Hey there, crafty friends!
You know that feeling when you stumble upon something so creative, so fun, and so perfect for your art practice that you just want to tell everyone about it? Well, that’s exactly how I feel about Emilee Stone and her incredible world of collage fodder!
In Episode 41 of Joleen’s Happy Time Craftcast, I had the absolute joy of chatting with Emilee—the creative mastermind behind Collage Soup—and let me tell you, this conversation was packed with inspiration, laughter, and all the crafty goodness you could ever want.
So, grab your favorite pair of fussy-cutting scissors, a big ol’ cup of coffee (or tea if that’s your vibe), and let’s dive into the magic that is Emilee Stone’s creative journey!
Meet Emilee: From Tech Support to Collage Queen!
Okay, so picture this: you’re working in tech support, living your life, and then—BAM!—you decide to start making books full of collage materials because… why not?! That’s exactly how Emilee’s journey started.
She was helping a friend navigate Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing), and in a moment of pure creative serendipity, she thought: Wait a second… I could do this!
So, she did. And guess what? Her first book started selling! Like, she barely had time to process it before people were ordering, cutting, gluing, and creating with her designs. Fast forward to today, and she has over 68 books (yes, SIXTY-EIGHT!) filled with quirky, whimsical, and vibrant collage images that artists and crafters everywhere absolutely adore.
Blind Date with a Collage Box?! Tell Me More!
Okay, hold onto your glue sticks, because Emilee dropped a game-changing idea in this episode…
💌 Blind Date with a Collage Box! 💌
It’s kind of like those "Blind Date with a Book" things you see in bookstores, but for collage lovers. Inside each mystery box, you get:
✔️ A surprise book (only available in the box!)
✔️ A selection of die cuts
✔️ Washi tape (because Washi tape is life, obviously)
✔️ Other fun paper goodies to make your collage heart sing 🎶
Her Valentine’s Day edition sold out in a single day! (Brb, adding my name to her newsletter list so I never miss another one!)
Fussy Cutting, Collage Fodder & Joleen’s Craft Club Review!
One of my absolute favorite moments from this episode? Talking about the magic of collage!
Collage is what I turn to when I’m feeling creatively stuck, when I need a palette cleanser between big projects, or when I just want to play without overthinking. It’s pure joy—and Emilee totally gets that!
Her books, like Flower Power and Round Table Fables, are designed exactly for that. Instead of spending hours digging through thrifted magazines (been there!), you can just flip through her books, find the perfect focal point, cut it out, and glue it down.
As Emilee says:
"I love creating things that take the frustration out of art-making. When you're inspired, you should be able to create right away!"
YES. YES. YES.
The Secret Sauce? High-Quality Paper!
If you’ve ever tried cutting out images from thin, cheap paper (ugh, the struggle!), you KNOW how frustrating it can be. That’s why Emilee made a huge decision early on: higher-quality paper, even if it costs more.
And trust me, it makes all the difference. When you’re cutting out her images, the paper doesn’t tear, the colors are vibrant, and the whole process is just so much smoother. 10/10, highly recommend.
Where to Grab Emilee’s Goodies
By now, I know you’re as obsessed with Emilee as I am. So, where can you get your hands on her collage goodies?
🔗 Collage Soup Website: www.collagesoup.com
Blind Date with a Collage Box: Sign up for her newsletter so you don’t miss the next one!
Her 68+ Collage Books on Amazon: Just search for Collage Soup and prepare to fall down a rabbit hole!
Why You'll Love This Episode!
This episode is a must-listen for anyone who loves collage, mixed media, or simply the joy of creative play. Emilee’s journey is incredibly inspiring—she went from a simple experiment in self-publishing to building a full-blown creative business with over 68 published books (and counting!). We talk about the power of following your curiosity, the thrill of seeing an idea take off, and the importance of making time for art that brings you joy. Plus, you’ll hear all about her Blind Date with a Collage Box—a surprise art kit that sold out in one day!
If you've ever struggled with finding the perfect collage focal points, you'll love how Emilee’s books take the guesswork out of it, making your creative sessions easy, fun, and frustration-free. We also dive into why high-quality paper makes all the difference and how her books are designed to be ripped, cut, and glued with confidence! Oh, and if you love a good crafty confession, you’ll totally relate when we start talking about fussy cutting in the car. Guilty!
So whether you’re looking for fresh inspiration, want to learn the ins and outs of self-publishing your own creative work, or just need a feel-good chat with two artists who get the magic of mixed media, this episode is for you. Grab your glue stick and tune in!
Until next time—keep creating, keep cutting, and keep having FUN!
XO,
Joleen
PS: 🎥 Watch the full episode below:
Guest Bio
Emilee Stone is a self-taught mixed-media artist with over 25 years of experience. She is the creative mind behind Collage Soup, where she designs books full of quirky, fun, and unique collage fodder. With 68+ books and a growing line of craft products like Washi tapes, die cuts, and surprise collage kits, she’s inspiring crafters worldwide to embrace creativity without fear!
Follow Emilee
Episode Chapters with Timestamps
[0:00 – 2:14] Welcome to the Happy Time Craftcast!
[2:15 – 6:29] Meet Emilee Stone – from tech support to collage queen!
[6:30 – 10:44] What IS Collage Soup and why do crafters love it?
[10:45 – 15:19] The birth of Blind Date with a Collage Box – a total sellout!
[15:20 – 20:04] Why high-quality paper makes all the difference in collage art.
[20:05 – 25:29] Joleen’s love for the Flower Power and Round Table Fables books.
[25:30 – 30:14] How collage can be the perfect creative reset.
[30:15 – 32:44] Where to grab Emilee’s books, kits, and follow her journey!
[32:45 – 35:09] Joleen’s Craft Club review—how Collage Soup books are a fan favorite!
[35:10 – 38:24] The magic of fussy cutting—why Emilee and Joleen LOVE this calming craft.
[38:25 – 41:59] Organizing collage fodder—tips for keeping your materials sorted and accessible.
[42:00 – 45:29] The unexpected joys (and struggles) of self-publishing on Amazon KDP.
[45:30 – 49:59] New projects on the horizon—sneak peek at Emilee’s upcoming books & kits!
[50:00 – End] Final thoughts
Quotes from the Episode
- "Collage is magic because it allows you to create something beautiful out of seemingly random pieces." – Emilee Stone
- "Collage is like a creative reset button—you never know what magic will happen!" – Joleen Emery
- "I love creating things that take the frustration out of art-making. When you're inspired, you should be able to create right away!" – Emilee Stone
- "One of my favorite things is seeing how other artists use my books—I love seeing people take my work and make it their own!" – Emilee Stone
Resources and Links:
- Collage Soup Books & Kits: Visit Collage Soup
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