Craft Industry Alliance

We’re so pleased to bring you this special episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast. This is a recording of the State of the Industry panel discussion which took place live on stage on May 1 at h+h americas 2024 in Chicago. With about 800 people in the audience, our panelists dove into the biggest issues and ideas the crafts industry is wrestling with right now. It was an exciting conversation among four industry professionals each of whom has a unique vantage point and perspective.

Our panelists included Toni Lipsey of TL Yarn Crafts, Gina Pantastico of Cloud9 Fabrics, Virginia Johnson of Gather Here, and Scott Stone of Gemporia Craft.  We hope you enjoy listening to this conversation and we invite you to join us at h+h americas 2025 which will be held May 7-9 in Chicago.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about marketing, retail, and stationery with my guest Lauren Tilden.

 Lauren is a marketing coach for small business owners struggling to consistently market their businesses. Also a maker, retail shop owner, and podcast host, she’s on a mission to help small businesses do better marketing so they can make a bigger impact on the world. An ex-corporate marketer, Lauren fell in love with small business through her first small business, the plant-inspired stationery business Good Sheila. A couple of years after starting Good Sheila, she took the reins of her mom's Seattle retail shop, Station 7. As of 2020, she hosts Making Good, a podcast for small businesses who want to make a big impact.

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This episode is sponsored by Craftsy.

Calling all crafters! Are you ready to dive deep into your favorite crafting projects and learn new techniques along the way? Then it's time to join Craftsy Premium Membership. March is National Craft Month. Take advantage of this special promotion! For ONLY $1.49, you'll receive a full year of access to expert-led tutorials, patterns, and projects in every category you can imagine. With a massive library of resources at your fingertips, you'll be able to create your best work yet and bring your crafting dreams to life. Don't wait – sign up now at CraftsyOffers.com and discover the endless possibilities of Craftsy Premium Membership!

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about embroidery and illustration with my guest Sara Barnes.

 

Sara is an embroidery illustrator and writer living in Seattle, Washington. She runs Bear&Bean, an embroidery studio stitching pet portraits and other beloved creatures. Her work has been recognized in American Illustration, Embroidery Magazine, and Uppercase. Sara chronicles the creativity of others through her blog Brown Paper Bag and weekly newsletter, Orts.  Her newest book is Threads of Treasure: How to make, mend, and find meaning through thread. When she’s not stitching or writing, she enjoys planning things that bring people together, including Camp Craftaway, a day camp for crafty adults with hands-on workshops.

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Today's episode is sponsored by the Show Up Society. If you are ready to overcome perfectionism and overthinking so you can grow your creative business, join the show up society today. This supportive community helps you build confidence in your craft, in yourself, and in promoting your work. You’ll get a perfect mix of practical tips and mindset hacks to grow your business without feeling salesy and without burnout. You’ll have fun and feel supported while taking your creative business to new heights. Go to showupsociety.com/join today.  

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about buttons with my guest Beau McCall.

Proclaimed by American Craft magazine as “The Button Man,” Beau McCall creates wearable and visual art by applying clothing buttons onto mostly upcycled fabrics, materials, and objects. His artworks offer commentary on topics such as pop culture and social justice. On March 30th his first-ever retrospective exhibition debuts at Fuller Craft Museum titled, Beau McCall: Buttons On! 

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Calling all crafters! Are you ready to dive deep into your favorite crafting projects and learn new techniques along the way? Then it's time to join Craftsy Premium Membership. March is National Craft Month. Take advantage of this special promotion! For ONLY $1.49, you'll receive a full year of access to expert-led tutorials, patterns, and projects in every category you can imagine. With a massive library of resources at your fingertips, you'll be able to create your best work yet and bring your crafting dreams to life. Don't wait – sign up now at CraftsyOffers.com and discover the endless possibilities of Craftsy Premium Membership!

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about hand-dyed fabrics with my guest Karla Overland.

 

Karla is the owner of Cherrywood Hand Dyed Fabrics in Baxter, Minnesota. She is the “colorist” who creates all the dye formulas and gradations of the gorgeous trademark bundles. Karla has been sewing since she was a little girl and holds a degree in Graphic Design. She applies her combined passions to all aspects of Cherrywood; web and print design, color theory, marketing, pattern design, and The Cherrywood Challenge. She has self-published nine exhibit books and over a dozen patterns. Cherrywood travels all over the U.S. vending at quilt shows where Karla also gives presentations and teaches classes. She has taught at the Australasian Quilt Festival in Melbourne, Australia, and hosted a bus tour of The Netherlands, Belgium and France for The Van Gogh Cherrywood Challenge.

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This episode is sponsored by Craftsy.

Calling all crafters! Are you ready to dive deep into your favorite crafting projects and learn new techniques along the way? Then it's time to join Craftsy Premium Membership. March is National Craft Month. Take advantage of this special promotion! For ONLY $1.49, you'll receive a full year of access to expert-led tutorials, patterns, and projects in every category you can imagine. With a massive library of resources at your fingertips, you'll be able to create your best work yet and bring your crafting dreams to life. Don't wait – sign up now at CraftsyOffers.com and discover the endless possibilities of Craftsy Premium Membership!

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about creating a sewing business with my guest Jess Barrera of Sallie Tomato.

Jessica is an author, designer, educator, and entrepreneur who has been creatively sewing and crafting since the age of five. She studied entrepreneurship at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and now operates her own sewing pattern and supply company, Sallie Tomato. Her innovative designs and products aim to attract the next generations of sewing enthusiasts while appealing to current makers. Aside from running a business, she’s a mom of two boys, loves coffee, home decorating, boutique shopping, traveling, yoga, being outdoors, and is a fan of classic, black and white movies.

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Today's episode is sponsored by The Handmade Book Club.

The Handmade Book Club is a vibrant community of crafters who create their own handmade journals using modern materials and traditional techniques. Learn to combine your love of hand stitching and fabric into your own custom journals. Join our free Bookbinding Book Camp at www.handmadebookclub.com

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about collage and mixed media with my guest Drew Steinbrecher.

Drew has enjoyed working with his hands and being creative from a young age. He has a university degree in graphic design. Along with being a full-time artist he is also freelance graphic designer. He's an avid knitter, photographer, and traveler. He currently lives in Cincinnati with his partner Greg and their Schnauzer Fred. 

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Today's episode is sponsored by Craftsy. Calling all crafters! Are you ready to dive deep into your favorite crafting projects and learn new techniques along the way? Then it's time to join Craftsy Premium Membership. For ONLY $1.49, you'll receive a full year of access to expert-led tutorials, patterns, and projects in every category you can imagine. With a massive library of resources at your fingertips, you'll be able to create your best work yet and bring your crafting dreams to life. Don't wait – sign up now at CraftsyOffers.com and discover the endless possibilities of Craftsy Premium Membership!

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a knitting business with my guest Willie Smith.

 

Willie Smith discovered knitting in 2007. He believes he’s been given a gift to entertain while teaching and his purpose is to spend his life enriching other people’s lives. Knitting is the vehicle he is using to achieve that end. Willie’s vision is for makers to get closer to making exactly what they want through the acquisition of a skill set. Willis is the owner of WNK and he aims for that brand to soon be a household name.

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Today's episode is sponsored by Artistic Artifacts. 

Artistic Artifacts specializes in Creative Finds for Creative Minds. Shop a wide variety of fabrics, BERNINA machines and products, plus the tools and techniques to enjoy a full range of fiber arts and mixed media. Visit our store in Alexandria, VA or shop securely online at www.ArtisticArtifacts.com

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about writing technical instructions with my guests Sarah Walworth and Kristina McGrath.

Kristina and Sarah are yarn pattern technical editors, consultants, and coaches in the fiber industry. They have edited over 1000 knitting patterns between them. Since 2020, they have hosted Tech Tip Talk, a monthly broadcast about pattern writing and knitting design, and have written a handbook for knitting designers. They are committed to improving access to industry knowledge, helping designers create patterns that fit every size body well, to fully deliver on the promise to the maker. You can find them at techtiptalk.com

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This episode is sponsored by Craftsy.

Calling all crafters! Are you ready to dive deep into your favorite crafting projects and learn new techniques along the way? Then it's time to join Craftsy Premium Membership. For ONLY $1.49, you'll receive a full year of access to expert-led tutorials, patterns, and projects in every category you can imagine. With a massive library of resources at your fingertips, you'll be able to create your best work yet and bring your crafting dreams to life. Don't wait – sign up now at CraftsyOffers.com and discover the endless possibilities of Craftsy Premium Membership!

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about paint-by-numbers with my guest Rachel Austen.

Rachel has a background in graphic and web design. She founded her paint-by-number kit company - Elle Crée - in 2017 out of her desire to create a nostalgic product from her illustrations that customers could interact with and that would spur their own creativity. 

Rachel’s company seeks to reduce its impact on the environment by carefully sourcing eco-friendly components that are locally- and USA-made whenever possible. Elle Crée’s custom paint colors are mixed from USA-made acrylic, and their kits are assembled with the help of a small staff in Portland, Oregon. 

Elle Crée’s kits made O Magazine’s list of best Made in America products in the summer of 2021. In 2023, Rachel launched successful collaborations with iconic illustrator Mary Engelbreit and Academy Award nominated film studio, LAIKA. 

In the past 7 years, Elle Crée has become a premier manufacturer of American-made kits, being sold in over 500 gift shops nationwide. 

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This episode is sponsored by The Academy for Virtual Teaching, a community of creative entrepreneurs, building proficient, profitable, and professional online teaching businesses.

In the Academy for Virtual Teaching’s Pro-Membership they can help you develop the skills needed to organize, film, edit, and add online education to your business model. They invite you to join their community of supportive colleagues as they share their creativity with students around the world.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about bargello with my guest, Brett Bara.

Brett is the founder of Hello Bargello, a brand dedicated to reviving the vintage craft of bargello for modern makers. Brett is a crafts expert and creative entrepreneur who has been working in the crafts industry for over 20 years. Over the years, she's been a magazine Editor-in-Chief, a book author, a TV host, a video instructor, a brand spokesperson, a social media maven, a designer, a blogger--and more. Her entrepreneurial spirit has inspired her to start businesses that connect the young, urban folks in her community with the deep tradition of handcrafts. In 2013 Brett founded Brooklyn Craft Company, a modern crafting store and workshop space in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. In Brett's current role as owner of Hello Bargello, she strives to connect the dots between preserving traditional crafts and building a thriving, contemporary e-commerce business.

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This episode is sponsored by Craftsy. At Craftsy, we know making. Craftsy is your go-to destination for mastering every aspect of your craft. Take your craft to new levels in the new year with a Crafty Premium Membership for only $1.49. That's 99% off for an entire year! Start turning ideas into projects you can be proud of. Visit craftsyoffers.com today!

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about craft parties and events with my guest Christie Troxell.

 

Christie is a master maker and creative professional specializing in the craft and party industries. In 2012, she founded Ritzy Parties, and grew a five-star business creating immersive, over the top celebrations for luxury and corporate clients nationwide. Christie also works closely with dozens of major global creative brands, retailers, and manufacturers as a strategist, designer, trend forecaster, and social media partner. 

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This episode is sponsored by The Academy for Virtual Teaching, A community of creative entrepreneurs, building proficient, profitable, and professional online teaching businesses. In the Academy for Virtual Teaching’s Pro-Membership we can help you develop the skills needed to organize, film, edit, and add online education to your business model. We invite you to join our community of supportive colleagues as we share our creativity with students around the world.

Get a 30% discount on The Academy for Virtual Teaching right here.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about serving the LGBTQ+ community through craft with my guest Austin Rivers.

Austin is a nonprofit founder; diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant; activist; and professional actor. He received his double bachelor's degree in politics and musical theatre from NYU, his master of public administration (MPA) from the University of Central Florida, and is starting his PhD in change leadership for equity and inclusion from the University of Central Arkansas this Fall.

Austin has worked on several progressive political campaigns and in the offices of elected officials in NYC. As an actor, he has toured the United States and around the world, performing in over 20 countries. Austin currently serves as the Special Assistant to the Chief Diversity Officer at the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the founder and Board Chair of Knit the Rainbow, Inc., a nonprofit organization that collects and distributes handmade knit and crochet winter garments for homeless and at-risk LGBTQ+ youth.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about growing a weaving yarn company with my guest, Sarah Resnick.

Sarah is the founder of the weaving yarn company Gist Yarn, and their newly launched sister brand Zollie. Since 2017, their small, creative team has been making yarn, patterns, and projects that weavers and makers are proud to bring into their homes. Sarah started her career as a community and union organizer, and made the switch to small business when she helped to launch a sewing factory in 2016.

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Today's episode is sponsored by The Academy for Virtual Teaching, a community of creative entrepreneurs, building proficient, profitable, and professional online teaching businesses. In the Academy for Virtual Teaching’s Pro-Membership we can help you develop the skills needed to organize, film, edit, and add online education to your business model. We invite you to join our community of supportive colleagues as we share our creativity with students around the world. Get a 30% discount right here.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about owning a local yarn shop with my guest Sally Moore.

Sally is the owner of Parker Avenue Knits, a local yarn shop in Detroit, Michigan. She opened the shop in December 2021. Sally is also a litigation attorney and has been practicing law since 1986.

To Sally, litigation is an advanced selling exercise. Evaluating facts and assessing circumstances leads to the meaningful attainment of goals whether you’re in the courtroom or selling yarn.

Sally began knitting when she was 10 years old and has been an avid knitter for the past 15 years. One thing she loves about knitting is that it is an exercise in self-expression within the confines of a pattern, allowing her to both adhere to rules and showcase her individuality.

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This episode is sponsored by Craftsy.

Calling all crafters! Are you ready to dive deep into your favorite crafting projects and learn new techniques along the way? Then it's time to join Craftsy Premium Membership. For ONLY $1.49, you'll receive a full year of access to expert-led tutorials, patterns, and projects in every category you can imagine. With a massive library of resources at your fingertips, you'll be able to create your best work yet and bring your crafting dreams to life. Don't wait – sign up now at CraftsyOffers.com and discover the endless possibilities of Craftsy Premium Membership!

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about product development with my guest Jamie Trinier and Jessica Drain of SewTites.

An oil and gas engineer for most of her career, Jamie discovered the love of quilting after watching her mom sew many Halloween costumes, Christmas PJs, and quilts as a child. She started sewing when she made a king-size log cabin quilt for her husband over a decade ago.

In April 2021, Jamie made her lifelong dream of owning a quilt shop come true when she purchased a long-standing Calgary quilt and fabric shop, @outofhandquilting.

A career marketer and graphic designer, Jessica has been helping businesses brand and market themselves for almost two decades.

These days, Jessica spends most of her working time designing and developing new products, along with dreaming, strategizing, and managing the SewTites business as a whole.

Jessica lives in Billings, Montana, with her two sons. She enjoys hand lettering, which she posts from time to time over @sassiejessiegifts, is becoming a private pilot, and hits her local CrossFit gym as much as possible. She and her family are also often found outside camping, skiing, boating, gardening, and doing all the Montana things.

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This episode is sponsored by Artistic Artifacts.

Artistic Artifacts is a creative resource for fabric, fiber, and mixed media art products sold online and in our shop in Alexandria, VA. We are an authorized BERNINA dealer and carry a full line of WonderFil Specialty Threads. Our goal is to be the source of Creative Finds for the Creative Mind — come shop with us!

We carry a wide selection of fabrics for the sewing and quilting enthusiast — modern quilting cottons, Australian Aborigine-designs, Indian, Indonesian and African prints,hand dyed and so much more — along with a variety of notions and sewing supplies. You will also find a wide selection of art supplies, and vintage finds.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about the quilting industry with my guest Jaren Gibson.

Jaren joined Grace Company as its first manager in 1998, soon after graduating from Weber State University with a degree in Communication.  At the time the company had approximately 15 employees.

As President of Grace Company, now with 25 years of industry experience, Jaren has helped transform Grace Company from its beginnings as a woodworking firm in the quilting industry, to a manufacturer of quilting and sewing machines, computerized quilting systems, and other related products.

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This episode is sponsored by Search Press. Stretch your craft skills and use code CRAFTNOW for a 30% discount on Search Press books at www.searchpressusa.com. See Search Press books in your local fiber arts and craft store or view their whole catalog at Search Press North America. Search Press books are distributed by Penguin Random House and are available at industry events. 

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about craft fairs and plush taxidermy with my guest, Jen Gubicza.

Jen is the designer and maker behind the handmade brand Zooguu. She graduated with a BFA in graphic design from Massachusetts Institute College of Art in 2001 and worked as a graphic designer and creative director at Big Blue Dot and the Boston Children’s Museum. In 2004, Jen started designing and sewing her own creatures as a hobby to get back to the enjoyment she feels when making things by hand vs. mainly on a computer. With the evolution of online selling tools like Etsy & the growth of the Maker movement, Jen made the decision to go full-time with Zooguu in 2008. Together with her husband Brian, who is an illustrator, Jen sells her work at fine art + craft shows, conventions, online, and in small shops throughout the United States. Jen has also contributed soft sculpture to gallery shows, designed and produced custom toys and sculptures for corporate clients, and created the Lockheed puppet for the X-Men New Mutants film. The Zooguu Studio is a 1200 sq. ft. space located on the island of Nahant, MA.

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Calling all crafters! Are you ready to dive deep into your favorite crafting projects and learn new techniques along the way? Then it's time to join Craftsy Premium Membership. For ONLY $1.49, you'll receive a full year of access to expert-led tutorials, patterns, and projects in every category you can imagine. With a massive library of resources at your fingertips, you'll be able to create your best work yet and bring your crafting dreams to life. Don't wait – sign up now at CraftsyOffers.com and discover the endless possibilities of Craftsy Premium Membership!

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about yarn and media with my guest Dana Williams-Johnson.

 

Dana Williams-Johnson is a knitter, newbie crocheter and college professor. She holds a PhD in Communications, Culture, and Media Studies and researches issues with online communities, feminism and the impacts and use of social media by minority women. She also writes about her love of all things yarn on her blog, Yards of Happiness. 

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Today's episode is sponsored by The AI Driven Maker. Attention, makers, creatives, and crafters of all types! Wondering how you can leverage AI to help you grow your craft enterprise? Check out the "AI Driven Maker", your go-to AI resource library, usually $27, now HALF PRICE with the code CRAFTAI. Unleash your creativity, enhance your projects. Visit aidrivenmakers.com/CRAFTAI. 

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about sewing, quilting, and embroidery with my guest Bianca Springer.

 

Bianca Springer is a garment sewist, pattern designer, sewing instructor and experimental quilter. She is the creator of unique sewing pattern weights to improve sewing efficiency and speed. Bianca is a contributing writer for Sew News magazine, Creative Machine Embroidery magazine, and is a fiber artist. Bianca shares her talents as a Brand Ambassador for Shannon Fabrics, Nature’s Fabric and is an Arrow Creator. Bianca is the author of the newly released book, Represent! Embroidery. Stitch 10 Colorful Projects & 100 Designs Featuring a Full Range of Shapes, Skin Tones & Hair Textures.

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Today's episode is sponsored by Craftsy.

Calling all crafters! Are you ready to dive deep into your favorite crafting projects and learn new techniques along the way? Then it's time to join Craftsy Premium Membership. For ONLY $1.49, you'll receive a full year of access to expert-led tutorials, patterns, and projects in every category you can imagine. With a massive library of resources at your fingertips, you'll be able to create your best work yet and bring your crafting dreams to life. Don't wait – sign up now at CraftsyOffers.com and discover the endless possibilities of Craftsy Premium Membership!

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about YouTube with my guest Laura Coia.

Laura is the host and creator of the YouTube channel Sew Very Easy. The channel has 454,000 subscribers and 976 videos that she’s produced over the last nine years, all focused on sewing and quilting. Laura has over 45 years of sewing experience. She’s written for several sewing and quilting magazines, written two books with C&T publishing, and was awarded the Silver YouTube Award from YouTube. 

Laura’s teaching style is relaxed and encouraging to novices and experienced sewists alike. Her goal is for viewers to simply spend more quality time in the sewing room.

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Today’s episode is sponsored by Twice Sheared Sheep - a knitting tools brand making intelligently designed tools to save you brain power so that you can knit more and frog less.   Never question if you marked that row again with Twice Sheared Sheep’s signature chain row counters.   Accurately keep track of every row without clicking, tallying, or waking up your phone. You don’t even need to take your hands off the needles. 
See the entire selection of row counters, and brain saving gadgets at Twiceshearedsheep.com Podcast listeners can take 20% off their first order by using the coupon code CRAFTINDUSTRYTHANKS . +++++  

To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

We're so pleased to bring you this special episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast recorded at h+h americas 2023 on June 21 in Chicago. The trade show opened with this State of the Industry panel discussion with over 500 people in the audience. Our four panelists are: Hedi Ehlen, Kamaca Champion, Steve Jeffery, and Jan Hurwitz. We discuss where we are as an industry right now, what challenges and opportunities we're facing, and where we need to go in the year to come. We hope you enjoy this conversation. 

Join us at h+h americas 2024 May 1-3 in Chicago!

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about quilting with my guest Victoria Findlay Wolfe.

Victoria’s work balances between art quilting, traditional & modern quilting styles, and reflects her passion for exploring the fine art of quilting in the modern age.  A farm girl raised in Minnesota, her influences are heavily based on her grandmother’s scrappy colorful double knit polyester quilts. Victoria considers her process as an artist/storyteller by incorporating memories of life, travels and nature to all that she does. 

Victoria is an international award-winning artist and quilter.  She teaches and lectures on Creativity and Process, is a fabric designer, author, and an online shop owner where she sells her own products. Her quilts have been exhibited all over the globe, including Japan, Australia, and London. And she loves her family even more than quilts!

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Today's episode is sponsored by Craftsy. Calling all crafters! Are you ready to dive deep into your favorite crafting projects and learn new techniques along the way? Then it's time to join Craftsy Premium Membership. For ONLY $1.49, you'll receive a full year of access to expert-led tutorials, patterns, and projects in every category you can imagine. With a massive library of resources at your fingertips, you'll be able to create your best work yet and bring your crafting dreams to life. Don't wait – sign up now at CraftsyOffers.com and discover the endless possibilities of Craftsy Premium Membership!

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

In this special episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we are very excited to bring you a recording of our Day 3 keynote at h+h americas 2023, a fireside chat with Justine Tiu, co-founder of The Woobles. 

The Woobles is a company that makes learn-to-crochet kits for complete beginners. Through The Woobles, Justine has taught over 200,000 people how to crochet. Before starting The Woobles, Justine was a User Experience Designer at Google. Drawing on her background in user research and product design, she creates easy-to-follow and aesthetically pleasing experiences for the beginner crocheter.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about creating a subscription with my guest Mary Granbenstatter.

Mary is the owner of Needle Sharp, a monthly subscription sewing box service she founded in 2017 that offers curated garment projects as well as fabric and patterns.  The company is a culmination of Mary’s love of crafting in her youth, her knowledge of computers and design from her editing experience, and her invaluable experience in retail from Barnes and Noble. Every day, she feels like she's learning and improving as a sewist.

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This episode is sponsored by the Nome Schoolhouse in Nome, North Dakota.

Looking to host your own unforgettable arts and crafts retreat? Look no further than the Nome Schoolhouse! Our stunning venue is ready to be the backdrop for your next creative endeavor.

Whether it's with friends, colleagues, or fellow creatives, gather your tribe and let us take care of the details.

At the Nome Schoolhouse, we understand that what truly matters is letting your imagination soar. That's why we provide the perfect setting, allowing you to focus on what's important: your creative journey.

So, bring your ideas to life in our inspiring space. Unleash your creativity, surrounded by the charm and tranquility of the Nome Schoolhouse. Book your arts and crafts retreat today, and let the magic begin.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about folklore with my guest Diana Baird N’Diaye.

Diana is a senior curator and cultural heritage specialist at the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. She previously held positions as folk arts program analyst at the New York State Council on the Arts and curator-in-chief at the Muse Community Museum of Brooklyn, New York.

Dr. N’Diaye is also a maker, creating quilts, necklaces, clothing, bags, and everything in between. As a maker, her focus is to provoke conversations and contemplations around identity, heritage, healing, and the social terrain in those of the diaspora. Utilizing her creativity as an anthropologist, Diana’s travel and research permeate through her work. Her art is shaped by her identities as a citizen of global Africa and 2nd generation transnational.

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Today's episode is sponsored by Craftsy.

Calling all crafters! Are you ready to dive deep into your favorite crafting projects and learn new techniques along the way? Then it's time to join Craftsy Premium Membership. For ONLY $1.49, you'll receive a full year of access to expert-led tutorials, patterns, and projects in every category you can imagine. With a massive library of resources at your fingertips, you'll be able to create your best work yet and bring your crafting dreams to life. Don't wait – sign up now at CraftsyOffers.com and discover the endless possibilities of Craftsy Premium Membership!

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about surface pattern design with my guest Elizabeth Silver.

Elizabeth is a professional surface pattern designer with 20 years in the industry. Her colorful patterns and illustrations are regularly featured in major retailers like Target, Michaels, and Walmart and she licenses with over 30 partners. She uses her experience in numerous product categories to teach beginner surface pattern designers how to move past overwhelm and obstacles to create a profitable creative business through courses, YouTube, and blog content.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about owning a yarn shop with my guest Cadence Kidwell.

Before Cadence opened her yarn shop, Fuzzy Goat, she was at Florida State University – where she taught Creative Writing, Multicultural Literature and designed a certificate program for students to develop cultural competencies. University life instilled a strong core of service to people seeking to improve their lives.

One of her favorite pieces in her yarn shop is a SERVICE sign over the counter, announcing that the team is there to serve. In her mid 50’s Cadence decided that she could either steady-on into her last decade of university life or she could join the makers’ life – make a business from a rough-worn building & fill it with beautiful yarns made by strong women. Something she learned at FSU was the value of conversation among those that see the world differently – something that used to happen at, say, bowling leagues, and is disappearing in our lives.

Cadence believes that knitting creates that space where conversation across generations and life experiences is valued and sought after. 

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This episode is sponsored by Craftsy. Calling all crafters! Are you ready to dive deep into your favorite crafting projects and learn new techniques along the way? Then it's time to join Craftsy Premium Membership. For ONLY $1.49, you'll receive a full year of access to expert-led tutorials, patterns, and projects in every category you can imagine. With a massive library of resources at your fingertips, you'll be able to create your best work yet and bring your crafting dreams to life. Don't wait – sign up now at CraftsyOffers.com and discover the endless possibilities of Craftsy Premium Membership.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about cross stitch with my guest Stephanie Rohr.

Stephanie Rohr is a cross-stitch designer, artist, and author. She is known as StephXstitch in the craft world, after giving that name to her Etsy shop in 2010. Stephanie's work fits into the subversive cross-stitch movement, with a focus on traditional design elements paired with humor, pop-culture references, and feminist and political themes. Stephanie created cross-stitch designs for Elizabeth Warren's presidential campaign merch in 2020. Her work has also appeared in TV ads for the Chicago Blackhawks, and on the Comedy Central show "Key & Peele". Stephanie herself appeared on the web series "Craft Room Crash", and was a speaker at Midwest Craft Con in February 2020.

Her first book, Feminist Cross-Stitch, was published in 2019. In 2021, her book was infamously pulled from the shelves of Michael's, which led to an interview in the New York Times. Stephanie and her work have also been featured on the cover of the Chicago Reader, and in Craft Business Magazine, Cross-Stitcher Magazine, Cross-Stitch Crazy, and the front page of Reddit. Her latest book, Self-Care Cross-Stitch, was published in November 2022.

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This episode is sponsored by Kinship Handwork. Tina with Kinship Handwork teaches women how to sew clothes they love so they feel beautiful, empowered, and connected. Through garment sewing retreats on Mackinac Island, virtual sewing workshops and courses that feel like an in-person experience, and her new podcast In Kinship.  In Kinship is a podcast for makers who crave a vibrant life on their own terms. Get 20% off the next course or workshop you join with the coupon code CRAFT.  Go to Kinshiphandwork.com and click on workshops.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

Today on the show we’re talking about sewing glamor with my guest Gretchen Hirsch.

Specializing in vintage glamour, Gretchen “Gertie” Hirsch is a designer who infuses her passion for sewing into glamorous creations that can be customized for anyone. She got her start as a blogger with the popular Gertie’s New Blog for Better Sewing, and has collaborated with Butterick and Simplicity on the “Patterns by Gertie” line of sewing patterns, and designed fabrics for Joann Fabrics, Spotlight Stores and Michael Miller. A sought-after instructor, Gertie has traveled the world to lead sewing workshops highlighting her techniques.

In 2017, Gertie launched her own independent sewing pattern line called Charm Patterns, focusing on new women's clothing designs inspired by classic looks from the ‘40s and ‘50s. In 2020, she launched her Patreon subscription service, which includes monthly downloadable patterns and accompanying video tutorials, virtual sewing circles, live streams, and more. It has amassed a large community of passionate sewing enthusiasts from around the world.

She is the author of five books published by Abrams, including Gertie Sews Jiffy Dresses, Gertie’s Ultimate Dress Book and Gertie’s New Book for Better Sewing, with two new books due to come out in Spring 2024 and Spring 2025.

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This episode is sponsored by Craftsy. Whether you’re new to making, or looking to advance skills in a favorite hobby, Craftsy is the place to learn.  

With over 1,500 classes, there’s something for everyone, from knitting and sewing, to baking and cooking, gardening, embroidery, quilting and more!  

Visit CraftsyOffers.com today and get a full year of Craftsy Premium Membership for just $3! That’s 97% off the regular price! Start turning ideas into projects you can be proud of. 

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about modern quilting with my guest Libs Elliott.

 

Elizabeth (Libs) Elliott is a textile artist exploring the intersection of technology and traditional craft by using generative code to design and make handmade quilts. A deep appreciation for craftsmanship, design history and future-focused applications are all reflected in her work. She studied Material Art & Design at OCAD University and lives and works in Toronto, Canada. Libs has been making quilts since 2009 and designing fabric collections since 2015. Her commissions include work for individuals and corporate clients such as Absolut Vodka. She has exhibited her work internationally and been covered by press such as Gizmodo.com, Design Milk and Casa Vogue.

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This episode is sponsored by The Academy for Virtual Teaching.

A community of creatives, building proficient, profitable, and professional online teaching businesses.

As a solopreneur you understand that feeling of exhaustion. There are limited hours in the day and only one of YOU to go around.

 

At the Academy for Virtual Teaching we can help you develop the skills needed to add online education to your business model. We are a FREE private membership community of supportive colleagues, sharing our love of making things with students around the world. We have an entire library full of equipment reviews and technical skill building workshops. We invite you to join the Academy for Virtual Teaching at  a4vt.com.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about knitting cute things with my guest Anna Hrachovec.

 

Anna is a Chicago-based designer and artist who loves to knit little creatures. Just about everything is more fun in tiny knitted form, so she’s inspired by everything! Under her designer brand, Mochimochi Land, Anna has created hundreds (and hundreds!) of knitting patterns that can be found in books and on her website (mochimochiland.com) and Ravelry. When she’s not making cute stuff out of yarn, Anna is busy making stop-motion animations with her woolly friends. Her heart-knitting gnome is one of the most widely shared GIFs in the world. Her first children’s book, Catside Up, Catside Down, is due out in September and is now available for preorder. 

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This episode is sponsored by The Academy for Virtual Teaching.

A community of creatives, building proficient, profitable, and professional online teaching businesses.

As a solopreneur you understand that feeling of exhaustion. There are limited hours in the day and only one of YOU to go around.

 

At the Academy for Virtual Teaching we can help you develop the skills needed to add online education to your business model. We are a FREE private membership community of supportive colleagues, sharing our love of making things with students around the world. We have an entire library full of equipment reviews and technical skill building workshops. We invite you to join the Academy for Virtual Teaching at  a4vt.com.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about creating a subscription box with Cheryl Ham.

Cheryl Ham is a self-taught knitter who learned the craft with a bit of help from YouTube and a pair of her mother’s long-forgotten and slightly bent, size 9 needles. Cheryl is also the owner of Hypnotic Yarn, which came to life in 2017 after discovering the existence of hand-dyed yarn while watching knitting podcasts. Later, Cheryl founded Yarnable, a monthly hand-dyed yarn subscription that encourages self-care through the joy of knitting. When she's not playing with color in her Southern New Hampshire studio, Cheryl can be found snuggling with her two Chihuahuas. 

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This episode is sponsored by Search Press.

For over 50 years, Search Press has delighted crafters with books on knitting, crochet, sewing, quilting, fiber crafts, painting, and drawing. If you want to try a new craft or improve your skills, Search Press has detailed instruction books for you. If you would like to learn more about selling Search Press books in your store or on your website, check out our website searchpressusa.com.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

In today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re discussing developing a specialty notion with my guest Jenn McMillan of Sew Fine Thread Gloss.

Jenn is a graphic designer, quilter, and fabric-obsessed sewist living in rural Ottawa, Ontario Canada. She likes to call herself the thread whisperer.  

Sewing since she can remember, Jenn was taught to sew on an old Singer Featherweight and has dabbled in various forms of textile arts her entire life. Growing up around family members who sewed, Jenn was always curious about the various trinkets and notions that were used and collected. She remembers digging through her grandmother’s sewing kit and pulling out a gnarled chunk of beeswax, later finding out what she used it for – taming her threads. She’s also excited that Sew Fine Thread Gloss is celebrating its 5-year anniversary this year!

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This episode is sponsored by Craftsy. Whether you’re new to making, or looking to advance skills in a favorite hobby, Craftsy is the place to learn.  With over 1,500 classes, there’s something for everyone, from knitting and sewing, to baking and cooking, gardening, embroidery, quilting and more!

Visit CraftsyOffers.com today and get a full year of Craftsy Premium Membership for just $3! That’s 97% off the regular price! Start turning ideas into projects you can be proud of.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

Today on the show we’re talking about modern quilting with my guest Porfiria Gomez.

Porfiria is a sewing enthusiast, self-proclaimed designer, and blogger. A native New Yorker, Porfiria learned to sew from her mother and how is a modern quilter, teacher, and author. 

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This episode is sponsored by Sublime Grafx.

Sublime Grafx is the printer of choice for your pdf sewing patterns, digital artwork, personalized mugs and graphic tees. We offer a variety of paper choices and fast turnaround. Check us out at www.sublimegrafx.com/CIA. Podcast listeners get a $5 off coupon.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

 

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about creating a craft magazine with my guest Meghan Fernandes, a co-founder of the independent knitting magazine Pom Pom.

Meghan Fernandes is a knitting designer and instructor, as well as creative director at Pom Pom. After 10 years in London, she is now based in Austin, Texas, where she lives with her husband and young daughters. She revels in the challenge of making and enjoying knitwear for a hot climate.

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Today's episode is sponsored by Craftsy.

Whether you’re new to making, or looking to advance skills in a favorite hobby, Craftsy is the place to learn.  

With over 1,500 classes, there’s something for everyone, from knitting and sewing, to baking and cooking, gardening, embroidery, quilting and more!  

Visit CraftsyOffers.com today and get a full year of Craftsy Premium Membership for just $3! That’s 97% off the regular price! Start turning ideas into projects you can be proud of. 

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

 

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about slow stitching with my guest Samantha Hoyt.

Samantha Hoyt is the owner and creative director of A Gathering of Stitches, a series of small-scale immersive retreats in Maine for quilters and garment sewists. She has been running the Slow Stitching and Slow Fashion retreats since 2015. The business began as a Maker Space in Portland’s East Bayside neighborhood in 2013.  Before A Gathering of Stitches, Samantha was a partner with her ex-husband in Rabelais, Fine Books on Food & Wine, a culinary book store also in Portland from 2008 to today.


She was raised in New York City and had a number of careers before landing her craft role. She started with modern dance in her 20s, photography in her 20s and ’30s (including a 7-year stint as a photo editor at People magazine), and arriving in the world of food as a pastry cook before moving to Maine in 2005.

She has been sewing and knitting since childhood and has always liked to throw a good party, so the retreats make her very happy.

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This episode is sponsored by Craftsy.

Whether you’re new to making, or looking to advance skills in a favorite hobby, Craftsy is the place to learn.  

With over 1,500 classes, there’s something for everyone, from knitting and sewing, to baking and cooking, gardening, embroidery, quilting and more!  

Visit CraftsyOffers.com today to get a special holiday deal! Get a full year of Craftsy Premium Membership for just $3! That’s 97% off the regular price! Start turning ideas into projects you can be proud of. 

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

 

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about handmade marketplaces with my guest Jon Lincoln.

Jon is the founder of Goimagine. He earned many accolades with his prior technology venture within InsurTech including “Insurance Innovation of the Year” and “Top 10 InsurTech Leaders of 2017” which led to a company exit valued at over $44 Million.

Never a stranger to new ventures in 2020 Jon entered the world of ecommerce with the launch of goimagine.com; a new online marketplace that is the world’s first to donate 100% profits to charity.

As a handmade marketplace with a philanthropic mission goimagine has grown to over 3,000 makers and artists working to grow their handmade businesses while also helping children in need. As corporate marketplaces continue to grow and dominate the ecommerce landscape Jon believes it’s time there was a marketplace dedicated to providing social good.

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This episode is sponsored by h+h americas.

Join us! June 21 - 23, 2023 for h+h americas at the Donald E. Stephens Convention & Conference Center in Rosemont, IL.

h+h americas is the premier trade show for today’s business environment. It’s the place where creativity meets business. h+h americas is a Business-to-business trade show with an extended digital marketplace accessible before and after the event.

Open to everyone who makes a living in crafts, h+h americas serves a community without membership requirements. For the first time the h+h americas in 2023 will include all craft sectors extending the event to the entire, creative community. For  more information visit hh-americas.com

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we’re talking about creating a lifestyle blog and brand with my guest Brittany Watson Jepsen.

Brittany is the founder and creative director of The House That Lars Built, an award-winning website focused on artful living and making. She is the author of Craft the Rainbow and her work has been featured in The New York Times, CNN, Vogue, Martha Stewart and more! She is the mother of Jasper and Felix and lives with her family in Provo, Utah.

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This episode is sponsored by June Cashmere.

It’s more than yarn. June Cashmere works directly with shepherd families in Kyrgyzstan to produce highest quality cashmere yarn. Manufactured with the maker in mind, theirs is a cashmere milled to last. Receive a free pattern when you join their community of makers at junecashmere.com.

As a special offer to podcast listeners, enjoy $5 off any $75 or more purchase through the end of December 2022 with code CIA. Purchases of $75 or more ship for free within the US.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about knitwear design with my guest Andrea Mowry.

Andrea is was lucky enough to learn how to knit as a child from her Grandma Ginny. By her late teens, guided by the wisdom of the great Elizabeth Zimmerman and her many books, she began trying to work out her own patterns. After leaving her life as a pastry chef to start a family with her husband, her hands found the necessary freedom to begin creating with fiber instead of flour.

Andrea focuses on designing knits to fit the modern wardrobe – fun to knit and easy to wear, with clear directions for every level of knitter. She believes in enjoying every stitch and wearing at least one hand knit every day! Andrea has a great love for indulging in new techniques and skills and then sharing them with other knitters thru her patterns and workshops. Her goal is to leave knitters feeling empowered and inspired, and wrapped up in their own beautiful knits! If she is not knitting, you can probably find her spinning, sewing, weaving or cooking up something yummy for her family!

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Today's episode is sponsored by Schacht Spindle Company.

Schacht Spindle Company has been manufacturing hand weaving looms and spinning wheels in Boulder, Colorado since 1969. Schacht products are beautifully crafted tools, designed with the craftsperson in mind. Sign up for their monthly newsletter at schachtspindle.com for free patterns, product updates, and Schacht news.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

 

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a yarn business with my guest Amy Small.

Amy is a business owner, hand spinner, yarn lover, obsessive knitter, and podcaster. Along with making things, she’s passionate about creative small businesses and yoga! At the heart of her business, Knit Collage is the idea that making things makes us better. This might look like more creativity and confidence or patience and peace in your daily life. In a nutshell, it's not just about the yarn - it's about finding something that helps you and makes you feel like your most authentic, best self!

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This episode is sponsored by Cooperative Press. Cooperative Press has been publishing exciting knitting books by talented independent authors for over a decade. Founder Shannon Okey got tired of trying to figure out why she earned next to nothing on every book she wrote for other publishers, so she changed the rules of the game. Cooperative Press authors earn a significantly higher royalty AND get greater creative freedom to produce the kinds of books knitters want to read… not just another garter stitch scarf book. Find them at cooperativepress.com! Use the code ABBY for 20% off.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about card making with my guest Simon Hurley.

Simon Hurley started cardmaking when he was 12 and loved that each card was a unique canvas to work on. After sharing his work on YouTube, he slowly grew a loyal community of crafters who watched his videos. This led to him filming a cardmaking class at Scrapbook.com when he was 14 and several more thereafter. At age 16, Simon partnered with Ranger to launch a line of inks, stamps, and stencils that are perfect for cardmaking. The product line has since grown and Simon has become known for his versatile Stamping Foam and metallic Lunar Paste. Simon has continued making videos and growing his community on Youtube and you can find many inspirational videos using his products there.

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This episode is sponsored by Cedar Bay Planner Company, makers of The Quilter’s Planner and The Knitter’s Planner. At Cedar Bay, they believe it’s important to make time to do the things you love. Let them help you with their collection of beautiful organizational tools! They make customizable, craft-focused yearly planners, undated project planners, accessories, and digital products- everything you need to manage your day-to-day life and crafting all in one place! 

Visit www.quiltersplanner.com and www.knittersplanner.com to see their full line of products, and use the code CIA10 at checkout for 10% off your 2023 planner.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about kits and craft books with my guest Cynthia Treen.

Cynthia Treen's charming felt animal designs are classics in the making, with their own stories waiting to be imagined. Explore her threadfollower kits and patterns or her new book, Wind in the Willows Felt Friends. Her passion for teaching and drafting comes through on every page, with detailed instructions and illustrations perfect for guiding beginners and advanced makers alike. Time will slow down as you ramble through her projects, letting your imagination wander while stitching new adventures into life!

For over 25 years, Cynthia has designed and taught makers everywhere, in front of and behind the camera. From Martha Stewart Living magazine and TV to her first book, Last Minute Fabric Gifts (2006), her line of threadfollower hand-stitching kits, and finally, to a growing community of maker friends on Patreon. Cynthia's ability to organize, illustrate, and distill projects makes them approachable and inspiring to all experience levels, giving makers a feeling of success and mastery.

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This episode is sponsored by Craftsy. Whether you’re new to making, or looking to advance skills in a favorite hobby, Craftsy is the place to learn. With over 1,500 classes, there’s something for everyone, from knitting and sewing, to baking and cooking, gardening, embroidery, quilting and more!  Visit CraftsyOffers.com today and get a full year of Craftsy Premium Membership for just $3! That’s 97% off the regular price! Start turning ideas into projects you can be proud of.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about knitwear design with my guest, Julie Robinson.

A more inclusive fiber industry isn’t just possible, it’s a necessity. 

Designer and educator Julie Robinson is leading through example. Julie is known for publishing fashion-forward knitting patterns in an inclusive size range. And her courses on the creative and technical aspects of knitwear design are training a new generation of technical editors and knitwear designers how to do the same.

Julie spent over a decade in New York City as a fashion designer and product developer for top brands. A life-long crafter, Julie was inspired to pursue a career in fashion to learn everything she could about making clothes. Her curiosity has led her to work on a wide variety of products including sweaters (of course), dresses, socks, and even augmented reality costumes. 

Now she’s sharing what she has learned from her career in fashion with fellow fiber enthusiasts.

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Today's episode is sponsored by The Academy for Virtual Teaching.

A community of creatives, building proficient, profitable, and professional online teaching businesses.     Adding online education into your business is a no-brainer for adding passive income, but what if you are tech-challenged? What equipment do you really need and how do you use it? How do you edit video? Where do you find an audience if you are a beginner? It can be overwhelming.    Take a deep breath, relax, and let the Academy for Virtual Teaching walk you through every step of the process. Our Virtual Teaching Masterclass starts on September 12th. It’s a live, hands-on course with all the information you need in one place. We have a plethora of practical tutorials on HOW to use all that technology along with weekly coaching sessions at different times to accommodate international time zones. We include extra lessons on marketing, website development, and business organization and administration. There is so much there that even experienced online teachers will find lots of ways to up their virtual teaching game.   Head over now to a4vt.com and see what we have to offer. That’s A, the number 4, V, T .com. Come join the most supportive community you can imagine, and start building a business teaching what you love.   +++++  

To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about quilting and teaching with my guest, Sandra Lee Chandler.

Sandra embarked on her teaching career 38 years ago at Santa Ana Community College. She now teaches at many national shows including Quilt Canada, Stitches West, QuiltCon, Festival of Quilts, and Squam, as well as teaching a weekly virtual quilting class through Saddleback Community College. Sandra’s work has been published in numerous magazines and she has made several television appearances as well that have helped to launch her career to new heights.

Sandra’s core materials for quilting are thread and fabric, however, she often employs recycled denim, yarns, dyed fabrics, and stamps to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.  Sandra is especially known for her repurposed denim quilts and wearable art quilted garments.

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This episode is sponsored by Craftsy. Whether you’re new to making, or looking to advance skills in a favorite hobby, Craftsy is the place to learn. With over 1,500 classes, there’s something for everyone, from knitting and sewing, to baking and cooking, gardening, embroidery, quilting and more!  

Visit CraftsyOffers.com today and get a full year of Craftsy Premium Membership for just $3! That’s 97% off the regular price! Start turning ideas into projects you can be proud of. 

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about creating a craft kit and workshop business with my guest Morgan Spenla.

 

Morgan is the founder & CEO of Crafter and The Crafter's Box. Crafter.com is an online home for makers offering educational videos, kits, patterns and community, The Crafter's Box is a monthly subscription exploring new crafting mediums such as printmaking, fiber arts, woodworking -- even a series of workshops in basket weaving. Today, Crafter supports artisans full circle by partnering with small business suppliers, legacy manufacturers & accomplished teachers to bring curation and quality to makers worldwide.

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Today's episode is sponsored by The Academy for Virtual Teaching.

Every solo-preneur recognizes that feeling of exhaustion. There are limited hours in the day and only one of YOU to go around. You want to scale your income but Hermione just won’t let you borrow her time travel necklace!   If you are a creative, a designer, maker, retailer, or educator, the Academy for Virtual Teaching invites you to learn how online workshops and educational videos can bring in passive income, create a loyal community of fans who are willing to support you with their dollars.   +++++

To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about owning a local yarn shop with my guest, Ana Campos.

Ana is a Brazilian knitting instructor, fiber witch, and designer with over 20 years of knitting experience. She currently makes her home by the sea in Salem, Massachusetts, known as the Witch City. As a Latina and an immigrant, she values the opportunities for connection, community, and common ground that knitting creates. Ana’s love for the knitting community led her to open Circle of Stitches, the witchiest yarn shop, in 2015. Her focus is on empowering knitters to grow their skills and technical knowledge, so everyone can make pieces they love. She is passionate about teaching students how to customize patterns for the perfect fit. She also loves teaching Portuguese knitting, which reminds her of her grandma Tina back home in Rio, and hosting her monthly tarot study group.   Ana is an inaugural member of the Vogue Knitting Diversity Advisory Council, and a co-creator of Latines y Lana, an ongoing project to elevate and share the work of Latine fiber artists. Ana loves helping folks find inspiration and expand their skills, and her favorite projects are sweaters and socks.   

When she is not at her shop, you can find her elbows-deep in her dye pots. Growing up in the tropics gave her a lifelong passion for bright colors and bold combinations, which she brings to her line of hand-dyed yarns, Toil & Trouble. She loves dyeing colorful sock yarns, and hopes this book will help you fall in love with socks too! Find Ana online at www.circleofstitches.com, on Instagram @circleofstitches and visit her store in person at 66 Wharf Street, Salem, MA.

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This episode is sponsored by Craftsy.

Whether you’re new to making, or looking to advance skills in a favorite hobby, Craftsy is the place to learn.  

With over 1,500 classes, there’s something for everyone, from knitting and sewing, to baking and cooking, gardening, embroidery, quilting and more!  

Visit CraftsyOffers.com today and get a full year of Craftsy Premium Membership for just $3! That’s 97% off the regular price! Start turning ideas into projects you can be proud of. 

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

Today we’re excited to bring you the State of the Industry Panel discussion that took place at h+h americas, a new trade show for crafts industry that took place in Chicago June 22-24, 2022. h+h americas is presented by Koelnmesse Inc., one of the world’s largest trade show organizations, as you’ll hear me mention in the opening remarks. For the first time, this show came to North America and Craft Industry Alliance was the strategic partner.

 

What you’re about to listen to was the kickoff event, a panel discussion focusing on the crafts industry, where it’s come from, where it is now, and what the future holds. There were four speakers: Vickie Howell, Maureen Miller, Trisha Malcolm, and David Gilliver. I moderated the panel and I’m pleased to bring it to you in audio format for the podcast. So, here it is. I hope you enjoy it.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a craft kit business with my guest Stephanie Carswell.

Stephanie is the Founder and Creative Director of Hawthorn Handmade, a textile craft kit design company based in Dorset in Southern England. Hawthorn Handmade began in 2013 with a small range of needle felting kits, and over the last 9 years has developed from a small side business started in the back room of Stephanie’s previous business, a gallery and haberdashery/workshop space, to a well-known creative company selling their embroidery, cross stitch, needle felting, weaving and felt craft kits through almost 600 stores around the world including over 250 in the US.

Stephanie lives in a rural village nearby to their business unit with her rescue lurcher Clodagh and partner Owen, who is also Hawthorn’s website developer. When she’s not busy with the business she loves playing tennis, pottering in her garden, and crashing on the sofa in front of Netflix.

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This episode is sponsored by WARP+WEFT TEXTILES, an online fabric store operating on Coast Salish land. WARP+WEFT is a plastics-free business offering woven fabrics and independent patterns. As one of the few stockists of TAUKO Magazine, WARP+WEFT shares the quarterly sewing publication’s emphasis on climate, culture, and community. 

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

 

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about owning a local yarn shop with my guest Rachel Bratcher, owner of Ritual Dyes.

Ritual Dyes was created in 2017, by Rachel Bratcher an avid maker and true Libra. Ritual Dyes was born in Rachel’s kitchen out of a love (obsession) with knitting and creative control over all the things. Later Rachel and team moved out of the kitchen and established a neighborhood LYS and dye studio in Southeast Portland.  Drawing inspiration from nature, the great Pacific Northwest, nostalgia, and the occult. Ritual Dyes cares deeply about our crafting community and community at large.

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This episode is sponsored by Annie's. Annie’s Kit Clubs sends you monthly shipments full of the materials and instructions you need to make something beautiful. Choose from knitting and crocheting, to quilting, beading, cardmaking, general crafting, and even kids’ crafts. No matter your age, interest, or skill-level, Annie’s Kit Clubs has something for you. Visit Annie’s Kit Clubs now to get 50% off your first shipment. That’s Annies Kit Clubs dot com slash Kit Club 50.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a yarn company with my guest Nicole Snow of Darn Good Yarn.

United States Air Force Veteran, Entrepreneur,  Mom to a five-year-old, Wife, Founder & CEO, Nicole Snow is the ‘Jane of all trades. In 2008, out of the desire to create a business focused on social consciousness through crafting and design, Nicole founded Darn Good Yarn. Over the past 13 years, Darn Good Yarn has saved over 2,000,000 pounds of manufacturing remnant material from ending up in landfills or rivers, upcycling it into handmade craft supplies and apparel while employing more than 600 global artisans. Darn Good Yarn has appeared for the last 5 years on the Inc 5000 list.

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This episode is sponsored by Craftsy. Whether you’re new to making, or looking to advance skills in a favorite hobby, Craftsy is the place to learn. With over 1,500 classes, there’s something for everyone, from knitting and sewing, to baking and cooking, gardening, embroidery, quilting and more!  

Visit CraftsyOffers.com today and get a full year of Craftsy Premium Membership for just $3! That’s 97% off the regular price! Start turning ideas into projects you can be proud of. 

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about running a brick-and-mortar stationery store with my guest Kristina Burkey of Calliope Paperie in Natick, Massachusetts.

Kristina owns Calliope, a fun and quirky stationery and gift shop in Natick, MA. Calliope started as an online shop in 2014, opened as a brick-and-mortar location in 2016, and just recently moved into a new and bigger location in downtown Natick. Kristina has loved paper and pens and stickers for about as long as she can remember and her 8-year-old self would be freaking out right now if she knew what we were doing.

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This episode is sponsored by Schiffer Craft, an imprint of Schiffer Publishing. Schiffer Craft’s books provide expert knowledge and inspiration on topics ranging from ceramics to fiber and, floral design, glass art, wood working, metalcraft, leather, and more. Follow @schiffercraft on Facebook and Instagram to unlock your inspiration!

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

 

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about fashion design with my guest Whitney Manney.

A Kansas City, Missouri native, Whitney Manney graduated from the Kansas City Art Institute in 2012 with a BFA in Fibers. With a desire to create art in a wearable format, Manney creates garments and textile designs under her independent label WHITNEYMANNEY. Manney's work has been featured in major press outlets and numerous art and fashion blogs. She is featured in the PBS show Make48 & My World Too and has work featured in the new Peacock series Bel-Air.

Manney is a member of the 2021 American Craft Council Emerging Artists Cohort and recipient of the 2020 JOANN Minority Creative Grant along with numerous other grants. Her collections have been retailed at boutiques including Halls Kansas City, and showcased in more than a dozen runway and gallery shows. Creating a narrative between color and pattern is a signature of Manney's work. She believes her job isn't done until everybody in the world believes fashion is art."

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Today's episode is sponsored by Craftsy. Whether you’re new to making, or looking to advance skills in a favorite hobby, Craftsy is the place to learn.  

With over 1,500 classes, there’s something for everyone, from knitting and sewing, to baking and cooking, gardening, embroidery, quilting and more!  

Visit CraftsyOffers.com today and get a full year of Craftsy Premium Membership for just $3! That’s 97% off the regular price! Start turning ideas into projects you can be proud of. 

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about yarn bombing with my guest London Kaye.

Born in Los Angeles, California, London received her BFA in dance from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. After graduating London realized that her love for crochet, and unexpected joy, came together harmoniously when she began using crochet to interact with the environment and surrounding community. She began installing art daily on the streets of Brooklyn and New York City.

Through her time leading workshops and teaching crochet, London came to realize the best qualities of her favorite crochet hooks and combined them together using 3D printing technology to create a unique new style “Crochet Hook with a Twist.” She received a patent for the design. London’s career has expanded to collaborating with brands like Starbucks, The Gap, Disney, and The Kelly Clarkson Show. Her book is out now, Crochet with London Kaye.

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Today’s podcast is brought to you by Schiffer Craft—An imprint of Schiffer Publishing. Schiffer Craft’s books provide expert knowledge and inspiration on topics ranging from ceramics to fiber and textiles, floral design, glass art, wood working, metalcraft, leather, and more. Follow @schiffercraft on Facebook and Instagram to unlock your inspiration!

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

In this special episode of the podcast, we are focusing on the Etsy strike. I sit down with Kristi Cassidy, one of the organizers, in order to learn how it came to be and the impact it might have.

If you haven’t heard about the Etsy strike yet, it’s a petition created by a group of Etsy sellers with a list of demands they want Etsy to meet. These include canceling the latest fee increase which brought transaction fees from 5% to 6.5%. Other demands include cracking down on resellers, improving seller support, ending the Star Seller program, and letting all sellers opt-out of Offsite Ads. As of right now, when we recorded this interview, the petition has 72,334 signatures or just about 1% of Etsy’s total active sellers.

Kristi Cassidy is one of the creators of the Etsy Strike petition, along with fellow sellers she connected with on Reddi. Kristi sells steampunk gothic fantasy costumes that she sews herself in her Etsy shop, Auralynne.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about creating craft media with my guest Anne Merrow.

Anne Merrow started off as a book editor but has turned a series of hobbies—knitting, spinning, and weaving—into a beloved career. She is a founder and partner of Long Thread Media, which publishes Handwoven, Spin Off, PieceWork, Little Looms, and other content related to fiber arts. She serves as the company’s editorial director and host of the Long Thread Podcast. Anne lives in Northern Colorado with her husband and naughty cats.

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This episode is sponsored by Craftsy.

Whether you’re new to making, or looking to advance skills in a favorite hobby, Craftsy is the place to learn.  

With over 1,500 classes, there’s something for everyone, from knitting and sewing, to baking and cooking, gardening, embroidery, quilting and more!  

Visit CraftsyOffers.com today and get a full year of Craftsy Premium Membership for just $3! That’s 97% off the regular price! Start turning ideas into projects you can be proud of. 

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a community through knitting with my guest Jewell Washington.

 

Jewell Washington is the Chicago-based maker and entrepreneurial designer of Northknits. She learned to knit in college and launched Northknits in 2014. Jewell pursues simple living through her passion for DIY, pattern design, stacking her yarn shelf, and providing business and entrepreneurial advice to fellow crafters. As the founder of Our Maker Life, a global maker movement, she has connected more than 120,000 fellow fiber creatives in the knit, crochet, and yarn industry via maker meetups, published books, and social media. She enjoys traveling and sweet cuddles with her kitten Dewey. 

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This episode is sponsored by Bernet International. Have you outgrown your textile wholesale supplier or want more control in your supply chain? We provide art concept to delivery services with expert manufacturers. From textiles and fiber to notions, we've supported the quilt, home goods, garment, and craft industries for 40 years.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about online learning with my guest Craig Swanson.

At the age of 18, Craig founded Swanson Tech Support and worked as a tech consultant for 6 years before founding CreativeTechs which lead to over a million dollars in sales.

Soon after Craig co-founded the creative online learning platform CreativeLive, an idea that was birthed from a failed video training program for his IT business. CreativeLive would grow from a small start-up team to 70+ employees offering workshops with top industry leaders like Tim Ferriss and Brené Brown.

Now Craig partners with creators, educators, and influencers by providing the missing piece that they need to get to the next stage of their business and is helping build $1 million dollar businesses one step at a time.

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This episode is sponsored by Divine Social. Divine Social is a marketing agency that helps eCommerce stores who sell to makers, creators, crafters, artists & DIY enthusiasts.  They are behind some of the biggest brands in the creative industry, responsible for strategies to move your online traffic from prospects to buyers to raving fans. The team at Divine Social is offering a customized review of your shop to help you uncover what’s keeping you from selling more. Go to divinesocial.com/cia for more details. 

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about blurring the lines between art, craft, design, and poetry with my guest e Bond.

e makes digital spaces by day, handmade books by night, hangs out with trees on weekends, and writes something close to poems in the spaces between. Under the studio name roughdrAftbooks—created in 2003—she makes one-of-a-kind artist books, printed pieces, and abstract drawings that merge and blur the boundaries of art, craft, design, and poetry. e holds a BFA in graphic design and art history from Moore College of Art & Design and an MFA in Creative Writing and Book Art from Mills College.

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This episode is sponsored by Craftsy. Whether you’re new to making, or looking to advance skills in a favorite hobby, Craftsy is the place to learn.  

 

With over 1,500 classes, there’s something for everyone, from knitting and sewing, to baking and cooking, gardening, embroidery, quilting and more!  

 

Visit CraftsyOffers.com today and get a full year of Craftsy Premium Membership for just $3! That’s 97% off the regular price! Start turning ideas into projects you can be proud of. 

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about quilting as an art practice with my guest Heidi Parkes.

Heidi Parkes was born into this world the proud recipient of a collaborative family quilt, organized by her grandmother.  Now, Heidi lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and works within the quilt world, the art world, and the maker's movement.  Hand piecing and hand quilting imbue her work with the personal, and contribute to her themes of diary, self-help, materiality, and abstraction. Heidi recently completed a yearlong ARTservancy artist's residency, is a two-time Mary Nohl Fellowship finalist, and has received multiple awards from the Modern Quilt Guild.

Heidi lectures and teaches with a passion for the beginner, and her unique improvisational style promotes the qualities of allowing, savoring, hinting, manifesting, and documenting. Whether on-site or via a self-hosted workshop on her website, Heidi incorporates hand yoga and body care as an essential component of learning to sew.

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This episode is sponsored by Divine Social, a marketing agency for craft and DIY enthusiasts.

Divine Social is a marketing agency that helps eCommerce stores who sell to makers, creators, crafters, artists & DIY enthusiasts. They are behind some of the biggest brands in the creative industry, responsible for strategies to move your online traffic from prospects to buyers to raving fans. And now, the team at Divine Social is offering a customized review of your shop to help you uncover what’s keeping you from selling more. Go to divinesocial.com/cia for more details.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

Today on the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a knitting business with my guest Safiyyah Talley.

Safiyyah is the creator of the popular blog thedrunkknitter.com. She has an independent Ravelry store, hosts a podcast, and her design work has been featured in online publications such as The Bobble Club, The Fiber Company, LoveKnitting, and Darn Good Yarn—and in Warm Hands, a book of knitting patterns. She teaches knitting classes virtually and at knitting shows including Vogue Knitting Live. Safiyyah's new book, 2 Socks in 1, comes out this year with Storey Publishing. Safiyyah lives in Indiana.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

Today we are replaying an episode that originally aired a few years ago.

We learned this evening about the passing of Melanie Ham. Melanie was truly a bright light in the craft world. Her warm, smile welcomed everyone to learn from her craft videos, whether it was crochet, sewing, or quilting. Melanie was also a wife and mother.

I was lucky enough to interview Melanie in February of 2018 and wanted to replay that interview today as a way to celebrate her life. Listeners may note that the podcast had its former name and theme music when this episode aired. Thank you for listening. I hope this interview is a small way to honor Melanie Ham’s legacy.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about h+h americas, a brand new trade show for the crafts industry, with my guest Darrin Stern.

Darrin Stern has worked for Koelnmesse (Cologne International Trade Fairs) Inc for 18 years. In that time, he has supported hundreds of clients from more than ten unique industries to grow their business worldwide. One of the industries Darrin supports is fiber arts. Since 2015 Darrin has helped companies from North America exhibit and visit the h+h Cologne show in Germany. In Darrin’s role with Koelnmesse Inc, he services as the Director of Business Development, IT & Systems Manager, and the show Director for h+h Americas. Before Koelnmesse, Darrin was a University Professor, Service Consultant, and Business Owner.  Darrin lives in the greater Chicago area with his two daughters and wife.

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This episode is sponsored by Divine Social. Divine Social is a marketing agency that helps eCommerce stores who sell to makers, creators, crafters, artists & DIY enthusiasts.  They are behind some of the biggest brands in the creative industry, responsible for strategies to move your online traffic from prospects to buyers to raving fans.  And now the team at Divine Social is offering a customized review of your shop to help you uncover what’s keeping you from selling more. Go to divinesocial.com/cia for more details. 

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about creating craft studios for kids with my guest Nicola Day, owner of the kids' crafts studios, HipStitch.

Nicola has been sewing since she was 11 years old when she learned to sew at school. Sewing has always been part of her life. In college, sewing for people helped her to make money to support herself.

After college, she designed a line of pocketbooks and sold them all over the US in boutiques.

When her daughter was born, she wanted her to be as passionate about sewing but found there was no studio in my town and so she founded Hipstitch, a sewing and craft studio for children in Newton, Massachusetts.

HipStitch has been in business now for 12 years, opening its second location in Wellesley and a third location is due to open in January in Brookline. HipStitch has expanded its offerings to include knitting, crochet, and fiber arts as well as their own DIY hand and machine kits to create at home. In addition to offering classes at their studios, they offer the program offsite to 15 schools in Newton, Wellesley, Weston, Cambridge, and Brookline.

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This episode is sponsored by Divine Social. Divine Social is a marketing agency that helps eCommerce stores who sell to makers, creators, crafters, artists & DIY enthusiasts.  They are behind some of the biggest brands in the creative industry, responsible for strategies to move your online traffic from prospects to buyers to raving fans.  The team at Divine Social is offering a customized review of your shop to help you uncover what’s keeping you from selling more. Go to divinesocial.com/cia for more details. 

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about beading with my guest Jill Wiseman.

Jill Wiseman lived a traditional, “8-to-5” corporate existence until a chance encounter with beads in 2001 changed everything. She was mesmerized. She found her local bead store and started taking every class offered to learn new skills, including stringing, wirework, and her later specialty, beadweaving.

Before long, Jill couldn’t contain her beady joy another moment and had to share the world of beads with others. She became a full-time beadweaving jewelry designer and teacher in 2004, and had the pleasure of teaching at national bead shows like Bead & Button and Bead Fest, as well as traveling to bead stores and bead societies all over the country for classes full of laughter and bead learning for over a decade. She is the author of Jill Wiseman’s Beautiful Beaded Ropes, and was honored to be chosen as one of Beadwork Magazine’s Designers of the Year for 2013.

In 2013, Jill started a YouTube Channel which now boasts more than 170,000 subscribers where she educates beaders around the world with videos showing techniques, tips, and projects. After the YouTube Channel launched, viewer demand for bead supplies influenced Jill to open an online bead store which has now grown into a 6,000 square foot warehouse facility with 4 employees.

Beading has taken her from coast to coast, and internationally to places like Canada, the Czech Republic, Italy, and China. But the rest of the time Jill makes her home in Austin, Texas, with her mother (employee #1,) as well as two spoiled dogs who only occasionally eat the beads.

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This episode is sponsored by The Academy for Virtual Teaching.

The past two years have taught us how important virtual technology is to our lives. We can make connections with our friends and develop new skills and hobbies using a computer or even a phone. Isn’t it amazing? Many business owners and creative craft and art teachers were able to save their livelihoods through virtual workshops, both on-demand and live via zoom.   I tell you what, so many people have fallen in love with taking virtual classes. Online workshops are here to stay.   If you love to make things, and love to teach people how to make things, but have been overwhelmed thinking of all the equipment and technological know-how you need, I invite you to check out the Academy for Virtual Teaching. It can be so much easier than you think!   We are a community of Virtual Teachers who help teach, lift, and encourage each other as we become more proficient, professional, and yes, profitable virtual teachers. Please go to AcademyforVirtualTeaching.com and you’ll be surprised.   +++++

To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about tech editing and mentoring with my guest Tian Connaughton.

Tian is a Massachusetts-based knit and crochet designer, a technical editor working with magazines and major brands, and a business coach for handmade and fiber artists. She lives by the motto, "a rising tide lifts all boats," and this is evident in all that she does, from writing books to creating online courses and coaching programs. Her work prioritizes helping women - particularly Black women and women of color - to create the life they want doing work that they love, which society doesn't always encourage.

Tian currently has a new free course out, Get Published, created in partnership with Knit Picks and We Crochet. Get Published is a 6-part video series for aspiring and experienced designers who are ready to take their designing to the next level by adding 3rd party publications. Each video takes you through the process from creating your proposal all the way to the publication going live. The course is available now to binge-watch on-demand. Tian also teaches classes on Creativebug.

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This episode is sponsored by goimagine. goimagine is a handmade marketplace donating 100% profits to charity. With a mission to help children in need, goimagine is a movement of makers & artists growing their own handmade businesses while supporting a marketplace focused on social good. Learn more about goimagine's new concept for a caring economy at goimagine.com

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

In our final episode, we talk with three key players at Spoonflower to find out how they do their jobs. First up is Sarah Ward, Senior Vice President of Marketing. Then, we chat with Alyssa McNamara, a research and development engineer at Spoonflower. And finally, we talk to Anitha Kothandaraman, the Sewing Operations Manager.

These three interviews together shine a light on different aspects of Spoonflower as a business.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about quilting as creative expression with my guest Zak Foster.

Raised in rural North Carolina and now living in Brooklyn, New York, Zak is a self-taught artist whose work draws on Southern textile traditions while incorporating found fabrics and natural dyes with an eye for sustainability. He practices an approach to design that is intuitive and improvisational and he is drawn to preserving the stories of quilts and specializes in memory quilts and burial quilts. His work has been featured in various magazines, websites, and galleries. His online community, The Quilty Nook, connects and inspires quilters all over the world.

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This episode is sponsored by the Academy for Virtual Teaching, a vibrant community of aspiring and experienced creative arts teachers. There you’ll find virtual teachers hosting practice teaching sessions and gaining valuable feedback from their peers, monthly live open-topic roundtables, guest seminars, professional development courses, and other activities designed to help you be a more proficient, profitable, and professional online teacher. Join our community to learn how you can increase your income without increasing your workload. Craft Industry Alliance members can use this link for a permanent 20% discount on Academy membership.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

In this conversation, we’re taking a deep dive into clothing design with our guest, Andrea Greer. Andrea is a Rochester, New York-based fashion and clothing designer. She creates original artwork through painting, photography, and digital drawing then has those designs printed on a large scale. She and her team take those fabrics and create a line of women’s clothing that is carried by boutiques all over the country.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

In this conversation, we’re taking a deep dive into creative embroidery with our guest, Robert Mahar. Robert Mahar is an artist and designer who teaches imaginative do-it-yourself projects through high-quality video tutorials. Robert is also a proud season one alumni of NBC’s crafting competition show Making It! Co-hosted by Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

In this conversation, we’re taking a deep dive into surface design with our guest, Jo Kalute. Jo works lives and plays in Clovelly, a small idyllic coastal suburb of Sydney, Australia. She is a surface pattern designer and illustrator and her work is inspired by her Kenyan heritage.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

In this interview, we’re taking a deep dive into creative embroidery with our guest, Nancy Mac. Nancy is the founder and owner of Freon Collective, an eco-conscious, minimalistic beauty and lifestyle brand. “Freon” comes from old English, meaning “friends or friendship and she’s incorporated all facets of her interests in beauty, design, and art into this label.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

Today on the show we’re talking about building a quilting empire with my guest Jenny Doan.

Jenny Doan is the smiling face of Missouri Star Quilt Company. Stitching together simplified quilts full of love and laughter, she makes quilting easier, more accessible, and friendlier than ever before. Watching her tutorials feels like coming home again. With over 750,000 YouTube subscribers and more than 230 million views to date, Jenny has sparked enthusiasm for quilting and warmed her viewer’s hearts across the globe.

When she moved with her growing family to Missouri over 20 years ago, she never imagined that someday they’d have a successful quilting business. Like many small towns across America, employment was scarce, so in November 2008, on a modest budget, the Doan family bought a building in Hamilton and started Missouri Star Quilt Company. At first they offered basic quilting supplies and machine quilting services, but business picked up when they started posting videos of Jenny teaching quilting tutorials online. From that time on her life changed forever.

Almost 13 years later, Jenny now teaches quilting tutorials on YouTube once a week and continues to share her story everywhere she goes. It’s a labor of love and a dream come true for her. Hamilton, Missouri, has become a quilter’s paradise, attracting visitors from around the world. With the help of Jenny’s husband, Ron, her seven children, and 25 grandchildren, this family business has grown to include an entire community.

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This episode is sponsored by Divine Social. Divine Social is a marketing agency that helps eCommerce stores who sell to makers, creators, crafters, artists & DIY enthusiasts.  They are behind some of the biggest brands in the creative industry, responsible for strategies to move your online traffic from prospects to buyers to raving fans.  Just in time for the Black Friday/Cyber Monday rush, the team at Divine Social is offering a customized review of your shop to help you uncover what’s keeping you from selling more. Go to divinesocial.com/cia for more details. 

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about sustainability and sewing with my guest Wendy Ward.

Wendy is a writer, designer, maker, and educator. She has worked as a designer in fast fashion and for a small sustainable brand. For her master’s degree in 2004, she explored novel ways to recycle textiles and in 2007 she moved into education and has taught numerous garment-making, textile recycling, and garment alterations classes with adults. Wendy has her own line of sewing patterns called MIY Collection and has written five best-selling sewing books including her most recent, How to Sew Sustainably which was published in June.

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This episode is sponsored by

Bungalow Quilting carries the highest quality and most recent fabric releases. Your order will ship in less than 24 hours and we are centrally located. Curated by a 5-time author for C&T Publishing, and designer for Studio e fabrics, Judy knows how to select great fabrics for her shop. Shop online and use the discount code BUNGALOW to receive a 10% discount on your purchase for the month of October 2021.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building a weaving loom and spindle company with my guests Jane Patrick and Barry Schacht of Schacht Spindle Company.

Jane Patrick has been in the weaving and the textile arts field for over 40 years. Between 1981 and 1992 she was an editor at Interweave Press where she edited HANDWOVEN magazine, books, and Design Collections. Jane is an ardent enthusiast of both the art and craft of the textile arts, with interests in both contemporary and traditional work. Jane is the Creative Director for Schacht Spindle Company. Her current project is developing a textile school at Schacht in Boulder, Colorado.

Barry Schacht, CEO of Schacht Spindle Company, came into the weaving and spinning world by chance, in 1969, when his brother’s girlfriend wanted to learn to spin. From a first commission to make a drop spindle, to creating a loom with little knowledge, Barry has been the guiding light of Schacht Spindle Company, now housed in a 33,000 square foot building and employing 50 employees.

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This episode is sponsored by Wunderlabel, your one-stop-shop for professional custom clothing labels and personalized branding products. Visit wunderlabel.com to customize your own clothing labels, hang-tags, gift ribbon and other branding items. Our interactive online design tool will walk you through the design process. Recycled options, small batch quantities and OEKO-TEX certified labels are just a few of the amazing options we offer. Use discount code CIA15 for 15% off your entire purchase.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

 

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking embroidery and design with my guest Karen Barbé.

Karen is a designer, embroiderer, and author from Santiago, Chile now living in Chicago. Since 2007 she’s been inspiring and teaching thousands of makers through her blog and Instagram account, with in-person and online classes, and with her book Colour Confident Stitching. Noticing how her students felt frustrated about their color choices, Karen set out to teach about color in an accessible way. Her book —published in four languages—and her Domestika online class present a simple and hands-on method that helps makers understand color and create palettes for their own textile projects. She’s now exploring embroidery on paper, creating digital patterns, and collaborating with diverse Latin American craftspeople through the Chilean platform Artesanos en Feria.

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This episode is sponsored by Flying Fibers. Flying Fibers is a mother-daughter-operated wool company based in Central Pennsylvania. They focus on premium, breed-specific, British and American fibers, and yarns. You will find yarns from their farm of rare breed sheep, as well as from sustainable wool companies like Brooklyn Tweed and West Yorkshire Spinners.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's Craft Industry Alliance podcast episode, we’re talking about building a values-based business with my guests Meg and Patrick McElwee.

Meg started sewing after finishing an undergraduate degree in philosophy and a graduate degree in education. While living and teaching in rural Mexico for three years, she studied pattern drafting and made her own clothes - first out of necessity, then because of the sense of empowerment and joy it brought to her life. The meditative act of stitching continues to bring her a deep sense of well-being.

Her passion for slow fashion has expanded over the years to include the Sew Liberated sewing pattern line, two books, a sewing course with Craftsy, and her own online course, The Mindful Wardrobe Project. She enjoys supporting the slow stitching community through blog, her popular Instagram account, as well as live classes from time to time.

Patrick has been Meg's best friend and partner since they met in French class at age 19. A historian, computer programmer, and breakdancer, Patrick manages the technical and business side of Sew Liberated and is often the one behind the camera.

Meg and Patrick have three kids, three cats, a dog, and the incredible luck to be able to work creatively together every day.

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This episode is sponsored by Paper and Spark. Paper & Spark is the go-to financial resource center for makers & artists. Download their popular bookkeeping templates that import in your sales from Etsy, Amazon, Shopify, and other e-commerce platforms. All designed for makers by a CPA and handmade seller. Use code CIAPOD10 to save 10% off your purchase.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a group of craft brands with my guests Mark Hyland and Ursula Morgan.

Mark Hyland is the CEO of Premier Needle Arts. He's a seasoned marketing, sales, and corporate executive with 30+ years of experience building brands and successful organizations. Mark’s hands-on leadership style found him in various leadership positions implementing strategic direction and execution guidance at multi-million to billion-dollar brands and companies during his career. Today, Mark continues to provide his leadership to the brands and companies of Premier Needle Arts, where is focusing on growth initiatives, long-term strategy, and M&A opportunities within the needle arts world.

Ursula Morgan is the Chief Marketing Officer at Crafts Group. Ursula is a global award-winning seasoned technology and craft business executive. Before joining Crafts Group in January 2020, Ursula led the digital innovation and marketing team as Senior Vice President at CSS Industries. Previously Ursula held the CEO role at Creativebug, a Subscription Video On Demand platform, and led the acquisition of Creativebug by JOANN Fabric and Craft Stores in 2017.

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This episode is sponsored by Wool and Waves. Wool & Waves is an online yarn, needles and notions shop. Based on Vancouver Island, they offer a wide variety of Canadian Indie Dyed yarns and products from a host of talented small businesses. They’re crafters too and can help you make your project dreams come true! Listeners can save 15% off regular priced yarn, needles, and notions with code CIA15 until November 30, 2021. Visit them at woolandwaves.com or Yarn.ca

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about business pivots with my guest Kristi Schroeder Larson.

Texas native Kristi Schroeder Larson is the creator of Initial K Studio, offering modern quilt patterns and needlepoint designs to the market. Her designs are inspired by travel as well as by putting her modern twist on classic quilt blocks.

Kristi’s book Southwest Modern was published by Lucky Spool Media in 2017, blending a quilting book with a travelogue in the form of a beautiful coffee table book. You can follow her daily life with her two young sons and product development on Instagram @initialkstudio

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Today’s podcast is brought to you by Schiffer Craft. Since 1973, Schiffer Publishing has provided the craft industry with world-renowned authors and insightful books. With topics ranging from ceramics to fiber and textiles, floral design, glass art, wood working, metal craft, and more. Turn to Schiffer Craft for expert knowledge and inspiration!

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast​, we’re talking about creating a community space for crafters with my guest Leigh Metcalf.

Leigh is the owner of Topstitch Studio and Lounge in Atlanta, GA, a fabric and sewing studio (formerly an in-person physical space at Ponce City Market), author of London Stitch and Knit, A craft lover's guide to London's fabric, knitting and haberdashery shops, and she's also the host of the online sewcial community, Topstitch Makers.

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This episode is sponsored by C&T Publishing. C&T Publishing has a bit of everything for every maker! Quilting, sewing, cosplay, embroidery books and products... and so much more. On their podcast, Behind the Seams, C&T bring on their world-class authors who share their creative journeys and crafty tips & tricks to inspire. Explore C&T Publishing and their podcast by visiting online at ctpub.com. Take 25% off anything you fancy using code whileshenaps25. 

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about creating a digital magazine with the founders of Make Modern Magazine.

Make Modern is Australia's only modern quilt magazine. It began in 2014 when a group of passionate quilters had a dream of producing a magazine for quilters, by quilters, filled with beautiful patterns and articles to inspire quilters to make more modern quilts! Six years on and Make Modern magazine is read by thousands of quilters in over 70 countries around the globe. Each issue is 100+ pages jam-packed with modern quilt patterns designed by a huge team of international quilters, articles to inspire and teach you something new, and interviews with your favorite quilt designers.

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Whether you’re new to making, or looking to advance skills in a favorite hobby, Craftsy is the place to learn.  With over 1,500 classes, there’s something for everyone, from knitting and sewing, to baking and cooking, gardening, embroidery, quilting and more!  

 

Visit CraftsyOffers.com today and get a full year of Craftsy Premium Membership for just $3! That’s 97% off the regular price! Start turning ideas into projects you can be proud of. 

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about brand collaborations with my guest Tisa Jackson.

 

Tisa Jackson is the colorful brains behind This Is Tisa.  Tisa is a stationery designer and DIY craft content creator and workshop instructor. She’s inspired by color and has a passion for bright, colorful, happy designs and DIY projects.  Tisa has collaborated with brands such as HP, Michaels, Cricut, Beacon, and Silhouette. Visit her blog and you will come away learning quick and easy crafts, even if you don’t consider yourself a crafter.  

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This episode is sponsored by Craftsy. Classes for all maker levels and interests. Whether you’re new to making, or looking to advance skills in a favorite hobby, Craftsy is the place to learn. With over 1,500 classes, there’s something for everyone, from knitting and sewing, to baking and cooking, gardening, embroidery, quilting and more!  Visit CraftsyOffers.com today and get a full year of Craftsy Premium Membership for just $3! That’s 97% off the regular price! Start turning ideas into projects you can be proud of.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about textiles as a spiritual practice with my guest Christ Johnson.

Christi Johnson's art combines cosmic visions and botanical beauties, a hypnotic dance of symbols stitched slowly and methodically into fabric. She is the woman behind Mixed Color, a textile studio providing functional pieces that are thoughtfully made. Christi also shares her skills so that others may do so themselves. Christi creates kits and booklets and leads textile art workshops to educate others on these ancient skills and share the methods of her own creative practice.

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This episode is sponsored by Dream Maker Creative. Dream Maker Creative designs and produces a monthly crafting subscription box for tweens and teens called Terra Create. Winner of a Best in Category award by Cratejoy in 2020, Terra Create kits feature quality materials along with real artisan tools and techniques to inspire the next generation of makers. New for 2021, Dream Maker Creative is now curating craft kits from other indie artisans and small businesses. These will be featured in their Bremerton, Washington boutique and website alongside their original Terra Create line of craft kits. Dream Maker Creative will also return to teaching craft workshops in the greater Seattle area. Follow them on Social: Facebook | Instagram

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about sustainable fashion with my guest Katrina Rodabaugh.

Katrina Rodabaugh is an artist, author, and slow fashion advocate. Her work examines social and environmental issues through craft techniques like hand-stitching. Since 2013, she's focused on sustainable fashion by using mending, natural dyes, and redesign in her fiber arts studio. She teaches classes, designs and makes goods for her online shop, and writes books including her newest, Make Thrift Mend. Katrina currently lives in the Hudson Valley of NY with her husband, two sons, nine chickens, hive of honeybees, and many dye plants. 

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This episode is sponsored by Craftsy. Whether you’re new to making, or looking to advance skills in a favorite hobby, Craftsy is the place to learn.  

With over 1,500 classes, there’s something for everyone, from knitting and sewing, to baking and cooking, gardening, embroidery, quilting and more!  

Visit CraftsyOffers.com today and get a full year of Craftsy Premium Membership for just $3! That’s 97% off the regular price! Start turning ideas into projects you can be proud of. 

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about creating an inclusive craft community with my guest Cecilia Nelson-Hurt.

Cecilia is a proud Afro Latina who was taught to crochet as a child by her Grandma Sophie and learned to knit many years later. Known to many in the fiber community as ‘Creative Ceci,’ she is a global knitting and crochet enthusiast. Ceci is a Diversity & Inclusion practitioner for global brand L’Oreal and has over 15 years’ experience developing and executing initiatives to create an equal opportunity workplace. She leverages her training and experience as a speaker at many fiber events and is also an inaugural member of the ‘Vogue Knitting Live!’ Diversity Advisory Council and on the Board of Knit the Rainbow, an organization founded to provided knitting garments, crafting instruction and support to homeless LGBTQ+ youth.  Ceci loves to travel and ensures she visits a yarn shop wherever she goes. To date she’s visited over 150 shops both across the USA and internationally.

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This episode is sponsored by Digits & Threads, the member-supported online magazine for Canadian fibre and textile arts. Digits & Threads is the member-supported online magazine for Canadian fibre and textile arts. No matter where in the world you are, there’s something crafty in the Great White North for you. Use the code ALLIANCE for 10% off your first year at digitsandthreads.ca.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about creating a knitting magazine with my guest Hanna Lisa Haferkamp and Claire Walls.

Hanna Lisa is the CEO and owner of Making Stories, an independent, knitwear design publisher focusing on the intersection of sustainability and knitting. The cornerstone of her work at Making Stories is the biannual Making Stories Magazine, filled with modern knitwear patterns and sustainable yarns, which is complemented by the Making Stories blog and podcast, both relaunched in 2020. Implementing sustainability, transparency, fairness, and equity in all parts of her work is incredibly important to Hanna Lisa. She lives with her 18-month-old and her partner in Berlin is fueled by coffee and sunshine and loves taking her knitting out to the playground, park, or balcony. 

And Clarie Walls is a maker and designer of nice things originally from the UK, but now living in Nova Scotia. In 2017 she published her first knitting pattern and completely fell in love with designing knitwear and over time became increasingly interested in working with natural fibers and exploring sustainability. When Claire discovered Making Stories, she was instantly excited and intrigued by the work they were doing, so she jumped at the chance to work for them when a job opportunity came up.

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Today's episode is sponsored by Appalachian Baby Design. Appalachian Baby Design offers U.S. organic cotton and designs to create heirloom baby and family gifts for the knitter, crocheter and weaver.  See their selection of yarn, patterns and kits at appalachianbaby.com and use code CIA421 for a 20% discount from 4/5/21 to 4/30/21.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a business as a mixed media artist with my guest Mou Saha.

Mou Saha is a mixed media artist and teacher. She has been published over 700 times in print media, appeared on PBS TV shows and created several coloring books of her own. Her academic background in clinical psychology fuels her ongoing quest for wellness through creativity. Mou is a mom of three and lives in New Jersey with her family. She can be found online at https://mousaha.com  and on Instagram as mou.saha.studio

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This episode is sponsored by Reprint and Repurpose, a small fabric business. At Reprint and Repurpose, they have so much fun getting to create up-cycled fabric, offering crafters like you an earth-friendly fabric choice, that can be used in all your projects, from quilts to apparel. Shop online at reprintandrepurpose.com, use the code PODCAST10 for a discount for your order!

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about running an indie craft show with my guest Tricia Brancolini-Foley, the Executive Director of Handmade Arcade.

Tricia believes in the power of making things by hand. She has been a maker and crafter her entire life. She started at Handmade Arcade in 2010 as a volunteer and in 2014, she spearheaded the organization’s transition from a volunteer-run LLC to an official 501(c)3 and became its Executive Director. Since then she’s grown its budget significantly and doubling the number of makers the organization serves. During COVID Tricia successfully guided Handmade Arcade through the process of creating a virtual craft fair, which we’ll talk about. Supporting and participating in the arts continues to be a central theme in all aspects of Tricia’s life. She is on the board of directors for the Brentwood Library, has volunteered for ten years as a Girl Scout leader, and is continuously creating new collaborations with artists, small businesses, and other nonprofit groups to bolster Pittsburgh’s maker community.

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This episode is sponsored by OnlineLabels.com. OnlineLabels.com gives business owners the flexibility to design and print their own labels. They have 1000s of sizes so finding the label for your job couldn't be easier - whether it's a shipping label or a product label. The best part is, they have no minimum orders and bulk pricing so you can order as few as 1 sheet. Visit onlinelabels.com/craftindustryalliancepodcast today for an exclusive $10 off your next purchase of $25 or more.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

 On this episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about building a career bringing people together through yarn with my guest Shelley Brander.

After a successful career as a copywriter and broadcast producer, creating campaigns for brands like AT&T and Hard Rock, Shelley Brander followed her passion and started an improbable "side hustle"—she opened a local yarn store. She and her team of Loops Troops have since grown Loops into a global brand that's on the forefront of the modern maker movement, and includes LoopsLove.com, LoopsClub.com and Knit Stars, a global, online learning adventure. She's on a mission to Knit the World Together. Her second book, Move the Needle: Yarns from an Unlikely Entrepreneur is a Wall Street Journal best-seller. She lives in Tulsa with her husband and at least three dogs, and has three very creative, grown children.

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This episode is sponsored by Esther’s Fabrics. Esther's Fabrics is located on Bainbridge Island, just a short ferry ride from Seattle. Since 1959, Esther’s has offered old fashion service with a modern sensibility. They offer a range of sewing and crafting supplies including modern quilting cottons, gorgeous apparel fabric, knitting yarns and embroidery supplies and more. They buy what they love, and they think you'll love it too. Esther’s is also online at esthersfabrics.com.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about building a business in scrapbooking and photography with my guest Azzari Jarrett.

Azzari is a photographer and designer who is inspired by simple, everyday moments. You can usually find her chasing natural light with one too many (film) cameras. She enjoys a good morning run, a daily cup of coffee, and evenings on the beach. She lives with her husband and three daughters on the North Carolina Coast.

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This episode is sponsored by Creativebug.com.

Stop the endless scroll through Netflix and start a new creative practice instead with Creativebug.

Creativebug is an online streaming service with thousands of art and craft classes taught by industry-leading artists and makers. Learn to paint, knit, sew, bake and more -- all from the comfort of your own home. 

From the avid finger-painter to the experienced sewist - all ages and skill levels are welcome to watch. 

Use code CRAFT21 at checkout to get your first two months free at Creativebug.com.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a business as a watercolor artist with my guest Anne Butera.

Anne Butera is a self-taught artist who finds inspiration in the beauty of her garden and the magic of nature. She works primarily in watercolor but also loves challenging herself to try new things. She strives to seek out and celebrate life’s little joys and daily graces.

Anne writes the blog My Giant Strawberry; teaches in person and online; and sells her art, designs and fabric on her website and elsewhere on the web.

Anne’s paintings have been exhibited across the country and her art and writing have been published in magazines and in the book Botanica.

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This episode is sponsored by Verve Leadership.  Verve Leadership provides creativity-based coaching to individuals and organizations seeking to make greater impact in their work and have more fulfillment in their lives.  Verve Leadership is pleased to offer a 20% discount on select coaching packages to CIA podcast listeners.  Visit VerveLeadership.com/Craft to learn more.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about creating a textile magazine with my guest Polly Leonard.

Polly Leonard is the Founder of Selvedge, an internationally renowned textile magazine that was launched in 2003 and now has almost one hundred issues to its name.

From its modest beginning on Polly’s kitchen table, the magazine revolutionized the way textiles are presented and quickly became the world’s leading textile publication. It now has a readership of over 75,000 and a dedicated international following. As well as a magazine, Polly has since launched an online artisan emporium, as well as The Selvedge World Fair and creative collaborations with the likes of Liberty, Anthropologie, The National Trust, and the V&A.  

Polly has specialist knowledge in all aspects of textiles, with a particular interest in the role textiles have played in the evolution of humanity. Her own textile practice encompasses using weaving embroidery and basket making to produce sculptures. She has taught and lectured around the world. Selvedge combines her passions for social history, fine art, and craft. 

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Today's episode is sponsored by h+h cologne @ home - 100 % digital From 26 to 28 March 2021, Koelnmesse will present the latest trends and product innovations as part of the new, comprehensive h+h cologne @home digital marketplace. you will find all fully updated information about your participation possibilities, new contents and prices of the digital h+h cologne 2021 in the coming weeks on www.hh-cologne.com

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

 

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a yarn shop, both online and brick-and-mortar, with my guest Kathy Elkins.

Along with her husband Steve, Kathy is the owner of WEBS – America’s Yarn Store located in Northampton, MA.  WEBS was founded in 1974 by Steve’s mother and in 2002 Kathy & Steve assumed ownership.  Kathy holds a B.A. in Communication from the University of New Hampshire and an M.B.A. from Suffolk University.  She has extensive marketing experience in consumer products as well as prior committee and board experience on various community organizations.  Her most important role is that of being a mom to her two sons, Jackson & Jonathan.

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This episode is sponsored by Makerist. Makerist is your new favorite online craft destination and Europe’s largest online pattern marketplace, and now they’re expanding into the global market to bring their huge selection of PDF sewing, knitting, crochet, and embroidery patterns to crafters everywhere! Use the coupon code CA20 to take 20% off your first purchase for any full-price patterns. The coupon is applied at checkout.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about building an audience as a sewing blogger with my guest Alexis Bailey.

Alexis is a DIY sewing blogger, sewist, and recently handsewist. She is passionate about sustainability, intentional making, and natural fibers. Entering the online sewing scene in 2017, Alexis has built a truly impressive audience in a short time and created a blossoming business out of her passion as well.

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This episode is sponsored by Makerist. Makerist is your new favorite online craft destination and Europe’s largest online pattern marketplace, and now they’re expanding into the global market to bring their huge selection of PDF sewing, knitting, crochet, and embroidery patterns to crafters everywhere! 

Take 20% off your first purchase for any full-price patterns with the coupon code CA20. The coupon is applied at checkout.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking with Anne Oliver of Lolli and Grace.

 

For Anne, drawing, painting, and crafts have been a part of her life since almost the very beginning. She spent several years out of college working at a small independent craft store (a dream job, for sure), then started her own business hand-painting clothing, custom murals and furniture. For her, color has all always been a source of inspiration, and years later serendipity led her to blend that love of color with embroidery, designing, and writing to offer hand embroidery patterns and kits for all levels of stitchers. She’s been featured in several publications, including Homespun magazine and the Better Homes and Gardens Christmas Crafts issue.

To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

 

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about building a knitting business with my guest Louis Boria.

After going viral for knitting during his daily subway commute from Brooklyn to Manhattan late in 2017, 45-year-old Puerto Rican Knitwear Designer and Philanthropist Louis Boria, also known as Brooklyn Boy Knits, has turned his passion for fiber arts into a platform where he now works with the community. He uses his platform to break down gender norms and tackle issues related to diversity and inclusion within the fiber arts community.

Throughout his journey from novice knitter to designer to Tedx speaker and influencer, he has focused on helping others. He believes that creativity can help heal wounds, both our own and society’s. Boria has collaborated with fiber artists, fiber industry leaders, community partners, and school districts to provide an interactive, engaging, and fun program that teaches young students to value differences. Be sure to check out Louis’ Tedx talk, “Making the most of your moment” which can be found on YouTube.

 

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This episode is sponsored by Jimmy Beans Wool. Started in 2002, Jimmy Beans Wool has been your go-to local yarn shop online for nearly two decades! They’ve got thousands of yarns to choose from in a variety of brands, weights, colors, and price points, along with everything you need to create and finish the perfect project. They’re now offering free US shipping to our listeners. Head to JimmyBeansWool.com/CraftIndustryAlliance to get crafting!  

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcas,t we're talking about running a brick-building a business in crochet with my guest, Twinkie Chan.

Twinkie is a San-Francisco based crochet designer and instructor known for her colorful, food-themed accessories like cupcake scarves, hamburger mitts, and slushee cup purses. She has two published crochet books and currently has a crochet installation on view at Sweet Tooth Hotel in Dallas, TX.

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This episode is sponsored by Muezart, unique, natural, sustainable yarn & fibers. For makers who love to create. Muezart is a small yarn and fiber company that works closely with women partners in the villages of Meghalaya. Muezart's mission is to promote Eri silk, a unique, natural, and sustainable fiber known to have the world's smallest carbon footprint, to the makers of the world.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about building a multi-faceted craft business with my guest Kathy Cano-Murillo.

Kathy Cano-Murillo is an author, artist & founder of the award-winning brand, CraftyChica. She spreads the gospel of glitter – literally through her DIY projects and figuratively through her speeches, workshops, books, and essays.

A former syndicated columnist for The Arizona Republic, she is now a full-time creativepreneur which has led to multiple Crafty Chica mass retail product lines, and collabs with Coca-Cola, HSN, HP, WordPress, Disney & many others. She has authored seven craft books, two novels, and recently, Forever Frida: A Celebration of the Life, Art, Loves, Words, and Style of Frida Kahlo. She has been featured in The New York Times, USA Today, Huffington Post, Buzzfeed+ more. Kathy is Mexican-American, a native of Phoenix, Arizona, mom of two, a wife, and owner of three Chihuahuas.

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This episode is sponsored by Flowsmith. Flowsmith creates a QuickBooks portal for companies to streamline the process of managing wholesale orders. Especially developed for small and mid-sized businesses, your new portal will allow you to easily reduce costs, improve internal communication, and keep a professional atmosphere. Stay up to date with information at your fingertips by visiting flowsmith.us and start your 90-day free trial TODAY!

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

 

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a career as a textile artist and creativity coach with my guest Clara Nartey.

 

Clara's textile artwork has been widely exhibited in solo and group shows in museums across the United States. Her work is held in both private and corporate collections.

 

Clara is a self-taught artist who learned by stitching together a curriculum of workshops, art lessons, and several hours of studio practice. She’s an artist, an educator, and the creator of The Clara Nartey Blog – a Top 20 fiber art blog. She holds a bachelor’s in Computer Science/ Statistics and a master’s in Business Administration.

 

Clara is known for her heart-centered teaching and her ability to unlock people’s undiscovered creative potential which leaves her clients with confidence. Clara believes in equipping creative people with skills that go beyond techniques. She’s the creator of training programs like Clarity to Create, which teaches you to get into the right mindset for creative excellence, and Innovate to Create, which teaches you to build systems so that you can enjoy creative and financial freedom.

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This episode is sponsored by Search Press. Find your new skill in 2020 and use code BESTSKILL for a 30% discount on Search Press books on our website, www.searchpressusa.com.

See Search Press books in your local fiber arts and craft store or view our whole catalog at Search Press North America. Search Press are sold through Sommer Street and are available at industry events.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

 

Today on the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a life and career as an artist with my guest Courtney Cerruti.

 

Courtney is an artist, collaborator and Editor-In-Chief at Creativebug, an online arts and crafts education site. She's authored 5 books, one of which was released earlier this year and is called Make Art Where You Are and her new one, One Color a Day releases in September.  She's a new mom but still attempts to do something creative everyday and can be found on Instagram as @ccerruti

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This episode is sponsored by VM Wasek – financial system strategists for Shopify sellers.

Veronica Wasek and her team at VM Wasek help Shopify sellers to set up, organize, and streamline their financial systems. Whether you’re looking for DIY, done with you, or done for you financials.

To learn more about VM Wasek and how they can help you get control over your Shopify financial systems, visit vmwasek.com or download the free Shopify Bookkeeping Blueprint – the Shopify seller’s guide to confident bookkeeping.

Craft Industry Alliance members get a 10% discount on all services.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a business in knitting with my guest Gaye Glasspie.

Gaye Glasspie a.k.a GGmadeit better known as GG is a 50-something-year-old who fell in love with knitting late in life - in just the last 9 or 10 years. 

She is self-taught via YouTube and some wonderfully friendly yarn stores and she is obsessed with all things orange. GG discovered knitting during a very challenging time in her life -knitting is her ride or die, her BFF, her kind of therapy. Knitting has also become a beautiful bridge into a world of wonderful people and a way to universally connect with others.

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Today's episode is sponsored by Alive with Purpose. Alive with Purpose provides beautiful, high-quality hand-dyed yarns for a cause: a portion of all sales proceeds benefits mental health supporting organizations in Minnesota. While the name doesn’t necessarily “scream” yarn, your purchase will effectively reaffirm that all persons, regardless of diagnosis, are indeed, “Alive with Purpose”.  From now through August 31st, enter coupon code CIA2020 for a 15% discount on any purchase! Go to alivewithpurpose.org to learn more. 

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about building a business in ceramics with my guest Emily Reinhardt.

 

Emily Reinhardt created The Object Enthusiast in 2011 right after graduating from Kansas State University. The greatest gift of all was the mentorship and guidance of professors and teachers in the ceramics department at Kansas State, and without these mentors, The Object Enthusiast would not have been born. Emily focuses primarily on creating functional objects that elevate the everyday while also branching off into some sculptural and conceptual pieces. Over the last year, the focus has shifted from mass production to a slower pace of creation - making sure each piece is brought to life with love and intention.

 

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This episode is sponsored by Schacht Spindle Company.

 

Schacht Spindle Company has been manufacturing hand weaving looms and spinning wheels in Boulder, Colorado since 1969. Schacht products are beautifully crafted tools designed with the craftsperson in mind. Sign up for their monthly newsletter at schachtspindle.com to be entered into a drawing to win a Schacht Lilli Loom. Their newsletter includes free patterns, product updates and Schacht news.

 

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a business in bag making with my guest Ellie Lum.

Ellie Lum is an accomplished creative entrepreneur, artist, and skill-building educator based out of Portland, Oregon. Ellie’s passion lies at the intersection of education, art, creative business, and environmental justice. Along with her passion for creating, she is deeply committed to sharing her skills with those who want to learn.

As a business owner of 20 years in a craftsman-based business, R.E. Load Bags, she has honed her skills as a leader and teacher instructing those who worked with her how to master the craft of industrial sewing as well as small business management. She graduated from UC Berkeley with a B.S. in Ecoliteracy, where she studied adult hands-on learning theory in garden education. For the past few years, she’s been teaching sewing and mentoring folks on their creative business ventures through her DIY Workshop and handmade goods brand, Klum House.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a business in cross stitch with my guests Lizzy and Spencer Bean.

Lizzy and Spencer are the founders and owners of Stitch People, which began in 2013. They both share a great love of entrepreneurship, dog rescue (they have 3 shelter dogs!), and performing which they share as their "capital "D" Dream." They got their start on the stage, but now Lizzy more frequently performs on-screen, and Spencer has become a talented voiceover artist.

Stitch People has been their source of hard work and joy for the past 7 years and they are absolutely stunned by the amazing creations of the incredibly talented and supportive Stitch People Community.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a business in rug hooking with my guest Amy Oxford.

Amy Oxford is the owner of The Oxford Company in Cornwall Vermont. She’s been making punch needle style hooked rugs since 1982 when she worked as an at-home rug hooker for McAdoo Rugs, a cottage industry in North Bennington, Vermont. She worked as a traveling rug hooking instructor for 26 years and also started a teacher certification program. After developing carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis, Amy worked with an engineer to develop her own ergonomic rug making tool, The Oxford Punch Needle, which is now celebrating its 25th anniversary. In 2013, Amy settled down and started her own school, The Oxford Rug Hooking School, in Cornwall in a 200-year-old farmhouse.

Her work includes everything from dollhouse rugs to a room-sized rug and a stair runner. She’s the author of six books on rug hooking including her latest, Punch Needle Rug Hooking - Your Complete Resource to Learn & Love the Craft, which will be released in the fall of this year by Schiffer Publishing. She lives in an off-the-grid wind and solar-powered home in Cornwall, Vermont.

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Today's episode is sponsored by WHITNEYMANNEY. WHITNEYMANNEY is a fashion and textile label creating wearable culture inspired by the aesthetics of street art and cultural movements. Through every garment and accessory, WM challenges you to wear your statement. Use code WMPOD for $10 off of orders over $50 through June 30th.

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 To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a business crocheting dolls with my guest Allison Hoffman.

Allison Hoffman has been crocheting and designing fun amigurumi for over a decade, has written five crochet books, and lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and three sons. She spends her workdays crocheting weird stuff, writing down how she did it, and you can find out all about it at her website, craftyiscool.com. Her two newest books are “Crochet 'The Golden Girls'” and “‘Friends' Crochet”, both to be released Fall of 2020.

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This episode is sponsored by Timeless Treasures. Timeless Treasures is recognized for its unique novelty prints, bringing fun and playful designs to life. You can browse Timeless Treasures diverse collections, novelties, batiks, patterns, and large library of free projects on ttfabrics.com and follow us on Instagram @TimelessTreasuresFabrics. Look for Timeless Treasures next time you visit your favorite fabric store.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

Today on the show we’re talking about building a quilting business with my guest Amy Smart.

Amy has loved sewing as long as she can remember. She started quilting in earnest after the birth of her first baby 21 years ago, craving a creative outlet and something that 'stayed done' at the end of the day. While enjoying quilting as a hobby, she feels so lucky to have dovetailed this interest into a strong business. She's experienced multiple aspects of the quilting industry, including working in a local quilt shop for 10 years, starting a blog - Diary of a Quilter - in 2008, teaching locally and at large events like the Fat Quarterly retreat, QuiltCon, and Riley Blake's Garden of Quilts, writing and selling her own quilt patterns, publishing a book, and eventually designing fabric collections for Riley Blake Designs. It has been an exciting ride - full of unexpected opportunities and lots of lessons learned along the way.

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Janelle Hardy is the creator and teacher of transformational memoir-writing course The Art of Personal Mythmaking.

Sometimes it feels daunting to write your lifestory down. So let’s start sorting through and organizing all the details you need to structure your memoir inside Outline Your Memoir, a free on-demand video workshop. The workshop will take you through your vast, storied and varied life to get you started with writing it all down.

Janelle’s courses cater to highly creative curious people who have a desire to write their memoirs and heal from the difficult parts of their lifestories at the same time with her Outline Your Memoir workshop, Keep Writing circles and the Art of Personal Mythmaking. Use the coupon code CIA10 for 10% off any of Janelle Hardy’s courses, through the end of 2020.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a crochet business with my guest Toni Lipsey.

Toni is the designer and instructor behind TL Yarn Crafts. Through her printable patterns and cheery video tutorials, she strives to make crochet accessible to makers of every skill level. Toni learned to crochet as a teen but honed her skills after graduating from college. She was bitten by the entrepreneur bug in 2015 and began TL Yarn Crafts as a finished product business. Designing soon became the focus and she was able to quit her day job in 2017. At present, Toni spends her time nurturing her community of over 175K makers across platforms by offering approachable crochet patterns and handmade business wisdom. 

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Today's episode is sponsored by Amy Barickman. Amy is the founder of Indygo Junction and authored the award-winning book Vintage Notions: An inspirational guide to needlework, cooking, sewing, fashion and fun! Visit Amy’s blog and sign up for her newsletter to follow her journey as she curates and shares fabulous images and projects for you to create. Amy’s will newsletter notify you about upcoming Vintage Made Modern videos and Vintage Notions LIVE events.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about fabric design and illustration with my guest Heather Ross.

Author and artist Heather Ross has won fame exploring themes of resourceful and creative living, the natural world, and handmade. Best known for her collectible fabric designs and books that appeal to the handmade and craft markets, she also hosts a wildly popular series of craft retreats held across the country.

Heather’s critically acclaimed memoir How To Catch a Frog chronicles her childhood spent in a remote corner of Vermont, in a wilderness setting that remains a major influence on her creative work. She is also a celebrated illustrator of numerous children’s books, including the best-selling Crafty Chloe series, winner of the Kirkus Star. Heather Ross was a regular guest on The Martha Stewart Show and one of the most-viewed artists featured on the how-to video channel Creativebug. She regularly speaks on a wide range of topics that include creative living, the modern craft movement, and handmade.

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Today's episode is sponsored by Stockabl. Stockabl is a curated wholesale marketplace for handcrafted goods, built by makers like you, not by Silicon Valley. We’ve got convenient features like risk-free Net 60 buyer terms without the hefty commissions, and orders are always paid within 3 days so you don’t have to worry about cash flow.

With the average wholesale order being worth $250 and some platforms charging commissions as high as 25%, switching to Stockabl helps you put an extra $62.50 per order in the bank. How? As makers ourselves, we understand how every dollar counts so we’re waiving our transaction fees.  

Learn more at stockabl.com/craftindustryalliance. Apply to sell today and get your first month free.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building an ecommerce apparel business with my guests David and Holly Lesue.

Holly is a quilter. She runs Maker Valley—a brand for creative makers (quilters and sewists)—where she designs graphic quilting/sewing tees, writes quilt patterns, curates custom quilt kits and fabric bundles, and designs enamel pins and stickers.

David is a graphic designer. He runs Stately Type—a collaborative t-shirt brand—where he designs graphic tees with the help of his social media followers.

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Today's episode is brought to you by Troll Brothers Quilt Designs. Troll Brothers Quilt Designs is a Canadian online quilt shop located on picturesque Vancouver Island, BC, focusing on today's modern fabrics and trending designers in the quilting industry.  Stacie Wilson, the owner of Troll Brothers, provides you the best online shopping experience and personalized customer service to bring you the fabrics, patterns, and notions you are looking for!

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we’re talking about building a sewing pattern business with my guest Norma Loehr.

Norma is the founder and creative director of Orange Lingerie. After a career in financial services, she started Orange Lingerie and began making custom bras for individual clients in 2010. In 2013 she published a book on how to sew and fit bras and then began releasing her own line of bra sewing patterns and teaching her techniques in weekend workshops all over the U.S. 

Her company’s mission is to enable sewists to make their own beautiful and professional looking lingerie.

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Today’s episode is brought to you by Therm O Web, maker of some of the craft industry’s most enduring and innovative brands, including HeatnBond, ZOTS, iCraft and Deco Foil. Based in the Chicago suburbs, second-generation, family-owned Therm O Web is proud to have served the creative community for nearly 50 years with quality products for sewing, quilting, embroidery and paper crafts. Visit thermowebonline.com to learn more.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about building a business as a paper flower artist with my guest Kate Alarcon.

Kate Alarcón is known for her signature designs of uncommon paper botanicals. She teaches flower crafting workshops through her company, The Cobra Lily, and her remarkable pieces have appeared on sites including Martha Stewart Living, Design*Sponge, Poppytalk, and The House That Lars Built, among others. She lives in the Seattle area.

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This episode is sponsored by Darice.

With over 45,000 arts and crafts items across hundreds of product categories, Darice is your one-stop source for wholesale supplies for your craft hobby, business or store.

Whether you make items to sell at craft fairs and your Etsy shop or you teach workshops or make craft kits to sell, find all the supplies and products you need for your handmade business. Darice is offering an exclusive promotion for Craft Industry Alliance listeners. Visit Darice.com and use promo code CIA15 at checkout for 15% off your order. Offer valid through 3/31/20.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about​ building a business in rug hooking with my guest Rose Pearlman.

Rose is an artist and teacher who focuses on textile design. Her workshops center on ways of making beautiful home objects with simple, inexpensive materials. As the daughter of two artists, her parents taught her to value a life filled with creating, tinkering, and playing. She lives in New York City with her family.

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This episode is sponsored by Darice.

With over 45,000 arts and crafts items across hundreds of product categories, Darice is your one-stop source for wholesale supplies for your craft hobby, business or store.

Whether you make items to sell at craft fairs and your Etsy shop or you teach workshops or make craft kits to sell, find all the supplies and products you need for your handmade business. Darice is offering an exclusive promotion for Craft Industry Alliance listeners. Visit Darice.com and use promo code CIA15 at checkout for 15% off your order. Offer valid through 2/29/20.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about fostering creativity through daily practice with my guest Windy Chien.

Windy Chien is best known for her 2016 work, The Year Of Knots, in which she learned a new knot every day for a year. Her work ranges in size from a knot that can fit in the palm of a child's hand to majestic, room-sized installations that are sought after by private collectors. Following long careers at Apple and as the owner of legendary music shop Aquarius Records, she launched her studio in 2015. Select clients include IBM, the National Geographic Society, and the Kering Group, and her work has been covered by Wired, The New York Times and Martha Stewart. Windy’s book about her work was published by Abrams in 2019.

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This episode is sponsored by Search Press. Find your new craft in 2020 and use code NEWCRAFT for a 30% discount on Search Press books on our website, www.searchpressusa.com.

 See Search Press books in your local fiber arts and craft store or view our whole catalog at Search Press North America. Search Press books are sold through Sommer Street and are available at industry events.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

 

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about collaborations with my guest Angela Smith and Liz Gipson.

Angela founded Purl & Loop in 2012 after realizing her “ladder was against the wrong wall” in her sales career and she was determined to find a calling that brought joy and creativity to the world.  While she enjoyed needle crafts, she was more focused on the idea of creating a business from them rather than actually doing them. Since she focused on operations and process in graduate school, the world of manufacturing always had a special attraction.  Purl & Loop was originally a fiber related e-commerce site.  Upon discovering the world of laser cutters in 2014, Purl & Loop moved into the business of creating portable weaving looms and accessories.  Her goal is to create fun, cute and simple weaving products to help makers use up their yarn and thread stash.  When her mind is overactive with creativity, usually in the middle of the night, she reads mystery novels........she averages about one per week.

Liz Gipson has an educational background in community development, wool science, and adult education, and a lifetime of exuberance for introducing beginners to the art and craft of weaving. She hosts a community-funded, online weaving school for rigid-heddle weavers and a resource-rich website. She has written many books about rigid-heddle weaving both self-published and for established publishers. Liz has worked for herself for the past 8 years and before that worked in the yarn trade in publishing and manufacturing. Having spent nearly 20 years in the yarn industry and more than 30 as a weaver, she really enjoys collaborating with yarn makers, tool suppliers, and fellow makers to create unique learning experiences.

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This episode is brought to you by GourmetQuilter. GourmetQuilter has been bringing original quilt patterns to the quilt world for the last 20 years, as well as many quilting tips and techniques video tutorials via GourmetQuilter on YouTube. 0nline projects are a specialty such as Block of the Day, what's in the Box Mystery quilts, Sew Alongs as well as many other delicious items. Go to www.gourmetquilter.com to learn more and use code CIA20 to receive a 20% discount on the GourmetQuilter book, That Town and Country Quilt, through Feb 29th 2020.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a business as a paper artist with my guest Abigail McMurray of Yeiou Paper Objects. I visited Abigail in her studio in Arlington, Massachusetts to record this interview which was a lot of fun.

With paper as a medium, artist Abigail McMurray combines her background in graphic design and sculpture to create papercraft kits, unique greeting cards, architecturally-inspired artwork, and custom house portraits under the name yeiou paper objects. Abigail’s custom house portraits were awarded an Honorable Mention in the 2019 Etsy Design Awards. These heirlooms capture a home or other building, rendering the details and dimensions in a one-of-a-kind paper sculpture. Abigail lives and works in Arlington, MA with her husband, sister, and cat, who are all very gracious about the tiny bits of paper that end up all over the house.

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​This episode is sponsored by Search Press. Bringing you the finest in art and craft instruction books to improve your skills or ignite a new passion.

For 50 years, Search Press has delighted crafters with detailed instruction books for knitting, crochet, sewing, quilting, fiber crafts, painting and drawing. Start 2020 off with some of the finest books in craft. If you would like to learn more about selling Search Press books in your store or on your website, check out our website searchpressusa.com.

See Search Press books in your local fiber arts and craft store or view our whole catalog at Search Press North America. Search Press are sold through Sommer Street and are available at industry events.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

Today we have a special episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast recorded at Fall Quilt Market in Houston, Texas. International Quilt Market is a trade show for the fabric and quilt industry. It takes place twice a year, in October and May, and is a time when quilt shop owners from all over the country and all over the world come together to see the forthcoming fabric collections from all of the manufacturers, try out the latest sewing machines, embroidery machines, and long arm machines from all the big machine brands, and discover new notions, buttons, trims, storage solutions, and other neat things they might want to carry in their shops in the coming year.

I attended Fall Quilt Market and recorded interviews with shop owners about how 2019 was for them, what's selling particularly well, and what challenges they're facing coming into 2020. Some of the shop owners I talked to have been in business for three decades, and some for just a few years. Some are full-service quilt shops with a dozen employees, some are very small shops, and some are online only. I enjoyed hearing the diversity of their experiences and I think you'll get a snapshot of the industry by listening to what they have to say.

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This episode is sponsored by Marcus Fabrics and Studio 37 Fabrics. For well over 100 years, Marcus Fabrics/Studio 37 has created beautiful fabrics for quilters and crafters, offering innovative, expertly designed BOM programs, designer fabrics and museum collections for today’s creative market, from Traditional to Trendy! Visit MarcusFabrics.com to view the collections, download some great free projects & more. And follow them on social media @marcusfabrics and @studio37fabrics.

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 To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

 

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a fiber business with my guest Felicia Lo.

Felicia is a designer and entrepreneur, born and raised in Vancouver, Canada. Her lifelong passion for knitting, color, and design led her to start the sweetgeorgia blog in 2004. A year later, SweetGeorgia was founded at her dining room table with nothing more than three skeins of sock yarn for sale on Etsy. Since then, SweetGeorgia has become a way of life where work and play are inseparable.

In 2017, she published her first book “Dyeing to Spin & Knit” with Interweave Press and currently, she is developing the School of SweetGeorgia to offer online fiber arts education to color-obsessed crafters. When she’s not playing with yarn or hunting tacos and ramen, she’s chasing her two young children around with her orange-loving husband.

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This episode is brought to you by Darice, a premiere distributor and manufacturer of wholesale arts and crafts supplies with over 45,000 items across hundreds of product categories. Darice is offering an exclusive promotion for Craft Industry Alliance listeners. Visit Darice.com and use promo code CIA20 at checkout for 20% Off your order. Offer valid through 12/31/19.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we’re talking about goal setting and getting things done with my guest Elise Blaha Cripe.

Elise Blaha Cripe lives with her husband and two young daughters in San Diego, California. She has been sharing thoughts and DIY projects online since 2005, running an online shop of handmade goods since 2008 and in 2015 launched GET TO WORK BOOK, a day planner + goal setting journal. Her book, Big Dreams, Daily Joys, a guidebook to goal-setting, productivity and finding more space for the things you love, just launched this October.

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This episode is sponsored by VAWAA. Book a mini-apprenticeship with a master artist or craftsperson in 23 countries worldwide. Anyone can choose an artist from the site and spend 4-7 days immersing into the daily life of an artist, learning a new skill or collaborating on a project. From block printing in India, natural textile dyeing in Vietnam, or mandala weaving in Spain, your creative vacation awaits. Discover the VAWAA that calls you. Craft Industry Alliance listeners get $100 off their first booking. Enter CIA100 during your booking request to redeem.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today!

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about discovering the life you’re meant to live as a maker with my guest Melanie Falick.

 Melanie Falick is an independent writer, editor, and creative director—and a lifelong maker. She is the author, mostly recently, of Making a Life: Working by Hand and Discovering the Life You Are Meant to Live, as well as several other titles, including the seminal Knitting in America and bestsellers Kids Knitting and Weekend Knitting. She is the former publishing director of STC Craft/Melanie Falick Books, an imprint of Abrams, where she spearheaded books by many of the DIY world’s most esteemed authors, including Natalie Chanin, Lena Corwin, Kaffe Fassett, Lotta Jansdotter, Clara Parkes, Heather Ross, and Denyse Schmidt. She is also the creative director and editor of Mason-Dixon Knitting Field Guides. Find her on Instagram @melaniefalick and at melaniefalick.com.

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Hello Bargello is dedicated to bringing back the vintage needlecraft of bargello! Working from vintage patterns, we modernize classic bargello techniques for today’s makers, with fresh color palettes and fun projects from fashion accessories to home decor. Visit hellobargello.com for free how-to videos, kits, digital patterns, and everything you need to discover your new favorite needlecraft! Use code ALLIANCE for 15% off orders just for Craft Industry Alliance podcast listeners!

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about quilting and activism with my guests Sara Trail and Juan Tapia.

We recorded this episode in person at the New England Quilt Museum in Lowell, Massachusetts where there is an exhibit up through December 1, 2019 of the Social Justice Sewing Academy Quilts called Piecing Together Youth Voices in a 21st Century Sewing Circle. 

Sara Trail is the founder and executive director of the Social Justice Sewing Academy. Sara learned to sew when she was a toddler and had a sewing career as a teenager when she wrote Sew with Sara, a book that teaches teens and tweens how to sew clothes and accessories. She also starred in nationally published DVDs called Cool Stuff to Sew with Sara, designed two fabric collections with Fabri-Quilt and a pattern collection with Simplicity. While attending UC Berkeley, Sara created a quilt in memory of Trayvon Martin and her love for sewing and passion for social justice intertwined. After graduating from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education, she founded the Social Justice Sewing Academy (SJSA) to be a platform where youth create art that engages and educates communities. 

 

Juan Tapia is one of the students who has been a participant in the Social Justice Sewing Academy. Juan just graduated from high school and is now working for a non-profit called Courage, Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice, that works with formerly incarcerated. He’s a digital design associate and is hoping to become head of the communications department at the organization

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This episode is sponsored by Search Press. Bringing you the finest in art and craft instruction books to improve your skills or ignite a new passion.

 See Search Press books in your local fiber arts and craft store or view our whole catalog at Search Press North America [www.searchpressusa.com]. Visit Search Press at New York Sheep & Wool Festival, Quilt Market, Embroiderers’ Guild of America, TNNA and many more craft industry events. Use code nap0819 to receive 15% off your book purchase on our website Search Press North America.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's show, we’re talking about the history of Quilts, Inc. with my guest Teresa Duryea Wong. Teresa has authored two books on Japanese quilts and textiles and in early 2019, she published American Cotton: Farm to Quilt.

She currently travels to Japan and throughout the US to research, write, and lecture. She holds a master’s degree in liberal studies from Rice University and in 2014, was named the ‘Faith P. and Charles L. Bybee Scholar’ by the Texas Quilt Museum and the Bybee Foundation.

Teresa is a regular contributor to Curated Quilts magazine and also writes for Art Quilt Quarterly. She is a passionate quilter and also loves making bags and garments.

Next month, she will debut another new book at the International Quilt Festival titled Magic & Memories: 45 Years of International Quilt Festival. This book shares the story of the history Quilt Festival and two women who founded the event.

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This episode is sponsored by Why We Quilt: Contemporary Makers Speak Out, a new book by Thomas Knauer. 

In a world of same-day delivery, cutting fabric into small pieces and stitching them back together makes little practical sense. Yet the quilting community thrives.

In Why We Quilt, Thomas Knauer highlights 40 contemporary makers who share not only their stunning quilts, but also powerful insights into what compels them to keep quilting.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

In this short solo episode, I make an important announcement: the name of this podcast is changing. After 153 episodes as the While She Naps podcast, going forward this show will be called the Craft Industry Alliance podcast. Very little else about the show will be different. Tune in to hear what led up to this decision (a lot of careful consideration!). I'm really excited about this change! We have some new theme music which you can hear at the end of the episode. 

 

I invited you to visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today’s episode of the While She Naps podcast we’re talking about building an illustration business with my guest, Stacie Bloomfield.

Stacie Bloomfield is the founder of the company Gingiber, based in Springdale Arkansas. She is an illustrator and printmaker who sells prints, stationery, fabric, and homewares in over 500 retail outlets around the country. She has collaborated with many retailers, including West Elm, Brooklyn Industries, The Land of Nod (now Crate & Kids), Moda Fabrics, Chasing Paper Wallpaper, and has been featured on Design Sponge, Martha Stewart.com, and others. She is also one of the founders of the Creative Social Retreat.

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Today’s episode is sponsored by AmyBarickman.com.

Amy’s award-winning book, Vintage Notions: An inspirational guide to needlework, cooking, sewing, fashion & fun! shares lessons and wisdom from The Woman’s Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences which was founded in 1916 by Mary Brooks Picken, who Amy coined “the fairy godmother of modern sewing”.   Amy’s site offers a wealth of inspiration and information based on her extensive collection of vintage sewing and fashion treasures. Follow her blog and newsletter as she curates timeless wisdom, fascinating stories, and handmade style. Join & receive the “Welcome” printable which includes labels and recipe cards as well as a Magic Pattern for the Cropped Jacket.  Subscribe to the Amy Barickman Studio YouTube Channel for more Vintage Made Modern inspiration.   +++++  

Get the full show notes for this episode on my blog, whileshenaps.com, where you can sign up for my email newsletter to get the best in sewing, blogging, and small business delivered right to your inbox each week. 

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building a business in the sewing industry with my guest, Pati Palmer.

Pati is the driving force behind the Palmer/Pletsch publishing company which has published dozens of sewing books and how-to DVD’s and creator of eight Palmer/Pletsch sewing notions products, including PerfectFuse™ Interfacings.  Pati has been designing for the McCall Pattern Co. since 1980, and Vogue prior to that. She has written the guide sheets for over 250 patterns that include fit and sewing tips. Palmer/Pletsch workshops are offered in several cities around the country. Pati is so excited that her daughter Melissa Watson is following in her footsteps, joining a number of talented young women new to the fashion sewing industry.

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This episode is sponsored by Cheryl Lynch of Cheryl Lynch Quilts. Cheryl started quilting in 1992 and is an award-winning quilter and published quilt designer. She enjoys devising solutions for creative projects. Her most recent innovation has been Mini Mosaic Quilts that are suitable for young and old as well as novice and experienced Quilter. Cheryl sells her kits and projects in her Etsy shop. She is offering While She Naps readers and listeners a 20% discount. Just use the code whileshenaps at checkout to save! 

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

 

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

 

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about making a career as an artist with my guest, Lisa Solomon.

Lisa Solomon is a mixed media artist whose work has been exhibited and collected all over the world. She received her BA in art practice from UC Berkeley and her MFA from Mills College, and has been a professor in the Bay Area for 15+ years. As a Hapa [her mother is Japanese and her father is Jewish Caucasian] she is profoundly interested in personal identity, and all things chroma. Her work reflects this as well as an incredible love for textiles. She regularly uses “craft” materials and techniques in a “fine art” context. Another important focus of hers is bridging the gaps between being creative, living creatively, and making a living as a creative.

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This episode is sponsored by Hobbs Bonded Fibers. Hobbs Bonded Fibers has been making high-quality batting for quilters since 1978. They manufacture all their own batting in Waco, TX and you can find out more about all of their batting and crafting products at www.hobbsbatting.com/products.

For more recommendations - and a chance to win a collection of Hobbs Batting & Crafting Products! – send an email to [email protected] letting us know you’d like to win the collection of our batting. Stephanie will reply with a handy reference batting selection tool you can use and share with your quilty friends! And if you love giveaways, be sure to follow @HobbsBatting on Instagram, where they have a giveaway in progress!

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

 

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about running a brick-and-mortar and online yarn shop with my guest, Laura Zander.

Laura is the co-owner of Jimmy Beans Wool. Along with her husband Doug, she worked as software engineers during the dot-com boom in the San Francisco area. When Laura and Doug saw the boom begin turning into a bust they quit their jobs and moved to Lake Tahoe to begin a new adventure, opening a small yarn shop. Today Jimmy Beans Wool has been named one of the 5000 fastest-growing private companies in the US and Laura is one of Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneurial Winning Women. She was invited to the White House for a forum addressing the American Jobs Act where Jimmy Beans Wool was recognized as a notable Nevada business.

When not knitting or working, Laura spends her time on the ski hill, running, playing tennis, or relaxing with Doug and their 10-year-old son, Huck.

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This episode is sponsored by Search Press. Bringing the finest in art and craft instruction books to improve your skills or ignite a new passion.

See Search Press books in your local fiber arts and craft store or view our whole catalog at Search Press North America. Visit Search Press at New York Sheep & Wool Festival, Quilt Market, TNNA and many more craft industry events. Use code nap0819 to receive 15% off your book purchase on our website Search Press North America and enjoy free shipping during the month of August 2019.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

 

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about making a living as an artist and surface pattern designer with my guest, Sarah Golden.

Sarah is a painter and surface pattern designer living in Sacramento, California with her husband and 5-year-old twin girls. She paints abstracts, lots of plants and is a fabric designer for Andover Fabrics.

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This episode is sponsored by BrewStitched Fabrics.

Located online at BrewStitched.etsy.com, BrewStitched Fabrics offers fun and modern fabric for all of your sewing and quilting projects.  Now carrying the all-new Ruby Star Society collections.  Check out the Preorder and New Arrivals sections for the best selection. Use the code ABBY25 for 25% off fabric, notions, patterns, and gifts through July 31st.  Most orders ship next day and orders over $70 ship for free in the US! Check it out at BrewStitched.etsy.com

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

 

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building a new sewing blog and business with my guest, Sarah Kirsten Anderson of the blog and sewing pattern company SARAH KIRSTEN.

Sarah is a sewing educator, sewing pattern designer, photographer, and a believer in the magic of making your own clothes. She’s passionate about making sewing and simple pattern drafting accessible to beginners, because she believes sewing is one of the most powerful ways to love your body, show your beauty, and express who you.

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This episode is sponsored by KAI Scissors. KAI Scissors are the premier sewing, quilting, tailoring, and craft scissors available today.

Made of hardened stainless steel, they are smooth, light, and offer fatigue-free cutting for all of your cutting needs.  KAI manufacturing has been making quality cutting blades for over 100 years.  So, remember, all orders on KAIScissors.com have free shipping (inside the United States).  Use the code naps to save 20% off on kaiscissors.com

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

 

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about running an indie sewing pattern business with my guest Taylor McVay of Blueprints for Sewing.

Taylor McVay is a designer, artist, and educator. She creates sewing patterns for unique, architecture inspired garments. Along with running Blueprints, Taylor teaches fashion design, pattern making, and sewing in the Boston area. Taylor creates one of a kind garments, experiments with techniques like weaving and embroidery, and loves to repurpose and recycle textiles. She spends a lot of her time thinking, writing, and talking about ‘slow fashion’.

Taylor lives not too far from me and she was able to come to Wellesley and spend some time with me in my studio to record this episode which was such a treat.

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This episode is sponsored by KAI Scissors. KAI Scissors are the premier sewing, quilting, tailoring, and craft scissors available today.

Made of hardened stainless steel, they are smooth, light, and offer fatigue-free cutting for all of your cutting needs.  KAI manufacturing has been making quality cutting blades for over 100 years.  So, remember, all orders on KAIScissors.com have free shipping (inside the United States).  Use the code naps to save 20% off on kaiscissors.com

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

 

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about quilting as an art form with my guest, Denyse Schmidt.

A former graphic designer and graduate of Rhode Island School of design, Denyse Schmidt began creating quilts in 1996. Intrigued by the rich historical nature of quilts and inspired by beauty born of necessity, Denyse adds her distinctive aesthetic sensibility – clean, spare lines, rich color and bold graphics – to this rich art form, and has won acclaim from the world of art, design, and craft. In addition to designing and making quilts, Denyse is an author, fabric designer, lecturer and teacher. Denyse’s studio is located in a historic textile building in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

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This episode is sponsored by Okan Arts of Seattle, specializing in vintage Japanese textiles for adventuresome sewists and quilters. Check out the gorgeous yukata cottons in the Okan Arts online shop Okan Arts online shop and enjoy a 20% discount with the code NAPS20, good until August 4, 2019.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

 

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On this episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about running a fabric, notions, and gifts company with my guests, Mark, Brian, and Josh Dunn of Moda and United Notions.

Mark Dunn got his start in the fabric industry in 1966 working with his father William Dunn at Sewing, Sales, and Services which they founded together.  In May of 1975 when Mark was 29, he moved to Texas to start United Notions Inc.  He started with a five-man operation where he would take orders in the morning and fill them at his warehouse in the afternoon. In 1991 he started Moda Fabrics, a company that created a new product category of precuts with their famous Jelly Rolls. 

Brian Dunn started working at United Notions during the summers and officially started full time in 1986.  He managed and operated the Denver warehouse for 15 years as Vice President of Operations until they closed that warehouse down to consolidate all of their warehousing in their home state of Texas.  He moved back and has handled all fabric buying since then. 

Josh Dunn started with the company 8 years ago after graduating from the University of Southern California with a major in Photography and business administration.  At Moda Fabrics, he is the director of international sales. 

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This episode is sponsored by Mitzie Shafer at Jittery Wings Quilt Co. Mitzie has authored and illustrated a new book titled Improve Your Practice: Free-Motion Quilting. She believes that quilting your beautiful quilt top doesn’t have to be frightening once you learn to stop fighting with it. Visit jitterywings.com and use the coupon code WHILESHENAPS to get 20% off your own signed copy.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

 

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building a career as artist who makes quilts with my guest, Jane Sassaman.

After a varied career in the design world, Jane Sassaman began to quilt in 1980. She found that these “soft paintings” satisfied the draftsman, the craftsman and the artist in her.  Consequently, she is now a dedicated (some say “obsessed”) quilt artist and fabric designer.

Her art quilts have been shown in many national and international exhibits, including Quilt National 1989 through 2005 and Contemporary American Quilts, the first major exhibit of American art quilts in England. Her quilt “Willow” was named as One of the One Hundred Best American Quilts of the Century. Jane is also the author of The Quilted Garden. The book includes twenty years of her work and exercises for making nature-inspired quilts.

Jane’s love for historic decorative arts can be seen in all facets of her work, but it is especially evident in the exuberant fabric she is currently designing for FreeSpirit. Her designs are oversized and colorful and have been coined as “William Morris on anti-depressants”. They are created for quilts, wearables and home decorating. Her latest book, Patchwork Sassaman Style, beautifully illustrates her fabric “in action."

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This episode is sponsored by Sewing Studio. From fabric and tools to patterns and gifts, Sewing Studio’s full online studio continues a tradition of sharing sewing with future generations.  Curated by Karleen, this community hopes to help make your sewing experience the very best.  Visit www.sewingstudio.com and be sure to follow on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. Remember to use the code Abby10 at checkout to receive a 10% discount off your entire order.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

 

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building a retail fabric and yarn shop, both online and in a brick-and-mortar setting, with my guests Joelle Hoverson and Page Marchese Norman.

Joelle and Page, along with Jennifer Hoverson Jahnke, are co-owners of Purl Soho, a fiber arts supply company that brings a modern sensibility to traditional needlecrafts.

 

We begin by talking about the story of how Joelle came to found Purl in 2002 as a small knitting store on Sullivan Street. Joelle explains how her vision for the store was different from most other yarns stores in existence at that time. Bringing her background as a stylist to curating the merchandise she says, "I really envisioned a shop that when you went in you felt that the shop had a vision."

Her sister, Jennifer, started the ecommerce side of the business not long after. Joelle explains how high-quality tutorials presented on the company's blog really drove the business's growth. The business grew into a second storefront, Purl Patchwork, and the two later merged into a single location on Broome Street. Purl Soho also has a large warehouse in Tustin, California that's open to the public.

Page and Joelle became friends while working together at Martha Stewart and have now been business partners for 11 years. They talk about how to have a successful partnership by listening to and respecting one another.

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This episode is sponsored by Needle Sharp. Needle Sharp is a subscription service that let’s you sew your own style with carefully curated sewing kits, set directly to your door. Each month they pick a fabulous sewing pattern from independent pattern companies then pair high-quality fabrics to that pattern, gather all the notions you need, and put it one convenient box. Let Needle Sharp do all the hard work for you so you can get straight to the fun part: Sewing your own clothes!

And just for listeners of this podcast, they are offering an exclusive discount of 15% off your first order of a subscription box. Simply use the coupon code WhileSheNaps (all one word) at checkout. Try it today!

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

 

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building a handmade business with my guest, Jessica Marquez.

Jessica is a life long maker who found her way back to textiles while working on an MFA in Photography from Rochester Institute of Technology. After countless hours working digitally, retouching images and staring at a computer screen she longed for hands-on analog making. She taught herself embroidery and then never stopped stitching. In 2008 she started a creative handmade business, Miniature Rhino, named after a young cousin's imaginary friend, a dentist she called Dr. Rhino. Miniature Rhino became a symbol of creativity and imagination and seeks to inspire and teach hands-on skills through a line of embroidery kits, patterns, classes and books.

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This episode is sponsored by Hobbs Bonded Fibers. Hobbs Batting has proudly produced batting in Waco, Texas since 1978. Hobbs batting provides superior integrity to quilts and quilted projects and they invite you to contact them for a complimentary sample pack. Send your sample batting request to [email protected]

Enter to win a collection of Hobbs Tuscany Batting products! To enter, simply send an email titled 'While She Naps Giveaway' to Stephanie at [email protected] She'll draw a winner on the Hobbs Batting Instagram account (@hobbsbatting) on April 15, 2019. 

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

 

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building a business as a quilt pattern designer, author, and blogger with my guest, Amy Friend. I had the pleasure of visiting Amy in her home studio in West Newbury, Massachusetts, and recording this interview in person which was lovely! Amy lives in a mid-19th century home that was formerly inhabited by a comb maker, shoemaker, and Morgan horse breeder. She grew up down the street from where she and her husband are now raising their three children.

A former museum curator, Amy designs unique modern quilts with a specialty in paper piecing. She's written two books, both with Lucky Spool: Intentional Piecing: From Fussy Cutting to Foundation Piecing (affiliate link) and Improv Paper Piecing: A Modern Approach to Quilt Design (affiliate link). She also travels to guilds and national events to teach. Amy has a large portfolio of patterns for sale on her website, During Quiet Time, where she also blogs.

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This episode was sponsored by the artist's J.D., a place designed to add ease to the legalese of running your creative business. If you are a maker, designer, or shop owner, then you should consider joining the artist's Courtyard. It functions as your creative business' legal guide, mentor, sounding board, and resource library. Seize dream opportunities when they arise because your business is built on a strong foundation. Visit theartistsjd.com to learn more and use the code whileshenaps at checkout to get 50% off your first month.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

 

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about running a wholesale distribution company with my guest, Brad Krieger.

Brad is the president of Checker Distributors, a company his grandparents, Bob and Del Krieger, founded in 1948. Based in Maumee, Ohio, Checker is a leading distributor of quilting and sewing products. Independent quilt shops all over the United States and internationally order their inventory from Checker.

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This episode was sponsored by Pop-SEO.com, Pop Shop America has created a new learning center full of free resources to grow your creative business. If you are a maker, ecommerce shop, or blogger visit Pop-Seo for ebooks, courses, and more. You can learn how to grow your reach on social media and how to maximize sales through the holidays. You'll even learn about shopping cart abandonment and automations like chatbots. Their next ecourse, Start & Scale Your Etsy, begins online April 1st. Registration is half off now through April 1. Visit Pop-Seo.com to start your journey.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

 

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

This week on the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about running a fabric company with my guests Pat and Walter Bravo.

Pat and Walter own Art Gallery Fabrics, a manufacturer of premium fabrics for the quilting industry.

They are two soulmates who live life with a lot of passion, doing what they truly love. Originally from Argentina, they have been married for 34 years and have an amazing son, Alexander. Pat began sewing as a teenager and discovered quilting when the couple moved to the United States in the late 1980s. When she couldn’t find the depth of color and pattern she was looking for in commercially available fabrics, she began painting her own and soon she and Walter launched a company to produce the kinds of fabrics she had envisioned. That’s how Art Gallery Fabrics was born, a company Pat describes as “the most avant-garde in the industry.”

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This episode is sponsored by PRO Chemical & Dye located in Fall River, Massachusetts. Now in their 50th year, PRO Chemical & Dye is a longtime supplier of dyes, fabric paints, supplies, and information to fiber artists all over the world.

To learn more about the products and workshops offered by PRO Chemical & Dye, you can visit prochemicalanddye.com Use the discount code WSN10 when you check out to receive 10% off your online order.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

 

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking running a wholesale distribution company with my guests Stan and Brittany Gray.

Stan Gray is the owner of E.E. Schenck Company, which is a distributor, converter and wholesaler of all types of fabrics and sewing notions servicing customers throughout the world.  After 51 years with the company, he is still involved in the day-to-day operations and enjoys his interaction with customers, employees and vendors.

Brittany is the General Manager of EE Schenck Company, and Stan’s daughter.  After starting her career in the fashion industry in New York City, she moved back to her hometown of Portland, Oregon in 2014 to work for her family’s business.

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Today’s episode is sponsored by June Tailor, Inc., a USA manufacturer of quilting and sewing tools. Our unique and innovative tools help you complete your quilting or sewing project with professionally finished results. Win one of 10 kits containing a Shape Cut Ruler and a set of 6 “Quilt As You Go” placemats. Simply post your favorite quilt project to Instagram and include the following:  #myfavoriteproject #junetailor @junetailorinc @abbyglassenberg Check out all of June Tailor’s products at JuneTailor.com. Giveaway ends the 12th.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

 

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about becoming a fabric designer with my guest, Katarina Roccella.

 Katarina was born in 1975 in Belgrade, Serbia where she lives with her husband and three kids that are true inspiration for her work. In 1998 she graduated from the Faculty of Applied Arts at the Department of Graphic Arts and in 2003 got a master’s degree.  She started on her PhD thesis in Applied Arts and Design in 2014. Nina work as a licensed artist for Art Gallery fabrics and has created 14 fabric collections for them.

We discuss her life growing up with artist parents, discovering textiles and sewing when she became a mother, beginning to sell online through eBay, and pitching (and being rejected) her surface designs to fabric companies. Katarina talks about her first visit to the United States which was to attend Quilt Market, and learning to quilt (she serged the seams on her first quilt!). We also talk about her children who are competitive ballroom dancers in Belgrade. 

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 This episode is sponsored by Studio Art Quilt Associates. 

Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year,  Studio Art Quilt Associates is an international non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the art quilt and the artists who create them. SAQA offers a wide range of exclusive resources and professional opportunities for its members, including access to a museum-quality exhibition program that travels artwork around the world.

If you want to see and hear more about art quilts, join SAQA's global community of over 3500 artists, professionals, collectors, and art quilt enthusiasts. Visit www.saqa.com/join to find out more details about SAQA's membership benefits. Use the discount code NAP to receive $10 off your first year of membership.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

 

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about product development and building an embroidery business with my guest, Megan Eckman of Studio MME.

Megan is the owner and head designer of Studio MME, a company that creates approachable embroidery kits for modern stitchers. After failing her grandmother's embroidery lessons as a kid, she came back to the craft in 2014 and realized it needed a major update. She now makes kits that help others learn embroidery in a fun and easy manner. It's crafting with hand-holding. Over the past five years, she's landed her kits in almost 100 shops across the country, partnered with DMC, hired her husband, and currently runs an embroidery-of-the-month club for her most adoring (and addicted) fans.

If you have a product-based business or are thinking of starting one, this episode is for you. Megan shares her real numbers and she isn't afraid to tell us what worked and what didn't. She and her husband now own a creative business that supports them both which is pretty amazing.

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This episode is sponsored by the Craft in Style subscription box by Pop Shop America. The Craft in Style subscription box allows you to explore lots of fresh and stylish crafting and different techniques from terrariums to chalkboard lettering, from watercolors to paper marbling. Choose from one month, three months, and beyond; the longer the subscription, the more a subscriber can save on the box price. Every Craft in Style Box is super stylish and beginner friendly. Boxes ship within three business days so you don't have to wait like other boxes! It's a fun way to craft every month without spending a fortune and you won't end up with extra supplies you don't need.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

 

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

As we wind up 2018 I’m taking a minute to look back on the podcast this year. We’ve had so many of interviews with guests I truly admire including a whole roster of other artists and designers who have built independent creative businesses that are incredibly inspirational.

As we wrap up the year I wanted to turn to you, my listeners, and hear your voices on the show. I make this show for you, and it’s because of you that the show is a success. This is our third annual community episode and it’s one of my favorite episodes of the year.

A few weeks ago I put out a call on my blog and in my newsletter asking you to record yourself and I got so many entries. Thank you! Specifically, I asked if you would recommend something you’re loving right now. Those of you that listen to the show regularly know that towards the end of the interview I always ask my guests to recommend great stuff they’re enjoying. This is the third annual Community Episode!

And to help me out today I’m joined by my longtime friend Stacey Trock. Hi Stacey! Stacey and I first met on Twitter, many years ago and she co-hosted many of the early episodes of the podcast with me.

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This episode is sponsored by Cultured Expressions. 

Cultured Expressions offers a unique mix of African prints, batiks, mudcloth, precuts beads, kits & more for sewing, quilting, crafts and décorating.

Visit CulturedExpressions.com, your African Fabric Lifestyle & DIY Destination, and use the code “ABBY” to save 20% thru Jan 15, 2019.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

 

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building a business as a surface designer with my guest, Erin Dollar.

Erin Dollar is the textile designer behind the home decor brand Cotton & Flax. She's known for her minimalist-modern approach to surface pattern design, and her textile home goods have been stocked in indie retail shops around the world, as well as on the shelves of stores like CB2, Need Supply, and West Elm. In 2016 she launched Arroyo, her first fabric collection for Robert Kaufman Fabrics, and this month her second collection, Balboa, arrives in stores.

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This episode of the While She Naps podcast is sponsored by Search Press North America, bestselling books for sewing, quilting, knitting, fine art and many other crafts. Award-winning titles include the A-Z embroidery books and the Half Yard sewing series. Whether you are a beginner or an expert looking for new inspiration, Search Press delivers consistent, step by step instruction books for all crafters. You can find Search Press books in all major craft stores, as well as specialist retailers around the world. Use the discount code WSN102018to receive 20% discount off books on the Search Press North America website plus free shipping.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

 

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

This is my second annual State of the Quilting Industry show recorded at Fall Quilt Market in Houston, Texas. The show is only open to the trade and it’s a time for quilt shop owners, pattern designers, notion makers, and fabric manufacturers to come together and do business with one another. 

In this episode, I sit down with quilt shop owners to talk about how business is going. I did man-on-the-street style interviews with shop owners I’d never met before, walking up to them while they were in line for Sample Spree or sitting down with them at the round tables outside of the Schoolhouse classrooms. Some of them knew me, but most of them didn’t.

Quilt shop owners are on the front lines, serving customers every day. They are out there buying and selling the fabric and patterns and books, selling the classes and booking the teachers. They know a tremendous amount about the industry and I’m really excited to bring their voices and perspective to the show.

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This episode is sponsored by Crosscut Sewing. 

Located in Melrose, MA or online at CrosscutSewingCo.com, Crosscut offers fun and modern fabric for all of your sewing projects.  Shop their Black Friday sale now for the best selection. Use the code THANKS18 for 25% off fabric, notions patterns and gifts through November 26th.  Most orders ship same day and orders over $40 ship for free!

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

 

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

 

 

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about online learning with my guests Ursula Morgan and Julie Roehm.

Ursula is the CEO of Creativebug, the award-winning DIY art and craft instruction site with 1,000+ videos for all skill levels. For $9.95/month, consumers have an all-access, no boundaries pass to all their creative interests. In her role as CEO Ursula grew subscriptions by 533% in her first year, a further 75% in year two, and 60% in year three. Creativebug under Ursula’s stewardship was acquired by JOANN stores in April 2017.

Julie Roehm is the Founder and now Vice President of Partnerships and Operations at Creativebug. Before founding Creativebug she spent 15 years in the financial services industry where she managed a team of user experience designers to create exceptional customer experiences.

We begin this conversation by talking about what Creativebug offers today and how Julie and her co-founders came up with the idea for the company originally. Creativebug has been bought and sold several times and last year was acquired by JOANN. Ursula and Julie explain the synergy they feel with JOANN and how the new arrangement is working for Creativebug. 

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This episode is sponsored by Culler Creations. You may still be enjoying fall colors where you live but, eventually, the leaves will fall and the temperatures will drop.  Winter will come!  You could be ready to stay warmer and enjoy winter more if you make your own insulated Snow Skirt with a pattern from Culler Creations. 

With a Snow Skirt over your regular clothing, you will be warmer walking your dog, waiting at the bus or subway, watching your kids play or maybe even getting out and making a snowman with grandchildren.  Get a complete kit with everything included from fabrics and pattern to zippers and matching thread.  There are many colors of ripstop fabrics and trims to choose from, so your Snow Skirt can be warm and as unique as you are! Check it out at CullerCreations.com.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

 

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building a career as a quilter with my guest, Molli Sparkles.

Molli Sparkles is a multi-award-winning quilt maker who describes himself as a quiltmaker to the stars, fearless leader of the Glitterati, and spiller of truth tea. He blogs at MolliSparkles.com, and is a regular columnist for Make Modern and Textile Fibre Forum Magazines. His quilts have been exhibited and sold internationally, with a flair for humor, subversion, originality, and self-worth.

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This episode is sponsored by Quilt Photography Co. Beautiful photos of your quilts are within reach. We've made it easy for you - pick your package online, drop your quilt in the mail, then sit back and relax. Your quilt will be pampered and mailed back, and you can access your online gallery with the simple click of a button. Use the coupon code WHILESHENAPS to get 50% your first order. Visit Quilt Photography Co. today!

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

 

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about going from blogger to author and teacher with my guest, Anne Weil.

Anne is the creator of the blog Flax & Twine and a designer of patterns and projects that have been published by Martha Stewart, Design*Sponge, Elle Decor, Real Simple, and the Huffington Post. The author of Weaving Within Reach (affiliate link) and  Knitting Without Needles (affiliate link), Anne teaches classes nationwide at art retreats and local yarn stores and online at Creativebug.com and Craftsy.com. She lives in Denver, Colorado, with her family.

I was lucky to have Anne visit me in my studio for this interview while she was in town as part of her book tour. It's always especially nice to be able to record an interview in person.

Catch up with Anne on Instagram to see what's she's up to and visit her shop to browse all of her books, patterns, supplies, and kits.

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This episode of the While She Naps podcast is sponsored by Search Press North America, bestselling books for sewing, quilting, knitting, fine art and many other crafts. Award-winning titles include the A-Z embroidery books and the Half Yard sewing series. Whether you are a beginner or an expert looking for new inspiration, Search Press delivers consistent, step by step instruction books for all crafters. You can find Search Press books in all major craft stores, as well as specialist retailers around the world. Use the discount code WSN102018 to receive 20% discount off books on the Search Press North America website plus free shipping.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

 

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building a handmade clothing brand with my guest, Courtney Chu, of the handmade clothing brand CourtneyCourtney.

Courtney Chu was trained as an industrial designer and worked as a children’s fashion designer.  She’s obsessed with transforming and saving clothing from landfills through children’s and pet clothing.  Currently, she’s creating memorable, lasting pieces that enhance any adventure through her brand, Courtney Courtney! According to Courtney, every color goes together, or she makes them go together. I love this mantra!

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Today’s episode is sponsored by Amy Barickman founder of Indygo Junction. IndygoJunction.com is your source for books & patterns in both print & PDF format. Indygo Junction produces designs for home & fashion as well as an extensive selection of apparel patterns including their popular Indygo Essentials line. Be sure to visit Indygo Junction's blog for fabric & notions giveaways celebrating as well as inspiring projects, videos, and tutorials! Join the Indygo Junction Sewing Pattern Facebook Group community of creative spirits sewing and sharing Indygo Junction patterns! Sign up for Indygo Junction's newsletter to receive a 20% off coupon code.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

 

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building a career in as an expert in the quilting industry with my guest, Ebony Love.

 An award-winning author and quilter Ebony is recognized as one of the leading experts in fabric die-cutting techniques. She’s best known as the author of The Big Little Book of Fabric Die Cutting Tips and the featured long arm columnist for Quilty Magazine, though she regularly contributes to other magazines, videos, and television programs. She’s fond of blindingly-bright prints and takes a contemporary approach to traditional designs. Her website is http://lovebugstudios.com

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This episode is sponsored by Crosscut Sewing. Located in Melrose, MA or online at CrosscutSewingCo.com, Crosscut offers fun and modern fabric for all of your sewing projects.  In addition to quilting cotton, Crosscut offers a variety of apparel fabrics like denim, chambray, jersey knit, canvas, corduroy, flannel and more.  Use the code WSN18 to save 20% on your next fabric purchase.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

 

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

In this episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about creating a quilt show with my guest, Matt Reese. Matt is the owner of Road to California, the premier consumer quilt show west of the Rocky Mountains. Road to California features over 1,000 antique, traditional, art, and modern quilts and awards over $92,000 in prizes to artists from all over the world. 190 vendors come to the four day event at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario, California where 39,000 people gather come to see the show, shop, and take 225 classes. Matt recently bought the show from his grandmother, Carolyn Reese, who has owned and run Road to California since 1990.

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Today’s show is sponsored by Hello Atelier, the podcast that takes you inside the artist’s studio. Join host Betsy Blodgett as she sits down with quilters, textile artists, ceramicists, painters and more – many in their very own studios. Further immerse yourself in creative worlds by visiting www.helloatelier.org to see photos from our studio visits and links to each artist’s work. Then, sign up for the Hello Atelier newsletter for bonus interviews with makers and entrepreneurs – past guests include While She Naps’ Abby Glassenberg!

Hello Atelier is available on your favorite podcast app. Check out our most recent episode, an interview with quilt designer Luke Haynes. If you like what you hear, please subscribe and give us a rating.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

 

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On this episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about running an online and brick-and-mortar fabric shop with my guest, Kelly Stevens of Superbuzzy.

After finishing graduate school and some years working in higher education administration, Kelly rediscovered an early love of textiles and design in the late 1990s. Upon discovering Japanese craft books and modern Japanese fabrics, an obsession was born that later turned into the concept for Superbuzzy. The shop opened online in 2006, and then moved to a flagship storefront located in Ventura, California in 2011. 

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Today’s episode is sponsored by WEFTY. WEFTY started in a garage on a 3D printer and has grown to include patterns, products, and workshops. WEFTY's first product, the WEFTY Needle, is the only needle made by a weaver designed specifically for use with fabric strips and bias strips. Create beautiful woven projects with quilting cottons. Curious? Check out WeftyNeedle on Instagram to see what it’s all about. 

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

 

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

Please note that we had audio recording issues with this episode. We did our best in post-production, bug the audio quality is not up to our usual standards. We apologize.

On this episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about elevating haberdashery with my guest, Carolyn Denham. Together, Carolyn and her husband Roderick Field are the owners of Merchant & Mills, a fabric, notions, and patterns company based in the UK. They founded the company in 2010 with the intention of bringing style and purpose to the overlooked world of sewing. Merchant & Mills products are stocked in retailers all over the world and the company has collaborated with London’s V&A Museum and with Alexander McQueen. The pair have published three books that aim to enable and inspire more people to find the satisfaction of simply making. Carolyn has a degree in fashion design and has worked in New York, Italy, and London.

We had an issue with the sound quality on this episode. Carolyn has a fantastic story to tell so I hope you'll stick with it.

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Today’s show is sponsored by Hello Atelier, the podcast that takes you inside the artist’s studio. Join host Betsy Blodgett as she sits down with quilters, textile artists, ceramicists, painters and more many in their very own studios. Further immerse yourself in creative worlds by visiting www.helloatelier.org to see photos from their studio visits and links to each artist's work. Then, sign up for the Hello Atelier newsletter for bonus interviews with makers and entrepreneurs – past guests include While She Naps’ Abby Glassenberg! Hello Atelier is available on your favorite podcast app. Tune in to their latest episode with quilter Luke Haynes. If you like what you hear, please subscribe and give them a rating.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

 

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about wool and texture and embroidery with my guest, Sue Spargo.

 Sue is an internationally renowned designer, teacher, and textile artist. She’s authored several books including Creative Stitching and teaches on Craftsy as well as keeping up a rigorous travel schedule. 35 of her quilts were exhibited at the International Quilt Show in Houston in 2017 and in Chicago in 2018. Born in Zambia and raised in South Africa, Sue’s work is influenced by the color, energy, and simplicity of traditional African design. Today, her business is based in Ohio where a staff that includes several of her children prepare and ship a wide range of hand dyed and mill dyed wools, threads, kits, notions, and patterns from SueSpargo.com.

We talk about Sue's collaboration with Wonderfil, her intense travel and teaching schedule, how she has successfully brought three of her four children into her business, self-publishing, and more. Sue doesn't sell her quilts, but she's still managed to build a wonderful business selling her work in many other ways. I hope you enjoy hearing her story.

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This episode is sponsored by STITCHES Midwest 2018. Exclusively for While She Naps listeners, you can get 20% OFF STITCHES Midwest 2018 classes and events by visiting www.STITCHES.events/Midwest and entering the coupon code MIDWEST18WSN at check-out. With stimulating classes and shopping for ALL— knitters, crocheters, weavers, AND sewers, quilters, and others interested in all things yarn AND fabric—you won’t want to miss this amazing show. You can learn more at www.STITCHES.events/Midwest

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

 

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about textile design with my guest, Jen Hewett. Jen is a printmaker, surface designer, textile artist and teacher. A lifelong Californian, Jen combines her love of loud prints and saturated colors with the textures and light of the California landscapes to create highly-tactile, visually-layered, printed textiles.

 Jen’s first book, Print, Pattern, Sew: Block Printing Basics + Simple Sewing Projects for an Inspired Wardrobe, was published by Roost Books in May 2018 and her first line of commercial fabrics will be available with Cotton+Steel in August 2018. Jen and her dog Gus live in San Francisco, two blocks from Golden Gate Park, and three miles from the Pacific Ocean.

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Inspire your creative spirit with Indygo Junction books & patterns! Visit our Indygo Junction Blog to learn more about fabrics and techniques as well as giveaways & events. Join our Facebook Sewing Pattern Group and receive our Everyday Dress Pattern! Use coupon code WSN25 for 25% off your entire order! 

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

 

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about the business of fabric with my guest, Aaron Hoffman and Hailey Hoffman Chisholm of Hoffman California Fabrics.

Together, Aaron and Hailey represent the fourth generation of the Hoffman family working in the company that will hit its 94th anniversary later this year.

 Hailey works as marketing and sales associate. Her mother, Robin Hoffman Haack, is the chief financial officer. She is the youngest Hoffman working at the company. Aaron launched the Me+You brand to offer hand-dyed solids and batiks featuring minimalist graphic designs over solid backgrounds. His goal was to make batiks more appealing to quilters pursuing the modern aesthetic in their projects. Aaron’s father is Tony Hoffman, the company CEO. Walter Hoffman, who still works daily in the office, is grandfather to Aaron and Hailey.

Hoffman California Fabrics is deeply rooted in surfing culture and popularized Hawaiin surf prints in American fashion beginning in the 1950s. The company also introduced batiks to the quilting market. 

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This episode is sponsored by STITCHES Midwest 2018. 

Exclusively for While She Naps listeners, get 20% OFF STITCHES Midwest 2018 classes and events by visiting www.STITCHES.events/Midwest and entering the coupon code MIDWEST18WSN at check-out. With stimulating classes and shopping for ALL— knitters, crocheters, weavers, AND sewers, quilters, and others interested in all things yarn AND fabric—you won’t want to miss this amazing show. You can learn more at www.STITCHES.events/Midwest

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about art as community organizing with my guest, Shannon Downey.

Shannon Downey is an instigator. Currently, she is the Director of Development for Asian Americans Advancing Justice in Chicago where she raises funds to grow and protect immigrant and refugee rights and power through civic engagement and language access. She’s also adjunct faculty at Columbia College and DePaul University where she teaches Creatives how to build empires that will pay the bills and change the world.

Shannon is best known, though, by her alias – Badass Cross Stitch – where her shenanigans tend to get the most attention. In this role, Shannon is a community organizer disguised as a fiber artist and craftivist. She blends politics, activism, and art into projects that are designed to inspire others to take action, think, discuss, engage with democracy and their community, and find some digital/analog balance to boot! Her work has recently been featured in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Time, and Money to name a few. 

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This episode is sponsored by Folkwear Patterns. 

Since 1976, Folkwear has provided high-quality sewing patterns based on authentic vintage and folk clothing from around the world. Folkwear’s sewing patterns are loved by home sewists, costumers, re-enactors, and any who loves to sew with creativity.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about blogging and writing a book with my guest, Florence Knapp.

Florence is a quilter and dressmaker. For over a decade she has kept a blog, Flossie Teacakes, where she shares her adventures with a needle and thread and the life that goes on around her stitching. During this time she has designed sewing patterns and her work has been featured in various magazines, as well as in a book produced by the V&A Museum.

Florence’s early years were spent in England and Australia, where her childhood homes were filled with vibrant color and intense pattern. As an adult, she found quiltmaking offered the perfect canvas on which to continue to embrace these things, as well as to indulge her love for small-scale precision work through fussy-cutting and English paper piecing. In May 2018 her first book, Flossie Teacakes’ Guide to English Paper Piecing, will be published.

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This episode is sponsored by Ettie & Marion. Ettie and Marion creates truly original fat quarters for the modern quilter. As a small, independent screen-print and fabric design company, Ettie and Marion can release new fabrics as soon as inspiration strikes. See what’s coming next by following @EttieandMarion on Instagram or check out the website at ettieandmarion.com

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building a career as a quilter, teacher, and designer with my guest, Leslie Tucker Jenison.

Leslie is an artist who makes contemporary quilts. She creates surface designs with dye and paint, and photography frequently informs her designs, either literally or by way of inspiration. Leslie has been a guest on The Quilt Show, Quilting Arts TV, Fresh Quilting, and more. Leslie’s work has been featured in numerous publications including Quilting Arts, Modern Quilts Unlimited, and Where Women Create: Quilters, as well as numerous books. Her work has been shown internationally and is part of corporate and private collections. She’s also a fabric designer for RJR fabrics. 

We talk about shifting careers from being a nurse to being a quilter, studying with experts like Nancy Crow, training yourself to be unafraid of experimentation, and using digital design as a creative avenue. Leslie shares how she began designing commercial fabric for RJR. She also talks about being a curator of quilt shows.

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This episode is sponsored by pattern and book publisher, Indygo Junction. Check out Indygo Junction’s new sew by machine method for Fabriflair! The dimensional paper piecing line includes a fusible stabilizer and six patterns, with designs for both home and fashion. The projects are artful objects that can showcase your favorite designer’s prints. They're also ideal for making as gifts. Visit Indygo Junction’s Youtube Channel to see pattern reviews and tutorials on Fabriflair! Warning: It is Addictive! 

Visit Indygo Junction’s website and use code WSN20 for a 20% discount on your entire order.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building a career as a fashion design expert with my guest, Lesley Ware.

Lesley helps young fashionistas of all strips discover their personal style and talents through fun and creativity. Her passion for inspiring young people began when she earned her degree in elementary education and continued when she orchestrated a national program for the Girl Scouts. She has previously written two books on style and fashion design for girls, Sew Fab: Sewing and Style for Young Fashionistas and My Fab Fashion Style File (Laurence King). Her 3rd book, How to Be a Fashion Designer, was released last month published by DK Books.

Lesley teaches at The Parsons School of Design, The Metropolitan Museum, Museum of the City of New York and other arts institutions in New York. Her sewing studio is based in Brooklyn where she is designing a capsule collection based on a recent road trip to Kentucky with her dad. 

Lesley interacts with young people every day while teaching sewing at a high school in East New York so I ask her what this age group is thinking about when it comes to sewing and crafts. She has some excellent insights that are applicable to anyone who would like to market to or teach the next generation of sewists.

We also talk about how Lesley's books came to be. Her first book deal is a fascinating story involved both serendipity and preparedness. 

Lesley has a unique approach to thinking about the problems presented by fast fashion. She explains how she teaches her students to better understand clothing construction and how she herself shops with an eye toward quality. Lesley is an expert at upcycling and refashioning thrifted finds and describes her fabulous style as "nerdy librarian."

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This episode is sponsored by Camp Stitches.

Exclusively for Craft Industry Alliance listeners, you can get 20% OFF your choice of a Camp STITCHES -- Destination Vermont workshop. The Camp STITCHES experience is like no other. Spend an enchanting weekend, May 31st thru June 4th at the The ESSEX Resort & Spa exploring lace, Fair Isle, dyeing, knit or crochet garment design and Japanese Boro hand stitching and quilting with our stellar line-up of amazing instructors. Reserve your spot now by visiting www.STITCHES.events/CampVermont and entering the coupon code WSPVERMONT18 at check-out.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building an audience around your creative passions with my guest, Lauren Fairweather.

Lauren Fairweather is a YouTube content creator, Etsy seller, and independent musician who runs all of her creative businesses from home. This YouTube NextUp winner and mom of one has created videos for many companies including HGTV, SyFy, Simplicity, Intel, and Guitar Center and she recently starred in a video course for YouTube's Creator Academy. When she can get out of the house, Lauren enjoys speaking on panels, selling her handmade work, and performing her original music at online video and nerd-themed conventions around the world. 

We talk about getting comfortable being a super fan, building an audience on YouTube, Patreon, and much more.

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This episode is sponsored by Spoonflower. If you’re a creative person who loves to design, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of seeing your art printed onto fabric, or better yet — seeing someone across the globe purchase it and make something amazing.

Spoonflower is the first company to make it possible to digitally print custom fabric, wallpaper and gift wrap with no minimums, and no limitation of colors. Shop from thousands of indie designs, or sell your own designs and earn up to 15% commission on every sale. The best part? As an independent seller you always keep the rights to your work. Craft Industry Alliance podcast listeners can get 15% off your next Spoonflower fabric order. Go to try.spoonflower.com/abby and enter your email address to receive your coupon code.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about owning a quilt shop and a premier quilt show with my guest, Jean Wells.

Jean is an art quilter who is inspired by nature and the world around her. She’s also the owner of The Stitchin’ Post, a quilt shop in Sisters, Oregon that she’s owned for 43 years, and the founder of the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, a world-renowned show that attracts tens of thousands of visitors to Sisters Oregon each July. She’s the author of over two dozen books, is a popular workshop leader and presenter, and the winner of numerous national awards in the quilting industry.

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This episode is sponsored by Rebecca Bryan of Bryan House Quilts.

Bryan House Quilts, is offering a new online workshop, “Playful Color Theory for Quilters”, at the end of March! Head on over to Rebecca’s website bryanhousequilts.com for more details and to sign up for her newsletter. Listeners are welcome to a 20% discount on all Rebecca’s online workshops by using the code abby20 at checkout. 

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

 

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building a career in the sewing industry with my guest, Mathew Boudreaux.

Mathew Boudreaux of Mister Domestic learned to sew as a kid, but never really got into it until he had his daughter Helena, who is now four and a half. He thought it would be a great way to connect with her if he could make her cool clothes.

With a new motivation to up his attention-to-detail, the quality and coolness far exceeded even his own expectations. Once he started posted his projects on social media, the quilting world quickly took notice of his fearless use of color and print, incomprehensibly fast output, carefree enthusiasm and humor, and ability to seek out, acquire and share new skills.

Several years ago Mathew began posting photos of the things he was sewing on Instagram, not knowing that there was an online sewing community. Through the comments on his posts he was introduced to other makers and realized that he could launch a business in the home sewing and quilting industry. He started a blog and YouTube channel and began working with brands like Art Gallery Fabrics, Aurifil, Brother and others to do co-marketing. His brand, Mister Domestic, grew at an accelerated pace as a result. Just a few weeks ago Mathew announced that he's now designing fabric for Art Gallery.

In this interview Mathew talks about his business strategy and the intentional way he thinks about his brand. He talks about how he chose the name Mister Domestic and why he recently got the name trademarked. Matthew has a mission for his brand and a long-term business plan that he's following. His brand is built on joy and positivity and he uses those feelings as an anchor when making decisions about what to do next. He also uses focus groups to help guide him on messaging.

Mathew has kept his day job which requires a significant amount of travel and we talk about how he fits everything into his busy life. He also talks about being a father and being gay and how that's felt as a member of the quilting community.

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This episode is sponsored by Make Modern magazine. Make Modern magazine is a digital magazine especially for modern quilters. Each issue features at least 10 projects with full patterns for quilts, minis, pillows and more. Make Modern is also packed with feature articles on the latest happenings in the modern quilt community and interviews with quilt superstars. Sign up for a free six month trial subscription, exclusive for Craft Industry Alliance listeners at www.makemodern.com.au/whileshenaps, hurry offer ends March 15th 2018.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I'm talking with Melanie Ham about YouTube. 

Melanie is a YouTuber and blogger who loves to create and share easy to follow sewing, quilting and crochet video tutorials to empower your creativity. She discovered sewing shortly after graduating with an art degree with emphasis in art history from California State University of Northridge when she found herself with more time on her hands after her husband joined the U.S. Army in 2007. Along the way she picked up crochet because it was easy to travel with and in the fall of 2010 made her first quilt. 

What started out as a way to be creative and stay busy turned into an obsession and by 2011 had started a blog and YouTube channel.  She now has over 400,000 subscribers on YouTube with over 32 million views and has grown to include premium content on melaniesmakers.com as well.  After living in Alaska and Hawaii with the Army, she and her husband Robert, two cute kids, one new rescue puppy and her trusty studio cat now reside back home in Los Angeles where they are both self employed creatives and enjoy spending time with their kids and extended family enjoying southern California's amazing weather.

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This episode is sponsored by Crosscut Sewing. Located in Melrose, MA or online at CrosscutSewingCo.com, Crosscut offers fun and modern fabric for all of your sewing projects.  In addition to quilting cotton, Crosscut offers a variety of apparel fabrics like denim, chambray, jersey knit, canvas, corduroy, flannel and more.  Use the code WSN18 to save 20% on your next fabric purchase.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about quilting and art history with my guest, Casey York.

Casey has sewn for most of her life and has been making quilts for a decade. Initially inspired by the graphic possibilities of appliqué, she has worked in the quilting industry to push the boundaries of this tradition with her graphic, contemporary designs and patterns. Casey received her Ph.D. in art history in 2012 and is known in the quilting industry for her two books, Modern Appliqué Illusions (2014) and The Appliqué Book (2016). Her first line of fabric, Fine|Spun, Volume One, was released by Studio 37 Fabrics (a division of Marcus Textiles) in the summer of 2017. She invites you to visit her website, casey-york.com, to learn more about her work.

We talk about how to get a fabric line with a major manufacturer, the benefits of writing craft books, and how Casey applies her academic background in art history to the artwork she's producing now.

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Today’s show is sponsored by Spoonflower. If you’re a creative person who loves to design, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of seeing your art printed onto fabric, or better yet — seeing someone across the globe purchase it and make something amazing.

Spoonflower is the first company to make it possible to digitally print custom fabric, wallpaper and gift wrap with no minimums, and no limitation of colors. Shop from thousands of indie designs, or sell your own designs and earn up to 15% commission on every sale. The best part? As an independent seller you always keep the rights to your work. While She Naps podcast listeners can get 15% off your next Spoonflower fabric order. Go to try.spoonflower.com/abby and enter your email address to receive your coupon code.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

 

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about color and dye with my guest, Carol Soderlund.

An artist and educator for 25 years, Carol’s curiosity about the range of color derived from yellow, red, and blue dyes led to her creation of her Color Mixing system for dyers. Carol encourages the freedom of mixing color by eye with results-based samples to guide the student. A former high school teacher, Carol was nominated for Teacher of the Year in 2013 and again in 2015 by the International Association of Creative Arts Professionals. Carol is co-author of Playful Fabric Printing with Melanie Testa. She has shown her quilts in juried venues across the country, winning awards including Best of Show at the International Quilt Festival in Houston, Texas.

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This episode is sponsored by StitchCraft. Online or at the pretty pink building in Boca Raton – StitchCraft is a one stop shop for the best service and selection for creative quilting, sewing and stitching. Stitchcraft offers Batiks, Tropicals, Kaffe Fassett and thousands of other fabrics plus embroidery, sashiko, wool and punchneedle.  Make a resolution this year to hone your skills or learn a new craft and let StitchCraft help.  Use the promo code NAPS2018 to save 15% on your next order.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about quilting and music with my guest, Ricky Tims.

Ricky Tims has successfully blended two diverse passions into one very unique and interesting career. His skills as a pianist, composer and producer have been evident by the thousands who have heard his music.

He is known in the international world of quilting as a best-selling author, enthusiastic and encouraging teacher, an award-winning quilter, fabric designer, and a talented and spellbinding speaker. His innovative and entertaining presentations feature live music and humor combined with scholarly insights and wisdom. His quilts have been displayed worldwide and are highly regarded as excellent examples of contemporary quilts with traditional appeal.

Ricky maintains an extensive international schedule of teaching and speaking engagements, and is co-founder and co-host of The Quilt Show with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims.

Ricky is challenged by creativity in all forms, and encourages individuals to cultivate self-expression, reach for the unreachable, and believe in the impossible.

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Turn your creative passion into a fulfilling career! How to Make It, published by Chronicle Books and written by photographer and small business owner Erin Austen Abbott, is the ultimate guide to making a living by making things. Featuring 25 profiles of illustrators, jewelry designers, ceramicists, painters, clothing designers, and printmakers, How to Make It provides a behind-the-scenes look at the daily rituals and best practices that keep these creative entrepreneurs on track.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast is our second annual community episode. In this very special episode I invite you, the listeners, to recommend great stuff you're enjoying right now. A few weeks ago I put a call out on the blog and in my newsletter asking listeners to recommend a book, app, website, tool, notion, or podcast that they would recommend to a creative friend. I heard from so many of you! I put all of your recommendations together in this episode!

My co-host for the Community Episode again this year is Stacey Trock. Stacey is a crochet designer and she's also a marketing consultant for the yarn industry. Check her out here. In addition to hearing your recommendations, Stacey and I have some of our own. All together I think you'll discover lots of neat stuff to check out!

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This episode is sponsored by STITCHES United. Please join us for STITCHES United 2018 at the Hartford Convention Center on March 22-25, 2018. Get ready for an entirely new kind of crafting expo; sewing, quilting, knitting, crochet, and MORE, all under one roof! This show is for multi-crafters—those not defined by one craft or even by one medium—with stimulating classes and shopping for ALL— sewers, quilters, AND knitters, crocheters, weavers, and others interested in all things fabric AND yarn. Exclusively for While She Naps listeners, you can get 20% OFF STITCHES United 2018 classes and events by visiting www.STITCHES.events/United and entering the coupon code WHILESHENAPS18 at check-out. You can learn more at www.STITCHES.events/United

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building a sewing community with my guest, Shea Henderson.

 A former middle school math teacher, Shea Henderson now owns Empty Bobbin Sewing Studio, a sewing and quilt pattern company. She is the author of the award winning book School of Sewing: Learn it. Teach it. Sew Together. and her work has been featured in several books and magazines. She is one of founding members and a former president of the Kansas City Modern Quilt Guild. Shea lives in Kansas City, MO with her husband and three young children. Find more of her work at emptybobbinsewing.com and on Instagram at @emptybobbin.

We talk about creating print patterns, writing book proposals and going through the publishing process, teaching sewing, building a community around sewing and quilting, and balancing family and career.

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This episode is sponsored by Pin Peddlers. Are you crafting crazy?  A lover of all things quilting and sewing? Share your passion for creativity in what you wear! Pin Peddlers is the place to choose pins, charms, and jewelry to make the perfect creative statement! Use the code “NAPS” to save 15% off your next stock order at pinpeddlers.com.
Pin Peddlers. Love what you do. Wear what you love.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

 

On today’s special episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I’m so saddened by this morning’s news that Nancy Zieman has passed away. Nancy was a huge inspiration to me, and to so many of us. As a woman, a business person, and a working mom, Nancy lived her life with grace. She worked hard, had an excellent moral compass, and set a high bar for all of us to reach when it comes to being a participant in the sewing and quilting industry.

In May, a few months before she got sick with cancer again, I had the privilege of interviewing Nancy Zieman about her work and her life. It was truly an honor and I have to say it was also a highlight of my professional career. I wanted to replay that interview for you today as a way of honoring Nancy’s memory which I know lives on so strongly in all of us. This episode orignally aired on May 15, 2017. Here it is again.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I recorded my time at Quilt Market in Houston last week. We had a discussion about the state of the quilting industry with three quilt shop owners: Janet Lutz, Karen Montgomery, and Kris Thurgood.

Janet Lutz is the owner of Calico Gals, a quilt shop located in Syracuse, NY. Janet is also the founder of Row by Row Experience, a program which reaches over 3,000 quilt shops worldwide.

Karen Montgomery has owned The Quilt Company, a full service, brick and mortar quilt shop just outside Pittsburgh, PA, for 25 years.  Industry insiders might know Karen from her Savvy Buying column published in FabShop News.  Most recently Karen has joined with Janet to create Sewposium a popular creative business retreat for shop owners.

Kris Thurgood is the owner of My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe located in Logan, Utah. Two years ago she organized My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe as a franchise and is now opening a 2nd location in Midway, Utah. Kris, along with her identical twin sister Kim, have been featured on national television shows including The Rachael Ray Show and The Nate Berkus Show. They co-hosted a weekly craft and sewing webshow called, The DIY Dish for several years as well.

Together we discussed a wide range of topics including:

• What makes some quilt shops succeed while others fail
• The ups and downs of relationships with fabric manufacturers
• Competition from Massdrop, Craftsy, and Fabric.com, plus Etsy shops and Facebook groups that sell fabric
• Quilt Market and how it's changed over time (Karen has been to over 50 Quilt Markets), how much it costs a shop to attend and whether it's worthwhile
• Ecommerce
• Digital fabric printing and how it might affect the industry in the future
• What would happen if fabric companies began selling direct to consumer
• Adding yarn to the mix
• The complexities and rewards of selling sewing machines

I learned a tremendous amount from talking with these three women and I'm really hoping you'll find the conversation equally interesting. Running a brick-and-mortar quilt shop requires a lot of hard work and they are doing it and succeeding.

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Today's episode is sponsored by Handmade Rebellion. Handmade Rebellion offers a wide variety of creative shirts, hoodies, pins, and other swag for fiber artists of all shapes, ages, and sizes. Let the world know that you are part of the maker movement with style! Remember to use coupon code WHILESHENAPS on handmaderebellion.com to save 15% off your next order, with free domestic shipping over $35. Join the rebellion!

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building a successful career in quilting with my guest, Eleanor Burns.

Eleanor Burns is truly a star in the quilting industry. She entered the field in 1978 with a self-published book, "Make a Quilt in a Day-Log Cabin Pattern.” Her innovative techniques in "strip piecing" made quilting possible for busy sewers and remains popular today. Eleanor’s signature technique is to take time treasured patterns and make them quick and easy to sew with new methods.

In 1990, Eleanor pioneered the way people view quiltmaking with her Quilt in a Day television series, which still broadcasts nationwide. She continues to be a highly sought after teacher and demonstrates her patterns and techniques on the Quilt in a Day website, live streaming webinars, and on YouTube.

In 1998 Eleanor designed her first fabric collection, "Anniversary Florals," with Benartex. She’s designed several more since then and has also collaborated in designing several special edition sewing machines. To date, Eleanor has published over 150 books and patterns and created numerous quilt rulers, templates and tools.

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This episode is sponsored by GlassEyesOnline. GlassEyesOnLine is your go to source for Glass Eyes, Plastic Safety Eyes and Noses, Joints and Insertion Tools for your creative projects. Use their eyes, noses and joints in Sewing, Crochet, Needle Felting, Amigurumi, Knitting, Sculpture, Wood Carving, Puppetry, Teddy Bear and Doll Making and many other arts and crafts projects. GlassEyesOnLine is a family owned and operated business located in the Low Country, South Carolina that ships World Wide. Jerry hand crafts the insertion tools and paints the iridescent and sparkle eyes. Use Code ABBY1017 to get Free Shipping on your $25.00 order in October.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building a fabric company with my guest, Arvin Pairavi.

 Arvin is the President and Co-Owner of Shannon Fabrics, a family owned importer and distributor of plush fabrics. Arvin joined the company in 2000 to work with his father and has helped grow Shannon Fabrics from a small business to a team of more than 50 employees.

In this interview we trace the Pairavi family's history in the fabric business. Arvin's grandfather and father had fabric stores in Iran before the family fled to the United States as refugees in the late 1980s. Once settled in Los Angeles, his father went into the fabric business again, opening a retail and wholesale fabric shop focusing on garment fabrics.

When the family hit hard times due to the stock market crash in late 1999, Arvin left his job in the electronics business to help his father. They began importing fabrics, expanding their wholesale business significantly. On a buying trip Arvin discovered a new, exceptionally soft polyester fabric that was different from anything currently on the market at that time. He placed a small order for what Shannon Fabrics called Cuddle fabric and was thrilled when this new substrate became an immediate success. Today, it's one of Shannon's premier products and is available in nearly 100 colors.

A few years later Shannon Fabrics entered the quilting industry, attending Quilt Market for the first time. Later, a licensing partnership with Robert Kaufman led to more popularity among local quilt shops.

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This episode is sponsored by Okan Arts. Okan Arts offers vintage Japanese fabrics for adventuresome sewists and quilters. The shop specializes in high-quality yukata cottons that are hand-dyed and traditionally used to make summer kimonos. The fabric patterns range from classic geometrics in indigo and white, to bold, lyrical motifs in vivid colors. Be sure to visit Okan Arts when you are in Seattle, or online at okanarts.com.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s special episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're celebrating the second anniversary of Craft Industry Alliance, the trade association for makers, designers, suppliers, and content creators in all areas of craft. Founded in October of 2015 by myself and Kristin Link (of Sew Mama Sew) Craft Industry Alliance now has over 1,300 members!

For this episode we're bringing five of those members onto the show to talk about their businesses and their relationship to the organization. Plus, we ask each of them to recommend great stuff they're enjoying right now. Kristin and I co-host these conversations. We talk to Kate McKean, Kara Gott Warner, Ann Martin, and Traci Vaspol and Karen Katin.

Join Craft Industry Alliance today at http://www.craftindustryalliance.org.

Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we’re talking about building a career as a designer with my guest, Christine Ricks.

Christine is the Creative Director for Missouri Star Quilt Company’s publishing department, working with a team to design and produce their magazines, Block and Modblock. She’s trained as a graphic designer and has taken up quilting as another medium to express her creative self. Christine spent the 10 years prior to her current position working in surface pattern design and contributing to several fabric lines for BasicGrey produced by Moda. She also contributes to the Modern Quilt Guild’s Quilt of the month and served as president of the Salt Lake Modern Quilt Guild last year.

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This episode is sponsored by Craft Industry Alliance, a trade association for makers, designers, suppliers, and content creators in all sectors of craft from knitting and crochet to quilting, sewing, paper crafting, polymer clay, embroidery, cross stitch and more. Founded by myself and Kristin Link in 2015, Craft Industry Alliance now has 1,300 members. Get a professionally written digital journal twice a month with up-to-date information on what's happening in the industry, tune in to webinars taught by experts in their field, and join a supportive community of fellow creative business owners. Check it out at craftindustryalliance.org.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we’re talking about building an innovative company in the sewing industry with my guest, Fred Drexler.

Fred, along with his wife, Joyce, founded Sulky of America, a premier thread and stabilizer company. Fred began his career in the sewing industry in 1965 at age 23 as a salesman for the Singer Company in Akron Ohio. In 1969, he opened his own Singer dealership in Punta Gorda, Florida and met Joyce in 1974. She founded Speed Stitch, the company that popularized free motion embroidery using a domestic sewing machine. In 1987 Speed Stitch partnered with a German thread manufacturer to form Sulky of America.

We trace the history of the company from Fred’s early days selling Singer sewing machines, a job he took on a whim, to building one of the most significant companies in the home sewing and quilting industries today. Hear how Joyce stumbled upon water soluble stabilizer at a time when it was non-existent on the American market and how she and Fred went about making that product a massive commercial success. Sulky continues to partner and innovate today. This year they released an exclusive thread collection with Cotton+Steel.

In 2009 Fred passed the role of president of Sulky onto Jason Prater, an employee who had worked at the company since 1995. We talk about the particular challenges of selling Sulky and how Fred is thinking about the future.

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Today’s episode is sponsored by Girl Charlee Fabrics. Girl Charlee Fabrics is your online source for knit fabrics, carrying a wide selection of unique cotton jersey, cotton lycra, brushed poly spandex, french terry, and more. Girl Charlee Fabrics also stocks all the best indie sewing patterns from designers around the world. New customers save 10% on their first order, and always $7.99 flat rate shipping on any order, any size!  Shop now at girlcharlee.com.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about cross stitch with my guest, Jamie Chalmers, also known as Mr X Stitch. Jamie took up cross stitching fifteen years ago and he’s never looked back. Since establishing the Mr X Stitch website in 2008, he has been showcasing new talent in the world of textiles and stitch and has curated a number of stitch-based exhibitions in the UK and Ireland. Jamie is an accomplished and internationally exhibited artist in his own right, and the curator of PUSH Stitchery (affiliate link), part of a series of books published by Lark showcasing the work of contemporary embroidery artists from around the world.

Jamie is an active leader in the online stitch community and what he has dubbed ‘the new embroidery movement’. He loves introducing new people to the benefits of embroidery from a creative and wellbeing standpoint and is proud to be an ambassador for the craft.

Hear how Jamie first got interested in cross stitch and what it is about needlecraft in general that continues to enthrall him. Jamie has run a successful crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter to launch his new magazine and he talks about how he approached that project. He also has over 30,000 followers on Instagram and gives us the details of his Instagram strategy. Mr X Stitch is a multi-contributor blog and Jamie explains how he runs a site like this. The site often features artwork with racy or politically controversial themes and Jamie explains how he filters what to include and what to reject. 

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Today's episode is sponsored by Needle and Foot, Fine Fabrics. This on-line fabric shop opened in January of 2017 with an ever-growing collection of modern fabrics. You will find a delightful collection of fabrics produced by Art Gallery Fabric, Andover and Windham Fabrics among others. Specializing in curated fat quarter bundles, Needle and Foot makes it possible to collect your favorite lines without breaking the budget. Bernadine Kringel, owner of Needle and Foot, treasures her customers and welcomes inquiries and requests. Let her help you put together just the right bundle! Use the coupon code WhileSheNaps15 for a 15% discount on your purchase (valid through the end of September 2017).

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I'm at Stitches United in Hartford, CT, talking with Benjamin Levisay, CEO of XRX, Inc., publishers of XRX Books as well as promoters of STITCHES Expos. Benjamin is a second-generation partner in this 31-year-old company originally started by his uncle, Alexis Xenakis, his father, David Xenakis, and their partner Elaine Rowley.

Benjamin has been a part of the fiber industry since his family opened a yarn shop in Sioux Falls, SD when he was a small boy, an enterprise that later evolved into XRX. We talk about the closure of Knitters Magazine last and the expansion of the STITCHES shows. Benjamin explains the friction that sometimes arises between STITCHES and local yarn shops and how that might be resolved. We also talk about Benjamin's former podcast, Fiber Hooligans, a new physical product for selling digital books, and more.

Learn more about the STITCHES shows on their website.

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This episode is sponsored by Sew Surprised. Sew Surprised is a learn-to-sew subscription box that is delivered to your door every month. Each box will contain all the materials needed to make a complete project, along with a link to a video showing you exactly how to complete the project. Sew Surprised is perfect for anyone who wants to learn how to sew, and we have boxes for boys, girls, and adults too! Visit us at Sew Surprised to get started.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building a career as a quilter with my guest, Sue Bleiweiss. I’m here visiting Sue in her home studio in Pepperell, Massachusetts which is about 45 minutes from my home and is a beautiful place to visit in July.

Sue creates vibrant colorful art quilts intended to delight the eye of the viewer and draw them in for a closer look.  The author of several books, she has written numerous articles for Quilting Arts Magazine, appeared on The Quilt Show with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims and Quilting Arts TV.  She's currently working on her 3rd book due out in the fall of 2018.   Sue’s award winning quilts have been exhibited internationally and reside in private collections all over the world.

Sue began her career in corporate America and transitioned to being a full-time artist shortly after September 11th, 2001. She talks about exploring a variety of art mediums, and even building a career in a few, before landing on quilting. Learn about hand dyeing fabric, fused applique, entering shows and writing books. Plus, most recently Sue has helped to curate and organize Threads of Resistance, a political quilt show that was recently installed at the New England Quilt Museum and will soon travel across the country.

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This episode is sponsored by Teresa Ascone. Teresa has created watercolor tutorials perfect for beginners! All tutorials include a framable print of the art, supply list, instructions and definitions. Teresa has taught art for more than 35 years, introducing hundreds of people to the marvelous world of watercolor - join her and access your own artistic expression!
www.etsy.com/shop/AsconeArtTutorials

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I'm talking with Alissa Haight Carlton. Alissa is a modern quilter, designer, author and the co-founder and Executive Director of the Modern Quilt Guild (MQG).  She has written two quilting books, Modern Minimal and Block Party. When not working in the quilting world, she heads up casting for Project Runway. Alissa lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two sons. 

Alissa tells the story of the founding of the MQG and how it's run today. She talks about how the organization has grown, why they chose non-profit status, and how they've handled pushback on various issues over the last seven years.

Alissa also explains what it's like to cast reality TV shows, especilly Project Runway. Hear what she's looking for in a cast member and how this show differs from other reality shows you might encounter.

Catch up with the Modern Quilt Guild on their website: themodernquiltguild.com

And follow Alissa's creative life on her Instagram feed: alissahaightcarlton

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This episode is sponsored by Jacquelynnes Steves. The I Love Home Free Block of the Month and Sew Along at JacquelynneSteves.com is starting soon! The patterns are Free and you have an option for doing just piecing, or add applique or hand embroidery to your blocks. This is a great project for beginning to more advanced quilters! Patterns have lots of step by step diagrams, and there will be some video tutorials as well. Get lots of ideas for fabrics and colors, and tons of giveaways with incredible sponsors! Plus, join the fun Facebook community, Sew Quilty Friends, to share your photos, ideas, and questions. There is an optional fabric kit available too! Use discount code WHILESHENAPS2017 to get $6 off the regular price of the kit, now through July 10, 2017.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

 

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about sewing magazines and television with my guest, Ellen March. Ellen March is the Community Content Director for the sewing division of F+W Media, including the Sew News, Creative Machine Embroidery, BurdaStyle, Sew Daily and Sew it All brands. She’s appeared on several television shows spreading her love of sewing, most notably Hallmark’s Marie Osmond Show and DIY Network’s Uncommon Threads, and she hosted Sew it All TV on PBS for nine seasons.

Ellen traces her career in the sewing media industry from stumbling upon a job description for a graphic designers at Sew News (she wasn't a graphic designer, but applied for a job anyway) to pitching a PBS show, to overseeing a suite of sewing magazines and brands for F+W Media. One of the things that stands out about Ellen's journey is her willingness to ask for the job she wants and her eagerness to take on new challenges. Her approach is very inspiring.

I ask Ellen to detail for us what exactly sewing magazines are looking right now. She explains how to write a good pitch (and what not to do) and why she feels that being published in a magazine is a worthwhile endeavor for designers. If you'd like to get on the contributors list for Sew News and Creative Machine Embroidery magazines, be sure to listen because Ellen shares the email address you can write to.

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This episode is sponsored by Sweetbriar Sisters. Sweetbriar Sisters is excited to announce their latest book, Hopeful Hatchlings! This sewing pattern collection includes nine different baby animals to hatch (and re-hatch!) from adorable zipper eggs. You can find Hopeful Hatchlings, along with a full collection of one of a kind toy patterns at SweetbriarSisters.com. Be sure to use coupon code ‘naps’ for 20% off your purchase of digital patterns (including the Hopeful Hatchlings eBook) from now until August 31. 

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

 

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we’re talking about running a fabric company with my guests, Kathy Miller and Michael Steiner. Kathy and Michael are the co-founders of Michael Miller Fabrics.

We begin by talking about Kathy's and Michael's careers before co-founding the company together. Kathy and Michael then explain how they met and came together to form their own fabric company. Michael Miller Fabrics has evolved considerably since its early days and you'll hear how and why it changed, and how the business was funded early on.

We talk about Quilt Market and how the role of trade shows is changing. We also talk about how Michael Miller has differentiated itself in a crowded marketplace. Kathy and Michael consider the future of fabric manufacturing and how digital printing might change things.

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Today's episode is sponsored by Cashmerette Patterns. Did you know that the average woman wears a size 16 and a DD bra, but that most sewing patterns stop at a 14 and are drafted for a B cup? That’s why Jenny Rushmore launched Cashmerette Patterns, the first sewing patterns designed for curves.  Cashmerette Patterns come in sizes 12 – 28 and cup sizes from C – H, and there are a range of modern patterns from the ultimate wrap dress to a button-down shirt that doesn’t gape at the bust. Use code WHILESHENAPS at shop.cashmerette.com to get 20% off your purchase before July 1.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building a lifelong career in sewing with my guest, Nancy Zieman.

Nancy Zieman is an author, designer, businesswomen, TV producer, blogger and national sewing authority. She’s the host of the popular show Sewing With Nancy®, which appears exclusively on public television stations across the United States and Canada. You can watch Sewing With Nancy® online at nancyzieman.com.

In this interview Nancy traces the history of her career. Hear how she first got onto public television and what those early days were like. Learn about the start of Nancy's Notions and how the business expanded over the past three decades. Nancy also talks about some personal issues including how she balanced being a working mother and the challenges she's faced due to Bell's palsy. Nancy's integrity, work ethic, and good humor are an inspiration.

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This episode is sponsored by Storey Publishing.

Storey Publishing offers quality books on crafting, gardening, natural health and wellness, cooking, and sustainable living. Their quilting, sewing, and fiber craft books are some of my favorites. Storey’s expert craft authors include recent While She Naps guest and QuiltCon presenter Thomas Knauer, author of The Quilt Design Coloring Workbook. You can all get a free downloadable quilt design coloring template from the book on Storey’s website. You can find the link in the show notes.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we’re talking about building a career as a modern quilter with my guest, Jen Carlton Bailly. Jen is a founder of the Portland Modern Quilt Guild, the largest modern quilt guild in the world. She had a career in retail before becoming a mother and modern quilter and carries many of lesson she learned in those years over to her current work.

In this conversation we talk about discovering a craft community online and in person. Jen explains how modern quilters first connected online via Flickr and then came together in her local community to form a guild.

Jen's blog is called Betty Crocker Ass and we discuss what it's like to have such a standout name for your website. She explains her mixed feelings over the years about possibly changing it, and why in the end she chose to keep it.

Jen has a line of quilting templates out and she talks about creating and selling a signature product and the challenges with scaling the business. She also beginning to sell patterns and discusses what that decision entailed.

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This episode is sponsored by Yount Street Glass. Kay and her partner, Cindy, at Yount Street Glass make jewelry and accessories from recycled wine bottles. Located in the heart of Napa Valley, Yount Street Glass is perfectly situated to upcycle the beautiful glass that cradled beautiful wines.  Check out YountStreetGlass.com to learn more about Yount Street Glass and their hand crafted eco-friendly products. Be sure to enter promo code NAP for a 15% discount on your next order.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building an online presence on Instagram with my guest, Nichole Vogelsinger. Nichole has a beautiful new book out with Lucky Spool, Wild Boho: Modern Projects from Traditional Stitches (affiliate link). She's also partnered with an assortment of sewing brands including fabric and notions companies. Nichole has built tremendous momentum for her work by using Instagram to show what she's doing and forge connections. She currently has over 10,000 followers. It's really exciting to see her trajectory!

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This episode is sponsored by the International Association of Creative Arts Professionals. For more than 20 years, ICAP has been the go-to resource for thousands of creatives around the world. Whether you are looking for peer support through our free Creative Passion to Profit Facebook group, help taking your business to the next level through our ICAP membership, the chance to work on not in your business at our annual conference, or private coaching, you'll find just what you need. Head on over to joinicap.com/whileshenaps and grab your free Creative Arts Business Blueprint and Poster to get started. And if you decide to uplevel your business with an ICAP Elevating Membership, you'll enjoy 10% off if you use the code ABBY when you checkout.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about owning a quilt shop with my guest, Heather Givans. We recorded this episode in Savannah, Georgia, at Quilt Con 2017. The show was so inspiring and I was excited to have the opportunity to sit down with an equally inspiring guest to talk more about this industry.

Heather is a creative force; fabric store owner, fabric designer, quilt designer, national instructor, artist, and art educator. Heather creates community wherever she goes. Her shop, Crimson Tate, in Indianapolis, was born out of an obsession with creating non-traditional quilts from contemporary, modern and repurposed vintage fabrics.

Heather designs fabric for Windham Fabrics, works on new pattern designs, giggles contagiously, and teaches sewing with her energetic friends and staff among the hustle and bustle of downtown.

Connect with Heather Givans on the Crimson Tate site.

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This episode is sponsored by Plum Deluxe. Love trying new teas? Want to make every day feel special? Treat yourself to a Plum Deluxe tea of the month subscription. For only $10/month, you’ll receive a hand blended, all-organic, loose leaf tea thoughtfully chosen for the season. Tea club members also enjoy special benefits like free shipping and access to a supportive community. Tea also makes a fantastic gift. Visit plumdeluxe.com/tea to join now.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I'm talking with Dean Neumann and Penny McMorris about Electric Quilt, the quilt designs software company they co-founded 26 years ago.

After the Air Force and then graduate school, Dean was a Professor of Mathematics at Bowling Green State University for 25 years. He received a hand-me-down computer from his son in the late 1980s, and quickly became a self-taught computer programmer just for fun.

 His wife, Penny McMorris, was the corporate art curator for Owens-Corning Corporation, headquartered in Toledo, Ohio. Penny was a self-taught quilt maker. She taught a few local classes and then talked her local PBS station (WBGU-TV) into letting her produce and host a television series showing quilt history and the best contemporary quilts of that time.

 With Penny’s travels for her job and the TV show, Dean became interested in quilts and was motivated to find an enterprise that they could do together. He was the brainstorm behind the idea of creating a software that would allow quilters to pre-plan their designs. The result was the first Electric Quilt (EQ) program in 1992.

They both eventually left their jobs to run the company full time. 26 years later, they continue to own and operate The Electric Quilt Company in Bowling Green, Ohio.

Visit Electric Quilt at ElectricQuilt.com.

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This episode is sponsored by Plum Deluxe. Love trying new teas?  Treat yourself to a Plum Deluxe tea of the month subscription.  For only $10/month, you'll receive a hand blended, all-organic,loose leaf tea thoughtfully chosen for the season.  Tea club members also enjoy special benefits like discounts, free shipping on all purchases, and access to a very loving and supporting tea community.  A tea subscription also makes a fantastic gift. Visit PlumDeluxe.com/tea and join now.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

 

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about the sewing and quilting industry with my guest, Pokey Bolton.

Pokey Bolton was introduced to art quilting and the related needle arts in 1998, and ever since she took her first stitch (a fly) and embroidered her first motif (a spider), she has been entangled in this industry and doesn’t envision herself getting free.

Art quilting and mixed-media have, quite literally, taken over her life—so much so that she left her doctoral program and full-time teaching job to found Quilting Arts Magazine® and later with John Bolton, Cloth Paper Scissors® magazine, as well as a line of books. After they sold their publishing business to Interweave, Pokey became the Editorial Director for the Quilt & Paper Division at Interweave and was founding host of Quilting Arts TV on PBS.

In January 2012 she joined Quilts, Inc, the parent company of International Quilt Festival and Quilt Market, in the newly founded position of Chief Creative Officer.

A little over two years later, she founded Crafting a Life, LLC, a media and events company based in Napa Valley, California offering media and boutique-style retreats. In January 2016, she launched CRAFT NAPA, an annual retreat held in downtown Napa. CRAFT NAPA includes crafting, sewing, collage, quilting workshops, wine education, wine excursions, and an Artists' Market. 

Connect with Pokey on her blog.

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Today's episode is sponsored by Deanne Fitzpatrick Rug Hooking. Deanne Fitzpatrick Rug Hooking Studio offers a contemporary look at a traditional craft. Working as an artist creating one of a kind hooked rugs , Deanne also offers rug hooking kits, patterns, supplies, workshops and lessons, both online at www.hookingrugs.com or at her studio in downtown  Amherst, Nova Scotia,Canada.Her original works are in the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and many private and public collections. The author of seven books about rug hooking and creativity,Deanne has made her  website, blog and youtube channels  a beautiful  resource for rug hookers internationally.
Visit her at www.hookingrugs.com and use the coupon code abby to receive 15% off your first order.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s special episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I’m at QuiltCon 2017 and I’m honored to have been able to sit for a few minutes with Katherine Jones who has won Best in Show for her quilt, Bling. Kat is from Tasmania, Australia and I caught her just a few hours before she had to catch a flight back home. We sat on the grass outside the convention center and chatted about her extraordinary paper pieced quilt.

Kat has had award winning quilts in QuiltCon in years past, but she has a very low key online presence and many people are hearing about her for the first time. I wanted to hear her story, her approach to quilting, how she planned and executed such a stunning work of art, and what she’s going to do next. I hope you enjoy this special episode.

Visit Kat's blog: http://www.twocatsquilts.blogspot.com.au

Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

 

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we’re talking about launching a kit and pattern business with my guest, Susan Fitzgerald. Susan lives near me, in the Boston area, so we were actually able to record this interview in person in Susan’s beautiful studio.

Susan Fitzgerald designs modern cross stitch kits and patterns. Her work features stitching on unconventional materials like wood, leather, and acrylic. Her innovative designs have been featured in a number of cross stitch, quilting, and craft publications including CrossStitcher magazine and Mollie Makes. 

 With a background in science and technology, Susan did not set out to become a cross stitch designer. She taught herself to stitch in her 20’s as a creative counterpoint to working long days in the corporate world. While dabbling in other crafts like knitting, quilting, and weaving, cross stitch was always the pursuit she came back to.

 As her cross stitch practice evolved, Susan began to explore stitching on alternative materials like wood and leather. She loved how modern and unexpected the pieces were. In 2012 she created a line of cross stitch jewelry kits featuring the unconventional materials and began selling them on Etsy. She now sells an expanded range of kits to fabric and yarn shops across the country and internationally.

We talk about product development, sourcing, trade shows, distribution, and Instagram among many other things. If you sell a physical product or hope to one day this episode is for you!

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Today’s episode is brought to you by halfmoon ATELIER. Simple design. Big impact.

Meghann Halfmoon of halfmoon ATELIER designs foundation pieces for modern sewists looking to create a sew-cially conscious handmade wardrobe. Her mission is to design simple, unique sewing patterns and help modern sewists to source sustainable, ethical, organic and fair trade fabric as a small step toward her vision of a world in which sustainable, ethical production is simply the standard. Simple design. Big impact.

Check out www.halfmoonatelier.com for unique PDF sewing patterns and a compilation of online businesses offering sustainable, ethical fabrics (http://www.halfmoonatelier.com/ethical-sources).

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about blogging, and illustration, and newsletters with my guest Claire Robertson. Claire is an Australian artist and illustrator based on the Pacific North West island of Salt Spring, in British Columbia, Canada. She weaves the whimsy of her island life into her work, incorporating the local flora and fauna in her characteristic style. She is well known for her much loved blog loobylu.com which she began in 1999, and for which she has won many awards and accolades. She is also known for her iconic children's book illustrations including for the ongoing Truly Tan series, written by Jen Storer for Harper Collins Australia. Claire works digitally but also in traditional media: inks, acrylics, paper-cutting, ceramics and textiles.

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This episode is sponsored by Shower Art. Rosalie & Douglas Gale of Ugly Baby invented Shower Art - waterproof art you can hang in your shower with a suction cup. They hand cast each piece in rubber add glitter, discarded toys and other weird stuff - along with a fair amount of sarcasm. Visit uglybabyshop.com and use coupon code ABBYRULES for 30% off a single order. 

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

 

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I've asked quilter Thomas Knauer to talk about the state of the quilting industry right now. Knauer is an academic as well as an award winning quilter and he views the industry in a way that I feel is unusual and thought-provoking. He talks about the relationship between the quest for perfectionism and quilting and how that leads to consumerism. Thomas also feels that "the quilting industry has nothing to do with quilts," a statement I ask him to unpack for us. Finally, Thomas shares a new model for local quilt shops going forward - one that I've never heard before and that definitley made me think. I hope this interview prompts some new ideas to circulate as the business of quilting changes.

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This episode is sponsored by Craftcation. If you’re maker, blogger or creative business owner Craftcation Conference is the perfect place for you to get all the tools and resources you need to start the business of your dreams, take your existing business to the next-level, make life-long friends and build your community, and discover or rediscover your inner artist and crafter.

Come to Craftcation: Business and Makers Conference on April 27-30 2017 in Ventura, California for four life-changing days of 80+ hands-on DIY craft workshops and business classes as well as special events like happy hour, keynote dinner, morning yoga, a dance party and more.

Craftcation sells out every year, so don’t miss this chance. Go to dearhandmadelife.com and use the code: whileshenaps to get $20 off and register for four days you’ll never forget.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we’re talking about building a business in fashion sewing with my guest Mimi Goodwin, whom you might know as MimiG.

Mimi is a mother, businesswoman, and award winning, trend expert and Editor-in-Chief of the popular fashion, lifestyle, and DIY blog, MimiGStyle.com. What started off as a hobby in her Los Angeles home in 2012, has blossomed into an international brand with daily engagement of more than 1.M followers.

We talk about :

• What works on YouTube
• Sponsored posts
• Body image
• How to build readership for your blog and grow you Instagram following
• Controlling the tone of your online community
• Becoming a sewing pattern designer
• Launching a membership site

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Today’s show is sponsored by Spoonflower. If you’re a creative person who loves to design, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of seeing your art printed onto fabric, or better yet -- seeing someone across the globe purchase it and make something amazing. Spoonflower is the first company to make it possible to digitally print custom fabric, wallpaper and gift wrap with no minimums, and no limitation of colors. Shop from thousands of indie designs, or sell your own designs and earn up to 15% commission on every sale. The best part? As an independent seller you always keep the rights to your work. While She Naps podcast listeners can get 15% off your next Spoonflower fabric order with code ABBY17. Learn more at try.spoonflower.com/abby

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're hearing voices from the community. It's the 2016 Community Episode! A few weeks ago I put a call out on my blog and in my newsletter asking you to record yourself and send it to me. I got so many entries! Thank you. Specifically I asked if you would recommend something you're loving right now. So this episode is full of amazing recommendations for books, apps, websites, notions, tools, and other podcasts you'll love.

I asked my good friend, crochet designer Stacey Trock of FreshStitches.com, to co-host this episode with me. Stacey and I also share our own recommendations for great stuff.

And, we're giving away a $100 gift certificate to Sprout Patterns to one lucky contributor to this episode. So, if you recorded yourself and sent it to me be sure to listen to see who won! Thank you, Sprout, for generously donating this fantastic prize.

This episode was truly special and I'm going to do it again next year.

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Our episode sponsor is Yount Street Glass. Yount Street Glass makes jewelry and accessories from reycycled wine bottles. Located in the heart of Napa Valley, Yount Street Glass is perfectly situated to upcycle the beautiful glass that cradled beautiful wines. Check out YountStreetGlass.com to learn more about their handcrafted, eco-friendly products.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about product development with my guest, Annie Unrein. A creative lifetime quilter, Annie Unrein of Patterns by Annie and ByAnnie.com has been designing patterns and teaching since 2000.  With a focus on practical and useful projects, Annie's patterns appeal to a sewists of all ages and levels.

Annie is the creator of ByAnnie's Soft and Stable, an innovative product she designed to add body, stability and a professional finish to purses, bags, home dec items, and more.

 A popular instructor, Annie teaches online and also travels worldwide to teach. She loves sharing techniques for making sewing bags and purses easier while yielding professional results.

 Annie is based in St. George, Utah, where she and her energetic team operate the popular website ByAnnie.com. They are your source for patterns, Soft and Stable, handbag zippers in over 48 colors, purse hardware, mesh, vinyl, and more.

Annie talks about building a pattern business from scratch, developing signature products, and business growth. And, of course, I ask Annie to recommend great stuff she's enjoying right now.

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This episode is sponsored by Modern Patchwork Magazine, a publication from F+W media known for its fresh and contemporary quilt patterns, in-depth designer profiles, and inspirational articles. Whether you are just beginning to quilt and love the modern look, or are a seasoned quilter looking for contemporary patchwork projects of every skill level, Modern Patchwork is the magazine for you. And now it’s available six times a year AND as a subscription. Visit quilting daily.com/mpsubscribe for more information.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building a career as an artist and illustrator with my guest, Jennifer Judd-McGee.

Jennifer Judd-McGee is a full time artist and mother living and working in Mount Desert Island, Maine. She describes herself as a nature lover, obsessive doodler, path finder, and appreciator of paper, fine point pens, and detailed patterns. Jennifer creates papercuts, illustrations, mixed media collage and monoprints that are reflective of her surroundings. She shows her work in galleries and licenses it to companies around the country.

Jen talks about living with Multiple Sclerosis, transitioning into being a full-time artist, licensing work to commercial clients including Target and Land of Nod, creating fine art for galleries and so much more. Jen struggles with self-promotion and we talk about strategies she's used to overcome her discomfort. This is a gentle, honest conversation and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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This episode is sponsored by Made By Rae. Made By Rae is an independent sewing pattern company specializing in simple, modern clothing designs for women and children. Designer Rae Hoekstra brings you sewing patterns that are easy to follow and learn from, with a focus on good fit. Whether you are just beginning to sew or have been sewing for years, you’ll love how approachable and versatile these patterns are. Use the special offer code WHILESHENAPS to get 10% off your next purchase in the Made by Rae shop. Offer expires December 31, 2016.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we’re talking about building a business as a crafter with my guest, Jennifer Perkins.

Jennifer Perkins is an Austin, TX based creative consultant.  During her lengthy career in the craft industry she has run a successful jewelry business (Naughty Secretary Club), hosted television shows (Craft Lab and Stylelicious on DIY Network), been the editor in chief of a magazine (Kids Crafts 1-2-3 started by Walmart) and everything in-between.  Her distinct style and love of color and kitsch has followed her throughout all of these adventures.

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This episode is sponsored by StoryPatches. No quilt is complete without a label – yet many quilters skip this critical last step!  StoryPatches Quilt Labels make labeling a breeze. Your voice and your story matter to your family and friends – and StoryPatches are the perfect way to capture and connect that story.  These ready to use labels come in a variety of designs to match your quilt and take the pain out of labeling.  Use the offer code Naps to get 20% off your net order at storypatches.com.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we’re talking about quilting, painting, and living a creative life with my guest Melissa Averinos.

Melissa Averinos paints, makes quilts, and writes craft books.

She won a Judge's Choice Award at QuiltCon 2015 for her quilt 'face #1' and won Best In Show at QuiltCon 2016 for her quilt 'My Brother's Jeans'.

Melissa travels nationally to teach her signature class ‘Making Faces with Melissa’ at quilt shops, guilds and retreats such as QuiltCon and Craft Napa. Melissa is the author of seven books. Her first coloring book for C&T Publishing, Awesome Town, was released in September of 2016.

Melissa’s newest fabric collection YUMMIES for Me+You, a division of Hoffman California, will debut at Fall Quilt Market 2016.

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This episode is sponsored by Indygo Essentials. Indygo Junction’s founder Amy Barickman has architected a new boutique apparel brand, Indygo Essentials.
Watch the Essentials video to see the six current patterns and use coupon code WSN22 for 20% on your entire order. Be sure to sign-up for Indygo Junction’s newsletter to receive a free pattern each month and stay up-to- date on new pattern releases.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I'm talking with Mickey Krueger, the president of Windham Fabrics, one of the leading manufacturers of quilting cottons today. We recorded this show in front of a studio audience at Sew Pro, a sewing conference in Chicago in mid-September 2016.

If you're interested designing fabric, or if you're just curious how this side of the quilting industry works, this episode is for you. Mickey explains how Windham chooses new designers and exactly what he's looking for. He takes us through the fabric manufacturing process from start to finish. We also talk about local quilt shops, Fabric.com, fabric sellers on Etsy, how Quilt Market has changed, and much more.

Keep up with Windham on their website: http://www.windhamfabrics.com/

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This episode is sponsored by pattern and book publisher, Indygo Junction Indygo Junction’s new brand Fabriflair offers kits and patterns for dimensional paper piecing. Watch this Radiant Star Fabriflair video to learn about the product and the process of making these functional and decorative objects. Showcase your favorites fabrics, embroidery or treasured textiles! Visit IndygoJunction.com and use this code for a 20% discount on your entire order: WSN20

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about publishing craft books with my guests, Sara Bercholz and Jennifer Urban-Brown of Roost Books, an imprint of Shambhala.

Sara is the Executive Vice President of Shambhala and the publisher of Roost Books. She started Roost Books with Jenn in 2012. Shambhala was started by her father, Sam Bercholz, in the 1960s and the company remains in the family

And Jennifer Urban-Brown is an avid knitter, a B+ sewer, and a dabbling baker. She has been an editor at Roost Books / Shambhala Publications since 2006, where she has the great privilege of working on books that truly inspire her and that reflect the things she cherishes most in life: creativity and community.

We talk about what makes a book a Roost Book, how to submit a proposal and what to expect when working with Roost.

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This episode is sponsored by Unanimous Craft. Unanimous Craft is a website where you can find places to sell your handmade and small batch work. This online index of brick and mortar shops, online selling venues and craft shows around the country is comprehensive, up to date, and easy to use. Visit unanimouscraft.com/naps for a special offer just for Craft Industry Alliance listeners.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I'm talking with Maddie Kertay, the founder of the BadAss Quilters Society, a Facebook page and blog devoted to diversity and inclusion in the quilting community. In this conversation Maddie talks about how she became a quilter and the incident which led her to feel she needed a place to talk openly about issues within the quilting industry that she feels need changing. Maddie's blog and Facebook posts often delve into race, class, gender, and sexuality in a way that is rarely seen within this community. Maddie realized that her point of view is not for everyone, but she is proud of the positive change she's been able to make along with the 16,000 people who follow the Facebook page.

Catch up with the BadAss Quilters Society on Facebook.

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Today's episode is sponsored by Unanimous Craft, an online index of shops and craft shows where you can sell your handmade and small batch wares. Check it out at UnanimousCraft.com and visit UnanimousCraft.com/naps for a special offer for Craft Industry Alliance listeners. Thank you, Unanimous Craft!

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we’re talking about making and selling handcrafted products with my guest Arounna Khounnoraj of Bookhou.

Arounna Khounnoraj started Bookhou with her husband, John Booth, in 2002 as a place to combine and market their work. Both Arounna and John started out as artists - Arounna as a sculptor and John as a painter - but as time passed their endeavors grew to include ceramics, fiber arts, architecture and furniture making to name only a few. nNeedless to say Bookhou defines itself as a multidisciplinary studio where the husband and wife team explore a variety of mediums both individually and collectively.

Most people, however, would probably know Arounna as a printmaker and surface designer through her work in creating fabric bags, personal and home items which showcase her unique pattern designs. In keeping with their art studio roots, Arounna's work emphasizes the handmade and the hand drawn utilizing references to both natural, botanical forms as well as abstract patterns with simplicity of form uniting everything she creates.

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This episode is sponsored by Teresa Ascone Art Tutorials. Have you ever wanted to try watercolor? Teresa Ascone's Etsy tutorials for absolute beginners age 10 and older are PDF downloads with easy-to-understand instructions, supply list, definitions, a full color framable image of the art, and line drawing. The paintings can be completed in less than 60 minutes. Check out all of Teresa's work on her website.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I'm talking with Annabel Wrigley. Annabel Wrigley is an Australian mom, author, and designer living in rural Virginia. She owns Little Pincushion Studio, a space where she teaches children everything they need to know in order to go forth and conquer the world of sewing and creating. When she’s not teaching, she’s working on her “We Love to Sew” series of books published by C&T publishing. She also teaches classes on Creativebug and designs fabric for Windham Fabrics.

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This episode is sponsored by Art Street Collective. Coloring is a great way to decompress and de-stress.  Art Street Collective artists have several coloring books available from whimsical and cartoonish to Celtic knots and kaleidoscopes.   Visit the art street collective website to see all the books available. Visit artstreetcollective.com to find books and DVDs on surface design, art quilting, bead embellishment and more by some of today's top fiber and quilt artists.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about craft book publishing with my guest, Amy Marson. Amy is the publisher at C&T publishing which also includes the Stash Books and FunStitch Studio imprints. We discuss how to pitch a craft book, how C&T markets new titles, Amy's position on advances and how a book can fit into an author's larger goals. And, of course, I ask Amy to recommend great stuff she's enjoying right now.

Check out C&T online at http://www.ctpub.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ctpublishing/

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This episode is sponsored by QuiltWoman. QuiltWoman.com is your source for quilting and sewing patterns offering over 10,000 items by over 270 designers to retail and wholesale customers. Wholesale customers enjoy no minimum order and free U.S. shipping with a $60 order. Use the code ABBY at checkout to receive 10% off your order.

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Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same.

To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.