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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 #179: Twinkie Chan
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a business in crochet with Twinkie Chan.
Twinkie is a San-Francisco based crochet designer and instructor known for her colorful, food-themed accessories like cupcake scarves, hamburger mitts, and slushee cup purses. She has two published crochet books and currently has a crochet installation on view at Sweet Tooth Hotel in Dallas, TX.
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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
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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 #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...
Podcast Episode #106: Arvin Pairavi, President and Co-Owner of Shannon Fabrics
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building a fabric company with my guest, Arvin Pairavi. Arvin is the President and Co-Owner of Shannon Fabrics, a family owned importer and distributor of plush fabrics. Arvin joined the...
Special Podcast Episode: Celebrating Craft Industry Alliance’s 2nd Anniversary
In this special episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're celebrating the second anniversary of Craft Industry Alliance, the trade association for makers, designers, suppliers, and content creators in all areas of craft. Founded in October of 2015 by myself...
Podcast Episode #105: Christine Ricks
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building a career as a designer with my guest, Christine Ricks. Christine is the Creative Director for Missouri Star Quilt Company’s publishing department, working with a team to design and...
Podcast Episode #104: Fred Drexler, Co-Founder of Sulky of America
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building an innovative company in the sewing industry with my guest, Fred Drexler. Fred, along with his wife, Joyce, founded Sulky of America, a premier thread and stabilizer company. Fred...
Podcast Episode #103: Jamie Chalmers, Mr. X Stitch
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about cross stitch with my guest, Jamie Chalmers, also known as Mr X Stitch. Jamie took up cross stitching fifteen years ago and he’s never looked back. Since establishing the Mr X Stitch website...
Podcast Episode #102: Benjamin Levisay, CEO of XRX, Inc.
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about in-person events with my guest, Benjamin Levisay, CEO of XRX, Inc, publishers of XRX Books and promoters of STITCHES Expos. We recorded this show live and in person at STITCHES United in...
Podcast Episode #101: Sue Bleiweiss
Today we're talking about building a career as a quilter with my guest, Sue Bleiweiss. Last week I visited Sue in her home studio in Pepperell, Massachusetts which is about 45 minutes from my home and is a beautiful place to visit in July. We sat together in her...
Episode #100: Alissa Haight Carlton
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about the Modern Quilt Guild and Project Runway with my guest, Alissa Haight Carlton. And, we've reached the 100the episode of the show! Yay! Alissa Haight Carlton is a modern quilter, designer,...
Podcast Episode #99: Ellen March
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about sewing magazines and television with my guest, Ellen March. Ellen March is the Community Content Director for the sewing division of F+W Media, including the Sew News, Creative Machine...
Podcast Episode #98: Kathy Miller and Michael Steiner, Co-Founders of Michael Miller Fabrics
On this episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast. I'm Abby Glassenberg. Today we’re talking about running a fabric company with my guests, Kathy Miller and Michael Steiner. Kathy and Michael are the co-founders of Michael Miller Fabrics. Bloom by Sandra Clemons...
Podcast Episode #97: Nancy Zieman
Listen to a quick teaser for this episode by clicking the button below: On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building a lifelong career in sewing with my guest, Nancy Zieman. Nancy Zieman is an author, designer,...
Podcast Episode #96: Jen Carlton Bailly
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we’re talking about building a career as a modern quilter with my guest, Jen Carlton Bailly. Jen is a founder of the Portland Modern Quilt Guild, the largest modern quilt guild in the world. She had a career in...
Podcast Episode #95: Nichole Vogelsinger
On today's episode of the podcast we're taking about building a craft business through the power of Instagram with my guest, Nichole Vogelsinger. Nichole has a beautiful new book out with Lucky Spool, Wild Boho: Modern Projects from Traditional Stitches (affiliate...
Podcast Episode #94: Heather Givans
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about owning a quilt shop with my guest, Heather Givans. We recorded this episode in Savannah, Georgia, at Quilt Con 2017. The show was so inspiring and I was excited to have the opportunity to...
Podcast Episode #93: Penny McMorris and Dean Neumann, Co-Founders of Electric Quilt
Listen to a teaser for this episode! Listen to the full interview down below. On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building a quilting software business with my guest, Dean Neumann and Penny McMorris, co-founders of Electric...
Podcast Episode #92: Pokey Bolton
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about the sewing and quilting industry with my guest, Pokey Bolton. Pokey Bolton was introduced to art quilting and the related needle arts in 1998, and ever since she took her first stitch (a...
Special Podcast Episode: QuiltCon 2017 Best in Show Winner Kat Jones
Today I have a special episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast to share with you. I’m here at QuiltCon 2017 and I’m honored to have been able to sit for a few minutes with Katherine Jones who has won Best in Show for her quilt, "bling." "bling" by Kat Jones Kat...
Podcast Episode #91: Susan Fitzgerald of Red Gate Stitchery
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we’re talking about launching a kit and pattern business with my guest, Susan Fitzgerald. Susan lives near me in the Boston area so were actually able to record this interview in person in Susan’s beautiful...
Podcast Episode #90: Claire Robertson
On this episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about blogging, illustration, and newsletters with my guest Claire Robertson. Claire is an Australian artist and illustrator based in the Pacific North West island of Salt Spring, in British...
Podcast Episode #89: Thomas Knauer on the State of the Quilting Industry
On this episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I've asked award-winning quilter Thomas Knauer to talk about the state of the quilting industry. Thomas describes himself as both an artist and a geek. He has an art degree from Kenyon College and two MFAs, one...
Podcast Episode #88: MimiG
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a business in fashion sewing with my guest Mimi Goodwin, whom you might know as MimiG. Mimi is a mother, businesswoman, and award-winning, trend expert and Editor-in-Chief of the...
Podcast Episode #87: 2016 Community Episode
I'm excited to be celebrating a first for the Craft Industry Alliance podcast today: our Community Episode! For this very special show, I wanted to turn to you, my listeners, and hear your voices on the show. I make this show for you, and it’s because of you that the...
Podcast Episode #86: Annie Unrein
On today's episode of the While She Naps podcast we’re talking about product development with my guest, Annie Unrein. A creative lifetime quilter, Annie Unrein of Patterns by Annie and ByAnnie.com has been designing patterns and teaching since 2000. With a focus on...
Podcast Episode #85: Jennifer Judd-McGee
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about building a career as an artist and illustrator with my guest, Jennifer Judd-McGee. Jennifer Judd-McGee is a full-time artist and mother living and working in Mount Desert Island, Maine. She...
Podcast Episode #84: Jennifer Perkins
On today's episode of the While She Naps podcast we're talking about building a business as a crafter with my guest, Jennifer Perkins. Jennifer Perkins is an Austin, TX based creative consultant. During her lengthy career in the craft industry, she has run a...
Podcast Episode #83: Melissa Averinos
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about quilting, painting, and living a creative life with my guest Melissa Averinos. Melissa Averinos paints, makes quilts, and writes craft books. She won a Judge's Choice Award at QuiltCon 2015...
Podcast Episode #82: Mickey Krueger, President of Windham Fabrics
Photo by Christa Watson. On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about fabric with my guest, Mickey Krueger. Mickey is the president of Windham Fabrics, one of the leading manufacturers serving the quilting industry today. I'm...