We will be issuing a call for 2013 speakers in mid-November. We expect to make a decision on speaker applications by the end of the year.
We are looking for very specific class offerings this year. If you’re looking to submit a proposal, please make sure your class proposal is well thought out and fairly narrowly defined.
If you’re interested in the types of speakers we bring in for SNAP!, please feel free to peruse last year’s line up.
Amanda Padgett, Everyday Elements
Amanda, a quirky, introverted homeschooling mom of four, is passionate about helping others learn their cameras and editing software. She shares helpful tutorials on photography and editing with Photoshop Elements at her site Everyday Elements, and also offers online workshops and actions for Photoshop and PSE to speed workflow.
Amy Anderson, Mod Podge Rocks
I run Mod Podge Rocks, a site all about glue. I am a 34-year-old transplant from Seattle living in Atlanta, Georgia. I have been knitting for 18 years, sewing for longer and decoupaging for just a few. I do all of these things on a daily basis, or at least as much as I can.
Amy Huntley, The Idea Room
Amy is a wife and mother to five kids who keep her busy and happy. She runs The Idea Room, where she shares DIY home decor and remodeling projects, baking and her quest to further develop her photography skills.To de-stress, Amy likes running to nowhere and back and consuming large amounts of chocolate.
Ana White, Ana-White (Knock-Off Wood)
Ana White is a mother and homemaker from Alaska. She is also the author of Ana-White.com, a blog helping millions build furniture with simple techniques, basic tools and off the shelf lumber. She has been featured in several publications, contributes to HGTV.com, and is due to release her first book in the Summer of 2012.
Ashley Hackshaw, Lil Blue Boo
After spending 6 years in Investment Banking and getting an MBA in between, Ashley decided to pursue her passion in the creative world. Now she runs the successful Lil Blue Boo clothing line and clothing pattern line and DIY website. Ashley also writes daily for Babble.com’s The New Home Ec.
Becki Crosby, Whippy Cake
Becki is the rockabye mom sporting the just-rolled-out-of-bed look with a posh twist that makes you wonder if she did it on purpose. She wears stripes with polka dots and white after Labor Day. She’s short on time and long on love, so she needs her fashion to work for her. This need gave birth to her company Whippy Cake.
Beckie Farrant, Infarrantly Creative and Knock Off Décor
Her heart beats for transformation projects and inspiring women to create. She’s outgoing, not afraid of a challenge and willing to give her opinion even when it is not asked for. When she isn’t spray painting or finding curbside treasures she loves vacationing with her husband Tim and chasing around her children, Isaac (5) and Kayla (2).
Beth Hunter, Home Stories A to Z
Beth is the creative force behind the blog Home Stories A to Z. She is a counselor by training, turned decorator, DIY’er, and enthusiastic blogger by choice. Her site features decorating tips and tutorials, DIY projects, home decor crafts, easy recipes, and witty banter. When Beth isn’t blogging, or consuming copious amounts of chocolate, she is having escapades with her husband and two little boys Asher and Zephan (A to Z).
Betty Wong, Potter Craft
Betty Wong is Senior Editor of Potter Craft, the crafts imprint of Random House, and she acquires and edits books in a wide variety of DIY and craft categories. Among the authors she’s worked with are indie fashion designer Wendy Mullin; bestselling knitting designer Nicky Epstein; Amit Gupta of the photography site Photojojo.com; and the founders of BurdaStyle.com.
Brittany Egbert, One Charming Party
Brittany Egbert knows a thing or two about hosting a great party. From a very young age, she helped out with her mother’s catering business. Working behind the scenes taught Brittany two very important things: how to appreciate a great party and how to make delicious food look delicious. Brittany’s work in event planning lead her to launch a business and a blog – One Charming Party.
Brittany, Pretty Handy Girl
Brittany (aka Pretty Handy Girl) writes a blog of tutorials empowering people to complete their own DIY project. From a young age, her father and mother taught her and her two sisters that they could do anything. Their childhood home was always under construction, so they learned about home improvement and home repair first hand.
Brooke Kemp, The Crafting Chicks
Brooke loves photography, Photoshop, creative projects galore, cold glasses of milk, Carnation Instant Breakfast, Charlie and Lola, dancing like a spazz, and making her kids laugh with her ugly faces. She has taught at digital scrapbooking retreats, scrapbooking expos, and classes both publicly and privately for the past 4 years. She is embracing her “nerdy” side and has enjoyed learning how to build websites last year.
Brooke Walker, KSL Studio 5
Brooke Walker is the co-host of Studio 5, Utah’s #1 local lifestyle program. She also presents the “Family Focus” series on KSL News at 5, and is the host/producer of “Footprints of Faith,” a semi-annual program that features people of faith, and their inspiring stories. In her spare time, Brooke enjoys a good read or cashing in on quality “girl time” with her three sisters.
Char Coester, Crap I’ve Made
Char has a name that sounds like an amusement park ride. And when life deals you that, you can do one of two things: laugh or go make something. Char does both and then writes about it. Char has been married for 14 years to a guy who stalked her in college. They have 4 fabulous kids (10, 8, 5, and 2) who keep things interesting. She hates pudding and hugging.
Cheri Heaton, I am Momma Hear Me Roar
Cheri is the author of the creative DIY blog, I Am Momma Hear Me Roar. She loves to sew, decorate, photograph, and plan fun activities for her children. She always has an idea in her head and a project in her garage. As a mother of two boys, she fights the common belief that you can’t craft for boys. Cheri was recently featured on the Martha Stewart show.
Cheryl Najafi, CherylStyle
With her signature wit and creativity, Cheryl inspires hosts to infuse their own personal style, humor and whimsy into any occasion. Most people put all of their efforts into celebrating big events, but she believes it’s the little things in life that nurture us.
Her book You’re So Invited comes out in May 2012
Cindy Hopper, Skip to My Lou
From hosting a shrimp boil and sewing gifts to celebrating holidays, you will find it all at Skip To My Lou.
Cindy uses her formal training in Art Education and practical experience as a mother of three to celebrate the joy of creating.
Collin is the social media manager at Intermountain Healthcare. Collin has spend the last 6 years being a student of social media and building social awareness campaigns in the healthcare and technology industries. His experience is rooted in utilizing the power digital and social worlds to meet business measurement goals.
Courtney Dial, Pizzazzerie
Courtney is a well-known stylist and party design and decor writer. Her first book with Gibbs Smith Publishers is set to hit shelves Spring 2012!
Courtney’s work has been seen in HGTV.com, Pawsh Magazine, Nashville Lifestyles Magazine, Ladies Home Journal, AOL’s DIY Life, Get Married Magazine, MarthaStewart.com, and more!
Cynthia Bee, Utah Garden Blogs
Cynthia is a Landscape Designer by profession, who specializes in design consulting for DIY homeowners. She teaches people how to get a high-end look for their landscapes with a little sweat equity and, when called for, daring.
She also designs garden-related DIY projects, including furniture re-purposing.
Emilie Ralph, Photo by Emilie
Emilie specializes in family and children portraiture and photography education.Her ability to capture the details and emotion of life’s breathtaking moments makes her one of the most sought-after photographers. Her award-winning work can be found on the walls of Utah’s trendiest homes, businesses and has been published in magazines.
Emily Allison, Decor Chick
I’m just a girl who likes pretty things and continually strives to decorate our home to reflect our family. I want to encourage women to be brave and use those power tools (and spray paint) to create spaces they will love, instead of just living with mediocre. I have learned a lot about me and finding my style since I started blogging.
Ethan Austin, GiveForward
Ethan is the COO and Co-founder of GiveForward. Originally from Southern California Ethan graduated from Emory University in 2004 with a B.A. in political science and holds a J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law where he was member of the Law Review. He is passionate about helping people battling cancer and volunteers for Imerman Angels, a one-on-one cancer-support organization.
Danielle Liss, Attorney,
Danielle Liss is a lawyer in Las Vegas, Nevada. Her practice focuses on corporate litigation and social media law. Danielle’s has been featured on numerous websites, television and in Marie Claire. In addition to her legal practice, she is also the Influence Broker & Campaign Architect for FitFluential, a social media company and blogs at kittenagogo.com
Dennis is the Vice President of Internet Marketing at Geeknet Inc., where he drives traffic to sites like Slashdot, Sourceforge and Freshmeat.
Prior to joining Geeknet, Dennis worked for eBay. While there, he was responsible for coordinating global internet marketing, including SEO on 22 global eBay marketplace sites. He has also consulted for Paypal, Skype, Shopping.com and StumbleUpon.
Gina Luker, Shabby Creek Cottage
A mom of two girls, Gina is the founder of The Shabby Creek Cottage blog & online shop. Along with her husband (aka Mr. SCC), she shares her tips & tutorials on creating a custom home for a fraction of the budget on her blog and offers a line of handmade home decor.
Heather Thoming, WhipperBerry
Heather has many loves in life photography, blogging, crafting and cooking to name a few. She loves to put a spin on simple everyday projects whether they be a fun craft project or a lovely recipe that tickles her fancy. Along with being a wife, mother and blogger Heather also works as a professional photographer and event planner in Las Vegas.
Holly Archuleta, Poppyseed Projects
Before Poppy Seed, Holly worked with companies like The Country Furniture Store, Sweet Briar Hollow and Rod Works designing handmade home decor. She has a great eye for design and constantly has about 10 new project ideas bouncing around in her mind while she bounces a baby on her hip. Running a business and doing her best to keep four kids fed, and happy, takes up most of her life, but there is always time for a little crafting! LOVES: Vanilla Coke, roller coasters, and Disney Land. HATES: Waking up early, rude people, and sitting in traffic.
Jaimee Rose, Jaimee Rose
Jaimee is a features writer for The Arizona Republic and contributes to USA Today. She received national recognition for her story about Stephanie Nielson, a blogger burned in a plane crash. She has appeared on 20/20, The NBC Nightly News, CNN and written for The Los Angeles Times and The Baltimore Sun. Jaimee loves vintage newspapers, her Granna’s ’40s hat collection, and muffins with frosting.
Jamielyn Nye, I Heart Naptime
Jamielyn started I Heart Nap Time as a creative outlet in a little bliss during her day called nap time. She loves to create. She loves thrifting and thinking of all the possibilities that can be, from an old treasure. She loves to bake… and eat lots of cookies. Jamielyn is married to her best friend and together they have two beautiful children just under two years apart.
Jeanee Duval, Dirty Laundry
Jeanee is a professional graphic designer and trend researcher for Hallmark Cards, Inc. by day and a crafter, making cupcake bath fizzies, by night. Jeanee scours the Internet daily to find the best inspiration for a gal’s crafty, gift-giving, lifestyle and plain old “I just gotta have it” needs.
Jeannett Gibson, Life Rearranged
Jeannett is the author of a site about life, family, and a place for women to connect…even in the hard places. It’s a place to share story and learn more about each other’s journeys. Regular fundraisers offer a tangible way to show support and maybe even stretch out of our comfort zones a little. She loves coffee, Diet Dr. Pepper, reading, and can be paid for most things in white chocolate macadamia nut cookies.
Jennifer Hadfield, Tatertots and Jello
Jen is the author of the craft & decorating blog Tatertots& Jello. She loves making something beautiful out of nothing – remake is her style!Jennifer is a mom of 4 who loves meeting new friends. She started her blog as a place to store creative ideas and projects. She believes anyone can be creative and loves encouraging other people to develop their creative side.
Jessica Erickson, Allora Handmade
Jessica has moved 23 times in the last 10 years. Her most recent move? Home to sunny San Diego. A constant craving for creativity led Jessica to launch Allora Handmade two years ago and a blog shortly thereafter. Today, she blogs about her journey as a successful handmade business owner, totally frazzled mom of two crazy boys and lover of all things yellow.
Kari Sweeten, U Create
Kari Sweeten is the owner and editor of Ucreate, a hobby blog which features the latest tutorials and trends from talented crafters around the world. She comes from a creative line of women and has been a “crafty gal” most of her life. Kari has been an entrepreneur since 2002 when she started a scrapbook-based business called Sisters By Design, LLC.
Kate Riley, Centsational Girl
Kate is better known around the blogosphere as Centsational Girl, a lover of all things design and DIY from small crafts to large spaces. Kate’s work has been featured in Better Homes & Gardens Special Interest Publications and on the Nate Berkus Show. You can catch up with Kate’s daily adventures in crafting, cooking, decorating, and home improving at her site Centsational Girl
Kendra Halterman, My Insanity
People often tell Kendra Halterman she’s crazy. Rather than take it personally, she’s turned it into a virtual hit. She blogs about all her crazy projects including parties, holiday decorating and traditions, DIY home projects and more at My Insanity. She is wife of one boy scout, mom of four extroverts, music teacher, and all-around mess-maker!
Kim Bell, Poppyseed Projects
Kim Bell is an accidental business owner. Looking for a little side job and a way to get creative, she started Poppy Seed Projects in 2008 with her friend Holly. When she isn’t running a business by the seat of her pants, she is busy being a mom to three and sneaking refinishing projects passed her husband and into the garage. LOVES: Movie night, Bear Lake, and Diet Dr. Pepper. HATES: Bees, ironing, and Walmart check out lines.
Kim Demmon, Today’s Creative
Kim started her feature site about five years ago. Today’s Creative Blog was thought up and started all within 5 min. Kim craved seeing new blogs that had creative projects and figured there must be more people just like me who wanted the same thing…She’s been sharing her favorite sites ever since. Kim is a busy mom who adores her young son and teaches fitness classes.
Kristen Duke, Kristen Duke Photography
Kristen is a lifstyle and portrait photographer based in Austin, Texas. Her motto is “Capturing the joy in life,” which she strives to do through photographing candid moments.
She urges parents to be in pictures with their children and decorate their homes with those images. Her photo course and book “Say No to Auto,” are popular with beginner photographers.
Kirsten Krason, Sixth Street Design School
Kristen is a Utah-based interior designer who keeps busy running an independent design studio and successful blog. Her work has been featured online and in print.
Kirsten has a passion for discovering the hidden potential in her clients homes.
Lara Garner, Less Cake {More Frosting}
Lara {aka Ellie G} is the author of Less Cake {more frosting}. A blog about everything she loves including, but certainly not limited to, large amounts of frosting. She is a graphic designer and has worked on everything from blogs to fabric and corporate logos. Lara loves being a wife and mother of two. She’d also love to move-in to Disneyland. She’s pretty accomplished at singing in the shower.
Lindsey Cheney, The Pleated Poppy
i’m lindsey cheney. i am married to an incredibly supportive husband and am mom to 3 littles. my days are full of sewing, trying to enjoy home schooling, crafting, snuggling, avoiding the laundry and sneaking bites of chocolate. i am also the fabric-hoarding, late-night working girl behind the pleated poppy.
Liz Kartchner, Dear Lizzy
Liz is the designer of the Dear Lizzy scrapbook line with American Crafts and just released her fourth line of craft products, “Neapolitan.” She authored 52 More Challenges with Creating Keepsakes magazine and is currently finishing her second book coming out this summer.
When she gets a spare moment she enjoys chasing her kids with her camera, finding vintage decor for her home, or eating frozen Junior Mints while watching New Girl with her husband, Collin.
Maggie Whitley, Gussy Sews
My name is Maggie Whitley, but you can call me Gussy. I’m the owner & designer of a blog, as well as a handmade shop, both called Gussy Sews. On my blog I share my adventure of quitting my day job in May 2010, about 18 months after I taught myself how to sew. I live in Minneapolis, MN with my hubby, Zack and our puppy, Bauer.
Mandi Gubler, Vintage Revivals
Mandi has been called the McGyver of DIYers. She started her blog in July of 2010 to feature her thrift shop glam projects and has quickly developed a large following. She’s a regular trend alert contributor on local television and has appeared on The Nate Berkus show twice.
Marie LeBaron, Make and Takes
Marie is the founder and managing editor of Make and Takes and is a mother of 3 living in Seattle. Marie graduated with an Early Childhood and Elementary teaching degree, taught 4 years of kindergarten, and now shares many of her tips and tricks she’s learned over the years on her blog. Marie recently published her first craft book called, Make and Takes for Kids: 50 crafts throughout the year.
Meg Duerksen, Whatever
i am a mother of five, wife of 16 years, family photographer, craft weekend hostess, and blogger. i love to sew. i love antiques… the junky chippy painted kind and happy doses of color and pattern. i have a heart for western africa and cannot wait to go back. i love sharing my passions with the blog world. and what I really love is when blogland responds and gives back deeply from their heart!
Megan Dunford, Persimmon Floral Design
When Megan was young, she couldn’t help picking her neighbors petunias, secretly stashing marigolds in her pocket, or arranging daisies in soda pop bottles. Megan studied design and then created Persimmon Floral Design in 2005. Megan is well known for her unique and beautiful flower arrangements and is featured regularly on My Craft Channel.
Melanie Royals, Royal Design Studio
Melanie has an insatiable passion for paint and pattern that she has poured into her stencil pattern company, Royal Design Studio, since 1994! A self-taught artist and entrepreneur, she loves sharing her passion and expertise to inspire others to explore their creativity with stencils. She creates innovative designs and ideas and shares them through her website, books, instructional videos, social media, and hand-on classes.
Michelle Burt, Maddycakes Muse
Michelle operates a full-service event coordination and design company specializing in children’s parties. She is a regular contributor for several online party sites, as well as network television.
Michelle retired from the U.S. Marine Corps. Maddycakes, is named after her daughter Madison.
Rhoda Vickers, Southern Hospitality
Rhoda is a thrifting diva who frequented second hand shops long before it was cool! She loves repurposing and sharing her trash to treasure inspiration, as well as cooking and fun excursions, with others and does so daily on her blog, Southern Hospitality. Considered a veteran in her niche, Rhoda began blogging in early 2007 and has successfully turned her hobby into a full-time business.
Roger Sherman, Ready Steady Shoot
Roger is the author of this upbeat, easy-to-follow book aimed at helping millions of people learn basic techniques to make better home movies. He founded Florentine Films with Ken Burns; he’s a producer, director, cinematographer, and still photographer. His films have won an Emmy, a Peabody and two Academy Award nominations.
Sara Schmutz, Confetti Sunshine
Sara is all about parties and has been all her life. Her passion for planning parties for her younger siblings has expanded into a blog and small party supply business. The future is unlimited and full of creative possibilities for Sara as she continues to find new ways to make each party fun and unique. Luckily, she has two adorable little daughters who help her create and plan, as well as serve as a good excuse to have a new fun filled event.
Sarah Rae, Apartment Therapy
Sarah has been a freelance writer and photographer who works both online and in print media. Having worked closely with sites like Apartment Therapy and The Kitchn, she firmly believes that you should make what you can for both your home and your tummy. Sarah has lived all across the US and prefers to call the Midwest home.
Sausha Khoundet, Sweet Pickins
Sausha started blogging a little over a year ago as a creative outlet to document her DIY house projects and furniture make-overs. Shortly after she started blogging, she quit her job and started a furniture refinishing business! Though she never imagined making a living from doing what she loves, she feels incredibly lucky to do it every day.
Shelley Smith, House of Smiths
In September 2009, Shelley and her husband Cason started a blog to document progress on their home remodel – a real shift in design and style. They’ve worked hard to find fun, new ways to update, change and decorate their space on a budget, earning them the respect of hundreds of thousands of readers. Shelley is also a full-time Mom to three beautiful girls.
Stacy Risenmay, Not Just a Housewife
I am the stay at home mom to 4 little boys which is perfect since I was a tom boy growing up. I have been decorating, building and refinishing furniture, and painting for over 11 years. I just started blogging about it in September 2010. I love power tools, Home Depot, and gardening.
Susan Petersen, Freshly Picked
Susan is mother of a 5 year old professional pretender and a chubby redheaded toddler named Gus. Susan and her family live in the happy state of Utah where even DMV employees are in good moods. She writes, she crafts, she sews + she sells at Freshly Picked.
Traci Hutcherson, Beneath My Heart
One of Traci’s favorite things about being an elementary school teacher was decorating and rearranging the furniture, so it is no surprise that she now has a DIY decorating blog. Being a stay at home mom for the past 12 years and learning to raise her 4 boys on just her husband’s income has caused Traci to think outside the box.