Who is Long Thread Media?

Long Thread Media offers education, inspiration, and community in fiber arts.

By providing excellent craft content, we give our customers the information to deepen their skills and find ever-greater satisfaction in handwork.

Our content celebrates traditional crafts including handspinning, handweaving, knitting, and traditional needlework. 

Our publications, websites, online education, podcast, and events are created by and for makers who are curious and passionate about creating cloth by hand. 

Through our work, we foster creativity, self-expression, and connection—qualities that have drawn people to pick up needle, shuttle, and spindle through the ages.

Founded in 2019, we are a majority-women-owned small business dedicated to textile handcrafts and makers.  

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for sharing a love of fiber arts with us.

Founders

Anne Merrow, Editorial Director

Anne began her media career as a trade book editor. After falling in love with knitting, she transitioned to craft publishing. She has developed multimedia properties and top-selling online education in addition to managing classic print titles. A passionate textile crafter, she leads the editorial team in developing engaging, high-quality content. She also hosts the Long Thread Podcast, which has over 100 episodes and more than 750,000 downloads.

Linda Ligon, Partner

Linda started her first fiber magazine at her dining table when her youngest child was a baby. That endeavor grew to include dozens of magazines, videos, events, and books on crafts, home, and gardening. She has edited award-winning books on traditional textiles and launched the careers of hundreds of writers and editors.

John P. Bolton, Publisher

John has led independent media and craft companies since co-founding the independent publisher Quilting Arts Magazine in 2001. In addition to providing strategic and operational direction to Long Thread Media, he is a co-founder and the CEO of our partner company, Unfiltered Media, LLC, which is the leading publisher for a different type of craft, Craft Beer & Brewing and Craft Spirits & Distilling.

Team

Haydn Strauss
‍Director of Marketing
‍The technology lead at Long Thread Media and Unfiltered Media, LLC, Haydn has a wealth of expertise and particular strengths in software development, marketing strategy, system architecture, leadership, branding, and design. Haydn is originally from Portland, Oregon, but now lives in Denver with his wife and two kids.
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Kristi Avery
‍Chief Financial Officer
‍Kristi has served as business partner for Long Thread Media publications for a decade. As CFO of Unfiltered Media, LLC, she oversees all things finance, from accounting to budgeting to financial strategy. A Colorado native, she lives in Fort Collins with her husband and three kids.

Tiffany Warble
‍Director, Digital Content & Strategy
‍Tiffany is a lifelong creative with a devotion to all things fiber arts. She brings more than 15 years of expertise in content, digital strategy, and product development to everything she does at Long Thread Media. Tiffany believes creativity enriches lives and thrives on inspiring and empowering others through craft. She lives in Colorado with her husband, and when she’s not picking up a new craft, you can find her hiking in the Rocky Mountains.

Julie Macdonald
‍Director of Media Sales and Brand Partnerships
‍With more than 20 years of media experience, Julie is passionate about driving results for partners, with a focus on omni-channel marketing campaigns. Regarded as a thought leader in the enthusiast craft market, Julie brings a genuine curiosity and enthusiasm for our brands and helps us deliver best-in-class marketing for our customers. She lives in Connecticut with her husband and child.
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Rachel Martin
‍Director of Events and Customer Success
‍One of the earliest employees of Unfiltered Media, LLC, Rachel’s role has grown to include event management and customer support. She lives near Fort Collins, Colorado, with her husband, child, and three fur babies.
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Mark Dobroth
‍Production Manager
‍Mark has overseen print and digital production for Long Thread Media’s publications for more than two decades. A talented musician, he is a member of the Iowa and South Dakota Rock and Roll Halls of Fame. He and his wife live in Fort Collins, Colorado.
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Michaela Kimbrough
‍Customer Success, Events & Sales
‍In addition to overseeing customer support, Michaela is Long Thread Media’s liaison with our retail partners and marketplace advertisers. She also manages the annual weaving and spinning events. A Colorado native, she lives in Fort Collins with her fiancé and two adored cats.
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Jane Wilson
‍Customer Success
‍Jane supports media sales through ad trafficking and email building as well as assisting customers with questions and concerns. A fitness enthusiast and animal lover, she lives in Windsor, Colorado with her four dogs.