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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 #291: Micah Clasper-Torch
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about punch needle with Micah Clasper-Torch.
Micah is a Los Angeles-based artist, designer, and educator helping to lead the modern revival of punch needle rug hooking. With a background in fashion design from The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and the Polytechnic Institute in Milan, Micah blends fine art, heritage craft, and wearable design to create one-of-a-kind textile pieces that range from coats and accessories to wall hangings and soft sculpture.
In 2019, Micah was formally trained as an Oxford Punch Needle Instructor at the Oxford Rug Hooking School in Vermont, and in 2020, she launched Punch Needle World, an online community, shop and educational platform dedicated to uplifting the craft and its history, and making high-quality supplies and training accessible around the world.
Her debut book, Punch Needle Fashion, comes out in June 2025 from Quadrille and brings punch needle into the world of contemporary fashion through 15 original projects and a beautifully photographed exploration of the medium.
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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 #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.
Podcast Episode #256: Rachel Austen of Elle Crée
In this podcast interview, Rachel Austen explains how she’s built Elle Crée, a paint-by-numbers kit company carried by over 500 retailers.
Podcast Episode #255: Brett Bara
In this podcast interview, craft entrepreneur Brett Bara traces her career from magazine publishing to opening a shop to Hello Bargello.
Podcast Episode #254: Christie Troxell of Ritzy Parties
In this podcast interview, Christie Troxell talks about how she built a party planning business, Ritzy Parties, and how she got involved in the crafts industry as a demonstrator and content creator.
Podcast Episode #253: Austin Rivers from Knit the Rainbow
In this podcast interview, Austin Rivers explains how he came to found Knit the Rainbow, a non-profit organization for homeless LGBT+ youth.
Podcast Episode #252: Sarah Resnick of Gist Yarn
In this podcast interview, Sarah Resnick talks about how she founded Gist Yarn, a weaving yarn company. She traces its growth and success.
Podcast Episode #251: Sally Moore of Parker Avenue Knits
In this podcast interview, Sally Moore explains how she came to own a yarn shop as a litigation attorney in Detroit.
Podcast Episode #250: Jamie Trinier and Jessica Drain of SewTites
In this podcast interview, sisters Jamie Trinier and Jessica Drain talk about how they invented magnetic sewing pins, SewTites.
Podcast Episode #249: Jaren Gibson of Grace Company
In this podcast interview, Jaren Gibson of Grace Company, explains how that company became a leading manufacturer of quilting frames.
Podcast Episode #248: Jen Gubicza of Zooguu
In this podcast interview, Jen Gubicza of Zooguu talks about how she’s built a business designing and sewing plush taxidermy at craft fairs.
Podcast Episode #247: Dana Williams-Johnson
In this podcast interview, Dana Williams-Johnson talks about her journey from blogging about accessories to studying Black women in media.
Podcast Episode #246: Bianca Springer
In this podcast episode, Bianca Springer talks about her career in conflict mediation, sewing, and embroidery.
Podcast Episode #245: Laura Coia
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...
Special Episode: State of the Industry 2023
In this special episode, we’re bringing you a recording of the Stat of the Industry panel from h+h americas 2023.