Craft Industry Alliance

Latest Episodes:

Episode #30: Chelsea Bloxsom and Phil Barbato Sep 29, 2014

Show notes

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I chat with Chelsea Bloxsom who's business is Love and a Sandwich. She makes incredibly cute furry plush monsters. She also makes embroidery hoops based on her favorite comics characters. Her first book, Adventure Time Crafts, will soon by released by Potter Craft in cooperation with Cartoon Network. Phil Barbato is a plush maker who sells his work online and at shows such as New York ComicCon and Crafty Bastards. Phil's plush monsters are bearded and gold-toothed and totally wonderful.
We talk about how Chelsea and Phil began making plush, how to build an online audience for your work with Tumblr, whether you should stay on Etsy or open your own online shop, what you can learn from doing an in-person show, and much more. Chelsea, Phil and I also recommend great stuff we're loving right now. Thanks for listening!

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.

Episode #29: Ame Verso, Content Director for F+W Sep 22, 2014

Show notes

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I talk with Ame Verso, Content Director for F+W, the world's largest publishing group. Amy has over 10 years of experience editing and commissioning craft books. We discuss what a winning craft book proposal looks like, how much audience size matters for potential authors, how royalty structures work, whether you need an agent, who owns the copyright for material published in a craft book, and more. Ame was very generous in sharing her knowledge of the craft publishing industry. Send her a message on Twitter @ameverso.

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.

Episode #28: Amie Plumley and Jean Van't Hul Aug 18, 2014

Show notes

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I chat with Amie Plumley who is the co-author of Sewing School and Sewing School 2. Both books are excellent resources for teaching children to sew. Jean Van't Hul is the author of the blog and book, The Artful Parent. She is passionate about helping people find inspiration and encouragement in making art with children, whether at home or in the classroom. In this episode of the podcast we talk about creating open-ended projects, controlling the mess, helping everyone feel comfortable being creative, and dealing with frustration and self-doubt among young artists. Amie, Jean and I also recommend our favorite art supplies and creative toys for children and adults.

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.

Episode #27: Lilla Rogers and Lisa Congdon Aug 11, 2014

Show notes

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I talk to illustration agent Lilla Rogers and artist and illustrator Lisa Congdon.

What does it take to make a living as an artist? We discuss how to develop a viable career making and selling your artwork. Lilla and Lisa also recommend great stuff their loving right now.
Connect with Lilla Rogers at: http://lillarogers.com
Connect with Lisa Congdon at: http://lisacongdon.com
Find me, Abby Glassenberg, at: http://craftindustryalliance.org
Enjoy the show!

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.

Episode #26: Diane Gilleland and Haley Pierson-Cox Aug 04, 2014

Show notes

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I chat with Diane Gilleland and Haley Pierson-Cox who both have established careers as freelance craft designers. Hear how they balance their work days between pursuing new opportunities, marketing current projects, and completing work on deadline. Diane and Haley also have experience doing in-booth demonstrations for craft companies at industry trade shows. Get the an inside look at what that's like and what kinds of things they learn from doing product demos. Finally, we talk about the benefits and pitfalls of pursuing many different crafts (knitting, crochet, sewing, plastic canvas, quilting) instead of honing in on a particular niche. Of course, we end the show with recommendations of great stuff we're loving right now. Enjoy!

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.

Episode #25: Cal Patch and Jen Beeman Jul 21, 2014

Show notes

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I talk with sewing pattern makers Cal Patch and Jen Beeman about how they got their start, how their careers have developed, and where they see the future of home sewing heading.
Cal, Jen, and I recommend great stuff we're loving right now including tools, books, subscriptions, apps, and more.

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.

Special Episode: Stanford Smith of Pushing Social Jul 17, 2014

Show notes

On today’s special episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I chat with Stanford Smith. About six months ago, in an effort to learn about how to blog more effectively, I began reading Pushing Social, a blog about blogging. The author of Pushing Social, Stan Smith, is an internet marketing and social media expert. Stan shares practical exercises and tips on how to write blog posts that attract readers and deliver real value.

I'm really pleased that Stan agreed to chat with me about how handmade businesses can blog more effectively. We talk about:

the importance of expertise
writing with a reader in mind
and how to promote yourself with integrity

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.

Special Episode: Jonathan Marcus, CEO of Goodsie Jul 17, 2014

Show notes

On today’s special episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I'm rebroadcasting an interview I conducted with Jonathan Marcus, CEO of Goodsie, in November of 2012. Goodsie provides anyone with easy drag-and-drop tools that allow you to create a beautiful, customizable online storefront in an easy and affordable way. Jonathan founded Goodsie in 2011 as a way of bringing ecommerce to the masses. We talk about what he feels sets Goodsie apart from other online storefront makers and who he envisions as Goodsie's ideal customer.

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.

Special Episode: Jon Crawford, CEO of Storenvy Jul 17, 2014

Show notes

On today’s special episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I'm publishing the audio version of a video interview I conducted on January 29, 2013, with Jon Crawford, the CEO of Storenvy. If you're interested in ecommerce and small business, you'll enjoy Jon's story of founding this exciting platform. Hear about:

How Storenvy differs from Etsy.

How the social aspect of Storenvy works.

Why Storenvy is free for sellers.

What the experience is like for shoppers.

Why Storenvy might be the better ecommerce choice for handmade businesses.

Enjoy!

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.

Episode #24: Cynthia Treen and Alison Kaplan (of Kata Golda) Jul 07, 2014

Show notes

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I chat with Cynthia Treen whose threadfollower felt animal kits are carried in over 100 shops nationwide and Alison Kaplan, the founder and owner of Kata Golda a company that creates handmade items using letterpress, ceramics, wool felt, and fabrics. We hear about Cynthia's and Alison's creative lives and then get their recommendations for great stuff they're enjoying right now.

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.

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