Well hey there, Craftonians! ✨
If you’ve been hanging out with me on the Happy Time Craftcast, you know we don’t just chat about glitter, glue, or the occasional crafting mishap (though yes — I will always say yes to sparkle). We talk about creativity, courage, connection, and what it really means to live a life filled with art and heart.
And this week’s guests — the wildly creative, delightfully down-to-earth Beau and Kara Lasiewicz — brought such an electric burst of inspiration into my day! 🎨🪵📸
Before our chat, I was still floating from an 11-week retreat season at Big Raven Farm. The kind of season that leaves you tired in the best way — the grateful, soul-full way. After delivering Thanksgiving with a very full heart (and zero retreat emergencies! We’re counting that as a big win, friends!), I settled in for a conversation I’d been so excited to share with you.
The vibe? Cozy. Playful. Inspired.
The perfect setting to talk about art, partnership, burnout, joy — and what it means to live creatively every single day.
Getting to Know Beau & Kara
Beau and Kara are a husband-and-wife team of full-time artists who split their time between the Twin Cities and Green Bay — but honestly, they carry the energy of “home” everywhere they go.
Former art and shop teachers, they now pour their hearts into woodworking, painting, photography, furniture design, workshops, and a creative life that feels both intentional and joyfully chaotic.
Beau is the maker of delightfully weird tables — sculptural pieces with so much personality you’d swear they have their own opinions.
Kara paints with a softness and depth that feels like emotion in motion, and her photography captures the quiet honesty of being human.
Together, they create side by side.
They build, experiment, support each other’s rhythms, and invite inspiration the way some people invite friends into their kitchen — generously, playfully, openly.
What I Learned from Beau & Kara
Talking with them felt like sitting in a warm studio filled with wood shavings, paint splatters, coffee mugs, and good music — the kind of space where ideas stretch their legs and joy settles in.
They reminded me that creativity isn’t a job title — it’s a way of being.
A lens.
A choice.
A daily practice of saying yes to something deeper and more vibrant than routine.
I loved when Kara said, “You don’t wait for inspiration; you build a life that invites it in.” Isn’t that stunning? It’s such a gentle shift, but it changes everything.
And Beau? Oh, I adored this: “We thrive in the chaos of making. It’s where the magic happens.”
There’s something wonderfully freeing about that idea — the permission to not have everything tidy, predictable, optimized. Creativity is messy. It wiggles. It experiments. It misbehaves in the best ways.
They also spoke so beautifully about creating together as a couple — about boundaries, encouragement, laughter, and learning to show up for each other even on the days when art feels heavy. It’s real, honest, human stuff… and it made my heart swell.
Why You’ll Love This Episode
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your own ideas…
If you’ve ever worried you’re “not creative enough”…
If you’ve dreamed of taking the leap into something bold and infinitely you…
This episode is a soft, shining reminder that you already have everything you need.
This conversation is equal parts grounding and energizing. It’s the feeling of picking up your paintbrush again after months… or rearranging your craft table because something inside you is whispering Let’s begin.
So grab your tea, your favorite craft, maybe a paintbrush you forgot you love — because this episode is going to leave you inspired, energized, and ready to make something beautifully, wonderfully you.
Until next time, Craftonians — keep shining, keep creating, and keep saying yes to the magic of making. 💛
With love and laughter,
Joleen
PS: 🎥 Watch the full episode below:
Guest Bio
Beau & Kara Lasiewicz are a husband-and-wife team of full-time artists based between the Twin Cities and Green Bay. Beau crafts delightfully “weird tables” through woodworking and furniture design, while Kara brings her magic to painting and photography.
Former art and shop teachers, they now pour their creative energy into making, teaching workshops, and inspiring others to explore their own artistry.
Follow Beau & Kara
Episode Chapters with Timestamps
[0:00 – 05:14] — Welcome + post-retreat gratitude
[05:15 – 06:59] — Introducing guests Beau & Kara Lasiewicz
[07:00 – 10:19] — Life as full-time makers
[10:20 – 13:44] — How to avoid overwhelm and stay creative
[13:45 – 20:24] — Working together as a creative couple
[20:25 – 23:59] — Advice for taking the leap
[24:00 – 30:14] — Community questions
[30:15 – 33:44] — Building a creative business
[33:45 – 38:59] — How community shapes creativity
[39:00 – 41:29] — Balancing art, marriage, and rest
[41:30 – 43:49] — Creative ruts & how to get unstuck
[43:50 – 45:59] — The courage to keep saying yes to art
[46:00 – End] — Final reflections & gratitude 💫
Quotes from the Episode
“Creativity isn’t a job — it’s a way of living.” – Joleen Emery
“We thrive in the chaos of making. It’s where the magic happens.” – Beau
“You don’t wait for inspiration; you build a life that invites it in.” – Kara Lasiewicz
“Living creatively means embracing uncertainty with gratitude and grace.” – Kara Lasiewicz
“Art connects us — to each other, to ourselves, and to the world around us.” – Joleen Emery
“Art isn’t about perfection. It’s about joy, process, and connection.” – Kara Lasiewicz
“You just learn to be comfortable with the uncomfortable — that’s where the growth is.” – Kara Lasiewicz
Resources and Links
🪷 Big Raven Farm 2026 Retreats
🎁 Gift Certificates
📖 Book Nook for Makers Recommendation: Handmade Collage with Seiko Kato
📖 Kara's Book Recommendation: Art and Fear by David Bayles
Love "Happy Time Craftcast"?
👉Don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts and leave a review to help others discover our crafty community
👉Stay tuned for more Happy Time Craftcast with Joleen Emery. Subscribe now!
👉FOLLOW ME ON TIKTOK | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
👉SIGN UP FOR THE ART KIT OF THE MONTH CLUB