Craft Industry Alliance

In this conversation, Marianne Fons, a celebrated quilter and writer known for co-hosting “Fons & Porter’s Love of Quilting,” shares her remarkable journey in the quilting world. She discusses the evolution of quilting as a craft and its transformative impact on women's lives. Marianne emphasizes the importance of community and friendship in crafting, and reflects on her roles in the Quilts of Valor initiative and the Iowa Quilt Museum. Listeners also hear about her literary adventures and the deep connections that handmade crafts foster.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a quilting business with my guest Michelle Cain. Michelle tried rather hard not to become a quilter. After growing up outside of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and having a mom who began quilting in the 1990s, this was a formidable challenge. A chance encounter with Denyse Schmidt’s work, however, introduced Michelle to the world of modern quilting and convinced her there might be a place for her in it. She made her first quilt in 2013 and hasn’t looked back. Wanting to connect with other makers, Michelle became active in the New Hampshire Modern Quilt Guild and started blogging about her quilting adventures as From Bolt to Beauty in 2014. In 2020, she formally launched From Bolt to Beauty patterns. Her projects have been featured at QuiltCon and in magazines like Curated Quilts and Love Patchwork & Quilting. In a previous life, Michelle wrote marketing copy and edited books, magazines, and websites. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, two teenage sons, and two naughty Golden Retrievers. Michelle lives not far from me and we were luckily able to record this interview in person in my studio. +++++ This episode is sponsored by The Academy for Virtual Teaching. Video isn’t just a sales tool. It’s how you build a community around your brand. Teaching online lets you share your knowledge, your story, and your values - with reach that goes far beyond your local shop. Explore your options in the free LIVE workshop, Virtual Teaching 101 offered 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.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about bag making with my guest Emma Brassfield. Emma is a YouTuber, pattern designer, bag sewing teacher and entrepreneur based near London, UK.  After over 20 years in the film industry, helping to make such iconic creatures and costumes as Iggle Piggle (In The Night Garden), The Flash (Justice League), Many goblins (Harry Potter), and Chewbacca (Star Wars), the grind of film hours + family life needed to be broken.  So in 2020, she finally started her YouTube channel, which was so well-received that now she runs a successful subscription box and online membership for those looking to learn bag making, as well as selling her patterns all over the world. Her business is Studio7T7. Emma believes in everyone having a go- after all, what’s the worst that can happen (the unpicker is our friend 🤭). But most importantly, what’s the best that can happen? She believes that the world of bag making should be a welcoming and wondrous place, full of support to get you into bag making and flying.  +++++ This episode is sponsored by The Academy for Virtual Teaching. Brands that educate their audience about their crafts sell better. A short demo class or tutorial on YouTube gives customers confidence - and helps you earn beyond retail. In Virtual Teaching 101, you’ll learn how online education actually works for makers, including simple tools and formats to try. It’s free, practical, and designed for busy creative professionals like you. Sign up at A4VT.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.

In this special episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're so pleased to be sharing the keynote speech from h+h americas 2025 presented by Larrie King. Larrie King, better known as Mister Larrie, is an arts and crafts content creator, design professor, and creativity enthusiast based in Orlando, Florida. His projects often center on bright colors, bold patterns, and budget-friendly basics, all geared toward making crafting and self-expression through creativity truly accessible to all.    Larrie’s professional background is centered on visual communication, teaching, and commercial design. A prolific maker and content creator, Larrie has exhibited work as a painter and illustrator at universities and galleries nationally and in his home state of Louisiana. His work as a content creator has been featured in Love Patchwork and Quilting Magazine, Simply Sewing Magazine, and Shondaland. His most recent brand partnerships include Tulip, Glowforge, Amazon, Adobe, Starbucks, and Joann Stores.  +++++ This episode is sponsored by The Academy for Virtual Teaching. Brands that educate their audience about their crafts sell better. A short demo class or tutorial on YouTube gives customers confidence - and helps you earn beyond retail. In Virtual Teaching 101, you’ll learn how online education actually works for makers, including simple tools and formats to try. It’s free, practical, and designed for busy creative professionals like you. Sign up at A4VT.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.

Megan Greenwell, a seasoned journalist with bylines in The New York Times and author of 'Bad Company: Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream,' dives into the troubling world of private equity. She unpacks how these firms' profit-driven motives threaten businesses like Joann, leading to instability and community harm. The discussion also sheds light on the surge of crafting during the pandemic and critiques the oversimplified narratives around retail bankruptcies, urging deeper understanding of financial forces shaping the industry.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a cross-stitch business with my guest Zoe Frost. Zoe is the heart, hands, and creative force behind Junebug & Darlin, a queer owned brand based in Portland, OR. When she's not crafting, you'll find her adventuring through the Pacific Northwest’s pine trees, ferns, and rivers with her partner and a dog or two. Zoe’s artistic journey is deeply rooted in her love for nature, queerness, and a fierce “f-- the system” attitude, which she channels into every cross-stitch kit she creates. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Valari by Crafteaze.  Meet the Valari by Crafteaze—the original gaming pillow turned crafting game-changer. This ergonomic support pillow reduces pressure on your shoulders and neck and encourages better posture, so you can craft for hours without pain.   The Maker’s version even includes built-in storage for your hooks and needles. Try it risk-free for 90 days and get 15% off with code CIA15 at crafteaze.com. For wholesale orders, visit valari.faire.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.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about ecommerce with my guest Claudia Martinez. Claudia is the owner of Snuggly Monkey, a craft supply store specializing in hand embroidery, Sashiko, and unique threads and notions from around the world. With over 13 years of experience, she has built a thoughtfully curated collection that reflects her passion for hand stitching and global textile traditions. She brings her passion for stitching, color, and creative tools to a global community of makers. A multilingual connector and lifelong crafter, Claudia is dedicated to sharing the joy, self-expression, and self-care that handcrafting inspires. +++++ Today's episode is sponsored by Sew Snip.  Are you looking for quality fabrics that inspire your creativity? At SewSnip.com, discover fun prints, textures, and bundles that are perfect for sewing, quilting, and crafting. Check out their By the Bolt section for big, beautiful cuts of premium fabric at unbeatable prices. Plus, they add new fabrics every single day, so there’s always something fresh to spark your next masterpiece. SewSnip.com — where your creativity begins!   +++++ 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.  

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a fabric company with my guest Arvin Pairavi. Arvin is a visionary entrepreneur and the driving force behind Shannon Fabrics, a leading name in the textile industry known for its luxurious, high-quality Cuddle fabrics. Under his leadership, the company has redefined the market, setting new standards for innovation, craftsmanship, and customer satisfaction. +++++ 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.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about punch needle with my guest Micah Clasper-Torch.   Micah Clasper-Torch is a Los Angeles-based artist, designer, and educator helping to lead the modern revival of punch needle rug hooking. With a background in fashion design from The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and the Polytechnic Institute in Milan, Micah blends fine art, heritage craft, and wearable design to create one-of-a-kind textile pieces that range from coats and accessories to wall hangings and soft sculpture.  In 2019 Micah was formally trained as an Oxford Punch Needle Instructor at the Oxford Rug Hooking School in Vermont, and in 2020 she launched Punch Needle World, an online community, shop and educational platform dedicated to uplifting the craft and its history, and making high quality supplies and training accessible around the world.   Her debut book, Punch Needle Fashion, comes out in June 2025 from Quadrille and brings punch needle into the world of contemporary fashion through 15 original projects and a beautifully photographed exploration of the medium. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Amy Barickman. Are you looking for a special gift for a friend? Take a look at Amy Barickman’s new book. Love You to Pieces is a heartwarming, whimsical, cheerful ode to friendship featuring a charming cast of vintage fabric characters set amidst a backdrop of glorious handmade quilts.  This book is perfect for makers, collectors, and lovers of quilts, dolls, and other textiles as well as anyone nostalgic about the fabric pals that comforted them as children! Join the pre-launch festivities at amybarickman.com/loveyoutopieces to get sneak peeks, giveaways, and first dibs when it launches! +++++ 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.

We’re so pleased to bring you this special episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast. This is a recording of the State of the Industry panel discussion which took place live on stage on May 7 at h+h americas 2025 in Chicago. With over 800 people in the audience, our panelists dove into the biggest issues and ideas the crafts industry is wrestling with right now. It was an exciting conversation among four industry professionals each of whom has a unique vantage point and perspective. Our panelists included Jakob Lang of Lang Yarns, Anna Maria Parry, Adam Blumenthal of Lion Brand, and Lucy McDermott from Stash Charlotte.  We hope you enjoy listening to this conversation and we invite you to join us at h+h americas 2026 which will be held May 6-8 in Chicago. +++++ 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.