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 describes herself as a nature lover, obsessive doodler, path finder, and appreciator of paper, fine point pens, and detailed patterns. Jennifer creates papercuts, illustrations, mixed media collage and monoprints that are reflectiv...
Nov 21, 2016•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 1
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance 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 successful jewelry business (Naughty Secretary Club), hosted television shows (Craft Lab and Stylelicious on DIY Network), been the editor in chief of a magazine (Kids Crafts 1-2-3 started by Walmart) and everything in-between. Her ...
Nov 07, 2016•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 1
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 for her quilt 'face #1' and won Best In Show at QuiltCon 2016 for her quilt 'My Brother's Jeans'. Melissa travels nationally to teach her signature class ‘Making Faces with Melissa’ at quilt shops, guilds and retreats such as Quilt...
Oct 17, 2016•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 1
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I'm talking with Mickey Krueger, the president of Windham Fabrics, one of the leading manufacturers of quilting cottons today. We recorded this show in front of a studio audience at Sew Pro, a sewing conference in Chicago in mid-September 2016. If you're interested designing fabric, or if you're just curious how this side of the quilting industry works, this episode is for you. Mickey explains how Windham chooses new designers and exactly...
Oct 03, 2016•46 min•Ep. 1
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about publishing craft books with my guests, Sara Bercholz and Jennifer Urban-Brown of Roost Books , an imprint of Shambhala . Sara is the Executive Vice President of Shambhala and the publisher of Roost Books. She started Roost Books with Jenn in 2012. Shambhala was started by her father, Sam Bercholz, in the 1960s and the company remains in the family And Jennifer Urban-Brown is an avid knitter, a B+ sewer, and a dabbling ...
Sep 19, 2016•1 hr•Ep. 1
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I'm talking with Maddie Kertay, the founder of the BadAss Quilters Society, a Facebook page and blog devoted to diversity and inclusion in the quilting community. In this conversation Maddie talks about how she became a quilter and the incident which led her to feel she needed a place to talk openly about issues within the quilting industry that she feels need changing. Maddie's blog and Facebook posts often delve into race, class, gender...
Sep 05, 2016•1 hr•Ep. 1
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we’re talking about making and selling handcrafted products with my guest Arounna Khounnoraj of Bookhou . Arounna Khounnoraj started Bookhou with her husband, John Booth, in 2002 as a place to combine and market their work. Both Arounna and John started out as artists - Arounna as a sculptor and John as a painter - but as time passed their endeavors grew to include ceramics, fiber arts, architecture and furniture making to name only a few...
Aug 15, 2016•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 1
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I'm talking with Annabel Wrigley. Annabel Wrigley is an Australian mom, author, and designer living in rural Virginia. She owns Little Pincushion Studio , a space where she teaches children everything they need to know in order to go forth and conquer the world of sewing and creating. When she’s not teaching, she’s working on her “We Love to Sew” series of books published by C&T publishing. She also teaches classes on Creativebug and ...
Aug 01, 2016•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 1
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about craft book publishing with my guest, Amy Marson. Amy is the publisher at C&T publishing which also includes the Stash Books and FunStitch Studio imprints. We discuss how to pitch a craft book, how C&T markets new titles, Amy's position on advances and how a book can fit into an author's larger goals. And, of course, I ask Amy to recommend great stuff she's enjoying right now. Check out C&T online at http://...
Jul 18, 2016•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 1
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about illustration and self-publishing today with my guest, Jenean Morrison. Jenean is a surface/textile designer, painter, and the artist/publisher behind a popular series of coloring books for adults, first published in 2012. She's an Amazon CreateSpace success story who has sold over 91,000 copies of her self-published coloring books, earning her more than a half million dollars. Jenean designed fabric for Free Spirit for...
Jul 04, 2016•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 1
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about embroidery as illustration with my guest, Sarah K. Benning . Sarah K. Benning is an American fiber artist with a nomadic studio practice. Originally from Baltimore, she attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and received her BFA in Fiber and Material Studies in 2013. Shortly after graduating, Sarah discovered her love for embroidery, started her own business and has never looked back. +++++ Today’s episode...
Jun 20, 2016•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 1
On today’s mini episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast Kristin Link and I talking about Craft Industry Alliance, a trade organization for craft professionals that we co-founded eight months ago. We're not at 800+ members, we're about to publish the 18th issue of our digital journal, we've held six webinars, and we have active discussions going on every day in our community forums. In this conversation we talk about what membership offers and who it's best for, we review some highlights (...
Jun 06, 2016•29 min•Ep. 1
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about online learning with my guests, Celeste Olds and Megan Auman. Celeste Olds joined CreativeLive in 2010 and is now the Executive Producer of Production Operations. Megan Auman is a designer, educator and entrepreneur. Her eponymous jewelry line is sold in stores across the U.S. and online. She's also the founder of Designing an MBA. Megan has taught many classes on CreativeLive. We talk about CreativeLive's unique model...
May 30, 2016•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 1
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we’re talking about creativity and drawing and making art with my guest Alisa Burke. If she’s not making art in her Oregon Coast studio, you can find freelance painter and mixed media artist Alisa Burke blogging, teaching art workshops or crafting her handmade accessories. Whether it's running her creative business, being a mom or adventuring outdoors, she is always looking for inspiration. From drawing, painting, cooking and even the way...
May 16, 2016•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 1
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about dyeing fabrics and yarns with natural dyes. My guest is Kristine Vejar, owner of A Verb for Keeping Warm and author of The Modern Natural Dyer (STC/Melanie Falick Books). Kristine tells the story of how she became interested in studying textiles. We discuss the challenges of running a business based on naturally dyed fabrics and what it's like to write a book about your passion. +++++ Today's episode is sponsored by Te...
May 02, 2016•59 min•Ep. 1
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about fabric and fabric design with my guest, Kathy Phillips, the Creative Director at Springs Creative . Have you walked into Joann Fabric and seen prints with entertainment brands such as Hello Kitty, My Little Pony, Dr. Who, or Batman? If so, you've seen Springs Creative's fabrics. Springs Creative is a textile company based in South Carolina that creates over the counter fabric by the yard for quilters and sewists. They ...
Apr 18, 2016•59 min•Ep. 1
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast my guest is Linda Permann, the sewing and embroidery Acquisitions Editor at Craftsy.com. Learn what Craftsy is looking for in an instructor and in a class and find out what you can do to develop your skills and following if you'd like to become a Craftsy instructor in the future. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Amy Barickman. Check out http://www.amybarickman.com to see all of what Indygo Junction offers including sewing and embroidery...
Apr 04, 2016•57 min•Ep. 1
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about print magazines with my guest, Janine Vangool. Janine is the publisher, editor and designer of UPPERCASE, a quarterly print magazine for the creative and curious. UPPERCASE publishes content inspired by design, typography, illustration and craft. Her magazine and books celebrate the process of making, the commitment to craft and the art of living creatively. Janine tells us that anyone can be featured in UPPERCASE - le...
Mar 21, 2016•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 1
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about sewing your own clothes with my guest, Heather Lou of Closet Case Files. Heather is a Montreal-based sewing pattern designer and blogger. Once a shopaholic Vogue-reading fashion obsessive, Heather made a deal with herself that the only "new" things that could come into her closet would be things she made. Sewing quickly took over her life. We talk about Heather's background and transition from full-time employment as a...
Mar 07, 2016•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 1
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about Etsy Wholesale with Dana Mauriello, the Director of Seller Growth at Etsy, and Rachel Greenwald, the Seller Growth Lead at Etsy. Dana is responsible for managing Etsy's wholesale business and Rachel manages programs that provide seller education to help creative entrepreneurs start and grow their wholesale businesses. Learn what wholesale really means and figure out if it might be right for your business. Find out what...
Feb 15, 2016•58 min•Ep. 1
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about craft publishing with Jennifer Keltner, the publisher and chief visionary officer at Martingale. A 30-year veteran of the publishing industry, Jennifer Keltner brings to Martingale vast experience in editorial, management, and marketing. In her previous position as Crafts Group Content Chief at Meredith Corporation, Jennifer oversaw an expansive quilting and crafting media group, including magazines American Patchwork ...
Feb 01, 2016•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 1
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about illustration with my guest, Phoebe Wahl. Phoebe Wahl is an illustrator whose vibrant work focuses on themes of comfort, nostalgia and connection to nature and one another. A kindergarten dropout, Phoebe complained that there "wasn't enough time to draw" in school. She spent the majority of her childhood running wild in Pacific Northwest backyards, before attending Rhode Island School of Design and graduating with a BFA...
Jan 18, 2016•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 1
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about creative retreats and event planning with my guest, Ali DeJohn, the founder of the Makerie. Ali DeJohn is constantly inspired by anything handmade, homemade and everything cozy. The smallest, most meaningful moments in life are the most magical to her and she feels really lucky to live in beautiful Boulder, Colorado with her husband and two young children. She started a creative retreat filled with a fabulous, changing...
Jan 04, 2016•50 min•Ep. 1
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about starting an indie sewing pattern company from scratch with my guest, Jenny Rushmore. Jenny is a body positive sewing blogger and she recently also became a sewing pattern designer when she launched her company Cashmerette Patterns which creates curve-friendly patterns in sizes 12-28 and cup sizes C-H. Originally from the UK but now living in Boston, Jenny learned to sew at 30 and it transformed her life, leading not on...
Dec 21, 2015•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 1
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I'm visiting the offices of F+W Media here in Sudbury, Massachusetts, to talk with Vivika Hansen DeNegre and Cate Coulacos Prato. Vivika is the Editorial Director and Editor of Quilting Arts Magazine, Modern Patchwork Magazine, and related titles. Cate is the Senior eCommerce Online Editor for F+W catalog brands, having spent more than a decade writing and editing for Quilting Arts, Cloth Paper Scissors, and Quilting Daily. We discuss cra...
Dec 07, 2015•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 1
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about quilts as fine art with my guest, Luke Haynes. Visit Luke online at LukeHaynes.com. Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same. 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, ...
Nov 16, 2015•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 1
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about creative conferences with my guests Grace Dobush, an organizer of Midwest Craft Con , and Joy Uyeno, an organizer of The Hello Sessions . Grace is a freelance journalist and the author of the Crafty Superstar business guides. She's also the co-organizer of Crafty Supermarket, an indie show that is celebrating its sixth birthday in Cincinnati on November 28, 2015. Midwest Craft Con is a retreat for mid-career makers com...
Nov 02, 2015•54 min•Ep. 1
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcastI chat with Malka Dubrawsky. Malka is a fabric designer and quilter who is best known for her hand dyed and pattern fabrics. She has a degree in studio art from the University of Texas in Austin and trained to be a printmaker, but finding herself home with young children and without a press she began to work in fiber art. After several years exploring art quilts, Malka became interested in connecting with people more directly by creating f...
Oct 19, 2015•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 1
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about teaching quilting online with my guest, Rob Appell. Rob is the host of Man Sewing , a YouTube channel of the Missouri Star Quilt Company. He is a quilter and national quilting instructor who travels and teaches at many premier quilting shows and retreats. We talk about overcoming life obstacles in order to focus on pursuing a creative life. Hear about how Rob first became acquainted with Jenny Doan and what it's like t...
Oct 05, 2015•59 min•Ep. 30
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast my guests are Heather Jassy, Senior Vice President of Members and Community at Etsy, and Stephanie Schacht, the Head of Responsible Seller Growth at Etsy. There's an ongoing tension as an Etsy seller between the individual and the marketplace. What do we give up and what do we gain by being part of Etsy? Over the last few years a significant portion of the seller community has really come to question some of Etsy's decisions including all...
Sep 21, 2015•57 min•Ep. 29
