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An interview show for creative entrepreneurs.
Episodes
Monday Jul 03, 2017
Monday Jul 03, 2017
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I'm talking with Alissa Haight Carlton. Alissa is a modern quilter, designer, author and the co-founder and Executive Director of the Modern Quilt Guild (MQG). She has written two quilting books, Modern Minimal and Block Party. When not working in the quilting world, she heads up casting for Project Runway. Alissa lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two sons.
Alissa tells the story of the founding of the MQG and how it's run today. She talks about how the organization has grown, why they chose non-profit status, and how they've handled pushback on various issues over the last seven years.
Alissa also explains what it's like to cast reality TV shows, especilly Project Runway. Hear what she's looking for in a cast member and how this show differs from other reality shows you might encounter.
Catch up with the Modern Quilt Guild on their website: themodernquiltguild.com
And follow Alissa's creative life on her Instagram feed: alissahaightcarlton
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This episode is sponsored by Jacquelynnes Steves. The I Love Home Free Block of the Month and Sew Along at JacquelynneSteves.com is starting soon! The patterns are Free and you have an option for doing just piecing, or add applique or hand embroidery to your blocks. This is a great project for beginning to more advanced quilters! Patterns have lots of step by step diagrams, and there will be some video tutorials as well. Get lots of ideas for fabrics and colors, and tons of giveaways with incredible sponsors! Plus, join the fun Facebook community, Sew Quilty Friends, to share your photos, ideas, and questions. There is an optional fabric kit available too! Use discount code WHILESHENAPS2017 to get $6 off the regular price of the kit, now through July 10, 2017.
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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 19, 2017
Monday Jun 19, 2017
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about sewing magazines and television with my guest, Ellen March. Ellen March is the Community Content Director for the sewing division of F+W Media, including the Sew News, Creative Machine Embroidery, BurdaStyle, Sew Daily and Sew it All brands. She’s appeared on several television shows spreading her love of sewing, most notably Hallmark’s Marie Osmond Show and DIY Network’s Uncommon Threads, and she hosted Sew it All TV on PBS for nine seasons.
Ellen traces her career in the sewing media industry from stumbling upon a job description for a graphic designers at Sew News (she wasn't a graphic designer, but applied for a job anyway) to pitching a PBS show, to overseeing a suite of sewing magazines and brands for F+W Media. One of the things that stands out about Ellen's journey is her willingness to ask for the job she wants and her eagerness to take on new challenges. Her approach is very inspiring.
I ask Ellen to detail for us what exactly sewing magazines are looking right now. She explains how to write a good pitch (and what not to do) and why she feels that being published in a magazine is a worthwhile endeavor for designers. If you'd like to get on the contributors list for Sew News and Creative Machine Embroidery magazines, be sure to listen because Ellen shares the email address you can write to.
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This episode is sponsored by Sweetbriar Sisters. Sweetbriar Sisters is excited to announce their latest book, Hopeful Hatchlings! This sewing pattern collection includes nine different baby animals to hatch (and re-hatch!) from adorable zipper eggs. You can find Hopeful Hatchlings, along with a full collection of one of a kind toy patterns at SweetbriarSisters.com. Be sure to use coupon code ‘naps’ for 20% off your purchase of digital patterns (including the Hopeful Hatchlings eBook) from now until August 31.
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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 05, 2017
Monday Jun 05, 2017
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we’re talking about running a fabric company with my guests, Kathy Miller and Michael Steiner. Kathy and Michael are the co-founders of Michael Miller Fabrics.
We begin by talking about Kathy's and Michael's careers before co-founding the company together. Kathy and Michael then explain how they met and came together to form their own fabric company. Michael Miller Fabrics has evolved considerably since its early days and you'll hear how and why it changed, and how the business was funded early on.
We talk about Quilt Market and how the role of trade shows is changing. We also talk about how Michael Miller has differentiated itself in a crowded marketplace. Kathy and Michael consider the future of fabric manufacturing and how digital printing might change things.
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Today's episode is sponsored by Cashmerette Patterns. Did you know that the average woman wears a size 16 and a DD bra, but that most sewing patterns stop at a 14 and are drafted for a B cup? That’s why Jenny Rushmore launched Cashmerette Patterns, the first sewing patterns designed for curves. Cashmerette Patterns come in sizes 12 – 28 and cup sizes from C – H, and there are a range of modern patterns from the ultimate wrap dress to a button-down shirt that doesn’t gape at the bust. Use code WHILESHENAPS at shop.cashmerette.com to get 20% off your purchase before July 1.
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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 15, 2017
Monday May 15, 2017
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building a lifelong career in sewing with my guest, Nancy Zieman.
Nancy Zieman is an author, designer, businesswomen, TV producer, blogger and national sewing authority. She’s the host of the popular show Sewing With Nancy®, which appears exclusively on public television stations across the United States and Canada. You can watch Sewing With Nancy® online at nancyzieman.com.
In this interview Nancy traces the history of her career. Hear how she first got onto public television and what those early days were like. Learn about the start of Nancy's Notions and how the business expanded over the past three decades. Nancy also talks about some personal issues including how she balanced being a working mother and the challenges she's faced due to Bell's palsy. Nancy's integrity, work ethic, and good humor are an inspiration.
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This episode is sponsored by Storey Publishing.
Storey Publishing offers quality books on crafting, gardening, natural health and wellness, cooking, and sustainable living. Their quilting, sewing, and fiber craft books are some of my favorites. Storey’s expert craft authors include recent While She Naps guest and QuiltCon presenter Thomas Knauer, author of The Quilt Design Coloring Workbook. You can all get a free downloadable quilt design coloring template from the book on Storey’s website. You can find the link in the show notes.
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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 01, 2017
Monday May 01, 2017
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we’re talking about building a career as a modern quilter with my guest, Jen Carlton Bailly. Jen is a founder of the Portland Modern Quilt Guild, the largest modern quilt guild in the world. She had a career in retail before becoming a mother and modern quilter and carries many of lesson she learned in those years over to her current work.
In this conversation we talk about discovering a craft community online and in person. Jen explains how modern quilters first connected online via Flickr and then came together in her local community to form a guild.
Jen's blog is called Betty Crocker Ass and we discuss what it's like to have such a standout name for your website. She explains her mixed feelings over the years about possibly changing it, and why in the end she chose to keep it.
Jen has a line of quilting templates out and she talks about creating and selling a signature product and the challenges with scaling the business. She also beginning to sell patterns and discusses what that decision entailed.
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This episode is sponsored by Yount Street Glass. Kay and her partner, Cindy, at Yount Street Glass make jewelry and accessories from recycled wine bottles. Located in the heart of Napa Valley, Yount Street Glass is perfectly situated to upcycle the beautiful glass that cradled beautiful wines. Check out YountStreetGlass.com to learn more about Yount Street Glass and their hand crafted eco-friendly products. Be sure to enter promo code NAP for a 15% discount on your next 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 Apr 17, 2017
Monday Apr 17, 2017
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building an online presence on Instagram with my guest, Nichole Vogelsinger. Nichole has a beautiful new book out with Lucky Spool, Wild Boho: Modern Projects from Traditional Stitches (affiliate link). She's also partnered with an assortment of sewing brands including fabric and notions companies. Nichole has built tremendous momentum for her work by using Instagram to show what she's doing and forge connections. She currently has over 10,000 followers. It's really exciting to see her trajectory!
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This episode is sponsored by the International Association of Creative Arts Professionals. For more than 20 years, ICAP has been the go-to resource for thousands of creatives around the world. Whether you are looking for peer support through our free Creative Passion to Profit Facebook group, help taking your business to the next level through our ICAP membership, the chance to work on not in your business at our annual conference, or private coaching, you'll find just what you need. Head on over to joinicap.com/whileshenaps and grab your free Creative Arts Business Blueprint and Poster to get started. And if you decide to uplevel your business with an ICAP Elevating Membership, you'll enjoy 10% off if you use the code ABBY when you checkout.
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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 03, 2017
Monday Apr 03, 2017
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about owning a quilt shop with my guest, Heather Givans. We recorded this episode in Savannah, Georgia, at Quilt Con 2017. The show was so inspiring and I was excited to have the opportunity to sit down with an equally inspiring guest to talk more about this industry.
Heather is a creative force; fabric store owner, fabric designer, quilt designer, national instructor, artist, and art educator. Heather creates community wherever she goes. Her shop, Crimson Tate, in Indianapolis, was born out of an obsession with creating non-traditional quilts from contemporary, modern and repurposed vintage fabrics.
Heather designs fabric for Windham Fabrics, works on new pattern designs, giggles contagiously, and teaches sewing with her energetic friends and staff among the hustle and bustle of downtown.
Connect with Heather Givans on the Crimson Tate site.
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This episode is sponsored by Plum Deluxe. Love trying new teas? Want to make every day feel special? Treat yourself to a Plum Deluxe tea of the month subscription. For only $10/month, you’ll receive a hand blended, all-organic, loose leaf tea thoughtfully chosen for the season. Tea club members also enjoy special benefits like free shipping and access to a supportive community. Tea also makes a fantastic gift. Visit plumdeluxe.com/tea to join now.
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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 Mar 20, 2017
Monday Mar 20, 2017
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I'm talking with Dean Neumann and Penny McMorris about Electric Quilt, the quilt designs software company they co-founded 26 years ago.
After the Air Force and then graduate school, Dean was a Professor of Mathematics at Bowling Green State University for 25 years. He received a hand-me-down computer from his son in the late 1980s, and quickly became a self-taught computer programmer just for fun.
His wife, Penny McMorris, was the corporate art curator for Owens-Corning Corporation, headquartered in Toledo, Ohio. Penny was a self-taught quilt maker. She taught a few local classes and then talked her local PBS station (WBGU-TV) into letting her produce and host a television series showing quilt history and the best contemporary quilts of that time.
With Penny’s travels for her job and the TV show, Dean became interested in quilts and was motivated to find an enterprise that they could do together. He was the brainstorm behind the idea of creating a software that would allow quilters to pre-plan their designs. The result was the first Electric Quilt (EQ) program in 1992.
They both eventually left their jobs to run the company full time. 26 years later, they continue to own and operate The Electric Quilt Company in Bowling Green, Ohio.
Visit Electric Quilt at ElectricQuilt.com.
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This episode is sponsored by Plum Deluxe. Love trying new teas? Treat yourself to a Plum Deluxe tea of the month subscription. For only $10/month, you'll receive a hand blended, all-organic,loose leaf tea thoughtfully chosen for the season. Tea club members also enjoy special benefits like discounts, free shipping on all purchases, and access to a very loving and supporting tea community. A tea subscription also makes a fantastic gift. Visit PlumDeluxe.com/tea and join now.
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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 Mar 06, 2017
Monday Mar 06, 2017
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about the sewing and quilting industry with my guest, Pokey Bolton.
Pokey Bolton was introduced to art quilting and the related needle arts in 1998, and ever since she took her first stitch (a fly) and embroidered her first motif (a spider), she has been entangled in this industry and doesn’t envision herself getting free.
Art quilting and mixed-media have, quite literally, taken over her life—so much so that she left her doctoral program and full-time teaching job to found Quilting Arts Magazine® and later with John Bolton, Cloth Paper Scissors® magazine, as well as a line of books. After they sold their publishing business to Interweave, Pokey became the Editorial Director for the Quilt & Paper Division at Interweave and was founding host of Quilting Arts TV on PBS.
In January 2012 she joined Quilts, Inc, the parent company of International Quilt Festival and Quilt Market, in the newly founded position of Chief Creative Officer.
A little over two years later, she founded Crafting a Life, LLC, a media and events company based in Napa Valley, California offering media and boutique-style retreats. In January 2016, she launched CRAFT NAPA, an annual retreat held in downtown Napa. CRAFT NAPA includes crafting, sewing, collage, quilting workshops, wine education, wine excursions, and an Artists' Market.
Connect with Pokey on her blog.
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Today's episode is sponsored by Deanne Fitzpatrick Rug Hooking. Deanne Fitzpatrick Rug Hooking Studio offers a contemporary look at a traditional craft. Working as an artist creating one of a kind hooked rugs , Deanne also offers rug hooking kits, patterns, supplies, workshops and lessons, both online at www.hookingrugs.com or at her studio in downtown Amherst, Nova Scotia,Canada.Her original works are in the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and many private and public collections. The author of seven books about rug hooking and creativity,Deanne has made her website, blog and youtube channels a beautiful resource for rug hookers internationally.
Visit her at www.hookingrugs.com and use the coupon code abby to receive 15% off your first 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.
Saturday Feb 25, 2017
Saturday Feb 25, 2017
On today’s special episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I’m at QuiltCon 2017 and I’m honored to have been able to sit for a few minutes with Katherine Jones who has won Best in Show for her quilt, Bling. Kat is from Tasmania, Australia and I caught her just a few hours before she had to catch a flight back home. We sat on the grass outside the convention center and chatted about her extraordinary paper pieced quilt.
Kat has had award winning quilts in QuiltCon in years past, but she has a very low key online presence and many people are hearing about her for the first time. I wanted to hear her story, her approach to quilting, how she planned and executed such a stunning work of art, and what she’s going to do next. I hope you enjoy this special episode.
Visit Kat's blog: http://www.twocatsquilts.blogspot.com.au
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.