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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 #177: Clara Nartey
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 Nartey’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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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
In this podcast interview, Laura Zander of Jimmy Beans Wool talks about how she went from working in the tech world to founding a highly successful yarn retail company (that also originally sold coffee).
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 #177: Clara Nartey
In this podcast episode, artist and creativity coach Clara Nartey talks about her life growing up in Ghana, then moving to the US, discovering quilts, and becoming a textile artist.
Episode #176: Courtney Cerruti
In this podcast episode, Courtney Cerruti, the editor-in-chief of Creativebug, talks about her career at the company as well as her life as an artist, author, and maker.
Podcast Episode #175: Gaye Glasspie
In this podcast episode, Gaye Glasspie talks about her journey to becoming a knitting celebrity. Gaye (also known as GG) explains how she discovered knitting at a particularly challenging time in her life and how it transformed her world.
Podcast Episode #174: Emily Reinhardt of The Object Enthusiast
In this podcast episode, Emily Reinhardt of The Object Enthusiast explains how she built her ceramics business right out of college including growing it very large, and then downsizing it when it felt too out of control.
Podcast Episode #173: Ellie Lum of Klum House
In this podcast episode, Ellie Lum of Klum House talks about how she built her business teaching bag making classes in person and online and offering kits and patterns for makers at all levels.
Podcast Episode #172: Stitch People
On this podcast episode, Spencer and Lizzy Bean of Stitch People talk about how they built their business creating cross stitch portraits including pivoting from custom one-of-kind products to patterns and a 100+ page book, plus offering events to the Stitch People community.
Podcast Episode #171: Amy Oxford
In this podcast interview, Amy Oxford talks about her long career in rug hooking including how she developed her signature tool, the Oxford punch needle, and how she began teaching and created a teacher certification program.
Podcast Episode #170: Allison Hoffman
In this podcast interview with amigurumi designer Allison Hoffman, we talk about how she got into crocheting life-like dolls of famous people, how she’s been able to write 5 craft books, and the controversy she ran into recently due to creating a Baby Yoda doll and crochet pattern.
Podcast Episode #169: Amy Smart
In this podcast episode, quilt designer Amy Smart talks about how she’s built her business including self-publishing patterns, writing books, teaching nationally, and writing a highly successful blog for over a decade.
Podcast Episode #168: Toni Lipsey
In this podcast interview, Toni Lipsey of TL Yarncrafts talks about how she’s built her crochet design business including selling finished goods at craft fairs and then selling patterns on Ravelry and collaborating with other designers via YouTube.
Podcast Episode #167: Heather Ross
In this podcast episode with illustrator Heather Ross she discusses how she’s built her business designing fabric for Windham Fabrics and illustrating children’s books and how she feels the quilting industry needs to change and adapt to better compensate women.
Podcast Episode #166: Holly and David Lesue of Maker Valley and Stately Type
In this podcast episode, Holly and David Lesue of Stately Type discuss their t-shirt business which caters to quilters and how they’ve found their way in a very tight niche.
Podcast Episode #165: Norma Loehr of Orange Lingerie
In this podcast episode, sewing pattern designer Norma Loehr talks about how she’s built her Orange Lingerie brand including transitioning from corporate America to working for herself and building a distinctive niche brand from the ground up.
Podcast #164: Kate Alarcon
In this podcast interview, paper flower artist Kate Alarcon explains how she’s built her business including writing books, teaching workshops, and building a large and engaged Instagram following.
Podcast Episode #163: Rose Pearlman
In this podcast episode, punch needle artist Rose Pearlman explains how she got introduced to this craft and built her reputation via Instagram which has led to a book deal as well as several incredible teaching opportunities.
Podcast Episode #162: Windy Chien
In this podcast interview, installation artist Windy Chien talks about her daily practice tying knots and how it led to a book deal with Abrams as well as the opportunity to create several high profile installations including one at Apple headquarters.
Podcast Episode #161: Liz Gipson and Angela Smith
In this podcast episode, Liz Gipson and Angela Smith discuss the ways in which they’ve collaborated in their businesses for mutual benefit with Angela manufacturing specialty looms for Liz to sell to her weaving audience.
Podcast Episode #160: Abigail McMurray of Yeiou Paper Objects
In this podcast episode, paper artist Abigail McMurray of Yeiou Paper Objects explains how she’s pivoted in her business from one product to another until she found the right product/market fit and began to be profitable.
Podcast Episode #159: The State of the Quilting Industry, Quilt Market Fall 2019
This special episode of the podcast was recorded live at Fall 2019 Quilt Market in Houston, Texas. Host Abby Glassenberg interviews a variety of quilt shop owners who were attending to trade show to find out the challenges they’re facing and what they’re looking forward to in the months to come.
Podcast Episode #158: Felicia Lo
In this podcast interview, Felicia Lo of SweetGeorgia Yarns talks about how she built her business from her kitchen table into a thriving indie yarn dyeing studio with multiple employees and an online school.
Podcast Episode #157: Elise Blaha Cripe
In this podcast interview, Elise Blaha Cripe talks about how she built her creative business and the winding road she took that eventually led her to create the Get to Work Book and to publish a book about productivity with Chronicle Books.
Podcast Episode #156: Melanie Falick
In this second podcast interview with Melanie Falick, we discuss her new book Making a Life. Melanie talks about the importance of making things by hand and how she went about interviewing makers and telling their stories for this ambitious project.
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
In this podcast interview, illustrator Stacie Bloomfield of Gingiber talks about how she’s built her business including putting her drawings on a large variety of products, licensing her work to various companies such as Moda, and opening a brick-and-mortar shop and workshop space.
Podcast Episode #152: Pati Palmer of Palmer/Pletsch
In this podcast interview, Pati Palmer talks about how she built her business Palmer/Pletsch over a long and varied career including developing a unique fitting system, teaching all over the country and online, and more recently becoming a blogger.
Podcast Episode #151: Lisa Solomon
In this podcat episode, artist and art professor Lisa Solomon talks about her life in indie craft and in academia. Lisa’s new books is all about color and watercolors.
Podcast Episode #150: Laura Zander of Jimmy Beans Wool
In this podcast interview, Laura Zander of Jimmy Beans Wool talks about how she went from working in the tech world to founding a highly successful yarn retail company (that also originally sold coffee).
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...