Episode #275: Deborah Balmuth

Episode #275: Deborah Balmuth

Author: Abby Glassenberg October 21, 2024 Duration: 1:01:24

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about publishing books with my guest Deborah Balmuth.

Deborah retired from Storey Publishing on September 30 after 31 years with the company. She began as an editor, become editorial director in 2003, and publisher in 2013. She especially enjoyed expanding Storey's library of craft and herbal titles, working with authors including Helen Hiebert, Saffiyah Talley, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, Kari Chapin, Thomas Knauer, Megumi Inyoue, Rosemary Gladstar, and Shannon Downey, to name a few. In her retirement, she's looking forward to becoming a consumer of Storey books, with days filled with crafting, cooking, and making.

Deborah was also on episode #47 of this show recorded nearly 10 years ago. 

+++++

This episode is sponsored by knitCompanion.

knitCompanion is a groundbreaking app that works with ANY PATTERN. With its patented tools specially designed by fiber artists for fiber artists, it keeps track so your hands and mind can focus on making beautiful things. 

Redeem a special offer from knitCompanion:

Offer codes are usable by all new customers, and this code will provide 60 days free access to our subscription tools in Setup+Essentials. This code expires Dec 15, 2024.

 

To redeem for Apple App Store (iOS, iPhoneOS, MacOS):

  1. Download the free knitCompanion app from the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/knitcompanion-knitting-more/id1058142783
  2. Click this link: https://apps.apple.com/redeem?ctx=offercodes&id=1058142783&code=CRAFT60

 

To redeem for Google Play:

  1. Download the free knitCompanion app from the Google Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.create2thrive.knitcompanion
  2. Open knitCompanion and tap Upgrade on the right side.
  3. Tap Subscribe button and then:
    1. Go through the checkout process until you find the payment method listed.
    2. Next to the payment method, select the down arrow, and then select Redeem code
    3. Enter the code: CRAFT60

+++++

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.


Abby Glassenberg hosts Craft Industry Alliance, a space where the practical realities of running a creative business meet the deep personal satisfaction of making things by hand. This isn't just about inspiration; it's a grounded conversation for anyone who has turned a craft into a career or dreams of doing so. Each episode feels like a candid chat with a fellow maker, where Abby and her guests pull back the curtain on their processes, discuss the tools and materials they truly rely on, and navigate the unique challenges of entrepreneurship in the creative sphere. You'll hear specific, actionable recommendations-from sourcing sustainable materials and mastering a new technique to marketing your work and managing a studio's finances. The discussions are rooted in the real world, covering everything from the joys of the creative process to the logistics of wholesale trade shows and online sales. Tune into this podcast for an honest blend of education and community, designed to support your journey whether you're knitting, painting, pottery throwing, or designing textiles. It’s a resource that acknowledges creativity as both a passion and a profession, offering the kind of nuanced advice you’d normally only get from a trusted mentor within the tight-knit world of crafts.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 332

Craft Industry Alliance
Podcast Episodes
Episode #134: Erin Dollar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:25
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building a business as a surface designer with my guest, Erin Dollar. Erin Dollar is the textile designer behind the home decor brand Cotton &…
Episode #133: The State of the Quilting Industry, Quilt Market 2018 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:30
This is my second annual State of the Quilting Industry show recorded at Fall Quilt Market in Houston, Texas. The show is only open to the trade and it’s a time for quilt shop owners, pattern designers, notion makers, an…
Episode #132: Ursula Morgan and Julie Roehm of Creativebug [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:41
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about online learning with my guests Ursula Morgan and Julie Roehm. Ursula is the CEO of Creativebug, the award-winning DIY art and craft instructi…
Episode #131: Molli Sparkles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:31
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building a career as a quilter with my guest, Molli Sparkles. Molli Sparkles is a multi-award-winning quilt maker who describes himself as a q…
Episode #130: Anne Weil [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:58
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about going from blogger to author and teacher with my guest, Anne Weil. Anne is the creator of the blog Flax & Twine and a designer of patterns and…
Episode #129: Courtney Courtney [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:29
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building a handmade clothing brand with my guest, Courtney Chu, of the handmade clothing brand CourtneyCourtney. Courtney Chu was trained as a…
Episode #128: Ebony Love [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:08
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about building a career in as an expert in the quilting industry with my guest, Ebony Love. An award-winning author and quilter Ebony is recognized…
Episode #127: Matt Reese of Road to California [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:58
In this episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about creating a quilt show with my guest, Matt Reese. Matt is the owner of Road to California, the premier consumer quilt show west of the Rocky Mount…
Episode #126: Kelly Stevens of Superbuzzy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:21
On this episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about running an online and brick-and-mortar fabric shop with my guest, Kelly Stevens of Superbuzzy. After finishing graduate school and some years wo…
Episode #125: Merchant and Mills [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:58
Please note that we had audio recording issues with this episode. We did our best in post-production, bug the audio quality is not up to our usual standards. We apologize. On this episode of the Craft Industry Alliance p…