While She Naps With Abby Glassenberg

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about illustration and self-publishing today with my guest, Jenean Morrison. Jenean is a surface/textile designer, painter, and the artist/publisher behind a popular series of coloring books for adults, first published in 2012. She's an Amazon CreateSpace success story who has sold over 91,000 copies of her self-published coloring books, earning her more than a half million dollars. Jenean designed fabric for Free Spirit for many years and her designs have been printed on rugs, stationary, scrapbook kits and more. We discuss the value of having an agent, how to pitch, handling extreme successes and inevitable failures and rejections, and what Jenean would like to do next in her career. Check out Jenean Morrison online at http://jeneanmorrison.net/. +++++ Today's episode is sponsored by The Merriweather Council's Etsy Training Course - a video training series that teaches Etsy sellers the exact steps to a more visible, profitable, and

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about embroidery as illustration with my guest, Sarah K. Benning. Sarah K. Benning is an American fiber artist with a nomadic studio practice.  Originally from Baltimore, she attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and received her BFA in Fiber and Material Studies in 2013.  Shortly after graduating, Sarah discovered her love for embroidery, started her own business and has never looked back. +++++ Today’s episode is sponsored by The Merriweather Council where makers learn that gainful self employment through craft can be a reality and how to make it happen in their own lives. Visit merriweathercouncil.com for more information. +++++ 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 associat

On today’s mini episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast Kristin Link and I talking about Craft Industry Alliance, a trade organization for craft professionals that we co-founded eight months ago. We're not at 800+ members, we're about to publish the 18th issue of our digital journal, we've held six webinars, and we have active discussions going on every day in our community forums. In this conversation we talk about what membership offers and who it's best for, we review some highlights (and a few frustrations) we've encountered along the way, and we tell you about some of our current members who are doing incredible work. Membership is open now and the rates are affordable. Invest in yourself and your business this year and join the CIA! http://www.craftindustryalliance.org 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 c

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about online learning with my guests, Celeste Olds and Megan Auman. Celeste Olds joined CreativeLive in 2010 and is now the Executive Producer of Production Operations. Megan Auman is a designer, educator and entrepreneur. Her eponymous jewelry line is sold in stores across the U.S. and online. She's also the founder of Designing an MBA. Megan has taught many classes on CreativeLive. We talk about CreativeLive's unique model of broadcasting classes live with a studio audience and the rewards that offers as well as the challenges it presents. Megan shares her perspective on what works as a teacher and Celeste explains how CreativeLive selects teachers and classes for the platform. +++++ This episode is sponsored by The Merriweather Council - a resource for handmade shop owners who want to learn about how to effectively market their business online from someone who has actually done it. For more information, visit merriweathercouncil.co

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we’re talking about creativity and drawing and making art with my guest Alisa Burke. If she’s not making art in her Oregon Coast studio, you can find freelance painter and mixed media artist Alisa Burke blogging, teaching art workshops or crafting her handmade accessories. Whether it's running her creative business, being a mom or adventuring outdoors, she is always looking for inspiration. From drawing, painting, cooking and even the way she raises her daughter, Alisa seeks to infuse creativity into every part of her life. We talk about Alisa's creative upbringing, the start of her career and how she built a long term plan to quit her day job which she successfully did in 2009. Alisa talks about her open-minded approach to an art career and about how motherhood enriches her daily practice. We talk about rejection, licensing, writing books and creating online classes. Alisa also explains her approach to blogging and using Instagram to build a devoted a

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about dyeing fabrics and yarns with natural dyes. My guest is Kristine Vejar, owner of A Verb for Keeping Warm and author of The Modern Natural Dyer (STC/Melanie Falick Books). Kristine tells the story of how she became interested in studying textiles. We discuss the challenges of running a business based on naturally dyed fabrics and what it's like to write a book about your passion. +++++ Today's episode is sponsored by Textillia, the online sewing community. Check them out at http://www.textillia.com. +++++ 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 professional

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about fabric and fabric design with my guest, Kathy Phillips, the Creative Director at Springs Creative. Have you walked into Joann Fabric and seen prints with entertainment brands such as Hello Kitty, My Little Pony, Dr. Who, or Batman? If so, you've seen Springs Creative's fabrics. Springs Creative is a textile company based in South Carolina that creates over the counter fabric by the yard for quilters and sewists. They license dominant global brands, but they're also so much more. Springs Creative owns the Baxter Mill fabric archive, a incredible resource of vintage prints dating back over 100 years. And Springs offers small run digital printing and design services for independent companies. If you're interested in fabric and quilting, don't miss this interview.   +++++ Today's episode is sponsored by The Quilt Group. Stop missing out on quilt groups because of your busy life. Learn, create, and share on your schedule. Similar to your

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast my guest is Linda Permann, the sewing and embroidery Acquisitions Editor at Craftsy.com. Learn what Craftsy is looking for in an instructor and in a class and find out what you can do to develop your skills and following if you'd like to become a Craftsy instructor in the future. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Amy Barickman. Check out http://www.amybarickman.com to see all of what Indygo Junction offers including sewing and embroidery patterns, fabrics, threads, downloads, and now her new Vintage Notions Monthly magazine. +++++ 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 prof

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about print magazines with my guest, Janine Vangool. Janine is the publisher, editor and designer of UPPERCASE, a quarterly print magazine for the creative and curious. UPPERCASE publishes content inspired by design, typography, illustration and craft. Her magazine and books celebrate the process of making, the commitment to craft and the art of living creatively. Janine tells us that anyone can be featured in UPPERCASE - learn how. Visit UPPERCASE at http://www.uppercasemagazine.com. +++++ Today's episode is sponsored by The Precut Store. The Precut Store carries fat quarters, jelly rolls, charm packs, and layer cakes from your favorite fabric manufacturers like Moda, Riley Blake, Robert Kaufman and more. They also carry a wide selection of Aurifil thread. Amazon Prime members receive free shipping and many items can be shipped worldwide. Visit them at http://www.theprecutstore.com. +++++ Please note that this show used to be called th

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about sewing your own clothes with my guest, Heather Lou of Closet Case Files. Heather is a Montreal-based sewing pattern designer and blogger. Once a shopaholic Vogue-reading fashion obsessive, Heather made a deal with herself that the only "new" things that could come into her closet would be things she made. Sewing quickly took over her life. We talk about Heather's background and transition from full-time employment as a commercial graphic designer to becoming self-employed. Heather explains how she named her blog and talks about her own name online (which is different from her real name). We discuss how she funded her print patterns without a Kickstarter campaign and we talk about the success of two of Heather's patterns: the Bombshell swimsuit and the Ginger jeans. We also think out loud about the future of the Big 4 pattern companies. I ask Heather to recommend great stuff she's enjoying right now. ++++++ Today's episode is s

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about Etsy Wholesale with Dana Mauriello, the Director of Seller Growth at Etsy, and Rachel Greenwald, the Seller Growth Lead at Etsy. Dana is responsible for managing Etsy's wholesale business and Rachel manages programs that provide seller education to help creative entrepreneurs start and grow their wholesale businesses. Learn what wholesale really means and figure out if it might be right for your business. Find out what exactly Etsy Wholesale has to offer and how the program works. And, of course, I ask Dana and Rachel to recommend great stuff they're enjoying right now. +++++ Today's episode is sponsored by Spoonflower. Get your designs printed on fabric, gift wrap and wallpaper. Not sure how? Download the free Intro to Custom Fabric Design ebook to get started. Visit try.spoonflower.com/abby to check it out and use the coupon code abby15 for 15% off your first order. +++++ Please note that this show used to be called the While She

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about craft publishing with Jennifer Keltner, the publisher and chief visionary officer at Martingale. A 30-year veteran of the publishing industry, Jennifer Keltner brings to Martingale vast experience in editorial, management, and marketing. In her previous position as Crafts Group Content Chief at Meredith Corporation, Jennifer oversaw an expansive quilting and crafting media group, including magazines American Patchwork & Quilting, Quilt Sampler, and Quilts and More, and websites AllPeopleQuilt.com and HowToSew.com. As publisher and chief visionary officer at Martingale, Jennifer oversees content, direction, sales, and marketing of all Martingale products. Her passion for creating compelling content for makers is at the heart of her work every day. Connect with Martingale online at: http://www.martingale-pub.com/ +++++ Today's episode is sponsored by Larissa Davis Creative. Larissa Davis, former art director of Quilting Arts, S

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about illustration with my guest, Phoebe Wahl. Phoebe Wahl is an illustrator whose vibrant work focuses on themes of comfort, nostalgia and connection to nature and one another. A kindergarten dropout, Phoebe complained that there "wasn't enough time to draw" in school. She spent the majority of her childhood running wild in Pacific Northwest backyards, before attending Rhode Island School of Design and graduating with a BFA in Illustration in 2913. Phoebe works in a variety of mediums, from watercolor and collage to fabric sculpture. An obsession with detail, pattern and texture is present throughout. Check out Phoebe's work on her website: http://www.phoebewahl.com +++++ Today's episode is sponsored by Spoonflower, the print-on-demand fabric company.Upload your own designs or peruse the Spoonflower Marketplace (including Phoebe's Spoonflower shop!). Get 15% off every item in your next order when you use the code abby15 at checkout. +

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about creative retreats and event planning with my guest, Ali DeJohn, the founder of the Makerie. Ali DeJohn is constantly inspired by anything handmade, homemade and everything cozy. The smallest, most meaningful moments in life are the most magical to her and she feels really lucky to live in beautiful Boulder, Colorado with her husband and two young children. She started a creative retreat filled with a fabulous, changing variety of modern creative workshops called the Makerie to give people the gift of uninterrupted creative time shared with a loving community that is often hard to carve out of our everyday lives. Visit the Makerie online to find out about upcoming retreats and to learn more at themakerie.com. +++++ Today's episode is sponsored by Mielke's Fiber Arts. Mielke's Fiber Arts has tools for weavers, spinners, felters, and lacemakers. From looms to spindles, and shuttles to fiber, view their offerings 24/7 on their extensi

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about starting an indie sewing pattern company from scratch with my guest, Jenny Rushmore. Jenny is a body positive sewing blogger and she recently also became a sewing pattern designer when she launched her company Cashmerette Patterns which creates curve-friendly patterns in sizes 12-28 and cup sizes C-H. Originally from the UK but now living in Boston, Jenny learned to sew at 30 and it transformed her life, leading not only to a new found body confidence but a change in career. Jenny is passionate about helping curvy and plus size women feel fantastic by learning to sew clothes that fit well and look great. We recorded this episode at Grey's Fabrics in Boston's South End. Thank you to Sarah Grey for hosting us! +++++ This episode is sponsored by Spoonflower. Design, print and sell your own designs on fabric, wallpaper, and gift wrap at Spoonflower or shop the Spoonflower Marketplace for millions of designs by indie designers. While

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I'm visiting the offices of F+W Media here in Sudbury, Massachusetts, to talk with Vivika Hansen DeNegre and Cate Coulacos Prato. Vivika is the Editorial Director and Editor of Quilting Arts Magazine, Modern Patchwork Magazine, and related titles. Cate is the Senior eCommerce Online Editor for F+W catalog brands, having spent more than a decade writing and editing for Quilting Arts, Cloth Paper Scissors, and Quilting Daily. We discuss craft magazine publishing present and future. +++++ This episode is sponsored by WordCraft, communication services for creators. Get in touch with Lauren Lang for a free quote at wordcraft-editorial.com. +++++ 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 y

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about quilts as fine art with my guest, Luke Haynes. Visit Luke online at LukeHaynes.com. 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.

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about creative conferences with my guests Grace Dobush, an organizer of Midwest Craft Con, and Joy Uyeno, an organizer of The Hello Sessions. Grace is a freelance journalist and the author of the Crafty Superstar business guides. She's also the co-organizer of Crafty Supermarket, an indie show that is celebrating its sixth birthday in Cincinnati on November 28, 2015. Midwest Craft Con is a retreat for mid-career makers coming in February 2016. Joy Uyeno authors the blog Frock Files and is the social media manager at Bentley University. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband their corgi, Kona. The Hello Sessions is a workshop based conference for lifestyle bloggers and businesses that took place for the first time in October 2015 in Portland, Oregon. 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

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcastI chat with Malka Dubrawsky. Malka is a fabric designer and quilter who is best known for her hand dyed and pattern fabrics. She has a degree in studio art from the University of Texas in Austin and trained to be a printmaker, but finding herself home with young children and without a press she began to work in fiber art. After several years exploring art quilts, Malka became interested in connecting with people more directly by creating functional items out of her own hand dyed and patterned fabrics. Today she designs and sews quilts and pillows and creates hand dyed yardage, all of which she sells in her online shop, A Stitch in Dye. Malka is the author of two craft books, is an instructor on Craftsy, designs fabrics for Moda, and will soon be opening a maker space in Austin, Texas where she lives. Today's episode is sponsored by Okan Arts, a fabric shop in Seattle, Washington specializing in vintage Japanese yukata cottons. Visit Okan Arts online t

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about teaching quilting online with my guest, Rob Appell. Rob is the host of Man Sewing, a YouTube channel of the Missouri Star Quilt Company. He is a quilter and national quilting instructor who travels and teaches at many premier quilting shows and retreats. We talk about overcoming life obstacles in order to focus on pursuing a creative life. Hear about how Rob first became acquainted with Jenny Doan and what it's like to prepare for and tape videos for Missouri Star. Rob gives us tips on staying organized and continuing to pursue art even when making art is your job. Today's episode is sponsored by Pattern Workshop. Hundreds of students - both aspiring and well-established designers - have used Lauren's step-by-step method to create their first PDF sewing patterns or improve upon their current processes. Learn more at: http://bit.ly/1V5zUXP Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed