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: 100

Craft Industry Alliance
Podcast Episodes
Episode #235: Cheryl Ham [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:45
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about creating a subscription box with Cheryl Ham. Cheryl Ham is a self-taught knitter who learned the craft with a bit of help from YouTube and a…
Episode #234: Jenn McMillan of Sew Fine Thread Gloss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:55
In today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re discussing developing a specialty notion with my guest Jenn McMillan of Sew Fine Thread Gloss. Jenn is a graphic designer, quilter, and fabric-obsessed sew…
Episode #233: Porfiria Gomez [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:21
Today on the show we’re talking about modern quilting with my guest Porfiria Gomez. Porfiria is a sewing enthusiast, self-proclaimed designer, and blogger. A native New Yorker, Porfiria learned to sew from her mother and…
Episode #232: Meghan Fernandes of Pom Pom Quarterly [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:17
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about creating a craft magazine with my guest Meghan Fernandes, a co-founder of the independent knitting magazine Pom Pom. Meghan Fernandes is a kn…
Episode #231: Samantha Hoyt of A Gathering of Stitches [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:24
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about slow stitching with my guest Samantha Hoyt. Samantha Hoyt is the owner and creative director of A Gathering of Stitches, a series of small-sc…
Episode #230: Jonathan Lincoln from Goimagine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:14
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about handmade marketplaces with my guest Jon Lincoln. Jon is the founder of Goimagine. He earned many accolades with his prior technology venture…
Episode #229: Brittany Jepsen of The House that Lars Built [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:54
On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we’re talking about creating a lifestyle blog and brand with my guest Brittany Watson Jepsen. Brittany is the founder and creative director of The House That Lars…
Episode #228: Andrea Mowry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:34
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about knitwear design with my guest Andrea Mowry. Andrea is was lucky enough to learn how to knit as a child from her Grandma Ginny. By her late te…
Episode #227: Amy Small [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:02
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a yarn business with my guest Amy Small. Amy is a business owner, hand spinner, yarn lover, obsessive knitter, and podcaster. Along…
Episode #226: Simon Hurley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:35
On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about card making with my guest Simon Hurley. Simon Hurley started cardmaking when he was 12 and loved that each card was a unique canvas to work o…