arts ecosystem. As a new ambassador for the Canton Symphony, we share how music, crafts, and community photos of national parks can blend into a multi-sensory experience that invites everyone in. You’ll hear how pairing concerts with hands-on projects welcomes newcomers, turns audiences into participants, and strengthens local culture. We also dig into the psychology of collaboration—why promoting fellow creators does not dilute your work, how positivity compounds, and where small partnerships can create outsized ripples. We round things out with what’s next in the studio: overnight slumber parties filled with crafts and mahjong, plus kids’ art camps arriving in June. Expect practical inspiration for hosting your own accessible workshops, reframing fear of failure, and becoming the bright light your circle needs as spring returns. If you’ve been waiting for the perfect idea or the perfect moment, let this be your nudge to start messy, start kind, and start now. Enjoy the conversation? Follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a creative boost, and leave a quick review to help more makers find us. Support the show Catch the doodles on YouTube My socials: Sign up for my monthly newsletter Portfolio website: Brewtifully.com Instagram: /Brewtifully Facebook: /brewtifully TikTok: GettingSmallwithGrandma LinkedIn: Tracy Dawn Brewer

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The Beauty Of New Beginnings And Lifelong Resilience

Send us Fan Mail A snow forecast, a quiet studio, and a fresh obsession with solo mahjong turned a simple idea into a small movement: make learning easy, beautiful, and shared. We walk you through how a handmade board, a short tutorial, and a few well-chosen tools can transform a nervous “I can’t” into a confident “I’ll try.” Along the way, we spotlight local maker Susie DeHoff’s wooden boards, talk through the practical hurdles of finding tiles and cards, and share why thoughtful design—like clear instructions and a stitched bag—removes the friction that keeps beginners on the sidelines. Our conversation widens into a story that changed our family’s map: a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis two decades ago, a rainy drive, and the steep curve of learning to live well with insulin. We recall clunky early tech, the cost of pumps, the choice to return to injections, and the slow rise of better tools like continuous glucose monitors. What stands out is not perfection but persistence—tiny acts of care repeated until they become strength. That lesson threads back to the game table: rules can be learned, confidence can be built, and community makes both easier. If you’re snowed in or just ready for a new ritual, try solo mahjong with what you have on hand—tiles you can source locally, a layout drawn on paper, and a simple reference to start. We’re here for the first step, celebrating the beauty of accessible craft, the grit of health resilience, and the joy of sharing what lights us up. Subscribe to Brewtifully Made, share this episode with a friend who needs a nudge to begin, and leave a review telling us what new skill you’re ready to try. Support the show Catch the doodles on YouTube My socials: Sign up for my monthly newsletter Portfolio website: Brewtifully.com Instagram: /Brewtifully Facebook: /brewtifully TikTok: GettingSmallwithGrandma LinkedIn: Tracy Dawn Brewer

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Choose The Room That Welcomes You: Building Friendship Through Creative Spaces

Send us Fan Mail A day planned for Galentines fun turned into a real talk about how friendships start, drift, and return—and how creative spaces can make that journey easier. We kick things off with a full schools-out arts day at the studio, a mom-and-daughter sewing lesson, and our Crafty Cinema night at the Canton Palace Theater, complete with dimmed lights, portable crafts, and playful giveaways. Then we get honest about going to a sold-out Galentines pop-up alone, what it felt like to sit among tight-knit groups, and why a simple bracelet and a few kind faces can still make the night feel warm. From there, we map out how to design community on purpose. We share the small choices that turn a class into a welcome—remembering names, keeping a seat open, and making it easy for solo guests to join a table. You’ll hear about upcoming sessions with our exhibiting artist, Tracy Freemason, who’s guiding a cartoon-style sneaker painting workshop, and fused glass classes with Amy Pepperney that keep sparking new friendships. We also talk about unexpected friend-making machines like Mahjong at the library, where shared practice breaks the ice faster than small talk ever could. We don’t skip the tender parts. Friend circles change with moves, marriages, kids, and new jobs; some bonds fade, others return through reunions or a lucky scroll on social media. We talk about reconnecting with old friends, even a high school friendship that became a marriage years later, and how to invite newcomers without pressure. If showing up solo feels scary, we offer gentle tactics: arrive early, ask simple questions, let your hands stay busy, and come back once more. Process over perfection becomes the throughline—for art, for community, for friendship. If this conversation nudged you to try a class, bring a friend, or leave a seat open for someone new, share it with your circle. Subscribe for more stories about creativity and community, and leave a review to help others find a welcoming table. Support the show Catch the doodles on YouTube My socials: Sign up for my monthly newsletter Portfolio website: Brewtifully.com Instagram: /Brewtifully Facebook: /brewtifully TikTok: GettingSmallwithGrandma LinkedIn: Tracy Dawn Brewer

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Stepping Out Of Your Comfort Zone Can Change Your Social Life

Send us Fan Mail Seventeen brave painters, a snowy morning, and a table full of abstract bunnies sparked a bigger question: what happens to our lives when we try something new? We share the joy and jitters from teaching an over-fifty class, where identical supplies produced wildly different styles and fresh confidence. That energy carries into a new hobby—Mahjong—and the surprising way a beginner’s mindset builds patience, purpose, and real friendships. We talk frankly about the adult friendship gap and how to bridge it through shared learning. From libraries packed with free classes to restaurants hosting cooking nights and studios offering creative workshops, there are more low‑barrier ways to meet people than you might think. We trade stories about locals who haven’t explored their own town, and make the case for playing tourist where you live: discover the downtown arcade you’ve never tried, sample the restaurant you always pass, and visit the natural landmarks in your backyard. Along the way, we offer practical ideas for getting started: pick one class this month, give yourself a few sessions before judging, and focus on progress over perfection. We also highlight our gallery’s upcoming events, including a new exhibition and a playful sneaker art class. If you’ve been craving community, creativity, or just a reason to step outside, this conversation hands you a map and a gentle push. Subscribe, share this episode with a friend who needs a nudge, and tell us: what will you try next? Support the show Catch the doodles on YouTube My socials: Sign up for my monthly newsletter Portfolio website: Brewtifully.com Instagram: /Brewtifully Facebook: /brewtifully TikTok: GettingSmallwithGrandma LinkedIn: Tracy Dawn Brewer

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Resilience, Community, And The Real Cost Of Keeping A Creative Space Alive

Send us Fan Mail A beloved shop is closing after fifteen years, and that news becomes the spark for a candid look at what it truly takes to keep a creative space alive. We talk about the hidden math of brick-and-mortar retail, the emotional toll of slow walk-in traffic, and the small pivots that add up—adjusting hours, focusing on classes and events, and building offerings that bring families into the studio to make, paint, and play. Along the way, we celebrate the network that keeps artists moving forward. From a mobile gift shop making the leap to a storefront to a friend relocating her studio in a blizzard, these stories show how community, grit, and practical help can turn a hard season into a fresh start. We also share how non-monetary support matters: a post shared, a review written, or a recommendation sent to a friend. For those who prefer shopping online, affiliate links and small e-commerce setups can quietly keep the lights on without asking anyone to spend more than they planned. If you’ve ever wondered how to support local makers when money is tight, you’ll leave with concrete ideas—buy a gift card, book a class, pick up a small piece for a raffle, or simply amplify the work you love. We’re honest about margins, transparent about what the studio currently covers, and optimistic about February’s plans, newsletters, and playful community moments. Join us, share the episode with a friend who loves small business stories, and subscribe so you don’t miss the next chapter. Your support—of any kind—makes a real difference. Support the show Catch the doodles on YouTube My socials: Sign up for my monthly newsletter Portfolio website: Brewtifully.com Instagram: /Brewtifully Facebook: /brewtifully TikTok: GettingSmallwithGrandma LinkedIn: Tracy Dawn Brewer

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January Check-In And A Fresh Start

Send us Fan Mail New years rarely unfold the way we script them, and that’s the point. I’m kicking off 2026 with a refresh that actually works: fewer public hours, more focused days for art, teaching, and community projects, plus a renewed commitment to play as a creative tool. That simple shift unlocked a cascade of good things—mahhjong nights at the shop, a monthly hidden art helmet you can hunt for around town, and a lineup of collaborations that stitch art into everyday life. I walk through how I audited my slowest days, moved to reservation-only windows Sunday through Wednesday, and used that space to plan spring classes, summer camps, and a returning block of private lessons. You’ll hear about students who are stepping into real community work, a group paint night for 16 to 20 women, and an art-meets-music series with the symphony that pairs visual stories with performance. There’s also a peek at upcoming township projects, holiday window painting wins, and commercial work expanding to a nationwide scale—all the ways visibility grows when you show up consistently and keep the process human. Underneath the updates is a message I needed to learn the hard way: don’t wait for perfect conditions to start. The shop still has its highs and lows, but the larger ecosystem—classes, events, collaborations, public art—keeps the momentum steady and the joy high. If you’ve been thinking about protecting a day for your craft, launching a small community project, or making a bigger leap into the work you love, consider this your nudge. Subscribe, share this episode with a friend who needs a push, and leave a review to help more makers find the show. What one change would free your time for the work that matters? Support the show Catch the doodles on YouTube My socials: Sign up for my monthly newsletter Portfolio website: Brewtifully.com Instagram: /Brewtifully Facebook: /brewtifully TikTok: GettingSmallwithGrandma LinkedIn: Tracy Dawn Brewer

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Math Has One Answer; Art Has Yours

Send us Fan Mail Creativity isn’t a side dish; it’s the main course for building sharper thinking and genuine confidence. We sit down with Madeline, a homeschooled teen who treats art as both a learning engine and a way to find her voice. Together we unpack why open-ended making exercises different mental muscles than subjects with single right answers, and how that challenge translates into autonomy, resilience, and better problem-solving. Madeline shares how an unschooling mindset lets her master core subjects through formats that fit—listening, researching, reading, then making—while pursuing passions like public speaking and psychology. We talk about facing stage fright through community theater, turning nerves into fuel, and using performance to practice presence, recovery, and clarity. Along the way we link sketching and mindful doodling to focus and memory, and explore the growing movement to “prescribe art” as preventative care. Art for wellness isn’t fluff; it’s a practical tool for stress regulation, connection, and self-knowledge. We also dig into originality in the age of AI and remix culture. Your voice is the differentiator, and the only way to find it is to make more—try new mediums, accept critique, and iterate. From micron pens to needle felting to movie-inspired projects and holiday ornaments, the studio becomes a sandbox for curiosity and courage. The result is a class culture where friendships form, ideas travel beyond the room, and students feel safe to speak up and stand out. If you care about youth empowerment, homeschooling, arts education, mental health, or the craft of public speaking, this conversation delivers practical insights and plenty of heart. Listen, share it with someone who needs a nudge to create, and tell us: what’s the next small, brave thing you’ll make? Subscribe, leave a review, and join the conversation so we can bring more voices to the mic. Support the show Catch the doodles on YouTube My socials: Sign up for my monthly newsletter Portfolio website: Brewtifully.com Instagram: /Brewtifully Facebook: /brewtifully TikTok: GettingSmallwithGrandma LinkedIn: Tracy Dawn Brewer

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How A Leap Into Clay Became A Blooming Creative Business

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder how a single creative pivot can bloom into a multi-venue art business? We sit down with exhibiting artist Rachel Blakney and trace her path from early painting classes to a pandemic-era leap into polymer clay that reshaped her practice and presence in the community. Rachel’s world is rooted in nature—florals, animals, and organic textures—and she brings that love to both canvas and jewelry with moody palettes, crisp outlines, and tiny sculpted details that people can’t stop talking about. We unpack why acrylic has become her medium of choice over oil and watercolor, digging into dry times, layering, finish, and the confidence that comes with working fast. Rachel explains how black backgrounds and bold lines make petals read like stained glass, and how value mapping helps students and collectors see the structure beneath the beauty. On the clay side, she reveals the process behind her miniature florals and playful food pieces—croissants, cupcakes, and tiny ice cream cones—and how tailoring designs to each venue boosts sales and connection. From bakeries to farms to a bustling mall shop, her location-aware merchandising shows what happens when product storytelling meets audience intent. If you’re a maker, you’ll appreciate her candid tips on switching mediums, building a cohesive style, and balancing wholesale with direct sales. If you’re a collector, you’ll find out exactly where to shop locally and how to snag her seasonal drops online. We also preview her upcoming classes focused on florals and still lifes, plus an open house where you can meet her in person and see the work up close. Subscribe for more artist stories, share this with a friend who loves tiny details, and leave a review telling us your favorite medium—acrylic, oil, or watercolor. Your feedback helps us bring more thoughtful, creative voices to your feed. Rachel’s Clay Cafe- Instagram Rachelannee on Etsy Support the show Catch the doodles on YouTube My socials: Sign up for my monthly newsletter Portfolio website: Brewtifully.com Instagram: /Brewtifully Facebook: /brewtifully TikTok: GettingSmallwithGrandma LinkedIn: Tracy Dawn Brewer

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