Today on the show we’re talking about building a quilting empire with my guest Jenny Doan. Jenny Doan is the smiling face of Missouri Star Quilt Company. Stitching together simplified quilts full of love and laughter, she makes quilting easier, more accessible, and friendlier than ever before. Watching her tutorials feels like coming home again. With over 750,000 YouTube subscribers and more than 230 million views to date, Jenny has sparked enthusiasm for quilting and warmed her viewer’s hearts across the globe. When she moved with her growing family to Missouri over 20 years ago, she never imagined that someday they’d have a successful quilting business. Like many small towns across America, employment was scarce, so in November 2008, on a modest budget, the Doan family bought a building in Hamilton and started Missouri Star Quilt Company. At first they offered basic quilting supplies and machine quilting services, but business picked up when they started posting videos of Jenny teaching quilting tutorials online. From that time on her life changed forever. Almost 13 years later, Jenny now teaches quilting tutorials on YouTube once a week and continues to share her story everywhere she goes. It’s a labor of love and a dream come true for her. Hamilton, Missouri, has become a quilter’s paradise, attracting visitors from around the world. With the help of Jenny’s husband, Ron, her seven children, and 25 grandchildren, this family business has grown to include an entire community. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Divine Social. Divine Social is a marketing agency that helps eCommerce stores who sell to makers, creators, crafters, artists & DIY enthusiasts.  They are behind some of the biggest brands in the creative industry, responsible for strategies to move your online traffic from prospects to buyers to raving fans.  Just in time for the Black Friday/Cyber Monday rush, the team at Divine Social is offering a customized review of your shop to help you uncover what’s keeping you from selling more. Go to divinesocial.com/cia for more details.  +++++ 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.

Craft Industry Alliance

Episode #203: Jenny Doan

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about sustainability and sewing with my guest Wendy Ward. Wendy is a writer, designer, maker, and educator. She has worked as a designer in fast fashion and for a small sustainable brand. For her master’s degree in 2004, she explored novel ways to recycle textiles and in 2007 she moved into education and has taught numerous garment-making, textile recycling, and garment alterations classes with adults. Wendy has her own line of sewing patterns called MIY Collection and has written five best-selling sewing books including her most recent, How to Sew Sustainably which was published in June. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Bungalow Quilting carries the highest quality and most recent fabric releases. Your order will ship in less than 24 hours and we are centrally located. Curated by a 5-time author for C&T Publishing, and designer for Studio e fabrics, Judy knows how to select great fabrics for her shop. Shop online and use the discount code BUNGALOW to receive a 10% discount on your purchase for the month of October 2021. +++++ 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.

Episode #202: Wendy Ward

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building a weaving loom and spindle company with my guests Jane Patrich and Barry Schacht of Schacht Spindle Company. Jane Patrick has been in the weaving and the textile arts field for over 40 years. Between 1981 and 1992 she was an editor at Interweave Press where she edited HANDWOVEN magazine, books, and Design Collections. Jane is an ardent enthusiast of both the art and craft of the textile arts, with interests in both contemporary and traditional work. Jane is the Creative Director for Schacht Spindle Company. Her current project is developing a textile school at Schacht in Boulder, Colorado. Barry Schacht, CEO of Schacht Spindle Company, came into the weaving and spinning world by chance, in 1969, when his brother’s girlfriend wanted to learn to spin. From a first commission to make a drop spindle, to creating a loom with little knowledge, Barry has been the guiding light of Schacht Spindle Company, now housed in a 33,000 square foot building and employing 50 employees. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Wunderlabel, your one-stop-shop for professional custom clothing labels and personalized branding products. Visit wunderlabel.com to customize your own clothing labels, hang-tags, gift ribbon and other branding items. Our interactive online design tool will walk you through the design process. Recycled options, small batch quantities and OEKO-TEX certified labels are just a few of the amazing options we offer. Use discount code CIA15 for 15% off your entire purchase. +++++ 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.  

Podcast Episode #201: Schacht Spindle

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking embroidery and design with my guest Karen Barbé. Karen is a designer, embroiderer, and author from Santiago, Chile now living in Chicago. Since 2007 she’s been inspiring and teaching thousands of makers through her blog and Instagram account, with in-person and online classes, and with her book Colour Confident Stitching. Noticing how her students felt frustrated about their color choices, Karen set out to teach about color in an accessible way. Her book —published in four languages—and her Domestika online class present a simple and hands-on method that helps makers understand color and create palettes for their own textile projects. She’s now exploring embroidery on paper, creating digital patterns, and collaborating with diverse Latin American craftspeople through the Chilean platform Artesanos en Feria. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Flying Fibers. Flying Fibers is a mother-daughter-operated wool company based in Central Pennsylvania. They focus on premium, breed-specific, British and American fibers, and yarns. You will find yarns from their farm of rare breed sheep, as well as from sustainable wool companies like Brooklyn Tweed and West Yorkshire Spinners. +++++ 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.

Episode #200: Karen Barbé

On today's Craft Industry Alliance podcast episode, we’re talking about building a values-based business with my guests Meg and Patrick McElwee. Meg started sewing after finishing an undergraduate degree in philosophy and a graduate degree in education. While living and teaching in rural Mexico for three years, she studied pattern drafting and made her own clothes - first out of necessity, then because of the sense of empowerment and joy it brought to her life. The meditative act of stitching continues to bring her a deep sense of well-being. Her passion for slow fashion has expanded over the years to include the Sew Liberated sewing pattern line, two books, a sewing course with Craftsy, and her own online course, The Mindful Wardrobe Project. She enjoys supporting the slow stitching community through blog, her popular Instagram account, as well as live classes from time to time. Patrick has been Meg's best friend and partner since they met in French class at age 19. A historian, computer programmer, and breakdancer, Patrick manages the technical and business side of Sew Liberated and is often the one behind the camera. Meg and Patrick have three kids, three cats, a dog, and the incredible luck to be able to work creatively together every day. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Paper and Spark. Paper & Spark is the go-to financial resource center for makers & artists. Download their popular bookkeeping templates that import in your sales from Etsy, Amazon, Shopify, and other e-commerce platforms. All designed for makers by a CPA and handmade seller. Use code CIAPOD10 to save 10% off your purchase. +++++ 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.

Podcast Episode #199: Meg and Patrick McElwee of Sew Liberated

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a group of craft brands with my guests Mark Hyland and Ursula Morgan. Mark Hyland is the CEO of Premier Needle Arts. He's a seasoned marketing, sales, and corporate executive with 30+ years of experience building brands and successful organizations. Mark’s hands-on leadership style found him in various leadership positions implementing strategic direction and execution guidance at multi-million to billion-dollar brands and companies during his career. Today, Mark continues to provide his leadership to the brands and companies of Premier Needle Arts, where is focusing on growth initiatives, long-term strategy, and M&A opportunities within the needle arts world. Ursula Morgan is the Chief Marketing Officer at Crafts Group. Ursula is a global award-winning seasoned technology and craft business executive. Before joining Crafts Group in January 2020, Ursula led the digital innovation and marketing team as Senior Vice President at CSS Industries. Previously Ursula held the CEO role at Creativebug, a Subscription Video On Demand platform, and led the acquisition of Creativebug by JOANN Fabric and Craft Stores in 2017. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Wool and Waves. Wool & Waves is an online yarn, needles and notions shop. Based on Vancouver Island, they offer a wide variety of Canadian Indie Dyed yarns and products from a host of talented small businesses. They’re crafters too and can help you make your project dreams come true! Listeners can save 15% off regular priced yarn, needles, and notions with code CIA15 until November 30, 2021. Visit them at woolandwaves.com or Yarn.ca +++++ 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.

Episode #198: Mark Hyland and Ursula Morgan of Premier Needle Arts

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about business pivots with my guest Kristi Schroeder Larson. Texas native Kristi Schroeder Larson is the creator of Initial K Studio, offering modern quilt patterns and needlepoint designs to the market. Her designs are inspired by travel as well as by putting her modern twist on classic quilt blocks. Kristi’s book Southwest Modern was published by Lucky Spool Media in 2017, blending a quilting book with a travelogue in the form of a beautiful coffee table book. You can follow her daily life with her two young sons and product development on Instagram @initialkstudio +++++ Today’s podcast is brought to you by Schiffer Craft. Since 1973, Schiffer Publishing has provided the craft industry with world-renowned authors and insightful books. With topics ranging from ceramics to fiber and textiles, floral design, glass art, wood working, metal craft, and more. Turn to Schiffer Craft for expert knowledge and inspiration! +++++ 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.

Episode #197: Kristi Schroeder Larson

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast​, we’re talking about creating a community space for crafters with my guest Leigh Metcalf. Leigh is the owner of Topstitch Studio and Lounge in Atlanta, GA, a fabric and sewing studio (formerly an in-person physical space at Ponce City Market), author of London Stitch and Knit, A craft lover's guide to London's fabric, knitting and haberdashery shops, and she's also the host of the online sewcial community, Topstitch Makers. +++++ This episode is sponsored by C&T Publishing. C&T Publishing has a bit of everything for every maker! Quilting, sewing, cosplay, embroidery books and products... and so much more. On their podcast, Behind the Seams, C&T bring on their world-class authors who share their creative journeys and crafty tips & tricks to inspire. Explore C&T Publishing and their podcast by visiting online at ctpub.com. Take 25% off anything you fancy using code whileshenaps25.  +++++ 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.

Episode #196: Leigh Metcalf of Topstitch Studio on opening a brick-and-mortar shop

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about creating a digital magazine with the founders of Make Modern Magazine. Make Modern is Australia's only modern quilt magazine. It began in 2014 when a group of passionate quilters had a dream of producing a magazine for quilters, by quilters, filled with beautiful patterns and articles to inspire quilters to make more modern quilts! Six years on and Make Modern magazine is read by thousands of quilters in over 70 countries around the globe. Each issue is 100+ pages jam-packed with modern quilt patterns designed by a huge team of international quilters, articles to inspire and teach you something new, and interviews with your favorite quilt designers. +++++ Whether you’re new to making, or looking to advance skills in a favorite hobby, Craftsy is the place to learn.  With over 1,500 classes, there’s something for everyone, from knitting and sewing, to baking and cooking, gardening, embroidery, quilting and more!     Visit CraftsyOffers.com today and get a full year of Craftsy Premium Membership for just $3! That’s 97% off the regular price! Start turning ideas into projects you can be proud of.  +++++ 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.

Episode #195: Creating an Indie Digital Magazine with Make Modern

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about brand collaborations with my guest Tisa Jackson.   Tisa Jackson is the colorful brains behind This Is Tisa.  Tisa is a stationery designer and DIY craft content creator and workshop instructor. She’s inspired by color and has a passion for bright, colorful, happy designs and DIY projects.  Tisa has collaborated with brands such as HP, Michaels, Cricut, Beacon, and Silhouette. Visit her blog and you will come away learning quick and easy crafts, even if you don’t consider yourself a crafter.   +++++ This episode is sponsored by Craftsy. Classes for all maker levels and interests. Whether you’re new to making, or looking to advance skills in a favorite hobby, Craftsy is the place to learn. With over 1,500 classes, there’s something for everyone, from knitting and sewing, to baking and cooking, gardening, embroidery, quilting and more!  Visit CraftsyOffers.com today and get a full year of Craftsy Premium Membership for just $3! That’s 97% off the regular price! Start turning ideas into projects you can be proud of. +++++ 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.

Episode #194: Tisa Jackson

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about textiles as a spiritual practice with my guest Christ Johnson. Christi Johnson's art combines cosmic visions and botanical beauties, a hypnotic dance of symbols stitched slowly and methodically into fabric. She is the woman behind Mixed Color, a textile studio providing functional pieces that are thoughtfully made. Christi also shares her skills so that others may do so themselves. Christi creates kits and booklets and leads textile art workshops to educate others on these ancient skills and share the methods of her own creative practice. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Dream Maker Creative. Dream Maker Creative designs and produces a monthly crafting subscription box for tweens and teens called Terra Create. Winner of a Best in Category award by Cratejoy in 2020, Terra Create kits feature quality materials along with real artisan tools and techniques to inspire the next generation of makers. New for 2021, Dream Maker Creative is now curating craft kits from other indie artisans and small businesses. These will be featured in their Bremerton, Washington boutique and website alongside their original Terra Create line of craft kits. Dream Maker Creative will also return to teaching craft workshops in the greater Seattle area. Follow them on Social: Facebook | Instagram +++++ 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.

Episode #193: Textiles as a Spiritual Practice with Christi Johnson

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about sustainable fashion with my guest Katrina Rodabaugh. Katrina Rodabaugh is an artist, author, and slow fashion advocate. Her work examines social and environmental issues through craft techniques like hand-stitching. Since 2013, she's focused on sustainable fashion by using mending, natural dyes, and redesign in her fiber arts studio. She teaches classes, designs and makes goods for her online shop, and writes books including her newest, Make Thrift Mend. Katrina currently lives in the Hudson Valley of NY with her husband, two sons, nine chickens, hive of honeybees, and many dye plants.  +++++ This episode is sponsored by Craftsy. Whether you’re new to making, or looking to advance skills in a favorite hobby, Craftsy is the place to learn.   With over 1,500 classes, there’s something for everyone, from knitting and sewing, to baking and cooking, gardening, embroidery, quilting and more!   Visit CraftsyOffers.com today and get a full year of Craftsy Premium Membership for just $3! That’s 97% off the regular price! Start turning ideas into projects you can be proud of.  +++++ 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.

Episode #192: Sustainable Fashion with Katrina Rodabaugh

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about creating an inclusive craft community with my guest Cecilia Nelson-Hurt. Cecilia is a proud Afro Latina who was taught to crochet as a child by her Grandma Sophie and learned to knit many years later. Known to many in the fiber community as ‘Creative Ceci,’ she is a global knitting and crochet enthusiast. Ceci is a Diversity & Inclusion practitioner for global brand L’Oreal and has over 15 years’ experience developing and executing initiatives to create an equal opportunity workplace. She leverages her training and experience as a speaker at many fiber events and is also an inaugural member of the ‘Vogue Knitting Live!’ Diversity Advisory Council and on the Board of Knit the Rainbow, an organization founded to provided knitting garments, crafting instruction and support to homeless LGBTQ+ youth.  Ceci loves to travel and ensures she visits a yarn shop wherever she goes. To date she’s visited over 150 shops both across the USA and internationally. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Digits & Threads, the member-supported online magazine for Canadian fibre and textile arts. Digits & Threads is the member-supported online magazine for Canadian fibre and textile arts. No matter where in the world you are, there’s something crafty in the Great White North for you. Use the code ALLIANCE for 10% off your first year at digitsandthreads.ca. +++++ 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.

Episode #191: Cecilia Nelson-Hurt on Creating a More Inclusive Fiber Community

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about creating a knitting magazine with my guest Hanna Lisa Haferkamp and Claire Walls. Hanna Lisa is the CEO and owner of Making Stories, an independent, knitwear design publisher focusing on the intersection of sustainability and knitting. The cornerstone of her work at Making Stories is the biannual Making Stories Magazine, filled with modern knitwear patterns and sustainable yarns, which is complemented by the Making Stories blog and podcast, both relaunched in 2020. Implementing sustainability, transparency, fairness, and equity in all parts of her work is incredibly important to Hanna Lisa. She lives with her 18-month-old and her partner in Berlin is fueled by coffee and sunshine and loves taking her knitting out to the playground, park, or balcony.  And Clarie Walls is a maker and designer of nice things originally from the UK, but now living in Nova Scotia. In 2017 she published her first knitting pattern and completely fell in love with designing knitwear and over time became increasingly interested in working with natural fibers and exploring sustainability. When Claire discovered Making Stories, she was instantly excited and intrigued by the work they were doing, so she jumped at the chance to work for them when a job opportunity came up. +++++ Today's episode is sponsored by Appalachian Baby Design. Appalachian Baby Design offers U.S. organic cotton and designs to create heirloom baby and family gifts for the knitter, crocheter and weaver.  See their selection of yarn, patterns and kits at appalachianbaby.com and use code CIA421 for a 20% discount from 4/5/21 to 4/30/21. +++++ 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.

Episode#190: Making Stories Magazine

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a business as a mixed media artist with my guest Mou Saha. Mou Saha is a mixed media artist and teacher. She has been published over 700 times in print media, appeared on PBS TV shows and created several coloring books of her own. Her academic background in clinical psychology fuels her ongoing quest for wellness through creativity. Mou is a mom of three and lives in New Jersey with her family. She can be found online at https://mousaha.com  and on Instagram as mou.saha.studio +++++ This episode is sponsored by Reprint and Repurpose, a small fabric business. At Reprint and Repurpose, they have so much fun getting to create up-cycled fabric, offering crafters like you an earth-friendly fabric choice, that can be used in all your projects, from quilts to apparel. Shop online at reprintandrepurpose.com, use the code PODCAST10 for a discount for your order! +++++ 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.

Episode #189: Mou Saha

An interview show for creative entrepreneurs.

hubhopper

Craft Industry Alliance

hubhopper