Why Walk, when you can Run with Glitter?

"Baby, It's cold outside," he said. "Why not warm things up with a little glitter?" she smiled mischieviously. A sprinkle here, a splash, there...
The rumors are true, the whispers are telling.... and finally it seems we've landed in a glitter wonderland. The Petaluma Craft Mafia is launching it's third production, after, Craftaluma, Holiday Craftacular, and now we're officially, Craftaluma's,"Running with Glitter!!"

We were going to take the year off, but our crafty friends and vendors kept pestering us, so, while we will still do our spring show on May 15th, 2010, we're going to get things warmed up
for the Holidays with a runway and craft show. Whew!

Running with Glitter is hosting some of the best talent locally, and in the north bay. Handmade goodness that will help you with your shopping list and support local artists.
Come on down to the Petaluma Vet's Hall, groove to the live tunes, grab a cupcake, and take-in the glittery fashion show with some of the leading, cutting edge DIY'er designers!
We're gonna have a glitterlicious 'ol time, and the admission to the show is one buck, proceeds benefit the Phoebe Washer Foundation for the Arts.

Psst. Get there early for faboo swag bags!!

Peace, love and glitter,

The Petaluma Craft Mafia


What: Petaluma Craft Mafia hosts, Craftaluma's "Running with Glitter" Holiday Show.
When: December 19th, 2009, 12 noon- 5
Where: Petaluma Veteran's Hall
Admission - 1 buck - Swell swag bags for the first fifty folks.

Happy Holidays from the Petaluma Craft Mafia

Our crafty famiglia, the Petaluma Craft Mafia, over here in the land of butter and eggs, is working hard to get our first fashion show, "Running with Glitter," put together.... the details are endless! We have such respect for those that have done the combined craft and fashion show, it's a whole other kind of organization! OMG!

Until then, we're wishing our crafty sisters and brothers across the globe a very fine holiday season!

Much love and glitter,
XOXO
Your Petaluma Craft Mafia

Petaluma Craft Mafia in Modern Seamster!

Issue #3 available for download online very SOON!



Last summer, the Petaluma Craft Mafia were invited to sit down for an exclusive interview with the editorial staff of what is quickly becoming a favorite read for us, Modern Seamster.

It was love at first read, with a magzine jam packed full of goodness about sewing, the arts and crafts scene, music, culture, fashion. Candy! But not "fluff", oh no. Sure, it's a gorgeously laid out cover and spreads, but not only is it easy on the eyes, but full of useful and practical articles, advice, interviews as well.
And of course, we fell in love with the hard-working, hard-playing staff (we identified with their spirit, and can-do attitude). They took us to lunch, at a local restaurant here in P-Town, and got us liquored up, (okay ,we each had ONE margarita) and got a gander at our hometown of Petaluma and were surprised it was so bustling! We enjoy it so much, and came away feeling incredibly inspired by the talent and vision of this new magazine. We were told, that we are part of a series they are doing on our entire famiglia, the Craft Mafia. We look forward to reading more about our crafty sister cities across the globe. L.A. you rocked it! :)

If you haven't checked out Modern Seamster do so now, Issue #2 is just amazing, and currently free for downloading. You will just have to be patient for Issue #3, "The sixties" issue!

Amore, and a big shout out to Modern Seamster!

Pssst! A little birdie just whispered in our ear that the annual Petaluma Vintage Holiday Boutique is this Saturday, November, 21st from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Open Door Church at 5th and B streets.

Is there anything better then Vintage I ask you? Not unless you're talking a big scoop of Ben and Jerry's coffee ice cream.... or a million dollars falling from the sky. Even, then, it's a close tie! Lucky you won't need a million dollars, because the admission to PVHB is free.

This show is produced by one of the most adorable, sweet and creative women here in Petaluma. She is golden, incredibly creative and has been a encouraging support to Petaluma's Craft Mafia. We heart her! The Petaluma Vintage Holiday Boutique is one of my favorite shows in Petaluma. Come on down this Saturday, be inspired and say "hello" to Eileen and the crafty vendors. Tell her the Petaluma Craft Mafia sent you... See ya there!

Ciao, ciao darlings!

Your Nortoriously Glittery Petaluma Craft Mafia

Stitch Rock '09 Rocked it in Delray Beach, Florida

and Hollywood Craft Mafia was present and accounted for :)

Odd Duck Handmade Bazaar Vendor Call!

Facebook Anyone?

Hollywood Craft Mafia on Facebook

ACM on Twitter!!

Follow the Austin Craft Mafia on Twitter! www.twitter.com/atxcraftmafia

A Very Important Benefit

Many of you may have already heard... one of our fellow mafiosas, the founder of the San Antonio Craft Mafia, Katherine Brown, is fighting glioblastoma, in layman's speak that's stage 4 brain cancer. The San Antonio group has been touched deeply by her illness and are holding a benefit for Kat and her children. Please help in any way you can. Have friends in San Antonio? Please tell them about the the event. Have a blog? Feel free to repost.

For more information about Kat and her illness you can read articles in the San Antonio Express News and The Handmade News.

Hollywood Craft Mafia News

This month HandmadeNews.org is featuring Craft Mafias all over the country and the Hollywood Craft Mafia had the honor of kicking off the month. They wrote an article about the group and featured each one of us separately. We'd love for you to check out these articles:

The Hollywood Craft Mafia

Rebecca Duerr

Tina Wright

Shelley Mitchell

Alexis Colbert

Handmade Austin Women Annual Spring Show this weekend May 2nd + 3rd

Handmade Austin Women 4th Annual Spring Show

May 2nd and 3rd, 2009

It's the weekend before Mother's Day!

Saturday 10am-6pm

Sunday 12pm-5pm

Handmade Austin Women presents the fourth annual Spring Show on May 2nd and 3rd, the weekend before Mother's Day. Handmade Austin Women are dedicated to unique design, and the highest quality in handcrafted work. We organize our show to promote the profound benefits of sustaining women artists at work here in Texas. We support Austin's cottage industry and the growing character of our local, independent economy.

Handmade Austin Women are pleased to announce the 2009 lineup:

• Trisha Allen ~ Uniquely Recycled, Art Cards


• Jenifer Nakatsu Arntson ~ Accessories, Wallets and Handbags


• Jo Bridges ~ Paintings


• Lisa Crowder ~ Studio Jeweler, Metalsmith


• Kathryn Davis ~ Mixed Media Collage Handmade Accessories


• Jamie Jo Fisher ~ Contemporary Art Jewelry


• Laura Freeman* (aka Luna Tart) ~ Ukulele


• Chia Guillory ~ Sunhats, Fashion and Accessories


• Laura Imhoff* ~ Singer Songwriter


• Heather Jarry* ~ Marionettes


• Gabel Karsten ~ Still Life Painting


• Beverly Mangham ~ Art Assemblage and Clay


• Christa Mares ~ Sculptural Crochet


• Melanie Schopper ~ Functional Ceramics


• Cherie Weaver ~ Drawings, Paintings

*musical entertainment

A family-friendly musical marionette matinee begins every other hour on Saturday. Live music plays on Sunday. Both days we offer complimentary tea and coffee service. Additionally, the Ginko Studios gardens will be open for viewing. Our show grounds are handicapped accessible, but call ahead for special-access arrangements.

For information, (512) 293-9505 or see us online at: www.handmadeaustinwomen.com

Handmade Austin Women

Spring Show 2009

Hosted by: Ginko Studios

Located at: 800 Gullett St.

Austin, TX 78722

(512)389-1920

This event is supported in part by Women and Their Work. Please visit www.handmadeaustinwomen.com for more information.

Download Letter-Sized 2009 Poster [PDF] [JPEG]

A new way to promote your crafty business!

I received the following email regarding the Happily Handmade Giveaway. Definitely a great way to promote your business!:

"I wanted to let you know about a great promotional opportunity for indie business, called the Happily Handmade Giveaway. You might have heard of it, as we've had many craft mafia members participate in the past. We've just relaunched this event after a two-year hiatus, with a spiffy new website and a team of fabulous volunteers ready to make this giveaway bigger and better than ever before.

Even in trying times like these, we are confident that this giveaway will be more popular than ever. I mean, free stuff? No one can resist the prospect of that. And the cost to participate is minimal. Only $20 plus a donation for the gift boxes. It’s a small investment for a huge return - I think past participants will agree, there is no other tool more powerful to grow a mailing list than the Happily Handmade Giveaway.

A quick backstory:
The Happily Handmade Giveaway began in 2004 as the result of a brainstorming session among a handful of indie artists looking for a unique way to promote their businesses and reward their customers. Since then, it's grown to surpass our wildest expectations. Our last event gave away nearly $15,000 worth of indie merchandise to 51 lucky shoppers around the world. This event, our 8th, is shaping up to be incredible for all those involved.

The goal of the HHG is twofold:
- To promote indie businesses with an affordable promotional opportunity, allowing them to reach new customers and build their mailing lists.
- To reward shoppers for their continued support of indie business, for making the conscious decision to purchase from an independent crafter and not a big box retailer.

We're currently in our sponsor registration period, which lasts through March 20th, and are looking for indie businesses who'd be interested in sponsoring the giveaway. For a small fee (only $20) and a donation to our prize boxes, Sponsors will be listed on our website as an official hhg entry site. Contestants can enter the giveaway by visiting any the participating Indie Shop Sponsors' websites. Each website will feature a separate entry form, allowing entrants to increase their chances of winning by simply visiting more of the Indie Shop Sponsors. Each Sponsor will also have the full list of sponsors on their entry page, creating an active stream of traffic from site to site to site. Businesses participating in the giveaway report a huge increase in traffic to their site and subscriptions to their mailing list (often a requirement for entry).

For more information about the giveaway, our website is the place to go:
http://www.happilyhandmade.com/

Our most recent press release can be viewed here:
http://www.happilyhandmade.com/2009/03/the-happily-handmade-giveaway-a-valuable-tool-for-promoting-indie-business/

I'm also always available should you have any specific questions.

Thanks so much! :)

- Lindsay Landis
Webmistress and Event Organizer
The Happily Handmade Giveaway
http://www.happilyhandmade.com/

Mafia Members & Madewell 1937

Erica of Erica Burns Designs & Shayne of Novelty Kitten, both DC Craft Mafia members, will be taking part in Denim After Dark with Madewell 1937. Madewell is hip collection of women's clothing from the same people that bring us J Crew. I will be at the Tyson's Corner Madewell store from 7-9PM & Shayne will be at the Annapolis store from 7-9PM. All of this takes place on Thursday, March 5th so come out & let us tag your initials on your jeans! Sweet!

New Orleans Craft Mafia needs your swag!

The New Orleans Craft Mafia is proud to once again sponsor the Alternative Media Expo, presented by Antigravity Magazine. This will be the seventh edition of the Expo, and as always, this year's event will feature over 100 exhibitors with 'zines, comics, films, crafts, photography and handmade clothing, independent record labels and artists with CDs and records, indie and grassroots organizations, filmmakers and much more!



The Expo will take place on Saturday, March 21, 2009, from noon - 6pm at the warehouse at the Contemporary Arts Center (900 Camp Street) in New Orleans, LA. The admission fee for this all-ages event will be $5.

The first 150 paid attendees through the doors will receive swag bags courtesy of the New Orleans Craft Mafia: a cotton tote bag filled with freebies and product samples from various indie businesses. These bags present a great opportunity to get the word out about your business, band, or organization. Vendors exhibiting at the Expo are also encouraged to participate in the swag bags.

Some swag suggestions include, but are not limited to: coupons, stickers, buttons, magnets, pens, etc. We ask that you do send actual swag items and not just promotional materials such as business cards or flyers. You may attach business cards, etc., to any donated swag, of course. If you are interested in sending in swag material, we ask that you send in the full amount of 150 items.

We will also be accepting product samples, which may include, but are not limited to: CD/DVD samplers, comics and zines, small jewelry or accessory samples, t-shirts, blank notecards or stationery, or other small samples of your products. If you choose to send in samples, we ask that you send a minimum of 25 samples.

The deadline for sending in swag & samples is Friday, March 6, 2009. Items may be sent to:

New Orleans Craft Mafia swag bags
c/o Kerry Fitts
P.O. Box 791922
New Orleans, Louisiana 70179-1922

Those interested in dropping off samples and swag locally may bring them by Winky's (2038 Magazine Street) during regular business hours. Please make sure your items are marked as being for the New Orleans Craft Mafia / Alternative Media expo swag bags.

For more information on contributing to the swag bags, please email mallory [!AT] neworleanscraftmafia.com

New ads for the New Year!

Thank you thank you again Steph for making this quarter's Craft Mafia ads. They're really cute and creative!



We really appreciate it. You do fantastic work!