Craft to Career

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: 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.