Meet Your Host
Terri Johnson
I'm Terri Johnson - a lifelong crafter, educator, and the founder of Terri Johnson Creates.Â
For over 30 years, I've worked with thousands of makers across the country (and around the world) to show them that crafting should be fun, not stressful!
These days, I'm best known for helping crafters of all levels feel confident with their cutting machines & creative tools -- turning "'Im so frustrated!" into "I can't believe I made this!"
I'm the creator of the All Things Silhouette Conferences, the All Things Silhouette Club, and the Silhouette Instructor Licensing Program -- and now, I'm thrilled to bring you A Cut Above Summit!
Meet Your Speakers
Carina Gardner
Presentation Title
Dr. Carina Gardner is the founder of the University of Arts & Design, offering Master’s degrees for business-minded creatives. She’s also the CEO of Design Suite, a flagship program that has helped over 500 designers turn their creative skills into profitable businesses.
Carina holds a Ph.D. in Design from the University of Minnesota and has spent over 17 years licensing her art and patterns. Her designs have appeared on dishware, jewelry, prints, clocks, sewing patterns, and seasonal décor sold through major retailers like Nordstrom, Riley Blake Designs, Silhouette, and 500+ independent boutiques and museums across the U.S.
She previously served as Creative Director for Carta Bella Scrapbook Paper and founded the children’s brand Mini Lou, carried by Nordstrom and Peek Clothing.
Candles & Cut Files
Snowy Christmas Ornaments
Brenda is a licensed TJC instructor who teaches Silhouette Studio with a mix of tech tips and creative flair. From Cameo to Curio, she helps crafters get the most out of their machines with tutorials that make even advanced features feel approachable. Her classes are packed with practical know-how, a dash of humor, and plenty of “aha!” moments for makers at every level.
Crafty Christie
Raise Your Spirits: Crafting a Boozy Holiday Gift Box
Crafty Christie is your expert Silhouette tutor and SVG designer at Crafty Christie's Creations. She guides you in mastering your Silhouette cutting machine with creative project ideas, detailed tutorials, and informative courses. Crafty Christie makes Silhouette crafting enjoyable and accessible for everyone.
Patrick Ali
Making Spirit Wear with Unique Effects
Patrick Ali is a 9-year crafting veteran and 5-year business owner who proudly wears many hats at Siser. As a former member of the sales team, one of the Cutter and Software Development leads, and the current Lead Educator, Patrick combines his experience and passion for the industry to deliver unique educational experiences. His mission is to make learning accessible and fun for creators of all skill levels and backgrounds by showing off what’s possible with Siser materials.
