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We talk with designers and makers about what it really takes to build a creative business. Then we recommend great stuff we're loving right now.
LATEST EPISODE
Podcast Episode #302: Kim Kight
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about fabric design with my guest Kim Kight.
Kim started in the craft blogging world in the 2000s, first with a personal sewing and knitting blog, then her fabric news blog, True Up. She is the author of the book A Field Guide to Fabric Design in 2011 with Stash Books, which is still in print. She started designing with Cotton + Steel Fabrics in 2013, and now Ruby Star Society since 2018. She lives outside of Austin, Texas, with her family and pets.
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THE HOST
Find out what it takes to build a business in the crafts industry. In each episode host, and Craft Industry Alliance co-founder, Abby Glassenberg, interviews a creative entrepreneur to learn about their journey to success. Hear their stories and find out how to earn a living through a love of craft.
FEATURED EPISODES
Podcast Episode #246: Bianca Springer
In this podcast episode, Bianca Springer talks about her career in conflict mediation, sewing, and embroidery.
Special Episode: Justine Tiu, Co-Founder of The Woobles, Live at h+h americas
Today we have a special episode of the podcast recorded live at h+h americas 2023. Our Day #3 keynote was a fireside chat with Justine Tiu, co-founder of The Woobles.
Podcast Episode #238: Gretchen Hirsch
In this podcast interview, sewing pattern designer Gretchen Hirsch traces the development of her career from working in publishing to starting a blog to writing books and creating an indie sewing pattern company.
BROWSE ALL EPISODES
Please note that this show was previously called the While She Naps podcast. On October 1, 2019, it was renamed the Craft Industry Alliance podcast. The name has changed, but the mission of the show, the host, and the style are the same.
Podcast Episode #302: Kim Kight
In this podcast episode, fabric designer Kim Kight traces her path from being an early blogger to becoming a designer for Moda.
Podcast Episode #301: Brittany Garber
In this podcast interview, crochet designer Brittany Garber shares her journey discovering crochet and turning it into a business..
Podcast Episode #300: Maria Shell
In this podcast chat, quilt artist Maria Shell explains how she went from working as a journalist to becoming a modern quilter in Alaska.
Podcast Episode #299: Louisa Owen Sonstroem
In this podcast episode, Louisa Sonstroem talks about the winding journey she took to arrive at her love of hand sewing clothing.
Podcast Episode #298: Amy Ting
In this podcast interview, crochet designer Amy Ting traces her path to creating an amigurumi pattern business and writing a book.
Special Episode: Abbie Small on the Future of the Big 4 Sewing Pattern Brands
In this podcast interview, Abbie Small explains the management buyout, with Rubelmann Capital, of the Big 4 sewing pattern brands.
Podcast Episode #297: Marianne Fons
In this podcast interview, Marianne Fons traces her pioneering role in developing the quilting industry from the 70s until today.
Podcast Episode #296: Michelle Cain
In this podcast interview, quilter Michelle Cain traces her history from discovering quilting to becoming a blogger, designer, and author.
Podcast Episode #295: Emma Brassfield
In this podcast episode, Emma Brassfield traces her journey from making costumes for movies to creating a bag-making business for crafters.
Special Episode: Larrie King
In this special podcast episode, we listen to a recording of the keynote speech delivered at h+h americas 2025 by Larrie King, also known as Mister Larrie.
Special Podcast Episode: Megan Greenwell on Private Equity
In this podcast interview, journalist Megan Greenwell talks about private equity’s impact on the crafts industry, specifically on JOANN. Megan is the author of Bad Company: Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream.
Podcast Episode #293: Zoe Frost from Junebug & Darlin
In this podcast episode, Zoe Frost explains how she created Junebug and Darlin, a cross stitch pattern and kit company focused on subversive designs.
Podcast Episode #292: Claudia Martinez of Snuggly Monkey
In this podcast episode, Claudia Martinez traces her journey from selling ring slings on Etsy to having an ecommerce crafts supply shop with over 5,000 SKUs.
Podcast Episode #291: Micah Clasper-Torch
In this podcast episode, artist and maker Micah Clasper-Torch discusses using punch needle to create fashion and accessories.
Special Episode: State of the Industry 2025
Four speakers representing various vantage points in the crafts industry consider the challenges and opportunities of the coming year.
Podcast Episode #289: Arvin Pairavi from Shannon Fabrics
In this podcast interview, Arvin Pairavi, CEO of Shannon Fabrics, talks about how current economic conditions impact a fabric company.
Podcast Episode #288: The New England Quilt Museum
In this podcast interview, the executive director and curator of the New England Quilt Museum share an inside look at how the museum works.
Podcast Episode #287: Michael O’Dell of LegitKits
In this podcast episode, Michael O’Dell of LegitKits explains how he’s created a foundation paper piecing quilt kit business.
Podcast Episode #286: Mary Engelbreit
In this podcast interview, Mary Engelbreit talks about running her eponymous illustration business over more than 50 years.
Podcast Episode #285: Annissa Essaibi George of Stitch House
In this podcast interview, Annissa Essaibi George talks about her love of sewing and crafts and her passion for public service.
Podcast Episode #284: Hollei Anne Hayes
In this podcast interview, product and surface designer Hollei Hayes traces her path into this unique field of commercial art.
Podcast Episode #283: Omkari Williams
In this podcast interview, Omkari Williams discusses micro activism, the subject of her new book with Storey Publishing.
Podcast Episode #282: Melissa Galbraith of MCreativeJ
In this podcast interview, Melissa Galbraith explains how she’s built her embroidery kit business, MCreativeJ.
Podcast Special Episode: The Fall of JOANN Fabrics
In this special episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we speak with a variety of industry players about the JOANN bankruptcy.
Podcast Episode #281: Jason Zielke of SVP Worldwide
In this podcast interview, Jason Zielke, Chief Product Officer at SVP Worldwide, explains how sewing machine technology works.
Podcast Episode #280: Tracy Krauter of Splash Fabric
In this podcast interview, Tracy Krauter explains how she founded the laminated cottons company Splash Fabrics based in Seattle.
Podcast Episode #279: Shannon Downey
In this podcast interview, artist and activist Shannon Downey discusses her new book, Let’s Move the Needle.
Podcast Episode #278: Jen Duffin
In this podcast interview, Jen Duffin explains how she created a beautiful weaving business using frame looms and fibers.
Podcast Episode #277: Anna Maria Parry
In this podcast interview, Anna Maria Parry talks about her new division with Northcott, her new book, and more.
Podcast Episode #276: Sara Ingle of Boston Fiber Company
In this podcast interview, Sara Ingle, the owner of Boston Fiber Company, talks about the ins and outs of owning a yarn shop.
Podcast Episode #275: Deborah Balmuth
In this podcast interview, Deborah Balmuth traces her career as editor and publisher at Storey Publishing in Western Massachusetts.
Podcast Episode #274: Julie Fei-Fan Balzer
In this podcast interview, mixed media artist and teacher Julie Fei-Fan Balzer traces her artistic journey and shares her philosophy.
Podcast Episode #273: Jenifer McShane
In this podcast interview, documentary filmmaker Jenifer McShane talks about her new short, The Quilters, about men quilting in prison.
Podcast Episode #272: Andrea Tsang Jackson
In this podcast interview, artist and quilter Andrea Tsang Jackson talks about the intersection of art and education in her work.
Podcast Episode #171: Megumi Inouye
In this podcast interview, gift wrapping artist Megumi Inouye discusses the art of wrapping and explains her new book on the topic.
Podcast Special Episode: 2024 Golden Scissors Award Winners The Loose Ends Project and Allyson Allen
In this episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we talk to 2024 Golden Scissors Award Winners Loose Ends Project and Allyson Allen.
Podcast Special Episode: 2024 Golden Scissors Award Winners Ali Pate and Elizabeth Okeyele
In this episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we talk with 2024 Golden Scissors Award Winners Ali Pate and Elizabeth Okeyele.
Podcast Episode #268: Amber Kemp-Gerstel
In this keynote speech given at h+h americas 2024, Amber Kemp-Gerstel traces the development of her craft career.
Podcast Episode #267: Krista West of Avlea Folk Embroidery
In this podcast interview, Krista West talks about her path from creating vestments for the Greek Orthodox Church to embroidery patterns.
Podcast Episode #266: Kelly Brooks of Knitbrooks
In this podcast interview, Kelly Brooks talks about creating handcrafted wooden crochet hooks for her company, Knitbrooks.
Podcast Episode #265: Heather Lou
In this podcast interview, Heather Lou gives us an update on her businesses, Closet Core Patterns and Core Fabrics.
Special Episode: State of the Industry 2024
Four speakers representing various vantage points in the crafts industry consider the challenges and opportunities of the coming year.
Podcast Episode #264: Lauren Tilden
In this podcast interview, artist and shop owner Lauren Tilden talks about her journey to creating as stationery line and owning a store.
Podcast Episode #263: Sara Barnes
In this podcast interview, illustrator Sara Barnes talks about her blog, Brown Paper Bag, and her new embroidery book.
Podcast Episode #262: Beau McCall
In this podcast interview, creative Beau McCall, known as “the button man,” describes his journey into fashion and design.
Podcast Episode #261: Karla Overland of Cherrywood Fabrics
In this podcast interview, Karla Overland of Cherrywood Fabrics explains how she’s built a hand-dyed fabric business.
Podcast Episode #260: Jess Barrera of Sallie Tomato
In this podcast interview, Jess Barrera talks about how she built her bag sewing pattern and supplies business, Sallie Tomato.
Podcast Episode #259: Drew Steinbrecher
In this podcast interview, artist Drew Steinbrecher explains his business journey from graphic design to quilting to mixed media.
Podcast Episode #258: Willie Smith
In this podcast interview, knitting teaching Willie Smith explains his expertise in teaching new knitters to confidently tackle projects.
Podcast Episode #257: Kristina McGrath and Sarah Walworth of Tech Tip Talk
In this podcast interview with Kristina McGrath and Sarah Walworth of Tech Tip Talk we discuss tech editing for knitting patterns.