Life moves in seasons, and sometimes that means stepping away from the studio. In this episode, Brie and Lauren sit down with award-winning refinisher Courtney Weisel of Steel Birch Studios to talk about what it really looks like to pause, pivot, and then pick the brush back up again.

Courtney Weisel is the artist behind Steel Birch Studios, known for reimagining vintage furniture into sculptural, scroll-stopping works of art. She’s a Golden Brush Award winner whose bold textures, clean lines, and fearless experimentation have inspired creatives across the refinishing community.

Connect with Courtney:

• Steel Birch Studios on IG

Brushes mentioned:

• Artist Brush Set - Small
• Palm Artist - 1” Flat Paintbrush

In this episode, we discuss:

• How Courtney navigated big life changes like moving, motherhood, and shifting priorities, while still holding onto her creative identity
• Why investing in quality tools (like her favorite Zibra brushes; the small artist kit and palm artist) makes the process smoother and more joyful
• Simple ways to restart after a creative break, from reflecting on past work to embracing small steps forward

Welcome to Brush & Banter—the podcast where creativity meets real-life hustle. Brought to you by Zibra, we go beyond perfect brushstrokes to explore the messy, magical, and meaningful side of being an artist. We’re here to bring you conversations with working artists, practical tips to grow your creative business, and a built-in painting companion for your next project.

Brush & Banter is co-hosted by Brie Hansen, President of Zibra; Annie Bolding, Founder of It’s a Disco Day Designs; and Lauren Cooper, Founder of Rosemont Lane Design Studio.

Connect with Zibra:

• Website
• Instagram
• TikTok
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Blog

The Zibra podcast is back - refreshed, reimagined, and ready to celebrate every kind of creative. In this first episode of Brush & Banter, Brie, Annie, and Lauren pull back the curtain on the rebrand, introduce themselves, and share why this podcast is for anyone who picks up a paint brush and brings a vision to life.

Meet your new co-hosts!

Annie Bolding (Founder of It’s a Disco Day Designs) and Lauren Cooper (Founder of Rosemont Lane Design Studio) join Brie Hansen (President of Zibra) to bring fresh perspectives, creative energy, and real talk about life as working artists.

Resources mentioned:

• Rooted Muralist Conference
• Medium Artist Brush Set
• Square Brush
• Palm Flex Pro

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why Zibra is rebranding the podcast to Brush & Banter and expanding the conversation beyond furniture refinishing
• The stories behind Annie and Lauren’s creative journeys, from tech layoffs to mural magic and bold business pivots
• What listeners can expect this season: inspiring artist interviews, practical business tips, and the new recurring segments Golden Moment and Don’t Cry Over Spilled Paint

Welcome to Brush & Banter—the podcast where creativity meets real-life hustle. Brought to you by Zibra, we go beyond perfect brushstrokes to explore the messy, magical, and meaningful side of being an artist. We’re here to bring you conversations with working artists, practical tips to grow your creative business, and a built-in painting companion for your next project.

Brush & Banter is co-hosted by Brie Hansen, President of Zibra; Annie Bolding, Founder of It’s a Disco Day Designs; and Lauren Cooper, Founder of Rosemont Lane Design Studio.

Connect with Zibra:

• Website
• Instagram
• TikTok
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Blog

Sarah Bezanson of Sarah Bezanson Interiors shares her expert advise on things to consider when choosing a color.

Main: Nine members of the refinishing community share their favorite Christmas decorations and the rooms they have them in. Merry Christmas!

Autumn Heseman - Prayed Over Pieces
https://www.instagram.com/prayedoverpieces/

Christine Castray - Driftwood Home Furniture
https://www.instagram.com/driftwoodhomefurniture/

Jennifer Marr - Jenni Ray at Home
https://www.instagram.com/jennyraeathome/

Lauren Svacina - Portland Row Living
https://www.instagram.com/portlandrowliving/

Lianne Carey - Carey Us Home
https://www.instagram.com/careyushome/?hl=en

MaryAnn McDermott - Weathered in White
https://www.instagram.com/weathered_in_white/?hl=en

Patty Brummel - Midlife Revival
https://www.instagram.com/mid_life_revival/?hl=en

Susan Stefano - Little Lou Designs
https://www.instagram.com/littleloudesigns/?hl=en


Zibra:
Website: Zibra
https://www.enjoyzibra.com/

Podcast Page: Zibra's Before & After Furniture Refinishing Podcast
https://www.enjoyzibra.com/pages/the-zibra-podcast-season-5

Main: Zeb and Jami of Jami Ray Vintage share how they became successful upcycling thrift shoppers and how you can too!

Zeb and Jami - Jami Ray Vintage
https://www.instagram.com/jamirayvintage/


Zibra:
Website: Zibra
https://www.enjoyzibra.com/

Podcast Page: Zibra's Before & After Furniture Refinishing Podcast
https://www.enjoyzibra.com/pages/the-zibra-podcast-season-5

Main: Furniture refinishing success, Jennifer of Saved by Design, goes into detail on how she shops for furniture pieces to refinish.

Jennifer - Saved by Design
https://www.instagram.com/savedbydesign.tn/


Tip: Using Colors to Prime
Lindsay - The Rural Legend
https://www.instagram.com/therurallegend/


Studio: What's Happening in Your Studio?
Heather - The Cozy Sunroom
https://www.instagram.com/thecozysunroom/

Jessi - Cypress House Design
https://www.instagram.com/cypresshousedesign/

Kara - Lemons to Lemonade Furniture
https://www.instagram.com/lemons_to_lemonade_furniture/


Zibra:
Website: Zibra
https://www.enjoyzibra.com/

Podcast Page: Zibra's Before & After Furniture Refinishing Podcast
https://www.enjoyzibra.com/pages/the-zibra-podcast-season-5

Lianne of Carey Us Home chats about mixing old and new decor and furniture to create a timeless home.


Main: Lianne of Carey Us Home chats about mixing old and new decor and furniture to create a timeless home.

Lianne - Carey Us Home
https://www.instagram.com/careyushome/


Tip: Using Colors to Prime
Lindsay - The Rural Legend
https://www.instagram.com/therurallegend/


Studio: What's Happening in Your Studio?
Tara - Vintage Chic
https://www.instagram.com/vintagechiciniowa/

Kandi - Orchid's True Blue
https://www.instagram.com/orchidstrueblue/

Alyssa - The Things We Built
https://www.instagram.com/the_things_we_built/


Zibra:
Website: Zibra
https://www.enjoyzibra.com/

Podcast Page: Zibra's Before & After Furniture Refinishing Podcast
https://www.enjoyzibra.com/pages/the-zibra-podcast-season-5

Three of our Zibra Review Judges chat about the nine winners of Zibra's July, August and September Review plus they share what they feel are the upcoming Home and Furniture Design trends headed our way for 2024!

Judges:
Katie - Katie Co + Home
https://www.instagram.com/katiecloud/

Jen - Perfectly Imperfect Furniture
https://www.instagram.com/perfectlyimperfectfurnitureres/

Laura - Portland Row Living
https://www.instagram.com/portlandrowliving/


July Winners:
Deanna & Bonnie - Cornflower Restorations
https://www.instagram.com/cornflowerrestorations/

Courtney - PNW Refurbished
https://www.instagram.com/pnwrefurbished/

Mare - 100 Thousand Welcomes
https://www.instagram.com/100thousandwelcomes/


August Winners:
Stefanie - Wild Sparrow Designs
https://www.instagram.com/wild_sparrow_designs/

Lindsay - Rustic Owl Furnishings
https://www.instagram.com/rusticowlfurnishings/

Nicole - Off the Hinges Designs
https://www.instagram.com/offthehinges_designs/


September Winners:
Shelly - Basalt Mesa Studio
https://www.instagram.com/basaltmesastudio_/

Beth - The Doves Tail
https://www.instagram.com/thedovestail/

Katy - Furniture Refreshed
https://www.instagram.com/furniture.refreshed/



Zibra:
Website: Zibra
https://www.enjoyzibra.com/

Podcast Page: Zibra's Before & After Furniture Refinishing Podcast
https://www.enjoyzibra.com/pages/the-zibra-podcast-season-5