Listen to this segment | entire program

As Republican candidates conduct last-minute campaigning for the GOP Presidential nomination in Illinois today, Rick Santorum is wishing he had a “do-over” for comments he made yesterday that implied he didn’t care about unemployment. Santorum had said, “I don’t care what the unemployment rate’s going to be. Doesn’t matter to me.” His rival Mitt Romney has fixated on the statement to draw attention to his own economic policies. The state of the economy is undoubtedly this year’s biggest election issue. And yet, few candidates seem connected to the day-to-day struggles of ordinary Americans. In a number of states in early April, Americans will lose their long-term unemployment benefits as a Federal program is phased out.

These days more and more Americans are looking to start their own small businesses based on their existing skill set or interests. A 3 day conference this week in Ventura will focus on “art, craft and food-centered small businesses.” The conference is called Craftcation, described as an “indie business & DIY workshop conference,” reviving traditional crafts that include screenprinting, sewing, canning & preserving, cheesemaking, needle arts, and more, while using modern technological approaches such as social media networking to promote and succeed in today’s economy.

GUEST: Delilah Snell, co-producer of the Craftcation Conference, owner of the Road Less Traveled, an environmentally friendly store based in Santa Ana, co-producer of the Patchwork Indie Art & Craft Festival

Visit www.craftcationconference.com for more information.