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 of Technology. After countless hours working digitally, retouching images and staring at a computer screen she longed for hands-on analog making. She taught herself embroidery and then never stopped stitching. In 2008 she started a ...
Apr 01, 2019•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 85
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 recording this interview in person which was lovely! Amy lives in a mid-19th century home that was formerly inhabited by a comb maker, shoemaker, and Morgan horse breeder. She grew up down the street from where she and her husband are ...
Mar 18, 2019•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 84
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-SE...
Mar 04, 2019•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 83
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 ...
Feb 18, 2019•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 82
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 ...
Feb 04, 2019•59 min•Ep. 81
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 A...
Jan 21, 2019•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 80
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 fu...
Jan 07, 2019•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 79
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...
Dec 17, 2018•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 78
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 f...
Dec 03, 2018•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 77
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 ...
Nov 19, 2018•51 min•Ep. 76
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. Creativeb...
Nov 05, 2018•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 75
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, sub...
Oct 15, 2018•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 74
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 ...
Oct 01, 2018•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 73
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 ...
Sep 16, 2018•1 hr•Ep. 72
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 pr...
Sep 03, 2018•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 71
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 gath...
Aug 13, 2018•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 70
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...
Jul 30, 2018•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 69
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 ...
Jul 16, 2018•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 68
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 w...
Jul 02, 2018•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 67
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 ...
Jun 18, 2018•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 66
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 ...
Jun 04, 2018•56 min•Ep. 65
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 bui...
May 21, 2018•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 64
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about blogging and writing a book with my guest, Florence Knapp. Florence is a quilter and dressmaker. For over a decade she has kept a blog, Flossie Teacakes , where she shares her adventures with a needle and thread and the life that goes on around her stitching. During this time she has designed sewing patterns and her work has been featured in various magazines, as well as in a book produced by the V&A Museum . Flore...
May 07, 2018•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 63
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 paint, and photography frequently informs her designs, either literally or by way of inspiration. Leslie has been a guest on The Quilt Show, Quilting Arts TV, Fresh Quilting, and more. Leslie’s work has been featured in numerous publicati...
Apr 16, 2018•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 62
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building a career as a fashion design expert with my guest, Lesley Ware. Lesley helps young fashionistas of all strips discover their personal style and talents through fun and creativity. Her passion for inspiring young people began when she earned her degree in elementary education and continued when she orchestrated a national program for the Girl Scouts. She has previously written two books on style and fashion des...
Apr 02, 2018•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 61
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, Etsy seller , and independent musician who runs all of her creative businesses from home. This YouTube NextUp winner and mom of one has created videos for many companies including HGTV, SyFy, Simplicity, Intel, and Guitar Center and she recently starred in a video course for YouTube's C...
Mar 19, 2018•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 60
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 , a quilt shop in Sisters, Oregon that she’s owned for 43 years, and the founder of the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show , a world-renowned show that attracts tens of thousands of visitors to Sisters Oregon each July. She’s the author of ...
Mar 05, 2018•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 59
On today’s 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 Helena, who is now four and a half. He thought it would be a great way to connect with her if he could make her cool clothes. With a new motivation to up his attention-to-detail, the quality and coolness far exceeded even his own ex...
Feb 19, 2018•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 58
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I'm talking with Melanie Ham about YouTube. 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. She discovered sewing shortly after graduating with an art degree with emphasis in art history from California State University of Northridge when she found herself with more time on her hands after her husband joined the U.S. Army in 2007. Along...
Feb 05, 2018•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 57
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about quilting and art history with my guest, Casey York . Casey has sewn for most of her life and has been making quilts for a decade. Initially inspired by the graphic possibilities of appliqué, she has worked in the quilting industry to push the boundaries of this tradition with her graphic, contemporary designs and patterns. Casey received her Ph.D. in art history in 2012 and is known in the quilting industry for her two...
Jan 15, 2018•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 56
