While She Naps With Abby Glassenberg

On today's Craft Industry Alliance podcast episode, we’re talking about building a values-based business with my guests Meg and Patrick McElwee. Meg started sewing after finishing an undergraduate degree in philosophy and a graduate degree in education. While living and teaching in rural Mexico for three years, she studied pattern drafting and made her own clothes - first out of necessity, then because of the sense of empowerment and joy it brought to her life. The meditative act of stitching continues to bring her a deep sense of well-being. Her passion for slow fashion has expanded over the years to include the Sew Liberated sewing pattern line, two books, a sewing course with Craftsy, and her own online course, The Mindful Wardrobe Project. She enjoys supporting the slow stitching community through blog, her popular Instagram account, as well as live classes from time to time. Patrick has been Meg's best friend and partner since they met in French class at age 19. A historian, computer programmer, and b

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a group of craft brands with my guests Mark Hyland and Ursula Morgan. Mark Hyland is the CEO of Premier Needle Arts. He's a seasoned marketing, sales, and corporate executive with 30+ years of experience building brands and successful organizations. Mark’s hands-on leadership style found him in various leadership positions implementing strategic direction and execution guidance at multi-million to billion-dollar brands and companies during his career. Today, Mark continues to provide his leadership to the brands and companies of Premier Needle Arts, where is focusing on growth initiatives, long-term strategy, and M&A opportunities within the needle arts world. Ursula Morgan is the Chief Marketing Officer at Crafts Group. Ursula is a global award-winning seasoned technology and craft business executive. Before joining Crafts Group in January 2020, Ursula led the digital innovation and marketing team as Senior Vice Pre

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about business pivots with my guest Kristi Schroeder Larson. Texas native Kristi Schroeder Larson is the creator of Initial K Studio, offering modern quilt patterns and needlepoint designs to the market. Her designs are inspired by travel as well as by putting her modern twist on classic quilt blocks. Kristi’s book Southwest Modern was published by Lucky Spool Media in 2017, blending a quilting book with a travelogue in the form of a beautiful coffee table book. You can follow her daily life with her two young sons and product development on Instagram @initialkstudio +++++ Today’s podcast is brought to you by Schiffer Craft. Since 1973, Schiffer Publishing has provided the craft industry with world-renowned authors and insightful books. With topics ranging from ceramics to fiber and textiles, floral design, glass art, wood working, metal craft, and more. Turn to Schiffer Craft for expert knowledge and inspiration! +++++ To get the

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast​, we’re talking about creating a community space for crafters with my guest Leigh Metcalf. Leigh is the owner of Topstitch Studio and Lounge in Atlanta, GA, a fabric and sewing studio (formerly an in-person physical space at Ponce City Market), author of London Stitch and Knit, A craft lover's guide to London's fabric, knitting and haberdashery shops, and she's also the host of the online sewcial community, Topstitch Makers. +++++ This episode is sponsored by C&T Publishing. C&T Publishing has a bit of everything for every maker! Quilting, sewing, cosplay, embroidery books and products... and so much more. On their podcast, Behind the Seams, C&T bring on their world-class authors who share their creative journeys and crafty tips & tricks to inspire. Explore C&T Publishing and their podcast by visiting online at ctpub.com. Take 25% off anything you fancy using code whileshenaps25.  +++++ To get the full show notes for this episo

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about creating a digital magazine with the founders of Make Modern Magazine. Make Modern is Australia's only modern quilt magazine. It began in 2014 when a group of passionate quilters had a dream of producing a magazine for quilters, by quilters, filled with beautiful patterns and articles to inspire quilters to make more modern quilts! Six years on and Make Modern magazine is read by thousands of quilters in over 70 countries around the globe. Each issue is 100+ pages jam-packed with modern quilt patterns designed by a huge team of international quilters, articles to inspire and teach you something new, and interviews with your favorite quilt designers. +++++ Whether you’re new to making, or looking to advance skills in a favorite hobby, Craftsy is the place to learn.  With over 1,500 classes, there’s something for everyone, from knitting and sewing, to baking and cooking, gardening, embroidery, quilting and more!     Visit Crafts

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about brand collaborations with my guest Tisa Jackson.   Tisa Jackson is the colorful brains behind This Is Tisa.  Tisa is a stationery designer and DIY craft content creator and workshop instructor. She’s inspired by color and has a passion for bright, colorful, happy designs and DIY projects.  Tisa has collaborated with brands such as HP, Michaels, Cricut, Beacon, and Silhouette. Visit her blog and you will come away learning quick and easy crafts, even if you don’t consider yourself a crafter.   +++++ This episode is sponsored by Craftsy. Classes for all maker levels and interests. Whether you’re new to making, or looking to advance skills in a favorite hobby, Craftsy is the place to learn. With over 1,500 classes, there’s something for everyone, from knitting and sewing, to baking and cooking, gardening, embroidery, quilting and more!  Visit CraftsyOffers.com today and get a full year of Craftsy Premium Membership for just $3! Th

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about textiles as a spiritual practice with my guest Christ Johnson. Christi Johnson's art combines cosmic visions and botanical beauties, a hypnotic dance of symbols stitched slowly and methodically into fabric. She is the woman behind Mixed Color, a textile studio providing functional pieces that are thoughtfully made. Christi also shares her skills so that others may do so themselves. Christi creates kits and booklets and leads textile art workshops to educate others on these ancient skills and share the methods of her own creative practice. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Dream Maker Creative. Dream Maker Creative designs and produces a monthly crafting subscription box for tweens and teens called Terra Create. Winner of a Best in Category award by Cratejoy in 2020, Terra Create kits feature quality materials along with real artisan tools and techniques to inspire the next generation of makers. New for 2021, Dream Maker Creativ

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about sustainable fashion with my guest Katrina Rodabaugh. Katrina Rodabaugh is an artist, author, and slow fashion advocate. Her work examines social and environmental issues through craft techniques like hand-stitching. Since 2013, she's focused on sustainable fashion by using mending, natural dyes, and redesign in her fiber arts studio. She teaches classes, designs and makes goods for her online shop, and writes books including her newest, Make Thrift Mend. Katrina currently lives in the Hudson Valley of NY with her husband, two sons, nine chickens, hive of honeybees, and many dye plants.  +++++ This episode is sponsored by Craftsy. Whether you’re new to making, or looking to advance skills in a favorite hobby, Craftsy is the place to learn.   With over 1,500 classes, there’s something for everyone, from knitting and sewing, to baking and cooking, gardening, embroidery, quilting and more!   Visit CraftsyOffers.com today and get a

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about creating an inclusive craft community with my guest Cecilia Nelson-Hurt. Cecilia is a proud Afro Latina who was taught to crochet as a child by her Grandma Sophie and learned to knit many years later. Known to many in the fiber community as ‘Creative Ceci,’ she is a global knitting and crochet enthusiast. Ceci is a Diversity & Inclusion practitioner for global brand L’Oreal and has over 15 years’ experience developing and executing initiatives to create an equal opportunity workplace. She leverages her training and experience as a speaker at many fiber events and is also an inaugural member of the ‘Vogue Knitting Live!’ Diversity Advisory Council and on the Board of Knit the Rainbow, an organization founded to provided knitting garments, crafting instruction and support to homeless LGBTQ+ youth.  Ceci loves to travel and ensures she visits a yarn shop wherever she goes. To date she’s visited over 150 shops both across the USA

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about creating a knitting magazine with my guest Hanna Lisa Haferkamp and Claire Walls. Hanna Lisa is the CEO and owner of Making Stories, an independent, knitwear design publisher focusing on the intersection of sustainability and knitting. The cornerstone of her work at Making Stories is the biannual Making Stories Magazine, filled with modern knitwear patterns and sustainable yarns, which is complemented by the Making Stories blog and podcast, both relaunched in 2020. Implementing sustainability, transparency, fairness, and equity in all parts of her work is incredibly important to Hanna Lisa. She lives with her 18-month-old and her partner in Berlin is fueled by coffee and sunshine and loves taking her knitting out to the playground, park, or balcony.  And Clarie Walls is a maker and designer of nice things originally from the UK, but now living in Nova Scotia. In 2017 she published her first knitting pattern and completely fell in

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a business as a mixed media artist with my guest Mou Saha. Mou Saha is a mixed media artist and teacher. She has been published over 700 times in print media, appeared on PBS TV shows and created several coloring books of her own. Her academic background in clinical psychology fuels her ongoing quest for wellness through creativity. Mou is a mom of three and lives in New Jersey with her family. She can be found online at https://mousaha.com  and on Instagram as mou.saha.studio +++++ This episode is sponsored by Reprint and Repurpose, a small fabric business. At Reprint and Repurpose, they have so much fun getting to create up-cycled fabric, offering crafters like you an earth-friendly fabric choice, that can be used in all your projects, from quilts to apparel. Shop online at reprintandrepurpose.com, use the code PODCAST10 for a discount for your order! +++++ To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Ind

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about running an indie craft show with my guest Tricia Brancolini-Foley, the Executive Director of Handmade Arcade. Tricia believes in the power of making things by hand. She has been a maker and crafter her entire life. She started at Handmade Arcade in 2010 as a volunteer and in 2014, she spearheaded the organization’s transition from a volunteer-run LLC to an official 501(c)3 and became its Executive Director. Since then she’s grown its budget significantly and doubling the number of makers the organization serves. During COVID Tricia successfully guided Handmade Arcade through the process of creating a virtual craft fair, which we’ll talk about. Supporting and participating in the arts continues to be a central theme in all aspects of Tricia’s life. She is on the board of directors for the Brentwood Library, has volunteered for ten years as a Girl Scout leader, and is continuously creating new collaborations with artists, small busi

 On this episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about building a career bringing people together through yarn with my guest Shelley Brander. After a successful career as a copywriter and broadcast producer, creating campaigns for brands like AT&T and Hard Rock, Shelley Brander followed her passion and started an improbable "side hustle"—she opened a local yarn store. She and her team of Loops Troops have since grown Loops into a global brand that's on the forefront of the modern maker movement, and includes LoopsLove.com, LoopsClub.com and Knit Stars, a global, online learning adventure. She's on a mission to Knit the World Together. Her second book, Move the Needle: Yarns from an Unlikely Entrepreneur is a Wall Street Journal best-seller. She lives in Tulsa with her husband and at least three dogs, and has three very creative, grown children. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Esther’s Fabrics. Esther's Fabrics is located on Bainbridge Island, just a short ferry ride from Seattl

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about building a business in scrapbooking and photography with my guest Azzari Jarrett. Azzari is a photographer and designer who is inspired by simple, everyday moments. You can usually find her chasing natural light with one too many (film) cameras. She enjoys a good morning run, a daily cup of coffee, and evenings on the beach. She lives with her husband and three daughters on the North Carolina Coast. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Creativebug.com. Stop the endless scroll through Netflix and start a new creative practice instead with Creativebug. Creativebug is an online streaming service with thousands of art and craft classes taught by industry-leading artists and makers. Learn to paint, knit, sew, bake and more -- all from the comfort of your own home.  From the avid finger-painter to the experienced sewist - all ages and skill levels are welcome to watch.  Use code CRAFT21 at checkout to get your first two months free

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a business as a watercolor artist with my guest Anne Butera. Anne Butera is a self-taught artist who finds inspiration in the beauty of her garden and the magic of nature. She works primarily in watercolor but also loves challenging herself to try new things. She strives to seek out and celebrate life’s little joys and daily graces. Anne writes the blog My Giant Strawberry; teaches in person and online; and sells her art, designs and fabric on her website and elsewhere on the web. Anne’s paintings have been exhibited across the country and her art and writing have been published in magazines and in the book Botanica. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Verve Leadership.  Verve Leadership provides creativity-based coaching to individuals and organizations seeking to make greater impact in their work and have more fulfillment in their lives.  Verve Leadership is pleased to offer a 20% discount on select coaching packages

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about creating a textile magazine with my guest Polly Leonard. Polly Leonard is the Founder of Selvedge, an internationally renowned textile magazine that was launched in 2003 and now has almost one hundred issues to its name. From its modest beginning on Polly’s kitchen table, the magazine revolutionized the way textiles are presented and quickly became the world’s leading textile publication. It now has a readership of over 75,000 and a dedicated international following. As well as a magazine, Polly has since launched an online artisan emporium, as well as The Selvedge World Fair and creative collaborations with the likes of Liberty, Anthropologie, The National Trust, and the V&A.   Polly has specialist knowledge in all aspects of textiles, with a particular interest in the role textiles have played in the evolution of humanity. Her own textile practice encompasses using weaving embroidery and basket making to produce sculptures

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a yarn shop, both online and brick-and-mortar, with my guest Kathy Elkins. Along with her husband Steve, Kathy is the owner of WEBS – America’s Yarn Store located in Northampton, MA.  WEBS was founded in 1974 by Steve’s mother and in 2002 Kathy & Steve assumed ownership.  Kathy holds a B.A. in Communication from the University of New Hampshire and an M.B.A. from Suffolk University.  She has extensive marketing experience in consumer products as well as prior committee and board experience on various community organizations.  Her most important role is that of being a mom to her two sons, Jackson & Jonathan. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Makerist. Makerist is your new favorite online craft destination and Europe’s largest online pattern marketplace, and now they’re expanding into the global market to bring their huge selection of PDF sewing, knitting, crochet, and embroidery patterns to crafters everywhere! 

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about building an audience as a sewing blogger with my guest Alexis Bailey. Alexis is a DIY sewing blogger, sewist, and recently handsewist. She is passionate about sustainability, intentional making, and natural fibers. Entering the online sewing scene in 2017, Alexis has built a truly impressive audience in a short time and created a blossoming business out of her passion as well. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Makerist. Makerist is your new favorite online craft destination and Europe’s largest online pattern marketplace, and now they’re expanding into the global market to bring their huge selection of PDF sewing, knitting, crochet, and embroidery patterns to crafters everywhere!  Take 20% off your first purchase for any full-price patterns with the coupon code CA20. The coupon is applied at checkout. +++++ To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a mem

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking with Anne Oliver of Lolli and Grace.   For Anne, drawing, painting, and crafts have been a part of her life since almost the very beginning. She spent several years out of college working at a small independent craft store (a dream job, for sure), then started her own business hand-painting clothing, custom murals and furniture. For her, color has all always been a source of inspiration, and years later serendipity led her to blend that love of color with embroidery, designing, and writing to offer hand embroidery patterns and kits for all levels of stitchers. She’s been featured in several publications, including Homespun magazine and the Better Homes and Gardens Christmas Crafts issue. To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about building a knitting business with my guest Louis Boria. After going viral for knitting during his daily subway commute from Brooklyn to Manhattan late in 2017, 45-year-old Puerto Rican Knitwear Designer and Philanthropist Louis Boria, also known as Brooklyn Boy Knits, has turned his passion for fiber arts into a platform where he now works with the community. He uses his platform to break down gender norms and tackle issues related to diversity and inclusion within the fiber arts community. Throughout his journey from novice knitter to designer to Tedx speaker and influencer, he has focused on helping others. He believes that creativity can help heal wounds, both our own and society’s. Boria has collaborated with fiber artists, fiber industry leaders, community partners, and school districts to provide an interactive, engaging, and fun program that teaches young students to value differences. Be sure to check out Louis’ Tedx talk