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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 #156: Melanie Falick
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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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 #150: Laura Zander of Jimmy Beans Wool
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...
Podcast Episode #146: Denyse Schmidt
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...
Podcast Episode #143: Purl Soho
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...
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 #156: Melanie Falick
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...
Podcast Episode #155: Social Justice Sewing Academy
In this podcast interview Abby Glassenberg talks with Sara Trail, founder of the Social Justice Sewing Academy and Juan Tapia, a student who participated in the program.
Podcast Episode #154: Teresa Duryea Wong
In this episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we’re talking about a new book which chronicles the history of International Quilt Festival with author Teresa Duryea Wong.
Podcast Episode #153: Stacie Bloomfield of Gingiber
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance 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...
Podcast Episode #152: Pati Palmer of Palmer/Pletsch
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...
Podcast Episode #151: Lisa Solomon
Photo of Lisa Solomon by Sarah Deragon. 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...
Podcast Episode #150: Laura Zander of Jimmy Beans Wool
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...
Podcast Episode #149: Sarah Golden
Please note that this episode has audio difficulties. We did the best we could in post-production, but it's not ideal. Please accept our sincere apology. Sarah was awesome. On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about making a living...
Podcast Episode #148: Sarah Kirsten
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,...
Podcast Episode #147: Taylor McVay of Blueprints for Sewing
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,...
Podcast Episode #146: Denyse Schmidt
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...
Podcast Episode #145: Mark, Brian, and Josh Dunn of Moda and United Notions
On today's 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...
Podcast Episode #144: Jane Sassaman
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about building a career as an 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...
Podcast Episode #143: Purl Soho
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...
Episode #142: Jessica Marquez of Miniature Rhino
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...
Podcast Episode #141: Amy Friend
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...
Podcast Episode #140: Brad Krieger, Checker Distributors
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...
Podcast Episode #139: Pat and Walter Bravo of Art Gallery Fabrics
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...
Podcast Episode #138: Stan and Brittany Gray of EE Schenck
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about 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...
Podcast Episode #137: Katarina Roccella
On this 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 Nina works as a licensed artist for...
Podcast Episode #136: Megan Eckman of Studio MME
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...
Podcast Episode #135: 2018 Community Episode
This episode of the podcast is a little bit different because it's the annual Community Episode. As we wrap up the year I turn to you, my listeners, and ask you to recommend great stuff you're enjoying right now. I have to say this is one of my favorite episodes of...
Podcast Episode #134: Erin Dollar
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...
Podcast Episode #133: The State of the Quilting Industry, Fall Quilt Market 2018
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about the quilting industry. I recorded this episode at Fall Quilt Market in Houston, Texas on Friday, November 2, and it was a neat experience! Quilt Market is the trade show for the sewing...
Podcast Episode #132: Creativebug
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....
Podcast Episode #131: Molli Sparkles
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...
Podcast Episode #130: Anne Weil
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...
Podcast Episode #129: CourtneyCourtney
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...
Podcast Episode #128: Ebony Love
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...
Podcast Episode #127: Matt Reese of Road to California
On today's 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...
Podcast Episode #126: Kelly Stevens of Superbuzzy
On today's 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,...
Podcast Episode #125: Merchant & Mills
*Note that the sound quality is not as crisp as usual in this interview. Carolyn is a fantastic guest and I hope you'll stick with it nonetheless. On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about elevating haberdashery with my guest,...
Podcast Episode #124: Sue Spargo
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about wool, texture, and embroidery with my guest, Sue Spargo. Fresh Cut by Sue Spargo. Sue is an internationally renowned designer, teacher, and textile artist. She’s authored several books...
Podcast Episode #123: Jen Hewett
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about textile design with my guest, Jen Hewett. Jen is currently on a book tour and she came to visit me while in the Boston area so we recorded this interview in my house. It was so lovely to...
Podcast Episode #122: Hailey Hoffman Chisholm and Aaron Hoffman of Hoffman California Fabrics
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about the business of fabric with my guests, Hailey Hoffman Chisholm and Aaron Hoffman of Hoffman California Fabrics. Together, Aaron and Hailey represent the fourth generation of the Hoffman...
Podcast Episode #121: Shannon Downey of Badass Cross Stitch
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about using craft 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...
Podcast Episode #120: Florence Knapp
Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. If you click and purchase I will get a small portion of the sale at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support. On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about blogging and writing...
Podcast Episode #119: Leslie Tucker Jenison
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...
Podcast Episode #118: Lesley Ware
Please note that all Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links I receive a small percentage at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support. On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're...
Podcast Episode #117: Lauren Fairweather
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, an Etsy seller, and an independent musician who runs...
Podcast Episode #116: Jean Wells
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,...
Podcast Episode #115: Mathew Boudreaux
On this 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...
Podcast Episode #114: Melanie Ham
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about YouTube with my guest, Melanie Ham. 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....
Podcast Episode #113: Casey York
Photo by Ann K. Hubbard Note that all Amazon links in this post are affiliate links which means that if you click through and purchase the product I get a small percentage of the purchase price at no additional cost to you. Thank you. On today's episode of the Craft...
Podcast Episode #112: Carol Soderlund
Note that all Amazon links in this post are affiliate links which means that if you click through and purchase the product I get a small percentage of the purchase price at no additional cost to you. Thank you. On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast...
Podcast Episode #111: Ricky Tims
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...
Podcast Episode #110: 2017 Community Episode
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 here on the blog and in my...
Podcast Episode #109: Shea Henderson
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...
Podcast Episode #108: The State of the Quilting Industry, Quilt Market Fall 2017
What is it really like to own a brick-and-mortar quilt shop today? Tune in to this lively discussion about the state of the quilting industry in 2017 from the perspective of three longtime quilt shop owners to find out. I recorded this episode of the Craft Industry...
Podcast Episode #107: Eleanor Burns
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...