Well hey there, Craftonians! ✨
If you’ve been hanging out with me here on the Happy Time Craftcast, you know we don’t just talk about glue sticks, sequins, and the occasional crafting catastrophe (though yes — I’ll always say yes to sparkle and a good glue gun moment). We talk about creativity, courage, and connection — about the joy of making things with our hands and hearts.
And this week’s guest — the wildly creative, joy-filled Dari Litchman — brought an explosion of color, laughter, and inspiration into my studio!
Before our chat, I was still floating from the whirlwind of Big Raven Yoga’s busy retreat season and prepping for holiday crafting madness. Surrounded by yoga mats, paint brushes, and an alarming number of pom-poms, I settled in with a cup of coffee and a heart full of gratitude — ready to connect with someone who embodies the fun side of making art.
The vibe? Playful. Bright. Unapologetically glittery.
The perfect energy for talking about creativity, chaos, and what it really means to let go and make things just because it feels good.
Getting to Know Dari
Dari is the brilliant, hilarious founder of The Craft Salon — a Brooklyn-based art studio that feels like your craft closet exploded in the best possible way. She calls herself an Arts & Crafts Sommelier (how fabulous is that?), curating creative experiences for kids and adults alike — everything from after-school programs to glitter-covered community events.
Her story is amazing: Dari opened The Craft Salon right as the pandemic began. Instead of letting fear stop her, she leaned into creativity, turning chaos into connection and uncertainty into art. Her studio has since become a joyful haven for anyone who wants to make things, laugh loudly, and leave with a little more glue on their hands than they expected.
As we talked, I loved how she described her space — “basically my craft closet that exploded into a business.” There’s such honesty and delight in that sentence! It perfectly captures her spirit — bold, messy, and full of heart.
She also introduced me to my new favorite phrase: “Chaos crafting.” It’s about letting go of control, embracing imperfection, and creating for the pure joy of it. No rules, no pressure, just fun.
What I Learned from Dari
Talking with Dari felt like being in a bright, paint-splattered workshop filled with laughter, hot glue fumes, and the kind of creative energy that makes you forget time exists.
She reminded me that art isn’t about the outcome — it’s about the experience. You don’t have to have a plan or a perfect vision. You just need the courage to start gluing.
One of my favorite moments was when she said, “You don’t wait for the perfect moment to make art; you just start gluing.” It’s such a joyful rally cry for creatives everywhere.
We also talked about how crafting connects people — about how something as simple as cutting paper or stringing beads together can turn strangers into friends. Dari’s belief that “the world needs more people willing to make messes with love” completely melted my heart.
By the end of our chat, I felt lighter. Freer. A little more okay with the glitter that somehow always ends up stuck to my face.
Why You’ll Love This Episode
If you’ve ever felt intimidated by “real” art…
If you’ve ever looked at a blank canvas and thought, “I don’t know where to start”…
If you’ve ever needed a reminder that creativity doesn’t have to be perfect — it just has to be joyful…
Then this episode is your permission slip to let go and have fun again.
Dari’s laughter, honesty, and pure creative spirit will remind you that art doesn’t need to make sense — it just needs to make you happy. You’ll learn about crafting without judgment, celebrating your own creativity, and why sometimes the best art comes from a good dose of chaos.
So grab your glue gun, a handful of sequins, and maybe your favorite cup of coffee — because this conversation will leave you feeling inspired, energized, and ready to craft something beautifully, gloriously imperfect.
Until next time, Craftonians — keep creating, keep laughing, and keep saying yes to the magic of making. 💛
With love and laughter,
Joleen
PS: 🎥 Watch the full episode below:
Guest Bio
Dari Litchman is the founder and owner of The Craft Salon in Brooklyn, New York — an arts-and-crafts studio offering after-school programs, ceramics, and joyful creative experiences for all ages. Known for her bright personality and “everyone’s invited” energy, Dari calls herself an Arts & Crafts Sommelier (and we couldn’t love that more). When she’s not teaching, she’s crafting wearable art, chaos-beaded badges, and “love bombs” filled with sparkle and self-celebration.
Follow Dari
Episode Chapters with Timestamps
[00:00 – 05:14] — Welcome & Announcements
[05:15 – 09:59] — Meet Dari Litchman
[10:00 – 15:19] — The Craft Salon’s Origin Story
[15:20 – 20:39] — Teaching Kids & Building Community
[20:40 – 28:29] — Self-Congratulatory Badges & Love Bombs
[28:30 – 33:44] — The Glue Gun Deep Dive
[33:45 – 39:59] — Chaos Crafting & Creative Freedom
[40:00 – 44:59] — Tools of the Trade – Dari’s favorite tools and hack
[45:00 – End] — Joyful Reflection & Call to Create
Quotes from the Episode
“Creativity isn’t about perfection — it’s about joy, glitter, and a good glue gun.” – Joleen Emery
“My studio is basically my craft closet that exploded into a business — and I love it.” – Dari Litchman
“You don’t wait for the perfect moment to make art; you just start gluing.” – Dari Litchman
“The world needs more people willing to make messes with love.” – Joleen Emery
“Chaos crafting is where the real magic happens.” – Dari Litchman
Resources and Links
Visit The Craft Salon in Brooklyn
Learn more about Big Raven Farm Retreats 2026 — limited spots available!
Explore Big Raven Yoga mats featuring guest artists
Try Beacon Adhesives Gemtac Glue for your next beaded masterpiece
Pro tip from Dari: Grab a wax pencil for precise gem placement — a total game changer!
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