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.

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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.

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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 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.

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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.

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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 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.

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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 crochet design with my guest, Brittany Garber.

Britt is the creative force behind KnotBadBritt—a name that’s become synonymous with bold color, approachable crochet design, and thoughtful community-building in the fiber arts world. With over five years of experience as a designer and educator, Britt is known for patterns that are both playful and practical, helping makers grow their skills with confidence. She’s also the founder of the Makers of Color Collective, an initiative focused on amplifying diverse voices and fostering deeper inclusion across our industry.

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This episode is sponsored by QT Fabrics. 

Discover the creativity behind QTFabrics! From vibrant prints to endless textures, our collections are crafted to elevate every quilting and sewing project.

We proudly celebrate the artistry of beloved designers Jane Maday, Andrea Lavery, Kate Lower, and Dan Morris, and we’re thrilled to welcome fresh inspiration from Emily Lamb as well as Elaine Hooley of Soho Studios, London.

At QTFabrics, every yard tells a story. Let it help you tell yours.

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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 quilting with my guest Maria Shell.

Maria’s work is grounded in the tradition and craft of American quilt making. She strives to take the classical components of a traditional bedquilt and manipulate them with the hope of creating surprising combinations of pattern, repetition, and color for the viewer.

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This episode is sponsored by Quarry Books. 

Check out Crochet Your Celebrity Crush with Lee Sartori! This book provides 15 amigurumi patterns to create adorable, crocheted versions of famous actors, musicians, and athletes. You can stitch your very own Harry Styles, Pedro Pascal, and more with Lee’s
step-by-step instructions, suitable for crocheters of all skill levels.

Crochet Your Celebrity Crush is available now from Quarry.

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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 hand sewing with my guest Louisa Soenstrom.

Louisa considers garment-making skills to be deeply empowering. Louisa writes and teaches about patternmaking and hand stitching clothing. For most of a decade, she worked in technical design and patternmaking, most recently for Macy's and Eileen Fisher. Previous works have included a self-published book called Hand Sewing Clothing: A Guide, as well as two seasons of “Patternmaking in Public Places,” an outreach project she started to democratize access to patternmaking skills. This year, Louisa is celebrating the August release of her newest book, The Handsewn Wardrobe: A Complete Guide to Making Your Own Clothes, from Patternmaking to the Finishing Stitches, in collaboration with Storey Publishing.

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This episode is sponsored by P&B Textiles. P&B Textiles has entered their 45th year of business — that’s four and a half decades of creativity and connection! A true legacy company celebrating its commitment to design, innovation, and outstanding customer service. Through the years, they’ve built lasting relationships and inspired makers everywhere. They truly value those personal connections with both fabric shops and consumers. P&B ----- “Basics and Beyond!”

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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 crochet business with Amy Ting.

Amy Ting is a Korean-Taiwanese crochet designer based in the Bay Area, California. She is the author of Amigurumi Critters and creator of Curious Papaya. Amy’s amigurumi creations have resonated with a wide audience but especially so with the Asian-American population.

Her designs have been featured in notable publications such as Simply Crochet Magazine and Crochet Society, and she has also collaborated with popular brands in the fiber arts community such as Michael’s Arts and Crafts, Jo-Ann Fabrics and Clover Needlecrafts. Amy hopes for those viewing her work to feel empowered through representation and inspired to take on new challenges. 

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Today's episode is sponsored by knitCompanion. Knit without limits! knitCompanion keeps track so your hands and mind can focus on making things and learning new techniques. It works with ANY PATTERN so you can craft what you love. Check it out and download the app today!

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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.

Welcome to this special episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast.

Today, we’re excited to share with you an interview with Abbie Small. Abbie served as executive vice president and general manager of Simplicity Creative Group, owner of the Big 4 pattern companies. Just last week, Rubelmann Capital, in partnership with Abbie, acquired the company from the bankruptcy auction that was held after Design Group in the UK sold Design Group Americas to Hilco Capital for $1. Now, Abbie is at the helm. We ask her how her this sale came to about and find out what the future holds for these legacy sewing pattern brands. Here's me with Abbie Small.

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This episode is sponsored by Spoonflower.

Tired of supply chain disruptions getting in the way of your business? Spoonflower’s print-on-demand model means you get the designs you want, on the fabric you want, when you want them—all printed on demand in the USA. Click right here for access to a special offer for Craft Industry Alliance members. Discover your next bestseller today. 

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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 living the life of a quilter and writer with my guest Marianne Fons.

Marianne Fons co-hosted “Fons & Porter’s Love of Quilting” on public television nationwide for many years, first with Liz Porter and later with daughter Mary Fons.

With Liz, she co-authored Quilter’s Complete Guide, one of the best selling quilting books of all time. Marianne Fons and Liz Porter were the 2019 inductees into the Quilters Hall of Fame.

Marianne served on the board of directors of Quilts of Valor Foundation for eight years. She helped establish the Iowa Quilt Museum in 2016, and in 2017 reopened The Iowa Theater, both in her hometown of Winterset, Iowa. In 2021, she was named Madison County Citizen of the Year.

Her literary life includes writing novels and assisting the Washington Island Literary Festival on Washington Island, Wisconsin, where she has a summer home.

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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, lyrical celebration of friendship featuring a charming cast of 40 vintage fabric characters set amidst a backdrop of 60 heirloom quilts. This book is perfect for makers and those who appreciate handmade treasures, as well as anyone nostalgic about the fabric pals that comforted them as children!

Visit  amybarickman.com/loveyoutopieces to learn more and order today.

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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 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.

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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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.