A Life Creative Podcast

Episode 53 | Well Rooted with Co-founder & Creative Director of Star Bright Farm Helen Norman, & Organic Farmer Peter Elmore

A Life Creative went on location for the first time, and it was worth the trip. We recorded this episode at Star Bright Farm in Baltimore County, Maryland — home to Helen Norman, an accomplished fashion, food, and lifestyle photographer whose career took her from New York City and beyond, all while keeping her roots firmly in rural Maryland life. Helen and her son Peter Elmore have built something rare at Star Bright: a fully hands-on herb farm where they grow, distill, and craft a line of home and wellness products — lotions, candles, teas, essential oils — that are as thoughtfully made as they are beautifully packaged. You can find them online, at farmers markets, or better yet, visit the farm shop in person. Host Melañio Gomez and Helen go way back — they worked together on a Martha Stewart Living entertaining story shot in Jon Carloftis' Bucks County potting shed. (Jon told his own story in an earlier episode — worth a listen.) For more about Helen, Peter & Star Bright Farm visit links below: www.alifecreativepod.com [https://www.alifecreativepod.com/] alifecreative.Substack.com [https://alifecreative.substack.com/] @alifecreative on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/alifecreative/#] alifecreative on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ede1JY9CWXPk_ZfZyIChw/]

Episode 52 | An Imaginary Café with Food Stylist & Imaginary Café Proprietor Frances Boswell

Frances Boswell tells the story of her life in food, from working as a 'chopper' in a local restaurant as a teen, to editing food stories for Martha Stewart Living and Real Simple Magazine and everything in between.  Her creative interests are informed by her many interesting life experiences including a stint helping prepare mountain climber food at Mt. Everest base camp.  She talks about her later education in Traditional Chinese Medicine and becoming a licensed acupuncturist. These days she's creating beautiful still life photography of food under the moniker My Imaginary Café - check out the images and find her via links below and keep an eye out for her forthcoming book. For more on Frances and our other guests check out: www.alifecreativepod.com [https://www.alifecreativepod.com/] alifecreative.Substack.com [https://alifecreative.substack.com/] @alifecreative on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/alifecreative/#] alifecreative on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ede1JY9CWXPk_ZfZyIChw/]

Episode 51 | Carrying Style with Fashion Accessories Designer Rafé Totengco

Rafé Totengco grew up in the Philippines, where having clothing made was — and continues to be — a common practice. As a kid, his mom would send him to the tailor, who'd ask, "Okay, what do you want me to make?" That open question sparked Rafé's imagination in a way that led him to launch his own apparel business when he was still a teenager. When his sister moved to New York City, she invited him to come check it out — & Rafé never really left. He immersed himself in the city's fashion world, studying at FIT, working in fashion houses, freelance styling, & ultimately launching the accessories line he's known for today. His designs include the polished seashell minaudières that have become his signature — bags carried on red carpets by Cameron Diaz, Sarah Jessica Parker, & The Pitt stars Kristin Villanueva & Amielynn Abellera. Join us on A Life Creative as Rafé shares the story of how a tailor's question in Manila grew into a career at the front of American accessories design — & how he continues to evolve the work today. For more on Rafé and our other guests check out: www.alifecreativepod.com [https://www.alifecreativepod.com/] alifecreative.Substack.com [https://alifecreative.substack.com/] @alifecreative on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/alifecreative/#] alifecreative on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ede1JY9CWXPk_ZfZyIChw/]

Episode 50 | Clay & Cuttings with Ceramicist Frances Palmer

Frances Palmer's path to creating her own pottery studio and cultivating a fabulous flower garden comes down to focus and dedication.  She put the time in to learn and develop her craft with an eye toward building a sustainable business where her work is not just a collection of beautiful objects but also usable in everyday life. Show host Melanio Gomez was made aware of her work years ago when Martha Stewart suggested using some of her pottery in a story being developed for the magazine.   She's published two books that take us into her world: Life in the Studio and Life with Flowers both of which we spoke about with book editor Ellen Morrissey in episode 49 (Ellen worked with Frances on both books).  It's an honor to have Frances on A Life Creative this week! For more about Frances and our other guests check out: www.alifecreativepod.com [https://www.alifecreativepod.com/] alifecreative.Substack.com [https://alifecreative.substack.com/] @alifecreative on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/alifecreative/#] alifecreative on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ede1JY9CWXPk_ZfZyIChw/]

Episode 49 | Everyone Needs an Editor with Author and Book Editor Ellen Morrissey

What does it take to turn an author's vision into a bestselling book? Book editor Ellen Morrissey has done it more than ten times over. After 16 years at Martha Stewart Living — where she shepherded dozens of books to publication, with more than 10 landing on the New York Times bestseller list — Ellen has built a thriving post-Martha career helping authors of illustrated lifestyle books realize their creative visions.  Her collaborators include ceramicist Frances Palmer, writer Matt Hranek, and baker Kristina Cho. And in a full-circle moment, Ellen stepped into the author's chair herself with I Want to Eat Cookies, a collection of more than 90 cookie recipes. In this episode, she traces the path that led her into book editing and shares what that creative life looks like today—and somehow, she has time to craft fantastical cakes whose inspiration often comes from the minds of 4-year-olds.  Think ‘zombie unicorn’ for example. www.alifecreativepod.com [https://www.alifecreativepod.com/] alifecreative.Substack.com [https://alifecreative.substack.com/] @alifecreative on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/alifecreative/#] alifecreative on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ede1JY9CWXPk_ZfZyIChw/]