• Episode #263: Sara Barnes
    Apr 15 2024

    On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about embroidery and illustration with my guest Sara Barnes.

    Sara is an embroidery illustrator and writer living in Seattle, Washington. She runs Bear&Bean, an embroidery studio stitching pet portraits and other beloved creatures. Her work has been recognized in American Illustration, Embroidery Magazine, and Uppercase. Sara chronicles the creativity of others through her blog Brown Paper Bag and weekly newsletter, Orts. Her newest book is Threads of Treasure: How to make, mend, and find meaning through thread. When she’s not stitching or writing, she enjoys planning things that bring people together, including Camp Craftaway, a day camp for crafty adults with hands-on workshops.

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    Today's episode is sponsored by the Show Up Society. If you are ready to overcome perfectionism and overthinking so you can grow your creative business, join the show up society today. This supportive community helps you build confidence in your craft, in yourself, and in promoting your work. You’ll get a perfect mix of practical tips and mindset hacks to grow your business without feeling salesy and without burnout. You’ll have fun and feel supported while taking your creative business to new heights. Go to showupsociety.com/join today.

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    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 with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Episode #262: Beau McCall
    Apr 1 2024

    On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about buttons with my guest Beau McCall.

    Proclaimed by American Craft magazine as “The Button Man,” Beau McCall creates wearable and visual art by applying clothing buttons onto mostly upcycled fabrics, materials, and objects. His artworks offer commentary on topics such as pop culture and social justice. On March 30th his first-ever retrospective exhibition debuts at Fuller Craft Museum titled, Beau McCall: Buttons On!

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    Calling all crafters! Are you ready to dive deep into your favorite crafting projects and learn new techniques along the way? Then it's time to join Craftsy Premium Membership. March is National Craft Month. Take advantage of this special promotion! For ONLY $1.49, you'll receive a full year of access to expert-led tutorials, patterns, and projects in every category you can imagine. With a massive library of resources at your fingertips, you'll be able to create your best work yet and bring your crafting dreams to life. Don't wait – sign up now at CraftsyOffers.com and discover the endless possibilities of Craftsy Premium Membership!

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    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 with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Episode #261: Karla Overland of Cherrywood Fabrics
    Mar 18 2024

    On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about hand-dyed fabrics with my guest Karla Overland.

    Karla is the owner of Cherrywood Hand Dyed Fabrics in Baxter, Minnesota. She is the “colorist” who creates all the dye formulas and gradations of the gorgeous trademark bundles. Karla has been sewing since she was a little girl and holds a degree in Graphic Design. She applies her combined passions to all aspects of Cherrywood; web and print design, color theory, marketing, pattern design, and The Cherrywood Challenge. She has self-published nine exhibit books and over a dozen patterns. Cherrywood travels all over the U.S. vending at quilt shows where Karla also gives presentations and teaches classes. She has taught at the Australasian Quilt Festival in Melbourne, Australia, and hosted a bus tour of The Netherlands, Belgium and France for The Van Gogh Cherrywood Challenge.

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    This episode is sponsored by Craftsy.

    Calling all crafters! Are you ready to dive deep into your favorite crafting projects and learn new techniques along the way? Then it's time to join Craftsy Premium Membership. March is National Craft Month. Take advantage of this special promotion! For ONLY $1.49, you'll receive a full year of access to expert-led tutorials, patterns, and projects in every category you can imagine. With a massive library of resources at your fingertips, you'll be able to create your best work yet and bring your crafting dreams to life. Don't wait – sign up now at CraftsyOffers.com and discover the endless possibilities of Craftsy Premium Membership!

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    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 with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Episode #260: Jess Barrera of Sallie Tomato
    Mar 4 2024

    On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about creating a sewing business with my guest Jess Barrera of Sallie Tomato.

    Jessica is an author, designer, educator, and entrepreneur who has been creatively sewing and crafting since the age of five. She studied entrepreneurship at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and now operates her own sewing pattern and supply company, Sallie Tomato. Her innovative designs and products aim to attract the next generations of sewing enthusiasts while appealing to current makers. Aside from running a business, she’s a mom of two boys, loves coffee, home decorating, boutique shopping, traveling, yoga, being outdoors, and is a fan of classic, black and white movies.

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    Today's episode is sponsored by The Handmade Book Club.

    The Handmade Book Club is a vibrant community of crafters who create their own handmade journals using modern materials and traditional techniques. Learn to combine your love of hand stitching and fabric into your own custom journals. Join our free Bookbinding Book Camp at www.handmadebookclub.com

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    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 with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

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    52 mins
  • Episode #259: Drew Steinbrecher
    Feb 19 2024

    On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about collage and mixed media with my guest Drew Steinbrecher.

    Drew has enjoyed working with his hands and being creative from a young age. He has a university degree in graphic design. Along with being a full-time artist he is also freelance graphic designer. He's an avid knitter, photographer, and traveler. He currently lives in Cincinnati with his partner Greg and their Schnauzer Fred. 

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    Today's episode is sponsored by Craftsy. Calling all crafters! Are you ready to dive deep into your favorite crafting projects and learn new techniques along the way? Then it's time to join Craftsy Premium Membership. For ONLY $1.49, you'll receive a full year of access to expert-led tutorials, patterns, and projects in every category you can imagine. With a massive library of resources at your fingertips, you'll be able to create your best work yet and bring your crafting dreams to life. Don't wait – sign up now at CraftsyOffers.com and discover the endless possibilities of Craftsy Premium Membership!

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    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 with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

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    57 mins
  • Episode #258: Willie Smith
    Feb 5 2024

    On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a knitting business with my guest Willie Smith.

     

    Willie Smith discovered knitting in 2007. He believes he’s been given a gift to entertain while teaching and his purpose is to spend his life enriching other people’s lives. Knitting is the vehicle he is using to achieve that end. Willie’s vision is for makers to get closer to making exactly what they want through the acquisition of a skill set. Willis is the owner of WNK and he aims for that brand to soon be a household name.

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    Today's episode is sponsored by Artistic Artifacts. 

    Artistic Artifacts specializes in Creative Finds for Creative Minds. Shop a wide variety of fabrics, BERNINA machines and products, plus the tools and techniques to enjoy a full range of fiber arts and mixed media. Visit our store in Alexandria, VA or shop securely online at www.ArtisticArtifacts.com

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    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 with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

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    1 hr
  • Episode #157: Kristina McGrath and Sarah Walworth of Tech Tip Talk
    Jan 15 2024

    On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about writing technical instructions with my guests Sarah Walworth and Kristina McGrath.

    Kristina and Sarah are yarn pattern technical editors, consultants, and coaches in the fiber industry. They have edited over 1000 knitting patterns between them. Since 2020, they have hosted Tech Tip Talk, a monthly broadcast about pattern writing and knitting design, and have written a handbook for knitting designers. They are committed to improving access to industry knowledge, helping designers create patterns that fit every size body well, to fully deliver on the promise to the maker. You can find them at techtiptalk.com

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    This episode is sponsored by Craftsy.

    Calling all crafters! Are you ready to dive deep into your favorite crafting projects and learn new techniques along the way? Then it's time to join Craftsy Premium Membership. For ONLY $1.49, you'll receive a full year of access to expert-led tutorials, patterns, and projects in every category you can imagine. With a massive library of resources at your fingertips, you'll be able to create your best work yet and bring your crafting dreams to life. Don't wait – sign up now at CraftsyOffers.com and discover the endless possibilities of Craftsy Premium Membership!

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    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 with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Episode #256: Rachel Austen of Elle Crée
    Jan 1 2024

    On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about paint-by-numbers with my guest Rachel Austen.

    Rachel has a background in graphic and web design. She founded her paint-by-number kit company - Elle Crée - in 2017 out of her desire to create a nostalgic product from her illustrations that customers could interact with and that would spur their own creativity. 

    Rachel’s company seeks to reduce its impact on the environment by carefully sourcing eco-friendly components that are locally- and USA-made whenever possible. Elle Crée’s custom paint colors are mixed from USA-made acrylic, and their kits are assembled with the help of a small staff in Portland, Oregon. 

    Elle Crée’s kits made O Magazine’s list of best Made in America products in the summer of 2021. In 2023, Rachel launched successful collaborations with iconic illustrator Mary Engelbreit and Academy Award nominated film studio, LAIKA. 

    In the past 7 years, Elle Crée has become a premier manufacturer of American-made kits, being sold in over 500 gift shops nationwide. 

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    This episode is sponsored by The Academy for Virtual Teaching, a community of creative entrepreneurs, building proficient, profitable, and professional online teaching businesses.

    In the Academy for Virtual Teaching’s Pro-Membership they can help you develop the skills needed to organize, film, edit, and add online education to your business model. They invite you to join their community of supportive colleagues as they share their creativity with students around the world.

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    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 with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

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    1 hr and 15 mins