Episode #300: Maria Shell

Episode #300: Maria Shell

Author: Abby Glassenberg November 17, 2025 Duration: 1:03:18

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about quilting with my guest Maria Shell.

 

Maria’s work is grounded in the tradition and craft of American quilt making. She strives to take the classical components of a traditional bedquilt and manipulate them with the hope of creating surprising combinations of pattern, repetition, and color for the viewer.

+++++

This episode is sponsored by Quarry Books. 

 

Check out Crochet Your Celebrity Crush with Lee Sartori! This book provides 15 amigurumi patterns to create adorable, crocheted versions of famous actors, musicians, and athletes. You can stitch your very own Harry Styles, Pedro Pascal, and more with Lee’s step-by-step instructions, suitable for crocheters of all skill levels.

 

Crochet Your Celebrity Crush is available now from Quarry.

+++++

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 #21: Gale Zucker and Kristin Nicholas. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:50
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast my guests are location photographer Gale Zucker and knitwear designer Kristin Nicholas. We learn about Gale and Kristin's backgrounds and then recommend great stu…
Episode #20: Rachael Gander and Kim Werker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:20
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I chat with Rachael Gander (imaginegnats.com) and Kim Werker about our recent projects and then all three of us recommend amazing things we're enjoying right now.…
Episode #19: Kari Chapin and Blair Stocker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:57
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I chat with Kari Chapin and Blair Stocker. We discuss the new edition of Kari's book, The Handmade Marketplace, and Blair's newly released book, Wise Craft. Kari,…
Episode #18: Meighan O'Toole and Caro Sheridan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:41
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I chat with quilter, knitter, and photographer, Caro Sheridan, and digital and social media strategist, Meighan O'Toole. Please note that this show used to be cal…
Episode #17: Stefanie Goodwin-Ritter and Stacey Trock [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:26
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I chat with Stefanie Goodwin-Ritter who is the senior account manager at Stitchcraft Marketing (formerly the Wood Wide Web). Stacey Trock is a crochet designer an…
Episode #16: Meg Freeman and Dorie Schwarz of Kids Clothes Week [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:21
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I chat with Meg Freeman and Dorie Schwarz, the women behind the incredibly popular online phenomenon that is Kids Clothes Week. Please note that this show used to…
Episode #15: Sonya Philip [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:13
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I chat with Sonya Philip who undertook an amazing project: to sew 100 dresses in a year, all from original patterns she's drafted herself. Sonya tells us her stor…
Episode #14: Tara Swiger and Stacey Trock [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:01
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast my guests are Tara Swiger and Stacey Trock. We share our top tips for marketing your creative business. Whether you're just getting started with an Etsy shop, or…
Episode #13: Deborah Fisher and Stacey Trock [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:29
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I talk with Deborah Fisher and Stacey Trock about great tools we love. Deborah is the author of Sew Fun: 20 Projects for the Whole Family. She is a doll maker and…
Episode #12: Gwen Bortner and Stacey Trock [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:22
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast my guests are knitwear designer Gwen Bortner and crochet designer Stacey Trock. We talk about our current favorite things including awesome books, apps, bags, tim…