While She Naps With Abby Glassenberg

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 in Maumee, Ohio, Checker is a leading distributor of quilting and sewing products. Independent quilt shops all over the United States and internationally order their inventory from Checker. +++++ This episode was sponsored by Pop-SEO.com, Pop Shop America has created a new learning center full of free resources to grow your creative business. If you are a maker, ecommerce shop, or blogger visit Pop-Seo for ebooks, courses, and more. You can learn how to grow your reach on social media and how to maximize sales through the holidays. You'll even learn about shopping cart abandonment and automations like chatbots. Their next ecourse, Start & Scale Your Etsy, begins online April 1st. Registration is half off now through April 1. Visit Pop-Seo.com

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 with a lot of passion, doing what they truly love. Originally from Argentina, they have been married for 34 years and have an amazing son, Alexander. Pat began sewing as a teenager and discovered quilting when the couple moved to the United States in the late 1980s. When she couldn’t find the depth of color and pattern she was looking for in commercially available fabrics, she began painting her own and soon she and Walter launched a company to produce the kinds of fabrics she had envisioned. That’s how Art Gallery Fabrics was born, a company Pat describes as “the most avant-garde in the industry.”  +++++ This episode is sponsored by PRO Chemical & Dye located in Fall River, Massachusetts. Now in their 50th year, PRO Chemical & Dye is a

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking 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 of fabrics and sewing notions servicing customers throughout the world.  After 51 years with the company, he is still involved in the day-to-day operations and enjoys his interaction with customers, employees and vendors. Brittany is the General Manager of EE Schenck Company, and Stan’s daughter.  After starting her career in the fashion industry in New York City, she moved back to her hometown of Portland, Oregon in 2014 to work for her family’s business. +++++ Today’s episode is sponsored by June Tailor, Inc., a USA manufacturer of quilting and sewing tools. Our unique and innovative tools help you complete your quilting or sewing project with professionally finished results. Win one of 10 kits containing a Shape Cut Ruler and a set of 6 “Quilt As Yo

On today's 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 that are true inspiration for her work. In 1998 she graduated from the Faculty of Applied Arts at the Department of Graphic Arts and in 2003 got a master’s degree.  She started on her PhD thesis in Applied Arts and Design in 2014. Nina work as a licensed artist for Art Gallery fabrics and has created 14 fabric collections for them. We discuss her life growing up with artist parents, discovering textiles and sewing when she became a mother, beginning to sell online through eBay, and pitching (and being rejected) her surface designs to fabric companies. Katarina talks about her first visit to the United States which was to attend Quilt Market, and learning to quilt (she serged the seams on her first quilt!). We also talk about her children who are competitive ballroom dancers in Be

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 embroidery kits for modern stitchers. After failing her grandmother's embroidery lessons as a kid, she came back to the craft in 2014 and realized it needed a major update. She now makes kits that help others learn embroidery in a fun and easy manner. It's crafting with hand-holding. Over the past five years, she's landed her kits in almost 100 shops across the country, partnered with DMC, hired her husband, and currently runs an embroidery-of-the-month club for her most adoring (and addicted) fans. If you have a product-based business or are thinking of starting one, this episode is for you. Megan shares her real numbers and she isn't afraid to tell us what worked and what didn't. She and her husband now own a creative business that supports them b

As we wind up 2018 I’m taking a minute to look back on the podcast this year. We’ve had so many of interviews with guests I truly admire including a whole roster of other artists and designers who have built independent creative businesses that are incredibly inspirational. As we wrap up the year 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 show is a success. This is our third annual community episode and it’s one of my favorite episodes of the year. A few weeks ago I put out a call on my blog and in my newsletter asking you to record yourself and I got so many entries. Thank you! Specifically, I asked if you would recommend something you’re loving right now. Those of you that listen to the show regularly know that towards the end of the interview I always ask my guests to recommend great stuff they’re enjoying. This is the third annual Community Episode! And to help me out today I’m joined by my longtime friend Stacey Troc

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 approach to surface pattern design, and her textile home goods have been stocked in indie retail shops around the world, as well as on the shelves of stores like CB2, Need Supply, and West Elm. In 2016 she launched Arroyo, her first fabric collection for Robert Kaufman Fabrics, and this month her second collection, Balboa, arrives in stores. +++++ This episode of the While She Naps podcast is sponsored by Search Press North America, bestselling books for sewing, quilting, knitting, fine art and many other crafts. Award-winning titles include the A-Z embroidery books and the Half Yard sewing series. Whether you are a beginner or an expert looking for new inspiration, Search Press delivers consistent, step by step instruction books for all crafter

This is my second annual State of the Quilting Industry show recorded at Fall Quilt Market in Houston, Texas. The show is only open to the trade and it’s a time for quilt shop owners, pattern designers, notion makers, and fabric manufacturers to come together and do business with one another.  In this episode, I sit down with quilt shop owners to talk about how business is going. I did man-on-the-street style interviews with shop owners I’d never met before, walking up to them while they were in line for Sample Spree or sitting down with them at the round tables outside of the Schoolhouse classrooms. Some of them knew me, but most of them didn’t. Quilt shop owners are on the front lines, serving customers every day. They are out there buying and selling the fabric and patterns and books, selling the classes and booking the teachers. They know a tremendous amount about the industry and I’m really excited to bring their voices and perspective to the show.  +++++ This episode is sponsored by Crosscut Sewing.  Lo

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. For $9.95/month, consumers have an all-access, no boundaries pass to all their creative interests. In her role as CEO Ursula grew subscriptions by 533% in her first year, a further 75% in year two, and 60% in year three. Creativebug under Ursula’s stewardship was acquired by JOANN stores in April 2017. Julie Roehm is the Founder and now Vice President of Partnerships and Operations at Creativebug. Before founding Creativebug she spent 15 years in the financial services industry where she managed a team of user experience designers to create exceptional customer experiences. We begin this conversation by talking about what Creativebug offers today and how Julie and her co-founders came up with the idea for the company originally. Creativebug has

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 Glitterati, and spiller of truth tea. He blogs at MolliSparkles.com, and is a regular columnist for Make Modern and Textile Fibre Forum Magazines. His quilts have been exhibited and sold internationally, with a flair for humor, subversion, originality, and self-worth. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Quilt Photography Co. Beautiful photos of your quilts are within reach. We've made it easy for you - pick your package online, drop your quilt in the mail, then sit back and relax. Your quilt will be pampered and mailed back, and you can access your online gallery with the simple click of a button. Use the coupon code WHILESHENAPS to get 50% your first order. Visit Quilt Photography Co. today! +++++ Please note that this show used to be called the W

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 Stewart, Design*Sponge, Elle Decor, Real Simple, and the Huffington Post. The author of Weaving Within Reach (affiliate link) and  Knitting Without Needles (affiliate link), Anne teaches classes nationwide at art retreats and local yarn stores and online at Creativebug.com and Craftsy.com. She lives in Denver, Colorado, with her family. I was lucky to have Anne visit me in my studio for this interview while she was in town as part of her book tour. It's always especially nice to be able to record an interview in person. Catch up with Anne on Instagram to see what's she's up to and visit her shop to browse all of her books, patterns, supplies, and kits. +++++ This episode of the While She Naps podcast is sponsored by Search Press North America, b

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 fashion designer.  She’s obsessed with transforming and saving clothing from landfills through children’s and pet clothing.  Currently, she’s creating memorable, lasting pieces that enhance any adventure through her brand, Courtney Courtney! According to Courtney, every color goes together, or she makes them go together. I love this mantra! +++++ Today’s episode is sponsored by Amy Barickman founder of Indygo Junction. IndygoJunction.com is your source for books & patterns in both print & PDF format. Indygo Junction produces designs for home & fashion as well as an extensive selection of apparel patterns including their popular Indygo Essentials line. Be sure to visit Indygo Junction's blog for fabric & notions giveaways celebrat

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 die-cutting techniques. She’s best known as the author of The Big Little Book of Fabric Die Cutting Tips and the featured long arm columnist for Quilty Magazine, though she regularly contributes to other magazines, videos, and television programs. She’s fond of blindingly-bright prints and takes a contemporary approach to traditional designs. Her website is http://lovebugstudios.com +++++ This episode is sponsored by Crosscut Sewing. Located in Melrose, MA or online at CrosscutSewingCo.com, Crosscut offers fun and modern fabric for all of your sewing projects.  In addition to quilting cotton, Crosscut offers a variety of apparel fabrics like denim, chambray, jersey knit, canvas, corduroy, flannel and more.  Use the code WSN18 to save 20% on your next fa

In this 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 antique, traditional, art, and modern quilts and awards over $92,000 in prizes to artists from all over the world. 190 vendors come to the four day event at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario, California where 39,000 people gather come to see the show, shop, and take 225 classes. Matt recently bought the show from his grandmother, Carolyn Reese, who has owned and run Road to California since 1990. +++++ Today’s show is sponsored by Hello Atelier, the podcast that takes you inside the artist’s studio. Join host Betsy Blodgett as she sits down with quilters, textile artists, ceramicists, painters and more – many in their very own studios. Further immerse yourself in creative worlds by visiting www.helloatelier.org to see photos from our studio v

On this 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, Kelly rediscovered an early love of textiles and design in the late 1990s. Upon discovering Japanese craft books and modern Japanese fabrics, an obsession was born that later turned into the concept for Superbuzzy. The shop opened online in 2006, and then moved to a flagship storefront located in Ventura, California in 2011.  +++++ Today’s episode is sponsored by WEFTY. WEFTY started in a garage on a 3D printer and has grown to include patterns, products, and workshops. WEFTY's first product, the WEFTY Needle, is the only needle made by a weaver designed specifically for use with fabric strips and bias strips. Create beautiful woven projects with quilting cottons. Curious? Check out WeftyNeedle on Instagram to see what it’s all about.  +++++ Please not

Please note that we had audio recording issues with this episode. We did our best in post-production, bug the audio quality is not up to our usual standards. We apologize. On this episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about elevating haberdashery with my guest, Carolyn Denham. Together, Carolyn and her husband Roderick Field are the owners of Merchant & Mills, a fabric, notions, and patterns company based in the UK. They founded the company in 2010 with the intention of bringing style and purpose to the overlooked world of sewing. Merchant & Mills products are stocked in retailers all over the world and the company has collaborated with London’s V&A Museum and with Alexander McQueen. The pair have published three books that aim to enable and inspire more people to find the satisfaction of simply making. Carolyn has a degree in fashion design and has worked in New York, Italy, and London. We had an issue with the sound quality on this episode. Carolyn has a fantastic story t

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about wool and texture and embroidery with my guest, Sue Spargo.  Sue is an internationally renowned designer, teacher, and textile artist. She’s authored several books including Creative Stitching and teaches on Craftsy as well as keeping up a rigorous travel schedule. 35 of her quilts were exhibited at the International Quilt Show in Houston in 2017 and in Chicago in 2018. Born in Zambia and raised in South Africa, Sue’s work is influenced by the color, energy, and simplicity of traditional African design. Today, her business is based in Ohio where a staff that includes several of her children prepare and ship a wide range of hand dyed and mill dyed wools, threads, kits, notions, and patterns from SueSpargo.com. We talk about Sue's collaboration with Wonderfil, her intense travel and teaching schedule, how she has successfully brought three of her four children into her business, self-publishing, and more. Sue doesn't sell her quilts,

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about textile design with my guest, Jen Hewett. Jen is a printmaker, surface designer, textile artist and teacher. A lifelong Californian, Jen combines her love of loud prints and saturated colors with the textures and light of the California landscapes to create highly-tactile, visually-layered, printed textiles.  Jen’s first book, Print, Pattern, Sew: Block Printing Basics + Simple Sewing Projects for an Inspired Wardrobe, was published by Roost Books in May 2018 and her first line of commercial fabrics will be available with Cotton+Steel in August 2018. Jen and her dog Gus live in San Francisco, two blocks from Golden Gate Park, and three miles from the Pacific Ocean. +++++ Inspire your creative spirit with Indygo Junction books & patterns! Visit our Indygo Junction Blog to learn more about fabrics and techniques as well as giveaways & events. Join our Facebook Sewing Pattern Group and receive our Everyday Dress Pattern! Use c

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about the business of fabric with my guest, Aaron Hoffman and Hailey Hoffman Chisholm of Hoffman California Fabrics. Together, Aaron and Hailey represent the fourth generation of the Hoffman family working in the company that will hit its 94th anniversary later this year.  Hailey works as marketing and sales associate. Her mother, Robin Hoffman Haack, is the chief financial officer. She is the youngest Hoffman working at the company. Aaron launched the Me+You brand to offer hand-dyed solids and batiks featuring minimalist graphic designs over solid backgrounds. His goal was to make batiks more appealing to quilters pursuing the modern aesthetic in their projects. Aaron’s father is Tony Hoffman, the company CEO. Walter Hoffman, who still works daily in the office, is grandfather to Aaron and Hailey. Hoffman California Fabrics is deeply rooted in surfing culture and popularized Hawaiin surf prints in American fashion beginning in the 1950s.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about art 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 Chicago where she raises funds to grow and protect immigrant and refugee rights and power through civic engagement and language access. She’s also adjunct faculty at Columbia College and DePaul University where she teaches Creatives how to build empires that will pay the bills and change the world. Shannon is best known, though, by her alias – Badass Cross Stitch – where her shenanigans tend to get the most attention. In this role, Shannon is a community organizer disguised as a fiber artist and craftivist. She blends politics, activism, and art into projects that are designed to inspire others to take action, think, discuss, engage with democracy and their community, and find some digital/analog balance to boot! Her work has recently been featured in Vogue