Craft to Career

Elizabeth Chappell
  • 4.9 (331)
  • Marketing
  • Updated Weekly

How do I turn my craft into a career? How do I create my dream job, working from home, and doing what I love? How do I grow my Instagram following? How do I earn money with my craft? And the biggest question of all: Can I be successful?

  1. 1d ago

    Eli McCann on Writing "Stitched": Quilting, Comedy, and the Drama of a Sewing Circle

    Eli McCann on Writing "Stitched": Quilting, Comedy, and the Drama of a Sewing Circle What happens when a group of older women who quilt together also happen to be full of secrets, rivalries, and sharp opinions? Author Eli McCann joins the podcast to talk about his debut novel, Stitched, a comedic look at a fictional quilting group and all the drama that unfolds within it. Eli is a lawyer by profession and writes a humor column for the Salt Lake Tribune. Stitched is his first novel, and the idea came straight from his own family. His mom has quilted for years and been part of the same quilting group for most of that time. Eli grew up playing under the quilts she and her friends made together, long before he had any idea how much material was sitting right there in that sewing room. The book took shape after one dinner conversation, when his mom told him, "You won't believe all the drama in the quilting world," and spent the next few hours proving it. His husband was the one who suggested he turn it into a novel. In this episode, Eli talks about: The real conversation that sparked the idea for Stitched Why he pushed back when publishers wanted a younger main character and a romance subplot Writing older women as complex, funny, and entertaining without needing a love story to carry the book What it's been like watching quilters respond to a book that hasn't even released yet Stitched isn't out yet, but it's already generating buzz in the quilting community. Tune in to hear how a lifetime spent around quilters became the foundation for Eli's first novel. LINKS:  Order the book: https://www.torreyhouse.org/stitched-mccann Eli's website: https://www.itjustgetsstranger.com/

    Eli McCann on Writing "Stitched": Quilting, Comedy, and the Drama of a Sewing Circle

  2. Jul 3

    Building a Self-Sustaining Quilting Business with Jamie Bright

    This week I'm joined by Jamie Bright of Craft a Dream, and what a treat this conversation is. Jamie is a sharp businesswoman with a real gift for marketing, and her path into quilting is not the one you might expect. Jamie did not start out in the quilting world at all. She built her business knowledge in a completely different field first, and then quilting found its way to her. With that foundation already in place, she grew a vibrant, self-sustaining business in the quilting industry, and she's generous about sharing how she did it. In our chat, Jamie opens up about growing her email list, the summits she has run so successfully, and some smart, practical ways to earn more money from every quilt pattern you create and sell. What I love most is that her advice reaches beyond quilting. Because so much of her experience comes from outside the industry, the skills she shares apply to almost any creative business. If you have ever wanted to turn your quilting passion into something steady and sustainable, this one is for you. In this episode: How Jamie came into quilting after building her business skills elsewhere The strategies she used to grow her email list What makes her summits work, and how you might run one of your own Practical ways to earn more from each pattern you sell Why her business lessons apply far beyond the quilting world Connect with Jamie:   Website: craftadream.com Links from this episode: Collab Interest Contact Form: craftadream.com/collab?utm_source=quilterscandypodcast&utm_medium=podcast Quilters Paradise Summit Speaker Application/Sign Up: https://masteryroute.com/speakers Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jamiembright?sub_confirmation=1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamiebrightquilts Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamiebrightquilts The dance video of my daughter with almost 3M views: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3PjHc5oAZ8

    Building a Self-Sustaining Quilting Business with Jamie Bright

  3. Jun 12

    Joshua Dunn on Memory Quilts, Space, and a Quiltmaker Magazine Feature

    About Joshua Joshua Dunn is the quilter and designer behind Lifting and Stitching. Based in North Carolina, he creates modern quilts inspired by the cosmos, where memory, color, and story meet. His first pattern, A Trip Around the Universe, drew on the James Webb Telescope's Cosmic Cliffs image, and his work has been featured in quilt shows. His pattern Snapshot, a memory quilt, appears in the Summer 2026 issue of Quiltmaker Magazine alongside a designer spotlight. In this episode The memory quilt in Quiltmaker Magazine, and the story behind it How quilting keeps Joshua connected to his mother, who was a quilter herself The way he uses quilting to explore his love of outer space His path as a newer pattern designer, from quilt shows to a magazine feature Why quilting stays a creative outlet rather than a full time job, and what that gives him A look at his life beyond the sewing machine, including weightlifting and his approach to healthy eating A few takeaways A quilt can hold memory and connection, not just fabric and thread You do not have to quilt full time for it to be a meaningful part of your life Designing from what you love, whether that is family or the stars, gives your work its voice Sharing your designs can inspire others to start creating too Connect with Joshua Website: https://www.liftingandstitching.com/ A Trip Around the Universe pattern: https://www.liftingandstitching.com/atatu Snapshot in Quiltmaker Magazine, Summer 2026 (digital available now, print on newsstands June 16): https://www.quiltingdaily.com/product/quiltmaker-summer-2026-digital-edition/ Etsy shop: https://liftingandstitching.etsy.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftingandstitching/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@liftingandstitching Patreon: https://patreon.com/liftingandstitching

    Joshua Dunn on Memory Quilts, Space, and a Quiltmaker Magazine Feature

  4. Jun 5

    How Mim Jenkinson Built a Million Dollar Sticker Business

    Mim Jenkinson sells stickers, and she has grown that into a business earning over $1 million a year. In this episode of Craft To Career, Mim opens up about what she sells, how her business has grown year after year, and the choices that made the biggest difference. She talks about the role her courses and membership play in her success, and how learning from people who are a few steps ahead of her has shaped her growth. Mim also shares a recent shift in how she builds her email list. For years she relied on seminars, and she has since moved to a new model that has worked better for sales. If you want to grow your own creative business, Mim's story is full of lessons you can apply. Come get to know Mim, her sticker business, and the thinking behind how she keeps it growing. About Mim Mim Jenkinson is a sticker making educator who has taught more than 20,000 crafters to make stickers using Cricut, Silhouette, and Canva. She started making stickers at home in 2016, built a five star shop, and now runs a creative education business that earns over $1 million a year. In this episode What Mim sells, and how the pieces of her business fit together How her courses and membership became central to her success Why learning from people ahead of her has been a driver of her growth The pivot from seminars to a new model for building her email list, and why it has worked better for sales The habits and decisions that keep her business growing year after year A few takeaways for your own business Growth often comes from learning openly from others, not figuring everything out alone Courses and memberships can create steady income and deepen your relationship with your audience When a list building strategy stops serving your sales, it is worth testing a new approach Connect with Mim Website: https://www.mimjenkinson.com/ Free Sticker Making Starter Kit: https://www.mimjenkinson.com/guide Free Sticker Starter Class: https://www.mimjenkinson.com/freeclass Secret Sticker Society (membership): https://www.mimjenkinson.com/sss Business coaching: https://www.askmim.com/unstuck/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mimjenkinson YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/mimjenkinson

    How Mim Jenkinson Built a Million Dollar Sticker Business

  5. May 22

    Niching Down and Standing Out: Helene of Scandi Quilts on Growing a Quilt Pattern Business

    What does it look like to grow a quilt pattern business when you lean fully into your roots and design what you genuinely love? In this episode of the Craft To Career Podcast, Helene of Scandi Quilts shares how her business has grown since taking the Quilt Pattern Writing Course. Helene has built a beautiful niche around Scandinavian-style quilts, and she's seen real growth in both her sales and her email list along the way. In our conversation, she opens up about what's actually working for her business right now. Helene shares the role on-brand photography has played in her growth, and how adding unique, story-rich elements to her photos has helped her quilts feel instantly recognizable as hers. We talk about what it looks like to build a brand that feels cohesive across patterns, social media, and email, and why leaning into a specific aesthetic has helped her stand out rather than blend in. In this conversation, you'll hear: How Helene found her Scandinavian niche and why it has resonated with quilters The shifts she made after the Quilt Pattern Writing Course that started moving the needle How she approaches on-brand photography for her patterns and social content The little details and unique elements she adds to her photos to make them feel like Scandi Quilts What's working for her email list and pattern sales right now Her honest take on what it takes to grow a pattern business one step at a time Whether you're just starting to think about your brand or you're ready to refine the niche you already have, Helene's story is a beautiful reminder that the most sustainable businesses are often the ones built around what you love most.

    Niching Down and Standing Out: Helene of Scandi Quilts on Growing a Quilt Pattern Business

  6. May 15

    From Blank Page to Bestseller: A Conversation with Katherine Center

    What does it actually take to write a book, and keep writing them, year after year? In this episode, I sit down with NYT bestselling author Katherine Center for a warm, behind-the-scenes look at her life as a writer. Katherine is the author of thirteen novels Amazon, including her newest release, The Shippers, a friends-to-lovers romance set aboard a cruise ship. Two of her books have hit the global Top 10 on Netflix Amazon, Happiness for Beginners and The Lost Husband, and she has become one of the most beloved voices in contemporary romance fiction. In this episode, Katherine shares how she got her start as an author, what her writing process and day-to-day life actually look like, and what keeps her inspired book after book. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to her work, this conversation is a good reminder that creative careers are built one page at a time. About Katherine's New Book: The Shippers follows JoJo Burton, who ropes in her childhood best friend Cooper as her wingman at her sister's destination wedding on a cruise ship Amazon, with results she didn't plan for. Katherine lives in her hometown of Houston, Texas Goodreads, which felt like a fun full-circle fact to share with our Texas listeners! Find Katherine: Website: katherinecenter.com Instagram: @katherinecenter

    From Blank Page to Bestseller: A Conversation with Katherine Center

  7. May 8

    Turning Art History into Quilt Patterns: A Conversation with Eva Saunders

    What if the funding to grow your quilting business was already sitting in your local community, waiting for someone like you to apply for it? In this episode of the Craft To Career Podcast, I'm talking with Eva Saunders of Gingerly Quilt Co. about the unique way she has grown her quilting business: by applying for and receiving local grants for small creative businesses. These grants have helped Eva develop online quilting courses, invest in her ideas, and grow Gingerly Quilt Co. without relying only on pattern sales. Her story is such a good reminder that there are creative ways to fund a quilting business, and sometimes the resources you need may be closer than you think. Eva has also created a beautiful and memorable niche as a quilt pattern designer. With her background and love for art history, she designs quilts inspired by famous works of art and artistic movements. From a Starry Night quilt inspired by Van Gogh to Art Deco quilt patterns, Eva brings fine art into quilting in a way that feels fresh, meaningful, and completely her own. In this episode, we will talk about: How Eva discovered grant opportunities in her local community What the grant application process looked like for her creative business Why niching down into art history quilts helped her stand out as a pattern designer How she turns famous artwork into quiltable designs The unique construction methods behind her art quilts How turning quilt patterns into online quilting courses opened up new revenue streams What it looks like to build a quilting business around your personal interests and expertise Listen to this episode if you: Are a quilt pattern designer looking for new ways to fund your business Have wondered if grants for small creative businesses could help you grow Want to create more unique and memorable quilt patterns Are interested in art quilts, art history quilts, or fine-art-inspired quilting Feel like you need help finding a niche that feels true to you Want to learn how online quilting courses can become another revenue stream Eva's story is full of practical insight and creative inspiration. Whether you are dreaming of applying for a grant, creating a course, or developing a niche pattern design style of your own, this conversation will give you so much to think about. About Eva Saunders Eva Saunders is the quilt pattern designer behind Gingerly Quilt Co. Her work blends quilting, art history, and creative construction methods to create patterns that feel like works of art. Through Gingerly Quilt Co., Eva creates art-inspired quilt patterns and online quilting courses that help quilters bring famous artwork and beautiful design movements into their own quilts.

    Turning Art History into Quilt Patterns: A Conversation with Eva Saunders

  8. May 1

    From Woodworking to Quilting: How Chris Hanson Built Modern American Vintage

    Chris of Modern American Vintage shares how he built a handmade maker business creating wood quilting notions, plus advice for craft entrepreneurs. Ever wondered what it takes to build a handmade maker business from the ground up? In this episode, Chris of Modern American Vintage pulls back the curtain on how he turned woodworking into a thriving small business serving the quilting community. Chris shares the unexpected path that led him into quilting, what his daily process looks like, how he prices his work, and the surprises that have come with running a creative business. If you're a maker thinking about turning your craft into a career, this conversation is for you. In this episode: How Chris got started with Modern American Vintage and his woodworking background A look inside his workspace and what a typical day really involves The story of how a woodworker found his way into the quilting world Whether Modern American Vintage is full-time or a side business His process from idea to finished product How he sources materials and approaches pricing Best sellers and the products that surprised him Balancing creative instincts with customer requests The best parts of running a maker business, and the parts that are harder than expected Practical advice for starting a creative business What's next for Modern American Vintage Connect with Chris: Website: Modern American Vintage Instagram: @modern_american_vintage

    From Woodworking to Quilting: How Chris Hanson Built Modern American Vintage
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4.9
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About

How do I turn my craft into a career? How do I create my dream job, working from home, and doing what I love? How do I grow my Instagram following? How do I earn money with my craft? And the biggest question of all: Can I be successful?

Information

  • Creator
    Elizabeth Chappell
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    214
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Quilters Candy
  • Show Website
    Craft to Career

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