In this episode, Kara chats with special guests, Chelsea Fitch of Knit Fitch, Francoise Danoy of Aroha Knits and Claire Probst of We Love Knitting to share details about FiberBoss College LIVE. If your wish is to profit from your passion, then this is a must-listen to episode!
Power Purls Podcast is now a live weekly video show! Join Kara Gott Warner on the Power Purls Facebook Page each week to watch live and interact with the week's featured guest. Click here to follow Power Purls on Facebook, and get a reminder when Kara goes live every week!
In this episode, Kara chats with Julie Crawford, founder of the lifestyle blog, KnittedBliss.com. Julie is smitten with the written word, cozy knits, international travel and domestic pleasures. On the knitted bliss blog, Julie helps knitters and crafters get inspired by sharing projects, recipes and reflections on the crafting life!
[Tweet "I'm listening to Knitted Bliss Blogger, Julie Crawford on #PowerPurlsPodcast #knittingpodcast"]
Episode highlights:
- Julie shares her story and why she started Knitted Bliss, and how it's evolved over the years
- What inspires her weekly blog features - Modification Monday and Wee Wednesday
- Julie shares how she curates recipes and projects for the blog
- Consistency and showing up every week is the secret to her success
- How Julie diversifies her business, and how she generates income from Knitted Bliss
- How blogging has evolved since she began blogging
As a special gift, Julie if offering a 40% off discount on all of her knitted bliss patterns. Vist: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/knittedblissjc to view the full collection. Enter powerpurls at checkout for 40% off any patterns. Offer ends November 21, 2017
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Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this episode are affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase and there is no additional cost for you to do so. When I make a recommendation, it is because I have personal experience with these products and have used them myself. I only recommend products I believe in and suggest them because I know they will be helpful, not because of the small commission I make if you decide to make a purchase. The commission I earn helps offset the production expenses that I incur to produce Power Purls, and by purchasing products through these links, also helps you to become a supporter of this podcast and for that, I am truly grateful.
Today I'm answering a common question among budding knitwear designers: "Should I design for magazines?" We'll go over the main items you should consider before submitting a design proposal to a magazine, as well as my top tips for success in this area. If you've been wanting to grow your knitwear design biz, give this episode a listen!
[Tweet "Should you design for magazines? Weigh the pros and cons with this week's episode of the #PowerPurlsPodcast #knitweardesign"]
Episode highlights:
- It can be tempting to work for "exposure," hoping that will turn you into a superstar.
- Designing for magazines usually means you will get paid for your work, which is a big benefit!
- Once you know how much time it will take you to create a design and how much they'll pay, work the numbers.
- Remember: there's also a marketing benefit for magazine design! Your work gets out to a wider audience.
- Connection can be a benefit as well. Working with a magazine can connect you with influencers in the industry.
- Keep your eyes open for opportunities to form connections each time you collaborate on a design.
- Think about what you can offer above and beyond just sending in a pattern. Solve a pain point for the editor!
- Rights can be a tricky area for magazine design. For at least some time, the pattern rights will belong to the publication.
- Make sure you understand the rights agreement and if/when the rights revert to you!
- Remember that the photos in the magazine don't belong to you; if you republish a design, take your own photos.
- Even if the rights don't revert back to you at all, that's not necessarily a bad thing! Just make sure you're comfortable with the arrangement.
- Make sure the fit is right: does your work fit with the magazine and its audience? If not, find another one.
- Think like a businessperson: tailor your proposal/submission to the magazine you're trying to impress!
- Kara's tip #1: Keep trying until you get a YES! (No matter how many Nos you hear before that!)
- Being turned down by one magazine - or ten- does NOT mean that your work isn't good enough!
- Sometimes rejection just means your work didn't fit their theme or they had too many similar submissions.
- Kara's tip #2: Be professional! Put together a nice portfolio of your work to show the editor!
- Study how other designers are using Instagram well to present their portfolios.
- Maintain a professional website - it's like your virtual home base and it speaks volumes about you and your work.
- Follow the guidelines and format that the magazine specifies in their calls for proposals.
- Kara's tip #3: Diversify! Don't put all your eggs in one basket - publish your work in a variety of places.
- Be aware: If you send your designs out to different magazines, you can't send the same design to more than one place!
- Never send a previously published design as a proposal to a magazine. All designs must be original.
- Bonus tip: don't knit your own samples! Hire sample knitters - it will save you a ton of time.
Links Mentioned in this Episode:
Trisha Malcolm's episodes - Episode 1 and Episode 72
If you need help with planning out your path to magazine publication, or you'd like someone to review your design proposals, book a FREE consulting session with me and we'll go over it together! Click here for all the details.
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Support the show on Patreon and get:
- bonus episodes
- audio workshops that inspire intentional living through yarncrafting
- weekly mini-sodes delivered every Monday to inspire your week ahead.
Click the button to join our community!
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this episode are affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase and there is no additional cost for you to do so. When I make a recommendation, it is because I have personal experience with these products and have used them myself. I only recommend products I believe in and suggest them because I know they will be helpful, not because of the small commission I make if you decide to make a purchase. The commission I earn helps offset the production expenses that I incur to produce Power Purls, and by purchasing products through these links, also helps you to become a supporter of this podcast and for that, I am truly grateful.
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Today Kara's Project Manager, Jess Cook, is here to talk about her work as a Virtual Assistant and Project Manager in the Fiber Arts industry. Jess works for a variety of creative business owners, most of whom are in the fiber arts industry. She creates email newsletters, blog posts, website copy, and educational content for her clients so that they can focus on the most important work of running their businesses and growing their empires.
"Be open to the conversations that come up in your daily life where you can find an opening to offer your services."
-Jess Cook
[Tweet "Learning about the world of Virtual Assisting from @JessCookOnline on the #PowerPurlsPodcast"]
Episode highlights:
- Jess works at Power Purls creating the show notes for each episode and writing the weekly newsletter content.
- Working with Jess has helped Kara make time for more content like this.
- Jess got her first job in the area of virtual assisting from a friend she met at a local knitting group. Ahh the power of knitting!
- If you want to start off as a Virtual Assistant, you don’t need a lot of specialized skills; you can with basic tasks.
- If you can familiarize yourself with a few key software programs and apps, you can do very basic skills and earn a living as a Virtual Assistant.
- The skills you take for granted in yourself are marketable skills that you can use to provide a service for someone else!
- If you want to get started as a VA, join groups where creative business owners hang out and talk about their problems.
- Find a niche so you can narrow your service focus and find business owners who really fit your skill set.
- Go to a favorite business owner and offer to help them run their business. You never know when they might need help!
- Tell everyone you know that you’re looking to work as a VA; then as they hear of people who need help they will refer you!
- Most people start off at an hourly rate of somewhere from $15-$25/hour, depending on their level of experience and expertise.
- You don’t need a formal website, but you should have a landing page for people to learn about you and find contact information.
- If you can get going with just one client, ask them to refer you and give you a testimonial to put on your site or social media.
- Don't be afraid to just get started!
Learn more about Jess:
Her website - Jess Cook Online
Instagram: @JessCookOnline
Facebook: Facebook.com/JessCookOnline
Twitter: @JessCookOnline
MOVE THE NEEDLE ON YOUR KNIT BIZ!
Click here to sign up for a free 30-minute creative business strategy session with Kara!
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this episode are affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase and there is no additional cost for you to do so. When I make a recommendation, it is because I have personal experience with these products and have used them myself. I only recommend products I believe in and suggest them because I know they will be helpful, not because of the small commission I make if you decide to make a purchase. The commission I earn helps offset the production expenses that I incur to produce Power Purls, and by purchasing products through these links, also helps you to become a supporter of this podcast and for that, I am truly grateful.
Today Kara welcomes Tara Swiger back to the show! Tara first appeared in episode 61, and now she's back to talk about the ways her business has changed since she was last here - including an increased focus on the practice of mindfulness. Tara has worked with makers and artists for seven years, helping them learn to explore their own enthusiasm and build businesses they love. Now she has a new branch of her business, helping people who want to build a business that doesn't include handmade products. In today's special episode, which premieres here and on Tara's own podcast, Tara and Kara discuss their thoughts on mindfulness and share tips for how you can build a mindfulness practice of your own.
“Mindfulness is just paying attention - to where you are and how you feel. From there, you can make better decisions."
-Tara Swiger
[Tweet "Building a #mindfulness practice with @TaraSwiger and @KaraKnits on the #PowerPurlsPodcast"]
Episode highlights:
- Tara has been helping makers and artists build businesses for 7 years.
- Since then she has built another arm of her business, using essential oils.
- Tara loves learning new business models and finding solutions for people who want to build a business.
- Kara says that mindfulness is part of her business/life plan.
- Tara defines mindfulness as being aware in the present moment and paying attention.
- Kara notes that you can’t just say “I’m going to be more mindful!” It takes work to build a habit.
- When you’re doing what you love for a living, it’s important to stop and pay attention to how great that is!
Mindfulness Tips & Tricks from Kara and Tara:
- The apps they love: Headspace and Insight Timer
- Tara puts her phone on airplane mode when she needs to focus on her work. She also turns off all notifications on her phone.
- Kara will record a meditation, slogan, or affirmation on her phone so she can refer to them later.
- Kara likes using her journal to record the positive benefits she sees from her meditation practice.
- Kara and Tara both like to go to a special spot in their homes where they can build a habit of mindfulness in that space.
- Tara uses scent (essential oils) to help with her mindfulness practice. You can use any essential oil you like – if you get in the habit of using it before you meditate then soon that scent will trigger a desire to meditate in you. She also uses essential oils to help encourage herself to change her feelings.
- Kara recommends attending in-person mindfulness events and group meditations whenever possible. There's a special energy you can get in this setting that you can't get from an app!
Learn more about Tara:
Tara first appeared in Episode 61 - listen here
Website: TaraSwiger.com and EssentialEnthusiasm.com
Instagram: @TaraSwiger and @EssentialEnthusiasm
Her podcasts: Explore Your Enthusiasm and Essential Enthusiasm
Facebook: Facebook.com/TaraSwigerPage
Twitter: @TaraSwiger
YouTube channel: TaraSwiger.com/youtube
Pinterest: Pinterest.com/Tara_Swiger
Join the Stitchucation Short Row Shawl Challenge!
Take an educational journey all about short row shawls! This challenge, sponsored by the lovely folks at Berrocco, will help you master this shawl shape and empower you on your intuitive shawl-making exploration. Click here to sign up!
MOVE THE NEEDLE ON YOUR KNIT BIZ!
Click here to sign up for a free 30-minute creative business strategy session with Kara!
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this episode are affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase and there is no additional cost for you to do so. When I make a recommendation, it is because I have personal experience with these products and have used them myself. I only recommend products I believe in and suggest them because I know they will be helpful, not because of the small commission I make if you decide to make a purchase. The commission I earn helps offset the production expenses that I incur to produce Power Purls, and by purchasing products through these links, also helps you to become a supporter of this podcast and for that, I am truly grateful.
Today Kara talks to the Editorial Director and Vice President of Vogue Knitting, Trisha Malcolm. Trisha was the very first guest on this podcast, so we're so glad to have her back again today! Trisha is a magazine publisher with a focus on fashion-forward designs that adapt to the needs of today's knitters. Listen in as we talk about the special 35th anniversary issue of Vogue Knitting Magazine!
“It's a creative job because every issue is different, and every time something new happens, it's exciting!”
-Trisha Malcolm
[Tweet "Behind the scenes of @VogueKnitting - listen in on the #PowerPurlsPodcast!"]
Episode highlights:
- Trisha started her career as a high school teacher. Then she got a job at a crafting magazine because she was a teacher who also knew how to do several crafts.
- This year marks Trisha's 20th anniversary with Vogue Knitting!
- Vogue Knitting started in 1932, so even though this is our 35th anniversary, the brand is 85 years old. In 1972 they stopped publishing the magazine when Conde Nast sold the pattern side to Butterick Patterns and stopped the magazine. In the 1980s there was a big knitting boom again, and Trisha's boss asked Conde Nast to start publishing the magazine again.
- The magazine focuses on fashion, but Trisha feels this has become less important because fashion itself has become so much more casual in recent years.
- Trisha looks at online videos and photos for fashion shows each season, and then she finds all the sweaters and bundles those images together to create a trend report.
- Trisha is starting to see more shawls and wraps on the runway, and she thinks the designers are taking a nod from the knitters of the world (we love our shawls, don't we?).
- Trisha redesigned the magazine a year ago to include more "behind the scenes" with designers.
- Trisha has big plans to take the magazine into a broader digital environment in order to make the content accessible via phone. She doesn't envision that the print issue will disappear, though.
- For the anniversary issue, they invited regular advertisers to choose a favorite pattern from a past issue, and those patterns are now available for free for a limited time on the website.
- Trisha works with a small team of 8 to 10 members, and together they publish 6 issues of Vogue Knitting and also create Knit Simple Magazine together.
- It's important for Trisha to work with people who are, first and foremost, nice.
Leave a comment telling us your favorite part of the newest issue of Vogue Knitting Magazine, and you could WIN a free subscription!
Mentioned in this episode:
Trisha's first episode on the podcast
The 31st anniversary issue of Vogue Knitting magazine
Deborah Newton's cover design for the issue - her "best design ever" - and you can win a kit to make it!
The Vogue Knitting trip giveaway
Stitchucation shawls challenge
Tracey Purtscher's new book - featured in the anniversary issue
The free collection of 35th anniversary patterns
Learn more about Trisha and Vogue Knitting:
Website: VogueKnitting.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/VogueKnittingMag
Twitter: Twitter.com/VogueKnitting
Pinterest: Vogue Knitting
MOVE THE NEEDLE ON YOUR KNIT BIZ!
Click here to sign up for a free 30-minute creative business strategy session with Kara!
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this episode are affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase and there is no additional cost for you to do so. When I make a recommendation, it is because I have personal experience with these products and have used them myself. I only recommend products I believe in and suggest them because I know they will be helpful, not because of the small commission I make if you decide to make a purchase. The commission I earn helps offset the production expenses that I incur to produce Power Purls, and by purchasing products through these links, also helps you to become a supporter of this podcast and for that, I am truly grateful.
In this episode I actually got to host a live interview during the Podcast Movement conference with Katie Krimitsos, the founder of Biz Women Rock!. Katie specializes in group and 1:1 coaching to help female entrepreneurs build businesses that will enable them to have the freedom to design their own lifestyles. She is the voice behind the Biz Women Rock! podcast and the Facebook group of the same name.
“I fell in love with the idea that any individual could create this thing called a business that could really be the ticket to the freedom to design the life we really want.”
- Katie Krimitsos
Episode highlights:
- As a society we tend to think you can’t make money from creative pursuits, but to Katie this is all a mindset issue.
- Find three people who do what YOU want to do, so that you can see that it is possible to make money that way.
- Katie fell in love with entrepreneurship while working with her husband in an organization called the Tampa Bay Business Owners.
- In 2014 she decided to start a podcast to shine a light on female business owners so we can all share the journey together.
- Katie’s coaching and her academy all grew out of the podcast.
- You don’t have to be more than a few steps ahead of the people you’re trying to serve in order to be helpful to them.
- The key obstacle to a lot of business owners is that they don’t have the confidence to believe in themselves.
- Katie journals every morning to help her stay in tune with gratitude and visioning.
- She often chooses a future date and writes about what could happen by then to make herself proactive in her own life.
- Katie uses her journaling to give her ideas for new content to create for her audience.
- Feeling discouraged or down? Use affirmations to help you “fake it ‘til you make it.”
- Everything doesn’t have to be perfect; you don’t have to know everything before you begin. Just experiment!
- When you start to feel overwhelmed and you feel like your business is running you, it’s time to go back to your WHY.
Mentioned in this episode:
My 3-day challenge to help you use your stash and WIN!
The Podcast Movement Conference
Voxer voice messaging app
Zoom video conferencing
Learn more about Katie and Biz Women Rock!:
Website: BizWomenRock.com
The Academy: BizWomenRock.com/Academy
The Podcast: Biz WomenRock.com/category/podcast
Facebook group: BizWomenRock.com/Group
Instagram: Instagram.com/BizWomenRock
Twitter: Twitter.com/Biz_WomenRock
MOVE THE NEEDLE ON YOUR KNIT BIZ!
Click here to sign up for a free 30-minute creative business strategy session with Kara!
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this episode are affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase and there is no additional cost for you to do so. When I make a recommendation, it is because I have personal experience with these products and have used them myself. I only recommend products I believe in and suggest them because I know they will be helpful, not because of the small commission I make if you decide to make a purchase. The commission I earn helps offset the production expenses that I incur to produce Power Purls, and by purchasing products through these links, also helps you to become a supporter of this podcast and for that, I am truly grateful.
In this episode Kara talks to knitwear designer and regular coaching client, Francoise Danoy. Francoise is a self-proclaimed Yarn Alchemist: she transforms yarn into knitwear designs for her tribe of Fibre Muses to enjoy, and also teaches others how to become Yarn Alchemists themselves. Her mission is to evolve and grow, and right now the way she does that is by helping her Fibre Muses dive deep into themselves to find their creativity and magic. As a result of working with Francoise, a knitter can transform her yarn into a piece of fiber art, as well as discover and benefit from the magical properties of knitting, in order to create a more meaningful experience.
“Knitting is a quiet kind of magic that not only allows us to take a skein of yarn and transform in into something new, but connects us to our past, helps us stay grounded in the present and shapes our future.”
- Francoise Danoy
[Tweet "Inspiration abounds when designer @ArohaKnits talks business on the #PowerPurlsPodcast!"]
Episode highlights:
- Francoise was a guest on episode 26, and we're so happy to have her back again!
- Francoise is a knitwear designer living in Osaka, Japan. Her father is French and her mother is Maori.
- Francoise refers to herself as a yarn alchemist – she helps knitters transform their yarn into pieces of fiber art
- Francoise wants to inspire her fibre muses to help them feel confident about creating beautiful hand knits.
- She has been designing for 2.5 years, knitting for 3 years.
- Kara and Francoise work together with Kara’s 1:1 coaching service – they have had a monthly call for years now.
- Coaching gives Francoise an outside perspective on her business and lets her know she's not alone.
- Francoise says: When it comes to achieving goals, it’s less about succeeding or failing and more about doing the work.
- The accountability aspect of coaching helps Francoise with the “getting it done” portion of her goal-setting process.
- Francoise says that her sessions with Kara gives her a major confidence boost.
- She also loved getting in-person help with TNNA from Kara.
- Kara recommends the use of an editorial calendar to plan out your content each month and quarter.
- Francoise says her design process hasn’t changed over the years, but she is more efficient now.
- She also teaches that same process to others now so they can build a design business.
- How long does it take to make a design? For hats, 1-2 months, shawls 2-3 months, garments longer.
- The longest amount of time in the whole process is the test knitting.
- Kara recommends always hiring a test knitter in order to preserve your passion for knitting.
- Francoise says it’s still fun for her to knit her own designs, at least at this point.
- Francoise casts on one project, sees it all the way through, and immediately starts the next one.
- For her new collection, Francoise is batching by doing all the knitting, then all the pattern writing, then all the edits.
- Francoise likes to start her work around 9 and be finished with her non-knitting work by lunch.
- When she creates the sketches for her design, Fracoise tends to envision the colors at that point.
- Francoise prefers to use semi-solid colorways, blues, yellows, reds, purples.
- Her upcoming publication is going to feature more rustic and natural colors and warmer tones.
- Francoise immediately started her knitting journey with the idea of incorporating Maori designs into her stitches.
- If she couldn't find a pattern she liked, she would make one up!
- This is what prompted Francoise to learn new techniques, so that she could incorporate that into her designs.
- For Francoise, knitting was an opportunity to reconnect with her mother’s culture and learn her own heritage.
- It is Francoise’s goal to help people have confidence to transform their yarn into amazing projects and make magic.
- Francoise is now going to a quarterly pattern collection release schedule instead of a monthly one.
- The biggest thing she’s struggling right now is shifting her mindset from short-term goals and deadlines to long-term.
- Kara recommends creating a spreadsheet to map out your goals and the timeline associated with it.
- Francoise is not influenced by the city where she lives (Osaka) for her design process.
- Francoise’s advice for the fiber arts business: "Just put yourself out there and see it through, just go for it."
Mentioned in this episode:
8 steps to creating a killer design (Kara I can't find a landing page for this only a direct download?)
Francoise's Tokerau Shawl pattern
Fiber Muse Alchemy kits – yarn club subscription from Francoise
The One Thing by Gary Keller
Learn more about Francoise and Aroha Knits:
Website: arohaknits.com
Facebook group: The Fibre Muse Circle
Instagram: instagram.com/arohaknits
MOVE THE NEEDLE ON YOUR KNIT BIZ!
Click here to sign up for a free 30-minute creative business strategy session with Kara!
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this episode are affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase and there is no additional cost for you to do so. When I make a recommendation, it is because I have personal experience with these products and have used them myself. I only recommend products I believe in and suggest them because I know they will be helpful, not because of the small commission I make if you decide to make a purchase. The commission I earn helps offset the production expenses that I incur to produce Power Purls, and by purchasing products through these links, also helps you to become a supporter of this podcast and for that, I am truly grateful.
In this episode Kara is joined by Leanne Pressly, the CEO of Stitchcraft Marketing. Principal owner and multi-hat wearing fearless CEO of Stitchcraft Marketing. Leanne holds an M.A. in Sociology and a B.A. in English and has 20+ years of experience in sales and marketing. Prior to starting the agency, she owned a website design and hosting business for 10 years. She’s been a knitter since she was 18 and loves to spin yarn, make her own clothes and quilt. She lives in Colorado with her husband, teenage daughter and a menagerie of pets.
“The rapid pace of change means you're NEVER going to be in front of your social channels all the time. Half the battle is just having a solid social media plan and following through on the work. Let the rest go.”
-Leanne Pressly
[Tweet "Soaking up TONS of #marketing advice from Leanne of @Stitchcraftmktg on #PowerPurlsPodcast!"]
Episode highlights:
- Leanne began her career in the fiber crafts when she met Deb Robson while pulling weeds on a farm in Colorado!
- Listen to the episode to hear about Leanne's whimsical first knitting project.
- Leanne worked at Interweave while she finished her graduate school program in Colorado.
- Leanne's "light bulb moment" came when she realized that there was a need for fiber arts businesses to hire someone to mange their newsletters and social media.
- Stitchcraft's clients own businesses in all areas of the hand crafting world, from fabric to yarn to paper crafts and more.
- Stitchcraft manages many different areas of a client's business, depending on that client's needs.
- Stitchcraft's sweet spot is social planning, strategy, and execution but they also offer content planning and marketing, pattern support, and more.
- Leanne advocates that even a B2B (business to business) company needs to have a social media plan and an active presence on social media channels.
- Leanne says that the growth in the industry has been mostly positive: "Competition's good for everybody - it raises all ships," she says.
- Leanne started a podcast so that she could share the common advice she gives several clients with a wider audience.
- Leanne loves to invite guests to the show who can share their expertise with her listeners.
- In her daily life, Leanne still knits and spins regularly. She loves a simple project to help her unwind at the end of a long working day.
- Marketing is in Leanne's blood: her mother was a marketer and her father was an entrepreneur.
- Life and knitting have taught Leanne that she thrives best when she's focusing on the big picture.
- On Leanne's team, everyone has "a seat on the bus." So she builds that team according to the individual strengths that people bring to the bus.
- Leanne's big piece of advice for our viewers: "Don't be afraid to embrace what you're really good at, and really focus your career on that."
- What contributes to Leanne's day to day success? Zapier!
Mentioned in this episode:
Deborah Robson's book: The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook
Stitchcraft Marketing - Leanne's company
Leanne's podcast, Business of Craft
Episode 2: Leanne's interview with Staci Perry of VeryPinkKnits
Smart Passive Income - Pat Flynn's podcast
Learn more about Leanne and Stitchcraft Marketing:
Website: stitchcraftmarketing.com
Business of Craft Podcast: stitchcraftmarketing.com/podcast
Facebook: facebook.com/stitchcraftmarketing
Instagram: instagram.com/stitchcraftmarketing/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company-beta/10152753/
Pinterest: pinterest.com/stitchcraftm/
Twitter: twitter.com/stitchcraftmktg
MOVE THE NEEDLE ON YOUR KNIT BIZ!
Click here to sign up for a free 30-minute creative business strategy session with Kara!
In this episode, Kara welcomes Abby Glassenberg, sewing pattern designer, craft book author, teacher, and writer. On her blog, WhileSheNaps.com, she writes about the sewing industry, running a creative business, and the online culture of craft. Abby has been blogging since 2005 and shares the value of a blogging, and how hers is at the heart of her crafting business. She's also the co-founder of the Craft Industry Alliance, a trade association for crafting professionals.
Abby has an undergraduate degree in history from Johns Hopkins and a master’s degree in education from Harvard. She taught middle school social studies in Mississippi through Teach For America, and 6th grade in the Newton Public Schools before becoming a textile artist. She’s the author of three sewing books. Abby lives in Wellesley, Massachusetts with her husband and three daughters.
“Pursue your interests as though it was your job - every day, on a regular schedule, thoroughly and professionally. That’s how you build a job doing what you love.”
-Abby Glassenberg
[Tweet "I'm listening to maker, #podcaster & sewing designer @AbbyGlassenberg on #PowerPurlsPodcast!"]
Episode highlights:
- When she became a mom, Abby knew she wanted to figure out how to work from home
- Abby discovered blogging in 2004 at it's still the heart of her business
- Abby shares how she's always been intrigued in making and sewing and figured out how to combine this on her blog
- Back in 2005, Abby crafted while her daughter Roxanne was napping, and came up with the name While She Naps for her blog
- Abby soon entered the world of Etsy with her stuffed animals, which is what Abby is best known for
- Abby discusses how the blogging world has changed since she started
- Blogging tools are easier to use today then they were back in the early days, but harder to get noticed
- How she founded Craft Industry Alliance with Kristin Link of Sew Mama Sew
- The Alliance offers a digital journal twice per month with articles written by professional writers
- Abby explains Coffee Klatch - a monthly virtual meeting offered to members of the Alliance
- The future of Craft Industry Alliance includes live events for education and networking
- Why trade shows are essential especially for new designers starting out
- Importance of doing gut checks about your business and showing up every day
- The secret to Abby's success is inbox zero because when a new idea or offer arrives, she can jump on it!
Mentioned in this episode:
Craft Industry Alliance - CraftIndustryAlliance.org
The National NeedleArts Association - TNNA.org
Association for Creative Industries (formerly Craft Hobby Association) - CraftAndHobby.org
Learn more about Abby and WhileSheNaps.com:
Website: whileshenaps.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/AbbyGlassenbergDesign
Instagram: Instagram.com/AbbyGlassenberg
MOVE THE NEEDLE ON YOUR KNIT BIZ!
Click here to sign up for a free 30-minute creative business strategy session with Kara!
In this episode, Kara talks about how to develop you knitting super powers - and WHY that means you need to go out on that ledge and take some creative chances! This episode was inspired by Melanie, who is part of the Power Purls Community and she participated in the Stitchucation Shawls Workshop. She recently completed her shawl and it opened a world of possibilities for her. Here's what she posted ...
I loved going out on a ledge and trying a yarn I wouldn't have tried. I loved having so much choice, as in what to do next (which of course gives me 101 ideas for the next shawl and the one after that!) I have learned that by the time I am annoyed by the row length, I'm almost ready to bind off! And NOW, I cannot tear my eyes away from this beautiful shawl!
Even the wisest scholar can’t give you wisdom. They can point the way, but you must develop wisdom through your own experiences.
Taking that chance, means you're willing to trust yourself! This helps you gain confidence and it's a step in the direction to begin your designing journey. What I encouraged in the Stitchucation Shawls Workshop was to take an "intuitive journey" through shawl-making and fall in love with swatching, take chances, and go out on a "ledge" as Melanie says. This willingness builds your wisdom muscle, which is your SUPERPOWER!
You can catch Power Purls Podcast LIVE with Kara Gott Warner, host of the podcast, designer, illustrator, editor and your ultimate cheerleader on your yarn crafting path every Friday on the Power purls Facebook Page to join in during the live video!
5 ways to develop your knitting super powers:
- Trust your intuition - learn to read your knitting and take clues from it
- Put aside the pattern - just try to see if you can lead the way with your own understanding
- Be spontaneous - try new needles, new yarn. Do something crazy!
- Get our of your comfort zone every day
- Build you WISDOM muscle = this is your SUPER POWER!
MOVE THE NEEDLE ON YOUR KNIT BIZ!
Click here to sign up for a free 30-minute creative business "discovery session" with Kara!
In this episode, we're talking all things weaving with special guest, Liz Gipson, known as Yarnworker in the yarn universe! We go beyond knitting and crochet and explore the influence that weaving has had in the yarn crafting world over the past several years. Liz shares her experiences, passion and knowledge as an expert weaver, editor, author and teacher. Liz writes a popular weaving for knitters column for Knitty and regularly contributes to blogs and fiber-related publications.She's the author of A Weaver's Guide to Swatching and has had numerous appearances on PBS, DIY and HGTV networks, where she introduced weaving and spinning to the yarn crafting world. Visit her Patreon Community and help Liz build her online weaving school!
"Developing a strong responsible relationship with your readers and asking them to support you takes guts, but it's worth it. Authentic reader relationships pay off in so many unexpected ways and are infinitely satisfying—I firmly believe that community-funded content is the new black."
-Liz Gipson
[Tweet "Hey, I'm listening to @Yarnworker talking all things weaving with #yarn on #PowerPurlsPodcast!"]
Episode highlights:
- Liz shares how she launched a series of popular weave-alongs after she lost teaching samples
- How the weave-alongs spurred Liz into a new direction, launching her Patreon Campaign to create an online weaving school
- Liz expresses her gratitude that her weaving life allows for so many opportunities for reinvention
- She started her career as an occupational therapist, but then felt despondent and stumbled upon an opportunity to travel to New Zealand to learn about sheep and fiber production
- Liz studied wool science for a year in New Zealand which began her love affair with the yarn
- How she began career in the early days of craft digital publishing
- Learn how Liz created a bridge to from weaving to the knitting and crochet world with the introduction of small looms
Learn more about Liz:
Website: Yarnworker.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/Yarnworker
Instagram: Instagram.com/yarnworker
Patreon: www.patreon.com/LizGipson
MOVE THE NEEDLE ON YOUR KNIT BIZ!
Click here to sign up for a free 60-minute creative business strategy session with Kara!
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this episode are affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase and there is no additional cost for you to do so. When I make a recommendation, it is because I have personal experience with these products and have used them myself. I only recommend products I believe in and suggest them because I know they will be helpful, not because of the small commission I make if you decide to make a purchase. The commission I earn helps offset the production expenses that I incur to produce Power Purls, and by purchasing products through these links, also helps you to become a supporter of this podcast and for that, I am truly grateful.
In this episode, Kara puts on her editor's hat to talk about the top 10 mistakes new designers make so you can avoid them! In her experience as editor of Creative Knitting magazine, there are several of common proposal issues she would encounter. As you'll learn, some are very simple and easy to implement, but ... often easy to forget!
The world doesn't need another boxy sweater pattern. Tell the unique story behind your design. You are your own best marketing machine, and the design proposal is your best first impression.
[Tweet "I'm listening to how to avoid the 10 common mistakes new #knit designers make on #PowerPurlsPodcast!"]
Episode highlights:
The 10 common mistakes, how you can avoid them if you follow these steps:
- Tell a story - share the vision behind your design and sell the editor on it!
- Clearly illustrate your idea through sketch or photo
- State the design skill level
- DON'T list yarn as "generic" - be specific!
- Know your yarn! What's hot and new? Do your research!
- Provide multiple swatches - especially for special shaping: armholes, necklines, bust shaping
- Follow the designer guidelines and style before submitting to a publisher/yarn company
- Deliver what you promise - if you suggest a garment then be ready to write your pattern in multiple sizes
- DON'T send your proposal in the body of an email with photo attachments
- DO create a 1-2 page pdf containing all the components in one document
Click here to get the free checklist!
Click here to learn more about the benefits and rewards when you become a patron of Power Purls Podcast!
Knitting often dictates life, and life often dictates knitting.
[Tweet "I'm listening to how to de-stress with #knitting on #PowerPurlsPodcast!"]
Episode highlights
- Creating rituals surrounding our knitting
- How knitting can serve our anchor when we feel the ground fall from beneath us
- Knitting as a morning routine
- Why does knitting make us feel so good?
- What is knitting intuition and how can we trust in it?
- How spontaneously picking up your needles can be a form of therapy
- Bridging the gap between the technical and the divine
- Kara's journey to podcasting and her quirky approach
- Why Kara started Power Purls Podcast and where it's going
- Trusting the process when we're knitting even if we're not sure what comes next
- Kara shares her two parallel paths - creativity and heath and wellness and how she has "knit them together"
- Kara shares how her quest for wellness became passion to help others
- How a knitting journal can be a mix of technical and creativity and doodles. Find your intuitive quirky approach
- In the Power Purls Patreon Community, Kara shares "minisodes" that marry these two worlds
- How joining the Power Purls Community helps move the needle on your yarn crafting life
- PowerPurlsPodcast.com/Community to learn about workshops, challenges, unreleased recordings and group coaching
- Become a member. Support the podcast.
- www.Patreon.com/PowerPurlsPodcast
In this Q&A-style episode, Kara welcomes returning guest and "sidekick in crime," Tabetha Hedrick for another edition of Ask Kara & Tabetha Anything! Kara and Tabetha answer questions from live video audience during the live version of Power Purls Podcast, airing every Friday on the Power Purls Facebook page. Click here to watch the video and chime in with your own questions, or leave them in the comments below.
"How you put it all together thorough your own style, voice, and construction is what makes a design unique."
Episode highlights
- Judy asks: "How does one go about becoming a stitcher?"
- Tabetha answers: It's all about reaching out and testing patterns.
- Kara answers: just get in there-- don't wait for all the ducks to be in a row!
- Fiber Boss Collective is a great resource for designers, knitters, with lots of activity about sample knitting and indie dyer resources.
- Why become a person of value by helping others in fiber groups will help you grow relationships.
- Why Ravelry is a good resource if you want to get into test knitting.
- Robin asks: "I am a combination knitter and I would like to know which stitches I need to do differently in order to follow a pattern and/or have my knitting turn out looking correct."
- Kara answers: If you are a combination knitter, purling English and knitting in Continental is a good idea because purling Continental can sometimes cause stitches to slant while working in Stockinette Stitch.
- Lousetta asks: "What makes a design unique and/or how many differences in a pattern makes it new? When can a designer claim it as a new submission?
- Tabetha answers: How you put it together thorough your own style, voice and construction is what makes a design unique.
- One of the biggest questions most new designers have is knowing if it's allowable to use stitch patterns from stitch dictionaries to integrate into a new design.
- Jennifer asks: "How did you get started in the knitting/yarn industry? and how long did it take you to gain a following? I just designed & published my first pattern (working on my second one now) and I have a 2x a week vlog but I am so new that I do not have a large following. Help!"
- Kara answers: focus on building community and the big "P" word -- PATIENCE and why this is essential in the beginning. It's about creating a community and growing this overtime. It doesn't take a huge following to make a sustainable living.
- Tabetha answers: keep on designing, and give personalized attention with yarn companies. Don't give up!
- Kara shares why it's beneficial to look outside of the fiber world and gather ideas from mainstream online business people.
Resources
Fiber Boss Collective - A thriving community, founded by Chelsea Fitch for knitters, crocheters, indie dyers and designers.
1000 True Fans by Kevin Kelly (very long, but worth reading!)
Gabby Bernstein - self-proclaimed spirit junkie and encourager.
Marie Forleo - life coach and founder of BSchool
[Tweet "Do you have a BURNING knitting question? Join the conversation on the Power Purls Facebook page and Ask Kara & Tabetha Anything!"]
- Become a member. Support the podcast.
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this episode are affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase and there is no additional cost for you to do so. When I make a recommendation, it is because I have personal experience with these products and have used them myself. I only recommend products I believe in and suggest them because I know they will be helpful, not because of the small commission I make if you decide to make a purchase. The commission I earn helps offset the production expenses that I incur to produce Power Purls, and by purchasing products through these links, also helps you to become a supporter of this podcast and for that, I am truly grateful.
In this episode, I share how to become an intuitive knitter in 7 steps. As a former knitting magazine editor, it's all about the pattern, but sometimes relying only on a pattern can become like a crutch because we can get caught up in focusing upon what the pattern says instead of trusting our own wisdom.
Episode highlights
- Master the tools, then dissect - understand the mechanics, then reimagine them
- The Picasso metaphor - first learn to see and understand, then deconstruct and question
- Why there's no right or wrong in knitting - go by the beat of your own drum!
- A good pattern should lead you down a path
- Kara shares the best advice given early in her designing career
- The 7 tips to develop your knitting intuition
- Fall in love with swatching - why this will give you the confidence and ability to be more intuitive
- Why you should question a pattern if you see a better way to make it
Do you like the way most knitting patterns or written, or do you feel that it's time to reimagine how we navigate a pattern that includes a more open-ended intuitive approach?
Join the conversation on the Power Purls Facebook page and leave your answer to the question above here.
- Become a member. Support the podcast.
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this episode are affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase and there is no additional cost for you to do so. When I make a recommendation, it is because I have personal experience with these products and have used them myself. I only recommend products I believe in and suggest them because I know they will be helpful, not because of the small commission I make if you decide to make a purchase. The commission I earn helps offset the production expenses that I incur to produce Power Purls, and by purchasing products through these links, also helps you to become a supporter of this podcast and for that, I am truly grateful.
Meet Tara Swiger, marketing expert, author and host of Explore Your Enthusiasm podcast. Tara works with makers and artists to create a sustainable, lovable businesses. She does this through her books, the weekly podcast, online classes, and her in-person workshops. She leads adventures for makers who want to explore your own definition of success!
In this episode, Tara shares tips and strategies from her new book, Map Your Business a workbook of exercises designed to help you create your own personal blueprint to reach goals that are important to you, and how you can use it to define success, set goals and make a plan that you can stick with! In this book, Tara takes an integrative approach, encouraging you to align your life and business, and she invites you to take a look at your progress each quarter to make sure you’re on track.
Episode highlights
- Tara created her own job instead of "a business." Don't just talk about it ... do it if that's what you want to do!
- How there's a big difference between the planning stage and actually having started a business
- After you start, what's next. Now where do you go?
- In 2009 Tara left her day job and made it known publicly. She shares why it's important to let the world know
- Her first class was a marketing path to help creative business owners
- How the Map Your Business book is not only for business, but how to "draw your universe"
- The map-making process that Tara shares can be applied to any part of your life
- The difference between a task and a project - and why understanding this difference is crucial to your success
- Why making a mindmap helps to understand things visually and in a linear way
- Why Map Your Business was created like a map and how it came from a series of pdf workbooks that she created for her students
- How the book helps you to assess your goals monthly and quarterly, and how to pivot if you need to
- Tara gives Kara advice about how to do a monthly review in her new business-- and explains that this is advice everyone can follow
- There isn't a "right way" to start a creative business, you need to find what's right for you
- Tara shares her biggest struggle - a combination of having unrealistic expectations and not getting derailed when things don't go right.
- Tara explains that there is a way to systematize the overwhelm - make a check list out of it
- The power or making a daily list even if it feels redundant
- Why it's OK to give yourself permission to say NO to getting certain things done
- Why being a maker contributes to the quality of Tara's daily life and how knitting socks helps her to stay sane during car rides!
- English Paper Piecing #epp is another passion of Tara's. She loves it so much because this craft is portable much like knitting
- How replying to a tweet, led to her being featured in the book bestselling book, Crush It! by Gary Vaynerchuk
- Before you think about the Etsy shop or marketing - you FIRST need to to create your product and spend time "practicing."
Learn more about Tara:
Website: TaraSwiger.com
Podcast: Explore Your Enthusiasm
Facebook: Facebook.com/Tara.Swiger
Instagram: @TaraSwiger
Twitter: @TaraSwiger
Mentioned in this episode:
Business and marketing books:
The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future, by Chris Gillebeau
Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion by Gary Vaynerchuk (the book that Tara was mentioned in and one of Kara's faves!)
Podcasts:
Smart Passive Income with Pat Flynn, check out episode SPI237 with Lauren from Girly Knits
The Ask Pat Podcast - Get your online business questions answered, 5 days a week.
- Become a member. Support the podcast.
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this episode are affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase and there is no additional cost for you to do so. When I make a recommendation, it is because I have personal experience with these products and have used them myself. I only recommend products I believe in and suggest them because I know they will be helpful, not because of the small commission I make if you decide to make a purchase. The commission I earn helps offset the production expenses that I incur to produce Power Purls, and by purchasing products through these links, also helps you to become a supporter of this podcast and for that, I am truly grateful.
Opening music credit: The Ether Life by Macroform
Episode highlights
- Vickie saw a need for a knitting and crochet show like The Knit Show and filled it
- She shares how her #1 love for broadcasting and her passion for knitting and crochet and how these created her brand
- Vickie super power is craft encourager and setting a positive example for yarn crafters
- Community is no longer local. We are on a global playing field, and have access to so much more today than ever before
- How crowd-funding is the new normal
- How The Knit Show is show different than the other knit and crochet TV shows
- Show overview: tutorials, the benefits of yarn crafting and mental health, fitness segments and overall holistic integration
- Vickie's plans for continuing with her live video series, Ask Me Monday and why this is important for community
- Why The Knit Show is a fully-produced show and details about the production team behind its creation
- Rewards for becoming a backer of the show
- Vickie shares her secret for keeping the balls in the air while as a wife and mother
The Kickstarter ends on April 19th! Click here to become a backer NOW!
Learn more about Vickie & Kickstarter Campaign:
Community on the web: VickieHowell.com
The Knit Show on Kickstarter
Facebook: Facebook.com/vickiehowell
Instagram: @VickieHowell
Click Here to Join the Stitchucation Workshop 5-Week Workshop, Beginning May 1. Join Kara for 5 full weeks of intuitive shawl-making!
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this episode are affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase and there is no additional cost for you to do so. When I make a recommendation, it is because I have personal experience with these products and have used them myself. I only recommend products I believe in and suggest them because I know they will be helpful, not because of the small commission I make if you decide to make a purchase. The commission I earn helps offset the production expenses that I incur to produce Power Purls, and by purchasing products through these links, also helps you to become a supporter of this podcast and for that, I am truly grateful.
Opening music credit: The Ether Life by Macroform
- How Stacey began her journey dabbling with self-publishing patterns on Ravelry and Etsy
- Known for small whimsical crochet animal patterns
- How she reimagined a new way to write an easier to understand pattern
- The intuitive aspects of a crochet pattern
- In 2012, she began a membership club, offering her crochet kits
- Stacey goes through the paces about how she started the club
- The difficulties with managing a physical club
- Why she ended the kit club and shifted to a digital-only club
- How she expanded from club to an all-encompassing community
- Why it's important to know your audience and what they really want
- The Importance of niching down
- Identify what you're known for
- Stacey shares her biggest struggle working solo
- Details about Business and Creative Services (BCS) for designers, tech editors, graphic designers, podcasters and bloggers.
- Advice for designers walking The National NeedleArts trade show (TNNA)
- How to sign up for TNNA as a designer or fiber business
- Stacey shares details about her role as Creative and Marketing Director of Louet Yarns
- Mei Pak and Tiny hands and Creative Hive
- Midwest Craftcon
- Louet North America
- The National NeedleArts Association (TNNA)
- BCS Facebook Group: Facebook.com/TNNAServices
In this episode, Kara chit chats with Tabetha Hedrick, Design Director of Sweet Georgia Yarns, and Contributing Editor of Creative Knitting Magazine. Tabetha is also Kara's sidekick in crime co-host of the Ask Kara & Tabetha Anything series. In this episode, we share details about the upcoming Stitchucation Shawls 5-Day Challenge and Workshop starting April 10, 2017, sponsored by Sweet Georgia Yarns.
In the extended, patron only version, you're in for a treat because Tabetha closes the convo with the 5 top things to master when submitting designs to yarn companies and craft publishers. This is valuable advice that you can use in any of your professional endeavors.
Check out the benefits of membership here.
Episode highlights
- Tabetha remembers her first ugly sweater project. Don't we all have one?
- A random meeting at McDonald's sealed her destiny as a knitwear designer.
- How to go get what you want instead of waiting for opportunities to come to you.
- Diversification is essential to thrive as a knitwear designer.
- What led Tabetha to landing her role as Design Director of Sweet Georgia Yarns.
- How becoming a go-to person makes you invaluable as a designer.
- Grabbing the bull by the horns and luck led Tabetha to her role as Design Director of Sweet Georgia.
- Don't wait for things to land in your lap. Create what you're looking for.
- The trials and tribulations of working remotely and what helps Tabetha stay organized.
- Tabetha, the queen of organization shares tips for staying on top of tasks and deadlines!
How to find out more about Tabetha:
Sweet Georgia Yarns: SweetGeorgiaYarns.com
Mentioned in this episode:
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Productivity apps: Asana and Evernote
Inkwell Press Planners: Inkwellpress.com
Stitcucation Shawls 5-Day Challenge. Sign up here!
Challenge special: enter Stitch10 at checkout to get 10% off Sweet Georgia Yarns
Che Lam is the creator behind the knitting blog, Handy Kitty. She was once the in-house knitwear designer at Drops Design in Norway. Today, she she works as a freelance designer, with her designs gracing the pages of popular knitting magazines, including Knit Scene, Creative Knitting, and Pompom.She is also the author of Learn How to Knit with 50 Squares. Che is a contributor to the Annie's Signature Designs Spring Breeze Collection of knit and crochet pattern designs.
Originally from Hong Kong, Che currently resides in Gothenburg, Sweden. Fashion and design has always been a passion of hers, although she graduated as a civil engineer. She followed her heart to pursue the dream of being a knitwear designer.
"I love to create simple and aesthetically pleasing things. As a designer, to see my ideas taking form from sketches to finished knitting, and finally as inspiration for others, is the best feeling ever!"
- Che Lam
[Tweet "5 BIG questions to ask yourself before designing knitting patterns with Che Lam on #PowerPurlsPodcast!"]
Episode highlights:
- Che offers advice for someone wanting to start out designing with the 5 BIG questions to ask yourself.
- The top skills that every aspiring designer should know.
- Che says make the design process fun -- make it like a game and play!
- The inspiration behind her designs in the Annie's Spring Breeze Collection.
- How to get started with learning how to size (grade) garments.
- How to start with one size then understand that, then she added more sizes.
- Designing tip: buy a children's pullover, take measurements and test the waters with garment construction on a small scale.
How to find out more about Che:
Website: www.HandyKitty.com
Che's Lookbook: www.handykitty.com/look-book
Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/designers/handy-kitty
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/handykitty
Mentioned in this episode:
Annie's Signature Designs: www.AnniesSignatureDesigns.com
Grading resource: The Craft Yarn Council
Support Power Purls on Patreon! Check out the details here to learn how to become a patron of the show... there are some pretty sweet rewards for getting in on this ground-floor level!
If you're a designer and you'd love to go to The National Needle Arts Trade Show, but you aren't sure what to expect, listen in to today's show, with Kara's guest, Meghan Jones, to get her take on what happens there and to get some great advice and tips for newbies on how you can make your visit to the show really worthwhile.
Meghan, who lives in Spokane, Washington, with her husband, three kids, two dogs, one cat and six chickens, works full time as a knitwear designer and also nurtures obsessions with sharks, gardening, cooking, and chickens- though not necessarily in that order. She is a prolific designer, with a BFA in fiber and textiles. Meghan got on the cover of Creative Knitting Magazine in 2011 and she's still with them today, creating designs and tutorials and she was recently named the Creative Knitting Newsletter Editor. Listen in today and find out what first brought her to the two pointy sticks and also all about her recent experience at The National Needle Arts Trade Show, in San Jose California.
Today, Meghan talks to Kara about:
- Meghan's recent visit to The National Needle Arts Trade Show- What she experienced there and how it was for her.
- The printed booklet, her unique business cards and a booklet of printed patterns, which she handed out to relevant people at the TNNA Trade Show.
- The companies she spoke to at the trade show and what she learned about how to approach them effectively, as a designer.
- The fun and unexpected relationships that came as a spin-off from the show.
- How Meghan got turned on to knitting, while pregnant and with her husband in Iraq.
- Meghan's really hard time during 2006, as a new mom with her husband suffering from PTSD and how knitting really helped her.
- How Meghan got started with designing- and making money from it.
- How Meghan developed her professional approach to her work.
- How Instagram helps Meghan to remain accountable and how that came about.
- How Meghan sees Instagram as a great tool to assist people wanting to uplevel their careers.
- Meghan's biggest struggles, working solo.
- Going through “the dip” and what Meghan does to break out of it.
- Meghan elaborates on her quote: “I believe you can manifest anything with hard work. The more you work, the better you get and the more opportunities you will create for yourself. Be tenacious, do what you love and the path will open before you.”
- Meghan's funny knitting story.
Links:
Meghan's website: www.littlenutmegproductions.com
Meghan on Pinterest: @meghanjoneslnmp
Meghan on Twitter: @meghanjoneslnmp
Meghan on Instagram: @meghanjoneslnmp
Meghan on Facebook: Little Nutmeg Productions: Knitwear Design By Meghan Jones
Recommended book: The Dip by Seth Godin
Chelsea Fitch was drawn to yarn as a child - the colors just sucked her in and mesmerized her from her youth. Fast forward years later, when Chelsea was living in Japan and she learned how to knit. She started with continental knitting and she could not get enough of it. She quickly consumed everything she could about knitting and learned all she could. Something told her to start making videos of her knitting and that was the catalyst for what has turned into Chelsea’s knitting empire. Although she’s only been knitting for 3 years, she’s taken action on her ideas along the way and she’s made herself and integral part of the knitting industry. She’s currently pouring all her efforts into KnitFitch.com and she also has courses available at FiberBoss.com. Chelsea's not done yet, because she also might revive her podcast as some point. I can’t wait for you to hear the story of her foray into the knitting world and I hope that it will inspire you to jump in and be a part of the knitting industry!
- Learn how Chelsea learned to knit
- Why Chelsea turned down her dream job offer
- New baby, new hobby - continental knitting
- 3 years into knitting, she’s considered an expert
- Knitting, a great anti-depressant
- Falling in love with Ravelry
- The desire to be part of the industry, rather than just around the industry was overwhelming
- How being a “fly on the wall” helped birth her business idea
- See a need; fill the need
- The MCN formula
- Chelsea’s biggest struggle in business
- Your logo isn’t as important as you think it is
- Just start. That’s the most important thing you can do for your business
- Test before you invest
- Knitting time is meditation time
- The role having an accountability partner has played in her success
Chelsea’s Courses are available at the Fiber Boss Campus at fiberboss.com
Instagram @knitfitch
FiberBoss.com
Have you ever thought about creating a physical product? The task seems a bit overwhelming to most of us. Today’s guest took the overwhelming tasks of product creation to a whole new level. Not only did she hone in on her target customer, but she ran a successful Kickstarter campaign to validate her idea! Simply brilliant!
Today, we are talking with Mariah Clark. She’s been designing bags for more than 6 years and prior to that, she has spent more than 25 years working with yarn. She has a degree in Apparel Design from Virginia Tech and she even spent time in Paris, studying couture sewing! She is the owner of Stitch Amour, a brick and mortar yarn shop in Waynesboro, VA. Her new venture is Laurie Laine knitting bags. She’s here today to talk about the design process, the Kickstarter campaign and the popular Duo bag!
Listen to the episode as Kara and Mariah discuss:
- How Mariah went about getting feedback on her bags
- The development process behind the Duo bag from Laurie Laine
- The target market for her bag and why that was important
- What makes her bag different
- How she decided to use Kickstarted to test the validity of her bag
- Her best practices for running a successful Kickstarter campaign
- How she systematizes her processes to accomplish her goals
- Why knowing your customer is important
You can pre-order the Duo bag at www.laurielaine.com.
Do you love working with beautiful yarns? And have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at a yarn manufacturing company? Then join Kara Gott-Warner as she goes one on one with her guest for today, Amy Gunderson. The topic of today’s discussion is the yarn industry and Amy has a few insider tips for you!
Amy, who lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, is the creative director for Universal Yarn. When she's not at her day job, she spends her time doing freelance design work for a number of publications, as well as doing tech editing for indie, knit and crochet designers. She's also a freelance graphic designer, focusing mostly on crochet charts. She is the author of two books and has been published in most major knit and crochet magazines, including Creative Knitting and Crochet. She's also done some teaching and article writing for magazines. On today's show, Kara asks Amy for her perspective on the yarn industry.
Join Kara and Amy as they discuss:
- What it's like to develop a collection for a yarn company.
- What attracted Amy to the world of yarn.
- The magic of taking some yarn and turning it into a garment you can wear!
- The different approaches people have to knitting.
- The blend of art, tech and practicality in knitting.
- Amy's role at Universal Yarn.
- How Amy started out- designing patterns and submitting them to magazines.
- The process of creating a new collection at a yarn company- how the elements all work together.
- How themes create parameters and so help in creating a collection.
- Who determines the color palettes for each season.
- The freedom Amy enjoys in her freelance design work.
- How collaboration between designers can add new dimensions to design.
- Ways that you can break into the design world as a new designer.
- Amy's awesome, simple advice about how to make it in any work situation.
- The challenges that freelance designers often face.
- How knitting can teach you patience.
Links:
Amy on Ravelry: Amy Gunderson
Free giveaways from Universal Yarn: www.powerpurlspodcast.com/universalyarn
Amy's blog: www.universalyarn.com – go to the Blog option.