Episode #303: Ali Dillingham

Episode #303: Ali Dillingham

Author: Abby Glassenberg January 5, 2026 Duration: 52:42

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about running a brick-and-mortar yarn shop with my guest, Ali Dillingham, owner of A Yarn Market.

A Yarn Market is a welcoming space based on the mission to make knitting and crochet accessible to all. With over 20 years of knitting experience, Ali is passionate about sharing the joy and therapeutic benefits of mindful making. She often refers to knitting as her form of 'yarn therapy.'

As a former speech-language pathologist with experience in educational settings, Ali has a deep understanding of how people learn. This background benefits her inclusive teaching style, making her a patient and effective instructor. Ali is known for her ability to empower students of all skill levels.

At A Yarn Market, along with providing access to local yarn, Ali has created a space where creativity and community flourish.

+++++

Today's episode is sponsored by The Academy for Virtual Teaching.

With tariffs, rising costs, and supply uncertainty, a lot of craft businesses are rethinking how dependent they are on physical products.

The Academy for Virtual Teaching’s Virtual Teaching 101 walks through how education and digital offerings can help diversify income for craft businesses right now.

Learn more at academyforvirtualteaching.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.


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 #291: Micah Clasper-Torch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:44
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about punch needle with my guest Micah Clasper-Torch. Micah Clasper-Torch is a Los Angeles-based artist, designer, and educator helping to lead the…
Special Episode: State of the Industry 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:22
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 7 at h+h americas 2025 in…
Episode #288: The New England Quilt Museum [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:50
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about museum exhibitions with my guests Nora Palermo and Pam Weeks of the New England Quilt Museum. Nora has served as Executive Director of the New…
Episode #287: Michael O'Dell of Legit Kits [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:14
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about quilt kits with my guest Michael O'Dell. Mike is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist who administers anesthesia in a pediatric hospital,…
Episode #286: Mary Engelbreit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:18
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about creating a best-selling art and illustration company with my guest, Mary Engelbreit. Over 40 years ago, Mary Engelbreit launched her own comp…
Episode #285: Annissa Essaibi-George of Stitch House [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:17
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about running a brick-and-mortar yarn shop with my guest, Annissa Essaibi-George. Annissa is the owner of Stitch House. She taught at East Boston H…
Episode #284: Hollei Anne Hayes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:54
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about product and surface design with my guest Hollei Hayes. Hollei is the owner of Hollei Anne Design Co. After honing her craft for over ten year…
Episode #283: Omkari Williams [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:14
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about activism with my guest Omakri Williams. Omkari Williams is the Gold Nautilus award-winning author of Micro Activism: How You Can Make a Diffe…
Episode #282: Melissa Galbraith of MCreativeJ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:46
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about embroidery with my guest Melissa Galbraith. Melissa is the fiber artist behind MCreativeJ. She was born and raised in the desert of Washingto…
Special Episode: The Fall of JOANN Fabrics [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:17
In this special episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we are talking with a variety of industry players about the second bankruptcy of JOANN Fabrics including: Grace Dobush, our business reporter for our corpor…