Episodes

Monday Sep 03, 2018
Episode #128: Ebony Love
Monday Sep 03, 2018
Monday Sep 03, 2018
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
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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 fabric purchase.
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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, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

Monday Aug 13, 2018
Episode #127: Matt Reese of Road to California
Monday Aug 13, 2018
Monday Aug 13, 2018
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.
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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 visits and links to each artist’s work. Then, sign up for the Hello Atelier newsletter for bonus interviews with makers and entrepreneurs – past guests include While She Naps’ Abby Glassenberg!
Hello Atelier is available on your favorite podcast app. Check out our most recent episode, an interview with quilt designer Luke Haynes. If you like what you hear, please subscribe and give us a rating.
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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, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

Monday Jul 30, 2018
Episode #126: Kelly Stevens of Superbuzzy
Monday Jul 30, 2018
Monday Jul 30, 2018
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.
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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.
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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, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

Monday Jul 16, 2018
Episode #125: Merchant and Mills
Monday Jul 16, 2018
Monday Jul 16, 2018
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 to tell so I hope you'll stick with it.
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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 their studio visits and links to each artist's work. Then, sign up for the Hello Atelier newsletter for bonus interviews with makers and entrepreneurs – past guests include While She Naps’ Abby Glassenberg! Hello Atelier is available on your favorite podcast app. Tune in to their latest episode with quilter Luke Haynes. If you like what you hear, please subscribe and give them a rating.
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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, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

Monday Jul 02, 2018
Episode #124: Sue Spargo
Monday Jul 02, 2018
Monday Jul 02, 2018
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, but she's still managed to build a wonderful business selling her work in many other ways. I hope you enjoy hearing her story.
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This episode is sponsored by STITCHES Midwest 2018. Exclusively for While She Naps listeners, you can get 20% OFF STITCHES Midwest 2018 classes and events by visiting www.STITCHES.events/Midwest and entering the coupon code MIDWEST18WSN at check-out. With stimulating classes and shopping for ALL— knitters, crocheters, weavers, AND sewers, quilters, and others interested in all things yarn AND fabric—you won’t want to miss this amazing show. You can learn more at www.STITCHES.events/Midwest
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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, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

Monday Jun 18, 2018
Episode #123: Jen Hewett
Monday Jun 18, 2018
Monday Jun 18, 2018
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.
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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 coupon code WSN25 for 25% off your entire order!
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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, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

Monday Jun 04, 2018
Monday Jun 04, 2018
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. The company also introduced batiks to the quilting market.
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This episode is sponsored by STITCHES Midwest 2018.
Exclusively for While She Naps listeners, get 20% OFF STITCHES Midwest 2018 classes and events by visiting www.STITCHES.events/Midwest and entering the coupon code MIDWEST18WSN at check-out. With stimulating classes and shopping for ALL— knitters, crocheters, weavers, AND sewers, quilters, and others interested in all things yarn AND fabric—you won’t want to miss this amazing show. You can learn more at www.STITCHES.events/Midwest
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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, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

Monday May 21, 2018
Episode #121: Shannon Downey
Monday May 21, 2018
Monday May 21, 2018
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, Harper’s Bazaar, Time, and Money to name a few.
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This episode is sponsored by Folkwear Patterns.
Since 1976, Folkwear has provided high-quality sewing patterns based on authentic vintage and folk clothing from around the world. Folkwear’s sewing patterns are loved by home sewists, costumers, re-enactors, and any who loves to sew with creativity.
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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, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

Monday May 07, 2018
Episode #120: Florence Knapp
Monday May 07, 2018
Monday May 07, 2018
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.
Florence’s early years were spent in England and Australia, where her childhood homes were filled with vibrant color and intense pattern. As an adult, she found quiltmaking offered the perfect canvas on which to continue to embrace these things, as well as to indulge her love for small-scale precision work through fussy-cutting and English paper piecing. In May 2018 her first book, Flossie Teacakes’ Guide to English Paper Piecing, will be published.
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This episode is sponsored by Ettie & Marion. Ettie and Marion creates truly original fat quarters for the modern quilter. As a small, independent screen-print and fabric design company, Ettie and Marion can release new fabrics as soon as inspiration strikes. See what’s coming next by following @EttieandMarion on Instagram or check out the website at ettieandmarion.com
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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, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

Monday Apr 16, 2018
Episode #119: Leslie Tucker Jenison
Monday Apr 16, 2018
Monday Apr 16, 2018
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 publications including Quilting Arts, Modern Quilts Unlimited, and Where Women Create: Quilters, as well as numerous books. Her work has been shown internationally and is part of corporate and private collections. She’s also a fabric designer for RJR fabrics.
We talk about shifting careers from being a nurse to being a quilter, studying with experts like Nancy Crow, training yourself to be unafraid of experimentation, and using digital design as a creative avenue. Leslie shares how she began designing commercial fabric for RJR. She also talks about being a curator of quilt shows.
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This episode is sponsored by pattern and book publisher, Indygo Junction. Check out Indygo Junction’s new sew by machine method for Fabriflair! The dimensional paper piecing line includes a fusible stabilizer and six patterns, with designs for both home and fashion. The projects are artful objects that can showcase your favorite designer’s prints. They're also ideal for making as gifts. Visit Indygo Junction’s Youtube Channel to see pattern reviews and tutorials on Fabriflair! Warning: It is Addictive!
Visit Indygo Junction’s website and use code WSN20 for a 20% discount on your entire order.
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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, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.