Craft to Career

Should creative entrepreneurs use AI? In this episode of the Craft to Career Podcast, I'm sharing my personal thoughts on AI and how I'm thinking about it as a quilt pattern designer and small business owner.

There's a lot of backlash against AI right now, and much of it is for good reason. I talk through some of the real problems with AI, and how we can share our concerns with our elected officials so our voices are part of the conversation.

I also share where AI has been helpful in my own business. As makers and creative business owners, our creativity is the heart of what we do. So how do we stay true to ourselves and our work while still getting the benefits of streamlining the business side? I walk through how I use AI for the tasks that don't need my personal creativity, so I can save my time and energy for the work that does.

In this episode:

• Why so many creatives are pushing back on AI
• Some of the real concerns with AI, and how to share them with elected officials
• Where AI has helped me in my quilting business
• How to stay authentic as a creative entrepreneur while using AI tools
• Deciding which tasks need your creativity and which ones don't

Whether you're all in, firmly against it, or somewhere in the middle, I hope this episode helps you think through what feels right for you and your business.

Kristy Kay of With Love by Kristy is a new fabric designer for Moda Fabrics, but she has been in the art world for a long time. For over a decade, she worked in animation and visual development on films including Hotel Transylvania 2, The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run, and Smurfs: The Lost Village.

As a student of art and color, Kristy understands the emotions that color can bring out. Most recently, she teamed up to create fabric collections inspired by the celebrated artist Mary Blair.

In this episode, Kristy shares how she moved from creating for Hollywood to quilting and fabric design. She also tells us about the space she just purchased, where she will teach classes and house the products she sells.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why Kristy made the shift from animation to quilting
• How she learned about color and why she uses it the way she does
• How the Mary Blair collaboration came about
• How she is growing her business
• What you can apply in your own creative business

Find Kristy at http://withlovebykristy.com/ and on Instagram at @withlove_bykristy.

What if you could see how a pantograph will look on your quilt before you ever load it on the frame? Barbie Mills, longarm quilter and pantograph designer behind The Quilting Mill, joins the podcast to share how she built her business and the tool she created to help quilters choose their quilting with confidence.

Barbie has loved sewing since she was a little girl and made her first quilt as a teenager. She studied Family and Consumer Science in college and taught in public schools for seven years before turning her love of quilting into a full time business. In 2012, she began longarm quilting by hand, and when she added a computerized system to her studio, she discovered a new passion: designing digital pantographs. Her designs are known for minimal to no backtracking, so they stitch out smoothly and efficiently.

Barbie's newest project is her Pantograph Preview Tool. Upload a photo of your quilt, and you can try different pantograph designs, thread colors, and sizes to see what each would look like before you stitch. She also teaches a class for quilters who want to design pantographs of their own.

Barbie lives in Utah with her family and is an active member of the Salt Lake Modern Quilt Guild.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• How Barbie went from teaching Family and Consumer Science to running her own quilting business
• What led her from hand guided longarm quilting to designing digital pantographs
• Why she designs pantographs with little to no backtracking
• How the Pantograph Preview Tool works, and how it helps quilters and longarm clients choose a design
• What it takes to design your own pantographs, and how her class teaches it
• Barbie's advice for growing a quilting business of your own

Connect with Barbie:

• Website: https://thequiltingmill.com/
• About Barbie: https://thequiltingmill.com/pages/about-me
• Pantograph Preview Tool: https://thequiltingmill.com/pages/preview-tool
• Pantograph design class: https://thequiltingmill.com/pages/join
• Etsy shop: The Quilting Mill
• Instagram: @thequiltingmill

Why Your Email Promos Aren't Selling (Live Coaching Call with Allison Austin of The Kitschy Creative)

If you've ever sent a promotional email and gotten silence, or worse, a wave of unsubscribes, this episode is for you.

It started with a post in a Facebook group for quilt pattern writers. Allison Austin of The Kitschy Creative shared that despite emailing consistently every week, rotating between tips, personal updates, promos, and blog roundups, her promo emails were getting zero sales and multiple unsubscribes.

I asked if she'd be open to working through it together, live, on the podcast. She said yes.

In this episode, we go through three of Allison's past emails together, along with her answers to a few questions about her business, and work through real changes she can make, not just to her emails, but to her brand as a whole.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What to include in your regular emails to keep your list excited to open them
• Why branding matters just as much as your email strategy, and how to stand out as a designer
• How to identify and communicate what makes your business uniquely you
• A few strategies Allison has used to grow her own email list and sales

Whether you're a quilt pattern designer or run any kind of creative business, this episode will help you rethink how you talk to your audience, and what makes people actually want to buy from you.

Connect with Allison Austin: The Kitschy Creative on Instagram: CLICK HERE Website: CLICK HERE

What happens when you build a business, then rebuild it, then rebuild it again? In this episode, we sit down with Missy Luukkonen of The Little Green Bean to talk about a decade of growth that looked nothing like a straight line.

Missy started out leaving a retail job to create gnomes and burlap products, and has since evolved her business into selling quilt patterns and running a digital membership. Along the way, she's leaned on mentors at every stage, made bold pivots when something wasn't working, and built a business that reflects who she actually is, not just what was trending.

We talk about:

• How Missy's business has evolved over the past decade, from gnomes and burlap to quilt patterns and membership
• Why she has consistently sought out mentors, and who hers have been
• What has driven her decisions to pivot, again and again
• What she loves most about running her business
• What's been the hardest part of the journey

Missy is genuine, delightful, and refreshingly open about what has actually worked (and what hasn't) to help her grow. If you've ever wondered whether it's okay for your business to change shape over time, this episode is for you.

https://thelittlegreenbean.com/

Quilting is centuries old, so how does a brand-new product become a must-have in an industry that's already full of tools and traditions? In this episode, we sit down with the team behind Sew Tites to find out.

SewTites makes magnetic cutting mats and rulers designed to keep fabric steady while cutting, and to make cutting far less painful for quilters with arthritis or hand pain. It's a simple idea on the surface, but one that's become hugely popular in a short amount of time, and the company has more products already out and even more in development.

We talk about:

• How SewTites got started, and the problem that sparked the idea
• What it actually takes to launch a brand-new product in an industry that isn't new at all
• How they knew there was real demand before they built the product
• The marketing strategy that helped SewTites take off
• What's next for the company, including new products in the works

Whether you're a quilter curious about the tools that make cutting easier, or a quilterpreneur wondering how to spot an unmet need in a mature market, this episode is full of takeaways.

WEBSITE: https://www.sewtites.com/

If you sell digital quilt patterns, you've probably wondered whether a marketplace is worth it, and what actually goes on behind the scenes to make one work. Ruth Erdei joins the podcast to talk about Quilting Books Patterns & Notions (QBPN), the family business she co-owns, and why she believes so strongly in transparency as a business model.

Ruth is a serial entrepreneur, designer, and creative business strategist with more than 20 years of experience building businesses across the craft, creative, and e-commerce industries. Her background spans custom cosplay, crochet, digital products, fashion, quilting, and cross-stitch, which gives her a wide view of both the creative and business sides of the industry. She's the co-owner of QBPN and co-founder of Craft Hatchery, two marketplaces supporting hundreds of independent designers and connecting makers with customers around the world.

In this episode, Ruth shares:

• How she got started with QBPN and how the company has grown
• How the QBPN business model works and what makes it different from other marketplaces
• Why pattern writers might consider selling their patterns through QBPN
• The different revenue streams the company offers designers

We also talk about something that doesn't always get discussed: what it actually costs to distribute digital patterns. It's easy to assume digital products have no overhead since there's no shipping or warehousing involved. But platform fees, protecting designers' intellectual property, keeping listings current, customer support, marketing, and ongoing file management all take real time and resources. Ruth talks through what that investment looks like at QBPN and why supporting and protecting designers is central to how the company operates.

If you're a pattern designer weighing where to sell, or just curious how a marketplace like this runs behind the scenes, this episode is worth a listen.

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/

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: http://craftadream.com/

Links from this episode: Collab Interest Contact Form: http://craftadream.com/collab 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

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

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

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.

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: http://katherinecenter.com/
• Instagram: @katherinecenter

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.

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

Artificial Intelligence is one of the biggest conversations happening in the creative world right now, and in this episode of The Craft to Career Podcast, I sat down with Theresa Benson of The AI Quilter to talk about it all.

Theresa gives a thoughtful look into the use of Artificial Intelligence as a quilter, artist, and business owner. We talk about the hot topics so many creatives are wondering about, like whether AI steals art, how it impacts the environment, what we can do about it, and how to think through using AI in an ethical and intentional way.

And spoiler alert: this conversation is not as one-sided as you might think.

If AI feels exciting, confusing, inspiring, or even a little unsettling, this episode will give you a lot to think about. Theresa brings nuance, wisdom, and a balanced perspective to a topic that affects artists and business owners more and more each day.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

• How Theresa uses AI as a quilter, artist, and business owner
• The concerns creatives have about AI and art theft
• Ethical questions around using AI in creative work
• The environmental impact of AI and why it matters
• What creatives can do to use AI more thoughtfully
• How to think about AI without fear, panic, or blind acceptance
• Why this conversation is more layered and nuanced than many people realize

Listen to This Episode If You:

• Feel curious or cautious about Artificial Intelligence
• Wonder whether AI steals from artists
• Want to think more deeply about AI and ethics
• Are trying to decide whether AI has a place in your creative business
• Want a balanced conversation about technology, creativity, and responsibility

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

Water Runs Through Everything We Build https://theaiquilter.com/water-runs-through-everything-we-build

The Conscious Creative's Guide: AI Tools That Won't Steal Your Soul https://theaiquilter.com/the-conscious-creatives-guide-ai-tools-that-wont-steal-your-soul

Thirsty Intelligence Whitepaper https://bit.ly/CostOfAI

Ethics & Values Articles from The AI Quilter https://theaiquilter.com/category/ethics-and-values

Digital Muse Landing Page https://theaiquilter.com/digital-muse-for-quilters-and-creatives-f25

Digital Muse Product Page https://theaiquilter.com/product/digital-muse-bringing-ai-into-your-creative-process

Digital Muse on Amazon https://amzn.to/4rVICfU

About Theresa Benson https://theaiquilter.com/about

About Theresa Benson

Theresa Benson, also known as The AI Quilter, helps quilters, artists, and creative business owners think more carefully and creatively about technology. Her work explores how AI can be used in ways that support human creativity rather than replace it, with an emphasis on ethics, responsibility, and keeping your own voice at the center of your work.

What do felt squares, an old sewing machine, and a spark of creativity have in common? For Michael Eason, they were the beginning of a quilting journey that led him to found Quilchemy and become a respected English Paper Piecing educator.

In this episode, Michael shares how he unexpectedly discovered quilting and quickly realized it was far more creative and expansive than he had imagined. Once he found English Paper Piecing, commonly known as EPP, he was hooked. He fell in love with the precision, portability, and endless design possibilities of this hand-stitching technique, and it eventually became the foundation of his business.

Michael shares the story behind Quilchemy, the work he does today, and how he helps quilters build confidence and skill with EPP. We also talk about the common challenges quilters face when learning EPP, what makes the technique so rewarding, and where Michael hopes to take his business next.

Whether you are brand new to quilting, curious about English Paper Piecing, or looking for inspiration from someone who built a creative business in a unique niche, this conversation is full of encouragement and insight.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• How Michael got started quilting with felt squares and an old sewing machine
• The moment he realized quilting could be deeply creative and inspiring
• What English Paper Piecing is and why he fell in love with it
• How Quilchemy began and how it has grown
• Who Michael teaches and the common EPP struggles he helps solve
• What is next for Michael and the future of Quilchemy

Connect with Michael Eason and Quilchemy:

• Website: quilchemy.com
• Instagram: @quilchemy

When I asked, "Which quilt shop owners do you want to hear from?" Cheryl Sleboda's name was at the top of the list—and after this conversation, you'll understand why.

Cheryl is the owner of Muppins Emporium in Paducah, Kentucky, and she's built a brick-and-mortar shop that stands out in a crowded industry.

In this episode, Cheryl shares the origin story of her shop, the fascinating history of the building it's in, and how she's used that history to create a memorable brand experience.

We also dig into the business side: how she thinks about marketing, narrowing a niche, choosing fabrics and products, and what to consider when buying inventory so it actually sells. If you've ever wondered what it takes to run a successful quilt shop, this is a must-listen.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

•

How Cheryl got started and why she chose to open a quilt shop in Paducah

•

How the history of her building became part of her brand story

•

Why "narrowing your niche" can be a growth strategy (not a limitation)

•

How Cheryl thinks about marketing and standing out to the quilting community

•

Behind-the-scenes inventory decisions: fabric selection, product mix, and what sells

•

What makes a brick-and-mortar shop worth traveling for

Links & Resources

•

Muppins Emporium

•

Cheryl Sleboda on Instagram

Listen If You're…

•

Dreaming of owning a quilt shop (or already running one)

•

Curious how destination quilt shops are built

•

Wanting real talk on marketing + niche + inventory decisions

•

Looking for ideas to create an unforgettable customer experience

Call to Action

If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot, share it on Instagram, and tag me @quilters_candy, and don't forget to tag @muppinsemporium so Cheryl can see!

In this episode of the Craft to Career Podcast, I'm joined by Abby Glassenberg, founder of the Craft Industry Alliance — an organization created to help makers, designers, teachers, and creative entrepreneurs build real, sustainable businesses.

Many creatives start with a love of making, but quickly discover that success requires much more than talent. It requires education, connections, and support. Abby shares why she created the Craft Industry Alliance, what resources are available (both free and paid), and how makers can avoid common business mistakes by learning from others in the industry.

We also talk about the changing craft industry, what opportunities exist right now, and why community may be one of the most valuable business tools a creative entrepreneur can have.

Whether you want to publish quilt patterns, teach, design fabric, or grow a handmade business, this conversation will help you understand where to find support and how to move forward with confidence.

What You'll Learn

•

Why Abby started the Craft Industry Alliance

•

The biggest struggles creative entrepreneurs face

•

Why business education matters for makers

•

Free resources available to creatives

•

The benefits of joining the Craft Industry Alliance

•

How networking helps grow a creative business

•

What the future of the craft industry looks like

About Abby

Abby Glassenberg is the founder of the Craft Industry Alliance, a professional organization for craft professionals including designers, teachers, shop owners, writers, and manufacturers. She is also a long-time craft entrepreneur and podcast host dedicated to helping makers succeed in business.

What if getting a degree in design didn't mean writing a thesis—but instead meant building a real, revenue-generating business?

In this episode, I'm joined by Carina Gardner, who is doing something truly bold: she's opened her own university.

The University of Arts and Design is unlike any traditional university experience. Think of it as a trade school for creatives, where students learn practical, real-world skills—like keeping their books with QuickBooks, pricing their work, and running a profitable business.

Instead of writing a thesis for a master's degree, students are required to create and run a business.

Carina knows both sides of the academic world. She holds a PhD from the University of Minnesota and spent years watching talented creatives hear the same discouraging messages:

•

"You can't earn money as a creative."

•

"Don't study art—you'll just be a starving artist."

But Carina—and many of her peers—are living proof that those statements simply aren't true.

In this conversation, Carina shares how creatives can build multiple six-figure businesses by selling their art and designs—not by teaching others how to be creative, but by doing the work themselves.

This episode is an inspiring look at what's possible when creativity and business come together—with intention, structure, and confidence.

In this episode, we talk about:

•

Why Carina started the University of Arts and Design

•

How this model differs from traditional art and design degrees

•

What creatives actually need to learn to earn real income

•

Why running a business replaces a thesis

•

How artists and designers can build sustainable, profitable careers

If you've ever loved creating—but wondered how to make it financially sustainable—this episode will open your eyes to a new way forward.

🎧 Come meet Carina and learn all about the university she's built—and the future she believes creatives deserve.