Craft Industry Alliance

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about stitching with my guest, Mollie Johanson.

Mollie is a professional designer, illustrator, and stitcher. She's a contributor to Simply Sewing Magazine, Love Embroidery, and World of Cross Stitching, and is the author of four craft books, including her latest, Stitching Super-Cute Food Kawaii Style.

Mollie shares creative inspiration and patterns on her long-running blog, Wild Olive, and has helped thousands of makers discover the charm of hand stitching and other crafts through her Etsy shop, online tutorials, and in-person workshops. She lives in...

We’re so pleased to bring you this special episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast. This is a recording of the State of the Industry panel discussion which took place live on stage on May 6 at h+h americas 2026 in Chicago. With over 800 people in the audience, our panelists dove into the biggest issues and ideas the crafts industry is wrestling with right now. It was an exciting conversation among four industry professionals each of whom has a unique vantage point and perspective.

Our panelists included independent retailer Erin Love of Firecracker Fabrics in Pittsburgh, crochet de...

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about the first year owning a brick-and-mortar yarn shop with my guest, Sanjani Ramkissoon.

Sanjani is the owner of Stitch & Revel, a yarn shop in Livermore, California, a charming wine country town in the Bay Area, about 45 miles east of San Francisco. 

Born in Fiji and raised in the Bay Area since the age of five, she considers herself an accidental business owner, turning a long-held dream into reality when an unexpected opportunity to purchase inventory from a closing yarn shop led her and...

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about coiled rope basketry with my guest Katherine Lile.

Katherine is the owner of The Mountain Thread Company in Blowing Rock, North Carolina.  She began sewing at age 4, and has always loved building community around creative endeavors.  Since opening her business in 2015, she's been on a mission to inspire, equip, and cultivate a creative community that loves sewing rope!  

When Katherine isn't zigzagging coils of rope, you can find her in her garden, cooking with her kids, or enjoying family time in the...

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about quilting and creativity with my guest, Maude MacDonald.

Maude is a creative strategist and brand designer who helps small business owners craft brands that feel like home — authentic, cohesive, and entirely theirs. Drawing from the success of her own brand, The Retro Quilter, Maude knows firsthand how intentional strategy, clear visual identity, and thoughtful creative direction can turn a passion project into a recognizable, confident brand. She works with entrepreneurs to refine their messaging, elevate their visuals, and create a brand experience that truly reflects wh...

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about buying and selling a craft business with my guests Lisa Shroyer and Leanne Pressly.

This episode is a bit of a different show format because we focus on how to buy or sell a business. So often in the crafts industry, businesses just close, rather than go through a sale process. Part of the reason this happens is that selling a business can be a lot of work. It requires preparation, and the due diligence process can be rough. And part of the reason is...

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about owning a craft store and workshop space with my guest Sarah Ferguson.

Sarah is the owner of Craft Habit, a brick-and-mortar retail craft store in Raleigh, North Carolina, which offers adult and youth classes, private parties and events, and youth sewing and craft camps. In 2024, Craft Habit debuted a wholesale line of crochet, embroidery, cross stitch, punch needle, and weaving kits that are all designed by staff and local artists. Our mission for our store, classes, and kits is to bring new crafters into the...

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about felt with my guest Renae Bradley.

Renae is the owner and creative director of Benzie Design, a colorful felt stitchery and craft shop founded as a creative outlet that gave her permission to “rainbow-tize” everything -especially wool felt. In business for over 15 years, Renae values the community that has been formed both online and within Benzie's local brick & mortar.

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This episode is sponsored by Fire Mountain Gems & Beads.

Fire Mountain Gems and Beads has supported jewelry-making artists...

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about creating a craft kit company with my guest Michelle Galletta of Kiriki Press.

Ontario College of Art and Design printmaking grad Michelle Galletta wanted to make her niece an embroidered doll but couldn't find a pattern anywhere. A week after attempting her very first stitch, she was left with a set of wonky owl dolls and a deep appreciation for the craft. In time, this newfound love of embroidery joined forces with screen printing, and Kiriki Press was launched in 2013 with seven dol...

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about cosplay with my guest Madison May.

Madison is the owner and head pattern maker at CUT/SEW Sewing Patterns, a beginner-friendly pattern company that provides entry-level, customizable patterns to the cosplay and street fashion community. With over fifteen years of experience in the costume and fashion industry, Madison has provided patterns to both Broadway and off-Broadway theatrical productions, major US theme parks, cruise lines, and television.

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This episode is sponsored by The Academy for Virtual Teaching.

Visibility matters when...

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a craft community with my guests Ann Shayne and Kay Gardiner

Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne are the co-founders of Modern Daily Knitting, one of the most vibrant places in today’s knitting world. Their partnership began in 2003 with a blog that quickly grew into a beloved hangout online, known for its humor, warmth, and stalwart belief that knitting is a vital part of a life well lived.

In 2024, they created Nash Yarn Fest, a big-hearted, large-scale annual...

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about running a brick-and-mortar yarn shop with my guest, Ali Dillingham, owner of A Yarn Market.

A Yarn Market is a welcoming space based on the mission to make knitting and crochet accessible to all. With over 20 years of knitting experience, Ali is passionate about sharing the joy and therapeutic benefits of mindful making. She often refers to knitting as her form of 'yarn therapy.'

As a former speech-language pathologist with experience in educational settings, Ali has a deep understanding of how people...

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about fabric design with my guest Kim Kight.

Kim Kight started in the craft blogging world in the 2000s, first with a personal sewing and knitting blog then her fabric news blog, True Up. She is the author of the book "A Field Guide to Fabric Design" in 2011 with Stash Books, which is still in print. She started designing with Cotton + Steel Fabrics in 2013, now Ruby Star Society since 2018. She lives outside of Austin, TX with her family and pets.

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To...

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about crochet design with my guest, Brittany Garber.

Britt is the creative force behind KnotBadBritt—a name that’s become synonymous with bold color, approachable crochet design, and thoughtful community-building in the fiber arts world. With over five years of experience as a designer and educator, Britt is known for patterns that are both playful and practical, helping makers grow their skills with confidence. She’s also the founder of the Makers of Color Collective, an initiative focused on amplifying diverse voices and fostering...

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about quilting with my guest Maria Shell.

Maria’s work is grounded in the tradition and craft of American quilt making. She strives to take the classical components of a traditional bedquilt and manipulate them with the hope of creating surprising combinations of pattern, repetition, and color for the viewer.

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This episode is sponsored by Quarry Books. 

Check out Crochet Your Celebrity Crush with Lee Sartori! This book provides 15 amigurumi patterns to create adorable, crocheted version...

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about hand sewing with my guest Louisa Soenstrom.

Louisa considers garment-making skills to be deeply empowering. Louisa writes and teaches about patternmaking and hand stitching clothing. For most of a decade, she worked in technical design and patternmaking, most recently for Macy's and Eileen Fisher. Previous works have included a self-published book called Hand Sewing Clothing: A Guide, as well as two seasons of “Patternmaking in Public Places,” an outreach project she started to democratize access to patternmaking skills. This year, Louisa is celebra...

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast,  we’re talking about building a crochet business with Amy Ting.

Amy Ting is a Korean-Taiwanese crochet designer based in the Bay Area, California. She is the author of Amigurumi Critters and creator of Curious Papaya. Amy’s amigurumi creations have resonated with a wide audience but especially so with the Asian-American population.

Her designs have been featured in notable publications such as Simply Crochet Magazine and Crochet Society, and she has also collaborated with popular brands in the fiber arts community such as Michael’s Arts and Crafts...

Welcome to this special episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast.

Today, we’re excited to share with you an interview with Abbie Small. Abbie served as executive vice president and general manager of Simplicity Creative Group, owner of the Big 4 pattern companies. Just last week, Rubelmann Capital, in partnership with Abbie, acquired the company from the bankruptcy auction that was held after Design Group in the UK sold Design Group Americas to Hilco Capital for $1. Now, Abbie is at the helm. We ask her how her this sale came to about and find out wha...

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about living the life of a quilter and writer with my guest Marianne Fons.

Marianne Fons co-hosted “Fons & Porter’s Love of Quilting” on public television nationwide for many years, first with Liz Porter and later with daughter Mary Fons.

With Liz, she co-authored Quilter’s Complete Guide, one of the best selling quilting books of all time. Marianne Fons and Liz Porter were the 2019 inductees into the Quilters Hall of Fame.

Marianne served on the board of...

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

Michelle tried rather hard not to become a quilter. After growing up outside of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and having a mom who began quilting in the 1990s, this was a formidable challenge. A chance encounter with Denyse Schmidt’s work, however, introduced Michelle to the world of modern quilting and convinced her there might be a place for her in it. She made her first quilt in 2013 and hasn’t looked back.

Wanting to con...

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about bag making with my guest Emma Brassfield.

Emma is a YouTuber, pattern designer, bag sewing teacher and entrepreneur based near London, UK. 

After over 20 years in the film industry, helping to make such iconic creatures and costumes as Iggle Piggle (In The Night Garden), The Flash (Justice League), Many goblins (Harry Potter), and Chewbacca (Star Wars), the grind of film hours + family life needed to be broken. 

So in 2020, she finally started her YouTube channel, which was so well-received that now...

In this special episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're so pleased to be sharing the keynote speech from h+h americas 2025 presented by Larrie King.

Larrie King, better known as Mister Larrie, is an arts and crafts content creator, design professor, and creativity enthusiast based in Orlando, Florida. His projects often center on bright colors, bold patterns, and budget-friendly basics, all geared toward making crafting and self-expression through creativity truly accessible to all. 

Larrie’s professional background is centered on visual communication, teaching, and commercial design. A prolific maker and content crea...

On this special episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about private equity and it's impact on the crafts industry with my guest Megan Greenwell.

Megan is a journalist who has written or edited for publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, WIRED, and ESPN. She is also the deputy director of the Princeton Summer Journalism Program, a workshop and college access initiative for students from low-income backgrounds. A California native, she lives in Brooklyn with her husband and their pug.

Megan's new book is Bad Compan...

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a cross-stitch business with my guest Zoe Frost.

Zoe is the heart, hands, and creative force behind Junebug & Darlin, a queer owned brand based in Portland, OR. When she's not crafting, you'll find her adventuring through the Pacific Northwest’s pine trees, ferns, and rivers with her partner and a dog or two. Zoe’s artistic journey is deeply rooted in her love for nature, queerness, and a fierce “f-- the system” attitude, which she channels into every cross-stitch kit she creates.

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On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about ecommerce with my guest Claudia Martinez.

Claudia is the owner of Snuggly Monkey, a craft supply store specializing in hand embroidery, Sashiko, and unique threads and notions from around the world. With over 13 years of experience, she has built a thoughtfully curated collection that reflects her passion for hand stitching and global textile traditions. She brings her passion for stitching, color, and creative tools to a global community of makers. A multilingual connector and lifelong crafter, Claudia is dedicated to sharing the joy, self-expression, an...

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a fabric company with my guest Arvin Pairavi.

Arvin is a visionary entrepreneur and the driving force behind Shannon Fabrics, a leading name in the textile industry known for its luxurious, high-quality Cuddle fabrics. Under his leadership, the company has redefined the market, setting new standards for innovation, craftsmanship, and customer satisfaction.

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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. Str...

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about punch needle with my guest Micah Clasper-Torch.

Micah Clasper-Torch is a Los Angeles-based artist, designer, and educator helping to lead the modern revival of punch needle rug hooking. With a background in fashion design from The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and the Polytechnic Institute in Milan, Micah blends fine art, heritage craft, and wearable design to create one-of-a-kind textile pieces that range from coats and accessories to wall hangings and soft sculpture. 

In 2019 Micah was formally trai...

We’re so pleased to bring you this special episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast. This is a recording of the State of the Industry panel discussion which took place live on stage on May 7 at h+h americas 2025 in Chicago. With over 800 people in the audience, our panelists dove into the biggest issues and ideas the crafts industry is wrestling with right now. It was an exciting conversation among four industry professionals each of whom has a unique vantage point and perspective.

Our panelists included Jakob Lang of Lang Yarns, Anna Maria Parry, Adam Blumenthal of...

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about museum exhibitions with my guests Nora Palermo and Pam Weeks of the New England Quilt Museum.

Nora has served as Executive Director of the New England Quilt Museum in Lowell, Massachusetts since 2013. Her broad experience in development for museums, cultural organizations and teaching hospitals brought a strategic approach to improving the NEQM’s finances and expanding its audience. With support from the Board of Directors and a committed group of volunteers, Nora has led a small professional team to overhaul its exhibitions and public programs, su...

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about quilt kits with my guest Michael O'Dell. 

Mike is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist who administers anesthesia in a pediatric hospital, but his passion has always been art.  He has worked with every material he’s ever had a chance to get his hands on, and quilting came to the fore in 2018 when his wife took up the hobby.  As his wife worked on a 9-patch quilt as her first project, Mike saw each square as a pixel, which brought him back to his yo...

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about creating a best-selling art and illustration company with my guest, Mary Engelbreit.

Over 40 years ago, Mary Engelbreit launched her own company with a strong desire for creative freedom and a line of 12 greeting cards. The head of a highly successful business bearing her name, Mary is one of the country’s premier designers and artists. She is known throughout the world for her distinctive illustration style and design sensibility, modestly referred to as “eclectic traditional”. Mary’s signature art, imbued with spirited wit and warmth, ap...

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about running a brick-and-mortar yarn shop with my guest, Annissa Essaibi-George.

Annissa is the owner of Stitch House. She taught at East Boston High School for 13 years before being elected to the Boston City Council. In 2021 she ran for Mayor of Boston.

Annissa recently served as CEO and president of the Big Sister Association of Greater Boston and now is the Partnership Advisor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts. Annissa is a mom to 4 great boys 20-year-old Douglas and 18-year-old triplets Charlie, K...

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about product and surface design with my guest Hollei Hayes.

Hollei is the owner of Hollei Anne Design Co. After honing her craft for over ten years in the design industry, she made the leap from working in Fortune 500 corporations collaborating with esteemed brands such as Toys R Us and Skip Hop. Now, she's fully immersed in her passion as a Surface and Product designer and has had her art seen in big box retailers like Target, TJ Maxx, Hallmark and more!

Today, sh...

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about activism with my guest Omakri Williams.

Omkari Williams is the Gold Nautilus award-winning author of Micro Activism: How You Can Make a Difference in the World (Without A Bullhorn). Her book helps readers identify their “activist archetype" and map a personal action plan for engaging in small, change-making activities with potentially big impacts.

She has worked as an actor, political consultant, and coach. Now she welcomes all people into the world of micro activism, a sustainable path to change-making based upon honoring the i...

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about embroidery with my guest Melissa Galbraith.

Melissa is the fiber artist behind MCreativeJ. She was born and raised in the desert of Washington state where her mother instilled a love of making things by hand at an early age. Melissa shares her love of nature through whimsical and modern hand embroidery kits, hands-on workshops, and her books, How to Embroider Texture and Pattern and DIY Embroidered Shoes.

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This episode is sponsored by The Academy for Virtual Teaching.

You know...

In this special episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we are talking with a variety of industry players about the second bankruptcy of JOANN Fabrics including:

We start with Grace giving us an overview of the current situation at JOANN (January 2025), go through 10-15 minute interviews with each guest, and wrap up with Grace as we look towards...

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about sewing machines with my guest Jason Zielke.

Jason Zielke is the Chief Product Officer for SVP Worldwide, where he leads global brand marketing, new product development, and industrial design for iconic sewing machine brands Singer, Viking, and Pfaff. A seasoned executive with expertise in strategic planning and engineering leadership, he has successfully launched innovative products and driven significant market growth throughout his career.

Previously, Jason held leadership roles at Stanley Black & Decker and MTD Products, managing initiatives ranging from corporate tur...

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about starting a fabric company with my guest Tracy Krauter.

Tracy is the founder of Splash Fabric. Raising three boys, Tracy knew there had to be a better solution to everyday messes. When she couldn't find the perfect fabric—one that was soft yet waterproof, durable yet sewable—she didn't just settle. She innovated. 

Today, her signature laminated cotton transforms ordinary items into spill-proof shields, creating beautiful, practical solutions that protect your tables, reduce your laundry, and add a splash of joy to d...

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about craftivism with my guest Shannon Downey.

Shannon is an artist, activist, craftivist, community builder, and general instigator. Her work moves people from passive consumers of art into engaged creators and leverages craft-based art forms to bring people together, present opportunities to transition from makers to change makers, and inspire radical hope for what is possible.

She’s the founder of Badass Cross Stitch and her new book Let's Move the Needle provides a roadmap and accessible toolkit for burgeoning art activists with self-re...

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about weaving with my guest Jen Duffin.

Jen is the designer and teacher behind Nova Mercury Design. Jen has been creating fiber art full-time since 2016, specializing in frame loom weaving. Inspired by color and whimsy, Jen loves creating art that brings joy to people's lives and homes. She aims to create beautiful heirloom artworks and to inspire a love of creating in others. She has taught many sold-out workshops in Montreal and Toronto, hosted online workshops for students from all over the world, and...