Roundtable Artist-Pitch to turn a crochet or knit project into a pattern/product
Drew Emborsky, aka The Crochet Dude®, was taught to crochet at age five by his mother while snowbound in Lake Tahoe. After studying fine art in college and living as a “starving artist” for years, he found solace in crocheting for charity while grieving the passing of his mom. It was during this time with the charity group that Drew became known as The Crochet Dude, which then led to the launch of his wildly popular blog in 2005, The Crochet Dude. Since then, Drew has had published numerous patterns in magazines and compilations books, his own full-length books, has appeared as a guest on various TV programs, and is currently the crochet expert on the hit PBS show Knit and Crochet Now. And watch out, crochet has a new Boye®toy, as Drew has teamed up with Boye® brand hooks to launch his own line of kits, hooks, tools, and accessories, available now nationwide. Drew lives in Houston, TX with his cats Chandler and Cleocatra.
Evie Ashworth is Design Director for the Retail Division at Robert Kaufman Fabrics. An established member of the textile industry for over 40 years, Evie has traveled the world to all production points from Europe to Asia and in between. She brought her expertise to Robert Kaufman in 2000 to establish within the company a whole category of product specifically for quilt fabric retailers. She merchandised the line, introducing the concept of coordinated samples and print basics, including the trademark Fusions(TM) brand, and ensures Robert Kaufman brand’s association with only the highest quality standards. Evie currently directs a large internal design team as well as several art studios abroad, to produce Robert Kaufman’s signature in-house Luxe and Gallery looks as well as a broad range with external licensed artists and brands.
Ingrid Liss is currently the Creative Director for Demdaco, a leading wholesale company specializing in giftware, holiday and home décor. With an emphasis on ‘lifting the spirit’, the Demdaco everyday giftware and Silvestri holiday brands bring unique artistry and meaningful products to market. Ingrid leads the combined efforts of leading independent licensed artists as well as a talented in-house staff of designers and product developers. Working in partnership with craftsmen and factories overseas, Ingrid helps facilitate the interpretation of artists’ designs for manufacture and importing. Formerly the Vice President of Design and Trend for Midwest of Cannon Falls, Ingrid brings over 20 years of industry experience in product development to her position. Ingrid is also the busy mom of two beautiful teenage girls who keep her laughing and on her toes.
After working for clients for a dozen years, Janine Vangool decided to pursue her own creative path through publishing books on creativity, craft, and design. With a love of things creative and curious, she publishes, edits, and designs 
Jayme is currently the Style Director and a Product Designer for Making Memories. Having served several roles with the company since 2003, she has a unique skill set which combines her business background, sharp eye for design and creative talents into one dynamic role. She has always had a love for crafting and creating and has been scrapbooking and sewing for more than 25 years. While at Making Memories, Jayme has conceptualized and developed many programs for both the local independent stores and national mass retailers. Jayme was an integral part of securing the brand into Target and has continued to develop key product lines for the retailer. She has also conceptualized and developed many product lines for Michaels, QVC and others. Over the years, Jayme has traveled internationally and across the country teaching at various scrapbooking events. She has also been a featured designer in several publications with Making Memories as well as Creating Keepsakes and Simply Handmade magazines.
Jinger began her creative journey in 2001 when she opened a retail store which immediately became a destination for people who shared her love for crafting. After hiring a talented design team, coming up with a line of great products and personally setting up production in the Orient, she created her own retail brand under the name of “Just Jinger.” It wasn’t long before her products gained popularity and the “Just Jinger” brand found a home in thousands of retail locations, including Michaels, Hobby Lobby, A.C. Moore and Wal-Mart. Since 2008, Jinger Adams has served as Creative Director and Spokesperson at Provo Craft. During this time, Jinger has been featured regularly as a vendor host on Home Shopping Network (HSN). As one of the top-rated vendor hosts on HSN, she has become the face of Cricut and an inspiration to millions of creative people in North American and abroad. She also appears on The Shopping Channel, in Canada, and Ideal World in the UK, and has been featured on Designing Spaces, The Lifetime Channel and many other national and local TV programs.
Kaari Meng has been designing vintage glass jewelry for more than 20 years. After moving to New York City in 1988, Kaari began exhibiting at trade shows and designing for specialty shops, including Anthropologie. Armed with experience in all facets of jewelry manufacturing, she began teaching jewelry making out of her shop, French General. In 2003, French General moved to Los Angeles, where it continues to offer workshops and creative kits to people who enjoy working with vintage materials.
