We’re thrilled to announce our 2024 Craft Industry Alliance Scholarship recipients. We launched our scholarship program four years ago in an effort to make Craft Industry Alliance membership available to creative small business owners who would benefit from the resources and community support we offer, regardless of financial means.
We had a record-high number of applicants this year and reading through the applications was truly inspiring! We had applicants from every craft sector including upcycling, quilting, jewelry, garment sewing, bath and body care, rug hooking, spinning and dyeing, paper crafting, and more. Some were at the beginning stages of their business, and some were further along. We had high school and college students, mid-career professionals, and retirees starting on a new path.
Eleven applicants truly stood out and we’re thrilled to offer them one-year memberships. Each recipient has their own hopes and aspirations for their craft business and we can’t wait to welcome them into the Craft Industry Alliance community. Thank you to the ten recipients for allowing us to share a bit about their stories so you can get to know their businesses and celebrate this special day with us.
Else is a fashion brand centered on self-expression, founded by Kelsey Tobie in April 2014. The business began with selling skirts online and has since expanded to offer headbands, scrunchies, and neckties that serve as fun accessories and thoughtful gifts. Kelsey operates primarily online, with occasional participation in in-person markets, and enjoys processing wholesale orders for various stores across the country. Looking ahead, Kelsey envisions opening a brick-and-mortar boutique that not only showcases her own creations but also features products from other small businesses. This boutique would serve as a hub for pop-ups and local events, giving other creators a platform to shine. Ultimately, Else is dedicated to helping shoppers wear their joy.
V and A Creations, established in October 2013, is a paper crafting business founded by Vanessa Antonsen. The business specializes in designing, creating, and selling a wide range of paper items, including greeting cards, journals, memory books, tags, bows, bags, boxes, and gifting items. Vanessa has also been involved in creating and teaching classes that inspire both children and adults to enjoy the art of paper crafting. In addition, she has designed and crafted paper dresses for a fashion runway over several years. Looking to the future, Vanessa aims to secure a venue where she can sell handcrafted products, expand her teaching efforts, and offer tools and supplies to help her students continue crafting with joy after her classes.
Vanrey Knits, founded by Vanessa Reyes, is a brand born from a deep passion for knitwear design. Specializing in creating timeless, modern, and size-inclusive knitting and crochet patterns, Vanessa blends tradition with innovation in each design. Her patterns, available through her website, Ravelry, and Etsy, aim to empower knitters with creativity and confidence. Beyond offering patterns, Vanrey Knits fosters a supportive community through Zoom sessions, tutorials, and engaging content. Looking to the future, Vanessa envisions expanding her pattern offerings and collaborating with yarn designers and fellow artisans to create unique knitting experiences that resonate with knitters worldwide.
Sarah Guerin founded Saboteuse in 2015, a workshop dedicated to creating the highest quality handmade cowboy boots. Specializing in custom Western boots, Sarah’s work is rooted in the meticulous craftsmanship and specialized techniques she honed during her apprenticeship, which began in 2013. Instead of focusing on client-based work, Sarah builds boots for exhibition, using the iconography of the American West to critique cultural narratives. Her goal for Saboteuse is not to grow in scale but to mature as a business, emphasizing the rarity and quality of each handcrafted boot. This commitment to excellence defines the inherent value of her work.
Terri Haynes founded Gathering Yarns, a local yarn store in Fort Washington, MD, in June 2023. As the only Black-owned yarn store in Southern Maryland, Gathering Yarns offers a full range of crafting supplies for knitters and crocheters, along with classes and events designed to foster community. Terri’s vision for the store includes growing the community of stitchers in Southern Maryland and expanding the range of classes and products offered.
Esraa Riyad Designs is a creative business that specializes in colorwork crochet patterns. Founded by Esraa Riyad, the business also focuses on training beginners, particularly children and adolescents aged 11 to 16, in crochet skills within her local community. Over the past two years, Esraa has made significant strides in this educational mission. Her crochet patterns are available on platforms like Ravelry, Lovecrafts, and her own website, with one of her designs being featured in Happily Hooked magazine. Looking ahead, Esraa plans to expand her range of colorwork patterns and explore garment design. She is passionate about incorporating different cultural elements into her work, with a particular emphasis on ancient Egyptian and authentic Arab motifs, aiming to showcase the rich and diverse cultural heritage through her unique crochet designs.
Sara Ingle founded Boston Fiber Company, a local yarn store in Boston’s South End neighborhood, in 2022. Now finishing its second year, the store focuses on indie-dyed yarn, supporting local crafters, and fostering a strong community through numerous low-cost and free events and groups. The Boston Fiber Company team, currently consisting of three people, is dedicated to making fiber arts accessible to all. Looking ahead, Sara and her team are working on organizing a fiber festival for the neighborhood and beginning to dye their own yarn to offer to customers.
Monica Peters, also known as MoniGarr, is an artist specializing in raised beadwork in the Mohawk Woodlands/Northeast Woodlands style, a craft she learned from her mother in the 1970s on the Akwesasne Indian Reservation. This traditional art form has been passed down through generations as a vital survival skill, providing income through sales at Pow Wows, museums, and to collectors. MoniGarr’s creative business merges her experience in tech and new media with her Onkwehonwe heritage. Her innovative designs incorporate traditional treaties and cultural symbology, enhanced with augmented reality animations and Kanien’keha (Mohawk Language) audio. Her diverse business model includes online downloads, live workshops, and on-demand video tutorials.
Janie Flores founded Janie’s Art Journals in July 2023, focusing on upcycling old books into unique art and writing journals. By incorporating vintage papers, recycled packaging, and specialty fabrics and papers sourced from Mexican artisans in Oaxaca, Janie’s Art Journals blends sustainability with creativity. These handcrafted journals are currently available at craft fairs, on social media, and through word of mouth. Looking ahead, Janie plans to expand by launching an online shop on platforms like Etsy or Shopify and integrating content on the Janie Flores Live YouTube channel to educate and inspire others about sustainable art.
April Hare founded Share Love Quilts in 2018, a business dedicated to preserving memories through custom-made keepsake quilts, memory bears, and pillows. Inspired by the passing of her grandmother in 2016, April wanted to create something tangible that could offer comfort and peace. What began as a personal project has grown into a beloved business that helps others turn cherished clothing items into lasting memories. Looking ahead, April envisions opening a storefront where people can gather to learn, socialize, and create. She also hopes to offer a rental space where individuals can work on sewing projects in a peaceful environment, providing a sanctuary for creativity away from the distractions of home.