Craft Industry Alliance

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about felt with my guest Renae Bradley.

Renae is the owner and creative director of Benzie Design, a colorful felt stitchery and craft shop founded as a creative outlet that gave her permission to “rainbow-tize” everything -especially wool felt. In business for over 15 years, Renae values the community that has been formed both online and within Benzie's local brick & mortar.

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This episode is sponsored by Fire Mountain Gems & Beads.

Fire Mountain Gems and Beads has supported jewelry-making artists for more than 50 years, offering a wide selection of beads, gemstones, findings, tools and creative supplies. Known for quality, consistency and inspiration, Fire Mountain serves designers at every stage—from first projects to established creative businesses.

Get a free catalog right here.

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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.

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On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about creating a craft kit company with my guest Michelle Galletta of Kiriki Press.

Ontario College of Art and Design printmaking grad Michelle Galletta wanted to make her niece an embroidered doll but couldn't find a pattern anywhere. A week after attempting her very first stitch, she was left with a set of wonky owl dolls and a deep appreciation for the craft. In time, this newfound love of embroidery joined forces with screen printing, and Kiriki Press was launched in 2013 with seven doll patterns. The collection has expanded to include over 30 embroidered doll kits, felt kits, tools and a small brick & mortar shop in Toronto's Roncesvalles neighbourhood. Kiriki Press kits can be found in over 1000 stores worldwide and known for their adorable designs, top quality materials and user friendly instructions.

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This episode is brought to you by h+h americas and the Fiber + Fabric Craft Festival. 

h+h americas is the premier wholesale springtime event for the fabric and fiber industry in Rosemont IL. With over 575 exhibitors from 26 nations, business workshops, demos, fashion shows, networking and more, this is a must-attend event for anyone working in the crafts industry. Classes start May 5 and the expo is May 6-8th.Visit hh-americas.com to learn more.

The Fiber+Fabric Craft Festival is this spring’s premier consumer craft event, happening in Rosemont, IL April 30-May 3rd. With a full calendar of workshops and 250 merchant booths, this is the place to learn new skills, bond with crafty friends, and build that fiber and fabric stash. Tickets go on sale Feb 1st at fiberfabriccraft.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 cosplay with my guest Madison May.

Madison is the owner and head pattern maker at CUT/SEW Sewing Patterns, a beginner-friendly pattern company that provides entry-level, customizable patterns to the cosplay and street fashion community. With over fifteen years of experience in the costume and fashion industry, Madison has provided patterns to both Broadway and off-Broadway theatrical productions, major US theme parks, cruise lines, and television.

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This episode is sponsored by The Academy for Virtual Teaching.

Visibility matters when markets tighten. The Academy for Virtual Teaching’s Video Making Crash Course and YouTube for Audience Growth training help craft businesses build trust and reach customers directly—without complicated production. Check it out 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 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.