Thursday, September 27, 2007

Burlington Craft Mafia Trunk Show

Mark your calendars! In just two weeks the Burlington Craft Mafia will be holding an event at swanky Red Square in downtown Burlington. Come have a few drinks, listen to Colin Cleary and a Magog and check out our Traveling Trunk Show. The event is free and open to the public.


Most of the mafia will be there with a selection of their goods. Please stop by and say hello!

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

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Monday, September 24, 2007

Handmade Parade update!


Wow! We are so thrilled over the huge response from our call for vendors for The Norfolk Craft Mafia's first show, Handmade Parade! As we inch closer to the deadline, we have decided to move back the cut off date to make sure that everyone interested in participating has one more week to get their applications in! Due to the high volume and quality of the applicants, we are considering leasing an adjacent area of the venue to make room for more crafty goodness!

Even so, there probably will not be room for everyone, so please get your application to the Craft Mafia no later that October 3rd. You can find information about the show and how to apply by clicking here. The Mafia will review all applications and everyone will be notified by October 5th. Thank you so much for supporting this event, we are very excited! Spread the word!

(parade photo by Oli Bryant, thank you!)

Thursday, September 20, 2007

North Park Craft Mafia's first event!

Greetings fellow Craft Mafiosas! We are the North Park Craft Mafia, a brand new group founded this past summer by independent entrepreneurs Teresa Salazar of Velvet Klaw, Penni Hawkins of p-starr products , and Svea Komori of Belle Pepper Couture. We represent North Park, one of the most beautiful and diverse of the historic neighborhoods of San Diego, CA. The North Park Craft Mafia will be participating in our very first craft fair this weekend. Oktoberfest 2007, put together by the International Dance Association of San Diego County, will be held on September 22 and 23, in the Balboa Park Club Ballroom, 1450 El Prado in fabulous Balboa Park. The fun starts Saturday, September 22 from 1-4 pm with free beginner’s dance lessons. Then on Sunday, September 23, from 12:30 to 4:45pm, the entertainment will include costumed dancers performing traditional folk dances. Dancing, vendors and great German food—fun for the whole family! If you are in and around the San Diego area this weekend, feel free to stop by and say “Hi!”

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Indie Craft Documentary - Preview!

As many of you know, Faythe Levine is making a moive about the rise of DIY and the new wave of art, craft and design. Check out the preview video clip below!



More Links:
Website: http://www.indiecraftdocumentary.com
Youtube: http://youtube.com/watch?v=zH2HWPfwpOw
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21568463@N00/
ETSY: http:// www.indiecraftmovie.etsy.com

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Gearing up for Fall

The WCM is getting ready for the Trunk Show on the 28th and I hope that all of my fellow member's progress is going much smoother than mine!

Behold....the craft explosion. At least there is only one empty cup of coffee on the table - yesterday there were four. Nice.

Friday, September 14, 2007

Stitch, version 5.0

Stitch is drawing closer and closer and we, the little Stitch elves, are slaving away. As with every year, this Stitch is going to be bigger and better than every year before. We're so excited that we can keep growing - and we've made it to our 5th anniversary! Hooray! So what's on the agenda for this year??

A NEW LOCATION
Yep - we've moved again! Stitch 2007 will be held right downtown at the Austin Convention Center at 500 E. Cesar Chavez Street. This new location is much larger than last year which means that this year we're bringing you about 100 vendor booths and some amazing sponsor booths. The Convention Center serves food too so you can stay and shop for hours and not worry about any gnawing hunger distracting you from the fun. We'll have some of Austin's best DJs spinning, the Super Sonic Soul Squad will be dancing again... and I've heard something about a double dutch team performing??? For real. You'll want to be there all night because we're capping off the evening with a runway show featuring about 20 of the best designers we could find. We've got folks flying in from around the country to show so you won't want to miss it.

YOU SAY IT'S GONNA BE AWESOME, BUT PROVE IT
Okay - we will prove it! Go here and check out our booth and runway line-up. Now would we lie to you??? Our sponsor booths are not to be missed either. We've got a make and take booth again from Duncan Paints, Carlo Rossi and Jug Simple will be there with their fantastic furniture and much much more, the ladies from the Indie Craft Documentary will be there (and we're showing a new preview of the upcoming film, featuring your favorite crafting superstars!), Simplicity will be there with their new Built by Wendy pattern line, Etsy's making an appearance.... and too much more to mention. Oh but wait.... I will mention the....

RAFFLE AND STITCH GRANT
The Stitch grant is making it's second appearance this year. We're hunting down two very deserving Stitch participants to win one cash grant and one grant in the form on crafting supplies from a host of sponsors including Dremel and Babylock. Are you participating in Stitch and think you deserve this grant? Well check it out here.
How do we plan on raising this grant money you ask?? Well holding a majorly kick-ass raffle. We'll be raffling off prizes from many of our vendors and runway designers as well as several Babylock sewing machines (these babies are top of the line!) and other prizes from local businesses. In the past we've raffled off prizes such as spa gift certificates, dinners for two and skydiving lessons... so this you will not want to miss.
If you would like to donate raffle prizes, grant prizes or money that will go directly to the grant winner please email info@stitchaustin.com. Your donation will be welcomed with open arms and you'll receive a special thank you in our program.

TICKETS!!
Oh - of course - tickets! Tickets will be on sale at our website a few weeks prior to the show or you can purchase them at the door. We'll send out a note once they're available for sale. In the meantime just know, we did sell out last year so even if you do purchase tickets online, plan to arrive early. Plus, we've got goodie bags donated by our vendors and stuffed to the brim with treats from our participants and sponsors for the first 500 folks through the door. You wouldn't want to miss that, now would you.

I CAN'T ATTEND BUT I STILL WANT TO PARTICIPATE!
No problem - we love sponsors. We get to chat you up in our program, stuff your things in our goodie bags and more. To read all about it go here. As mentioned above, we also would love to add your products to the raffle or grant prize in exchange for a thank you in the program. Let us know: info@stitchaustin.com.

VOLUNTEERS ANYONE? ANYONE?
We already have a ton of volunteers signed up but we could use a ton more since this show is going to be huge. To volunteer for set-up or helping out during the show please contact info@stitchaustin.com and we'll fill you in.

In the meantime - thank you all again for all the support.... and a big thank you to all of our sponsors, some of whom are Carlo Rossi, Duncan Paints, Babylock, Bust and 31 Corn Lane.

See you at Stitch!!
xoxo
Jesse, Jennifer, Karly and Tina

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

We'll help you admit your addiction

What do you think...the mafia can't be do-gooders? We are here to help all you craft supply addicts out there.


The Richmond Craft Mafia along with the Richmond Etsy Street Team are hosting the first Crafters Anonymous Craft Swap! The swap is an opportunity for artists and crafters of all types to get together in a fun, social environment and trade craft supplies. The swap is also a benefit to support Art 180 - a Richmond based non-profit organization that creates and provides art-related programs to young people living in challenging circumstances, encouraging personal and community change through self-expression. The swap will take place this Sunday September 16th at Art Works Studios and Galleries in Richmond, VA from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm.

So, if you or someone you know needs help, check out richmondcraftswap.com for more information on our 12-step program.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

No Hope in New Hope!!!!!!

The men in blue in New Hope, MN where able to apprehend mob members this past Saturday at the FAF (Family Arts Festival).

We have always known that the notorious ramble rousers wouldn't be able to abate justice forever, and this was our chance!

Look at her smug look as this Johnny Law puts the cuffs on the member kwown as Giraffe Art + Utility.

Rebecca pleaded to spare her monkeys, but we have worked too hard tracking these pest around the greater metro area to let their prehensile tails of destruction slip through the bars of the law.









Save your one phone call for Hazel and Melvin, Rebecca, cause you're going away!






Even though she tried to obscure her face we know there will being no more running from the long arm of the law for Run Amok!

Even Jack from our K-9 Unit agreed, those handcuffs were hand made for Hezze*Made!


















We were able to dust for prints to find evidence to stop the international reach of Trophiogrande.....good riddance!

Congratulations on a job well done!

BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!!
The mob was able to slip through our hands again, as the prosecution, for unexplained reasons, dropped all charges!

Sacramento's Handmade Parade

Did you know that Sacramento is the original home of Handmade Parade? As you know, HP has spread to Norfolk (www.norfolkcraftmafia.com/handmadeparade.html), which is great news (we wish the Norfolk Craft Mafia well). But we'd also like to announce that Sacramento's second Handmade Parade is coming up soon! October 13th, to be exact!

It's going to be bigger and better than ever at it's new location (the Coffee Garden).

Handmade Parade Fall 07


And if you are coming from out of town, be sure to stay in one of Sacramento's quaint little bed & breakfasts because you can get up early to go antiquing the very next day at the Sacramento Antique Faire.

Visit the Handmade Parade blog for more info. Hope to see you this October 13th!

Monday, September 10, 2007

Sacramento Midtown Festival

This past Saturday, many of the Sacramento Craft Mafia members vended at Sacramento's first ever Midtown Festival. There was plenty of local art and crafts as well as great bands and tons of people!

Check out our photos!


Sacramento Craft Mafia at the Sac Midtown Festival


You can see more photos on the Sacramento Craft Mafia on our Flickr group: www.flickr.com/groups/sacramentocraftmafia.

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Who's Coming to Stitch 2007?



The verdict is in, after a 7 hour long meeting on Thursday we have chosen our Stitch participants. It was a tough job with so many awesome applicants, but we only have space for so many and we had double the number of people as we have space available apply. Nov 10th in Austin is going to be beyond awesome. Just check out all the craft bazaar vendors and runway designers we have lined up.


Craft Bazzar
31 Corn Lane
32/5
All Dressed Up and Shy
Anne Marie
Aorta
Ape-Gear
Artkatstudio
BANG
birdcage jewelry
Blue Genie
Bob and Truffle
Bolsa Bonita
Boudoir Queen
Burger and Friends
Cahoots Handbags
Chia
Chickabird/RandL
Coco Couture
Dawn Houser
Etsy
Felt Good Fibers
fernworks
feto soap
Figs & Ginger
Filly Designs
First Samples
Flux Studio
Fondue Art & Design
Fort Cloudy
Freshie & Zero
Glitzkrieg
Gauge Knits
Handcrafted by Vera
House of Dang
Huge Wonder
Husak Design
I-Rok Gems
JNA Designs
Bun Bun Babythreads
Juggernaut Art Studios
Kailo Chic
KK Shirts
Let's Get Healthy
loyale
LuckyKitty
Lollibomb Beauty
M Squared
M. Schopper
Made by Hank
Madeline Wood
maneki
Margret Helene Designs
Markeimo
Merchant Ship
Model Citizen
Moxie
My Imaginary Boyfriend
myOlivette
Optic Waste
Ornamental Things
Pagano Designworks
Pamela Michelle
PandaSongs
Partybots
Patina
PenFelt
Queen Puff Puff
Ramonster
Rebel Craft Alliance
Round Robin Press
Ruffeo Hearts Lil' Snotty
Ruffled
Rural Rooster
Scardey Birds
SEIBEI
Sheriff Peanut
Southern Draw Studios
Sparklepants Industries
Squasht by Les
Steel Toe Studios
Sublime Stitching
Supermaggie
Swear Jar Designs
Sweettooth
t8designs
Take Off Your Clothes
Tanya Monique
tasty jewelry
The Cherry Box
Tyler Bender Book Co.
Victrola Design
Vinca
Viva Ortegacy
Wifebeater
Will Heron

RUNWAY
Coco Couture
Rebecca Yaker
Louise Black
Ramonster
Chia
Markeimo
Boudoir Queen
Patina
House of Dang
I-Rok Gems
Madeline Wood
Wifebeater
Squasht by Les
Moxie
All Dressed Up and Shy
Built by Wendy for Simplicity
Hot Pink Pistol
Tina Sparkles
Naughty Secretary Club

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Norfolk Craft Mafia featured in PortFolio Weekly!



We're just tickled to announce that the Norfolk Craft Mafia was featured in PortFolio Weekly's Fall Arts Preview! Check out profiles on the mafia, as well as members Elizabeth Henry and Amanda Page Stephens – you can read the text of the article online, or view the entire article with pictures (pdf file).

Also, don't forget, this Sunday, September 9th is our Monthly Crafter's Roundup at Drawn to Art in Ghent. It's free and open to the public! Bring a craft and a snack to share and come mingle with the most creative people in the area! Check our events page for more details.