Craft Industry Alliance

We’re so pleased to bring you this special episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast. This is a recording of the State of the Industry panel discussion which took place live on stage on May 6 at h+h americas 2026 in Chicago. With over 800 people in the audience, our panelists dove into the biggest issues and ideas the crafts industry is wrestling with right now. It was an exciting conversation among four industry professionals each of whom has a unique vantage point and perspective. Our panelists included independent retailer Erin Love of Firecracker Fabrics in Pittsburgh, crochet designer Natalie Thomas of Detroit Knots, CEO of the sewing notions company Kearing based in China, and COO and President of Michaels Nicholas Bertram.  We hope you enjoy listening to this conversation, and we invite you to join us at h+h americas 2027, which will be held May 5-7 in Chicago.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about the first year owning a brick-and-mortar yarn shop with my guest, Sanjani Ramkissoon. Sanjani is the owner of Stitch & Revel, a yarn shop in Livermore, California, a charming wine country town in the Bay Area, about 45 miles east of San Francisco.  Born in Fiji and raised in the Bay Area since the age of five, she considers herself an accidental business owner, turning a long-held dream into reality when an unexpected opportunity to purchase inventory from a closing yarn shop led her and her husband to take the leap. They opened Stitch & Revel in September 2025, in a new location with a fresh vision and name. Her vision for the shop was to create an experience, not just a place to buy yarn (though that’s important too), but a space where creativity flows and community grows.  +++++ Today's episode is sponsored by Stitchcraft Marketing. If you’re making video, posting to social, sending emails, trying to grow your business, and you’re not sure if it’s working—this is for you. Stitchcraft Marketing is offering ourlisteners $500 Marketing Checkups: a customized coaching session where we review your channels and give you clear, prioritized next steps. It’s for brands managing their own marketing who want expert direction.  Go to checkup.stitchcraftmarketing.com to apply for a Marketing Checkup. +++++ 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 coiled rope basketry with my guest Katherine Lile.   Katherine is the owner of The Mountain Thread Company in Blowing Rock, North Carolina.  She began sewing at age 4, and has always loved building community around creative endeavors.  Since opening her business in 2015, she's been on a mission to inspire, equip, and cultivate a creative community that loves sewing rope!   When Katherine isn't zigzagging coils of rope, you can find her in her garden, cooking with her kids, or enjoying family time in the mountains. +++++ 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 and creativity with my guest, Maude MacDonald. Maude is a creative strategist and brand designer who helps small business owners craft brands that feel like home — authentic, cohesive, and entirely theirs. Drawing from the success of her own brand, The Retro Quilter, Maude knows firsthand how intentional strategy, clear visual identity, and thoughtful creative direction can turn a passion project into a recognizable, confident brand. She works with entrepreneurs to refine their messaging, elevate their visuals, and create a brand experience that truly reflects who they are. +++++ This episode is sponsored by GoSadi. GoSadi is the all-in-one platform for craft professionals, simplifying pattern management across e-commerce sites like Etsy, Ravelry, Shopify, and WooCommerce. Powered by AI, GoSadi helps designers & businesses streamline listings, manage pattern libraries, and optimize SEO without the need for technical expertise. With a central hub and a personalized Catalog Landing Page, users can easily showcase their designs, push them to multiple platforms, and focus more on creativity. Visit gosadi.com to start your extended 3-month free trial today. +++++ 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 buying and selling a craft business with my guests Lisa Shroyer and Leanne Pressly. This episode is a bit of a different show format because we focus on how to buy or sell a business. So often in the crafts industry, businesses just close, rather than go through a sale process. Part of the reason this happens is that selling a business can be a lot of work. It requires preparation, and the due diligence process can be rough. And part of the reason is that it can be hard to find eligible buyers who truly get the crafts industry and aren’t just looking to make fast cash. But with Stitchcraft Marketing, we have a great seller success story. We invite Leanne and Lisa to share their experience selling and buying a business. Lisa is a lifelong knitter with a career spanning the craft industry, media, and tech. Prior to acquiring Stitchcraft, she worked at Interweave, F+W Media, Craftsy, NBCUniversal, and BiggerPockets. She lives in Colorado, where she spends her weekends hiking and trail running. Leanne is an accomplished entrepreneur and businesswoman with extensive experience in the craft and hobby industry. Leanne founded Stitchcraft Marketing in 2009 and worked with over 300 companies in the fiber and fabric space. Having sold the agency in 2026, Leanne is focusing on getting more time in her craft room, sewing, knitting, making pottery, and lots of sourdough bread. She lives in Colorado and enjoys hiking, skiing, and spending time with her family in the outdoors. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Eucalan. Looking for the best way to care for your handmade and delicate items? Eucalan Delicate Wash is a no-rinse, eco-friendly laundry solution designed for knitwear, quilts, embellished garments, and more. With five gentle scents and a formula that extends the life of your fabrics, Eucalan is a must-have for knitters and crafters alike. Learn more at Eucalan.com. +++++ 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.