Michigan native Lesley Ware is an author, entrepreneur and fashion educator. Lesley works with youth discover their personal style and talents through fun and creativity. She has written two books: Sew Fab: Sewing and Style for Young Fashionistas and the recently published My Fab Fashion Style File. Lesley’s passion for inspiring young people began when she earned her degree in elementary education, and continued when she orchestrated a national program for Girl Scouts of the USA. When she’s not working as a contributor to Martha Stewart Living or teaching, you’ll find Lesley with her husband, seeking out fun, artistic activities around Brooklyn.
Nicole A. Taylor is a multimedia storyteller and author of The Up South Cookbook: Chasing Dixie in a Brooklyn Kitchen (featured in The New York Times, Ebony Magazine, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and New Republic). She has contributed to SheKnows, Civil Eats, First We Feast, Cherry Bombe, Amtrak, Southern Foodways Alliance Gravy, Travel Noire and hosted the Hot Grease podcast on Heritage Radio Network. She founded The Modern Travelers’ Green Zine and is an editor for Crop Stories, a biannual zine that digs deep into relationships between farmer and table. She lives in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.
At Midwest Craft Con 2017, Lesley and Nicole are teaching a session called Bound: Work Your Way to A Book Deal, and Lesley is also teaching Teaching Your Craft!
How would you describe yourself in 10 words or less?
Lesley: Fashion loving, patient, creative, happiest when caffeinated
Nicole: Curious, precious, stylist, master home cook, food storyteller, donut addict
What is your earliest crafty memory?
Lesley: Shopping at JoAnn Fabrics with my mom in the ’80s.
Nicole: Baking a caking while home alone.
What is your favorite thing about the Midwest?
Lesley: After being in New York for 10 years, everything feels relaxed, affordable and semi-worry-free when I’m in the Midwest. I love it!
Nicole: I haven’t spent much time in the Midwest, but all the stories of makers are drawing me towards the region.
What would you be if you weren’t a creative?
Lesley: A librarian.
Nicole: A teacher.
What three things would you recommend to makers?
Lesley:
- Kimberly Wilson’s Tranquility De Jour Podcast (podcast)
- Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray” (book)
- Anything S.A.R.K. (personal wellbeing expert)
Nicole:
- Still Processing (podcast)
- Cornelia Walker Bailey’s “God, Dr. Buzzard and the Bolito Man: A Saltwater Geechee Talks about Life on Sapelo Island” (book)
- Racist Sandwich (podcast)
What are your personal resolutions for 2017?
Lesley: Get more passport stamps!
Nicole: More patience.
What are your 2017 resolutions for your business/professional life?
Lesley: Write a fiction/fantasy/fairytale book + more crafty stuff of course!
Nicole: To improve my long-form writing skills.
Midwest Craft Con 
One thought on “Meet the Speakers: Lesley Ware & Nicole A. Taylor”