Coffee Chats: Interview With Melanie Stofka (@thevintagecalico)

I'm Going Analog In 2026

In this episode, Amy Lollis shares her journey of self-discovery and the challenges of building an online business while maintaining authenticity and mental health. She discusses the changing dynamics of social media, going analog in 2026, and the importance of being genuine in content creation. Amy emphasizes the need for mindfulness, community connection, and redefining success in a way that prioritizes personal fulfillment over societal expectations. She also shares her strategies for accommodating her mental health needs and finding joy in the present moment. Takeaways * People are tired of seeing fake, curated, heavily branded content. * The market is saturated with information that has been watered down. * We need to be wildly authentic in our content creation. * If it's not a fuck yes, it's a fuck no. * I want to run a business that feels like an invitation into the life I'm already living. * I love money in the hands of women, as it empowers them. * I am radically accommodating my spicy brain and my mental health needs. * I want to find the magic in every day and appreciate the present moment. * If all my business does is pay for windows, that's enough. Chapters 00:00 The Journey of Self-Discovery 09:37 The Shift in Social Media Dynamics 19:12 Authenticity Over Perfection 28:46 Redefining Success and Personal Fulfillment 38:36 Embracing Community and Connection

Coffee Chats: Interview With Melanie Stofka (@thevintagecalico)

Join me and my quilt bestie Melanie (@thevintagecalico) for a wildly entertaining episode of Off The Hamster Wheel. Melanie walks me through her offbeat business model of turning estate-sale finds into fabric bundles for her Etsy shop. You’ll hear about the strangest treasures she’s uncovered, including a 1930s quilt stuffed with pantyhose and an 1800s quilt full of human hair. We dive into parenting philosophies, the realities of online retail, and how Melanie is AI-proofing her business. She also shares how she went from taking a quilt-pattern-writing course to becoming a successful reseller with zero formal business plan. Expect entrepreneurial insight, heartfelt moments, and a lot of laughs. Links: Melanie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevintagecalico/ [https://www.instagram.com/thevintagecalico/] Melanie’s Vintage Fabric Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/vintagecalicofabric/?etsrc=sdt [https://www.etsy.com/shop/vintagecalicofabric/?etsrc=sdt] Bella’s Bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/isabellastofka_author/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/isabellastofka_author/?hl=en] Join Scrap Academy: https://www.amylollis.com/scrap-academy [https://www.amylollis.com/scrap-academy]   Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:20 Melanie’s Unique Business Model 01:01 Unusual Finds and Stories 06:54 Parenting Philosophies and Challenges 12:02 Quilt Pattern Writing and Business Insights 21:10 Social Media and Content Creation 24:43 Going Viral for Touching Dirty Water 26:58 Posting Cadence and Instagram Strategy 27:43 The Unplanned Business Model 28:50 Authenticity Over Perfection 32:13 The Decline of Chat Bots and Gatekeeping 34:33 Sustainable Sales and Packaging 43:19 The Joy of Fabric Bundles 47:41 Preserving History and Reselling Ethics 50:06 Concluding Thoughts and Links

Deeper Meaning, ADHD, and Witchcraft Myths

In this episode, I’m talking about my own deep dive into the messy overlap between creativity, spirituality, and trauma healing. I share what it’s been like to move from religious trauma into a place where I actually trust my own intuition again, not because a system told me to, but because I finally stopped outsourcing my meaning making to anything outside myself. If you’ve felt burned out by traditional spirituality or you’re ready to build a creative life that is aligned with your inner authority instead of someone else’s rules, this episode is your permission slip to claim it. Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/amylolliscreative/] Work With Me [https://www.amylollis.com/services]   Timestamps: 00:47 Exploring Human Creativity and Trauma Healing 02:37 Religion, Witchcraft, and Personal Meaning 03:46 Nicki Minaj: A Model of Intentional Living 06:03 The Impact of Institutions on Personal Sovereignty 07:53 Intuition, Premonitions, and Personal Struggles 13:02 The Creative Process and Self-Discovery 19:07 The Historical Context of Women’s Intuition 25:05 Practical Tips for Creative Fulfillment 26:08 Conclusion and Final Thoughts