Craft Industry Alliance

Abby Glassenberg
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An interview show for creative entrepreneurs.

  1. VOR 22 STD.

    Episode #309: Leanne Pressly and Lisa Shroyer from Stitchcraft Marketing on Buying and Selling a Craft Business

    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 that it can be hard to find eligible buyers who truly get the crafts industry and aren’t just looking to make fast cash. But with Stitchcraft Marketing, we have a great seller success story. We invite Leanne and Lisa to share their experience selling and buying a business. Lisa is a lifelong knitter with a career spanning the craft industry, media, and tech. Prior to acquiring Stitchcraft, she worked at Interweave, F+W Media, Craftsy, NBCUniversal, and BiggerPockets. She lives in Colorado, where she spends her weekends hiking and trail running. Leanne is an accomplished entrepreneur and businesswoman with extensive experience in the craft and hobby industry. Leanne founded Stitchcraft Marketing in 2009 and worked with over 300 companies in the fiber and fabric space. Having sold the agency in 2026, Leanne is focusing on getting more time in her craft room, sewing, knitting, making pottery, and lots of sourdough bread. She lives in Colorado and enjoys hiking, skiing, and spending time with her family in the outdoors. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Eucalan. Looking for the best way to care for your handmade and delicate items? Eucalan Delicate Wash is a no-rinse, eco-friendly laundry solution designed for knitwear, quilts, embellished garments, and more. With five gentle scents and a formula that extends the life of your fabrics, Eucalan is a must-have for knitters and crafters alike. Learn more at Eucalan.com. +++++ 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.

    59 Min.

  2. 13. MÄRZ

    Episode #308: Sarah Ferguson of Craft Habit

    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 fold with enthusiasm, encouragement, and a welcoming vibe. When she's not on site at Craft Habit, Sarah lives nearby with her husband and three to four dogs, and sometimes plays tennis. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Fire Mountain Gems & Beads. Fire Mountain Gems and Beads has supported jewelry-making artists for more than 50 years, offering a wide selection of beads, gemstones, findings, tools and creative supplies. Known for quality, consistency and inspiration, Fire Mountain serves designers at every stage—from first projects to established creative businesses. Explore ideas, techniques and trends inside Fire Mountain Gems and Beads’ free catalog, filled with project inspiration and practical resources for designers. Get your free catalog today! +++++ 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.

    1 Std. 2 Min.

  3. 2. MÄRZ

    Episode #307: Renae Bradley of Benzie Design

    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. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Fire Mountain Gems & Beads. Fire Mountain Gems and Beads has supported jewelry-making artists for more than 50 years, offering a wide selection of beads, gemstones, findings, tools and creative supplies. Known for quality, consistency and inspiration, Fire Mountain serves designers at every stage—from first projects to established creative businesses. Get a free catalog right here. +++++ 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. +++++

    51 Min.

  4. 16. FEB.

    Episode #306: Michelle Galletta of Kiriki Press

    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 doll patterns. The collection has expanded to include over 30 embroidered doll kits, felt kits, tools and a small brick & mortar shop in Toronto's Roncesvalles neighbourhood. Kiriki Press kits can be found in over 1000 stores worldwide and known for their adorable designs, top quality materials and user friendly instructions. +++++ This episode is brought to you by h+h americas and the Fiber + Fabric Craft Festival.    h+h americas is the premier wholesale springtime event for the fabric and fiber industry in Rosemont IL. With over 575 exhibitors from 26 nations, business workshops, demos, fashion shows, networking and more, this is a must-attend event for anyone working in the crafts industry. Classes start May 5 and the expo is May 6-8th.Visit hh-americas.com to learn more. The Fiber+Fabric Craft Festival is this spring’s premier consumer craft event, happening in Rosemont, IL April 30-May 3rd. With a full calendar of workshops and 250 merchant booths, this is the place to learn new skills, bond with crafty friends, and build that fiber and fabric stash. Tickets go on sale Feb 1st at fiberfabriccraft.com. +++++ 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.

    59 Min.

  5. 1. FEB.

    Episode #305: Madison May from CUT/SEW Patterns

    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. +++++ This episode is sponsored by The Academy for Virtual Teaching. Visibility matters when markets tighten. The Academy for Virtual Teaching’s Video Making Crash Course and YouTube for Audience Growth training help craft businesses build trust and reach customers directly—without complicated production. Check it out at: academyforvirtualteaching.com +++++ 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.

    55 Min.

  6. 18. JAN.

    Episode #304: Ann Shayne and Kay Gardiner from Modern Daily Knitting

    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 gathering with vendors, speakers, and a Friday night hootenanny.  Beginning in 2025, they created a welcoming, inclusive community called The MDK Society, where members gather online and in person, and save all year long on MDK classes, shopping, and events.  And, in what has been the ultimate manifestation of a dream and most certainly their steepest learning curve, they developed two MDK-exclusive yarns, American-made Atlas and British-made Jane. Through all this, MDK has proved to be most definitely part of a life well lived.   Join MDK Society with a special discount for our listeners! Use the code CIA10 for 10% off MDK Society now through Feb. 28, 2026. +++++ This episode is sponsored by The Academy for Virtual Teaching. Most craft businesses are sitting on decades of expertise - techniques, processes, and problem-solving knowledge. As tariffs and rising costs compress margins, that knowledge matters more than ever. The Academy for Virtual Teaching’s - Virtual Teaching 101 helps craft businesses explore whether that knowledge could become a complementary income stream beyond physical products. Learn more at academyforvirtualteaching.com. +++++ 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.

    1 Std. 17 Min.

  7. 5. JAN.

    Episode #303: Ali Dillingham

    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 learn. This background benefits her inclusive teaching style, making her a patient and effective instructor. Ali is known for her ability to empower students of all skill levels. At A Yarn Market, along with providing access to local yarn, Ali has created a space where creativity and community flourish. +++++ Today's episode is sponsored by The Academy for Virtual Teaching. With tariffs, rising costs, and supply uncertainty, a lot of craft businesses are rethinking how dependent they are on physical products. The Academy for Virtual Teaching’s Virtual Teaching 101 walks through how education and digital offerings can help diversify income for craft businesses right now. Learn more at academyforvirtualteaching.com. +++++ 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.

    53 Min.

  8. 15.12.2025

    Episode #302: Kim Kight

    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. +++++ 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.

    50 Min.
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Info

An interview show for creative entrepreneurs.

Informationen

  • Erstellt von
    Abby Glassenberg
  • Jahre aktiv
    2013 - 2026
  • Folgen
    332
  • Bewertung
    Unbedenklich
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2013 Abby Glassenberg. All rights reserved.
  • Sendungswebsite
    Craft Industry Alliance

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