Craft Mafia Blog

Why Walk, when you can Run with Glitter?

2009-12-03T10:49:00.000-08:00

"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

2009-11-25T22:11:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-11-17T11:24:00.000-08:00

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!

Stitch Rock '09 Rocked it in Delray Beach, Florida

2009-10-06T05:21:00.000-07:00

and Hollywood Craft Mafia was present and accounted for :)

Odd Duck Handmade Bazaar Vendor Call!

2009-09-27T19:55:00.001-07:00

Facebook Anyone?

2009-08-08T15:11:00.000-07:00

Hollywood Craft Mafia on Facebook

ACM on Twitter!!

2009-07-09T14:40:00.001-07:00

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

A Very Important Benefit

2009-07-09T14:37:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-25T18:52:00.001-07:00

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

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

2009-04-27T15:52:00.001-07:00

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!

2009-03-15T13:51:00.000-07:00

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

2009-02-26T10:18:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-02-03T17:22:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-01-20T10:51:00.000-08:00

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!

A great cause and yummy yummy treats!

2008-12-17T16:23:00.000-08:00

Since I closed my business, Amet and Sasha, I've been a wee bit silent on the crafting front. And why is that you might ask? Because I'm exploring food, baking to be exact. I'm even heading off to pastry school this spring. Can you believe it??!? Well, maybe you can, but my head's still spinning.

One of my new projects is a food blog. It's just a wee baby of a blog, but if you like to eat, which I'm pretty sure is almost all everyone, then maybe just maybe you'll like my wee baby of a blog.

But this is not why I'm writing. I'm writing because this month I'm taking part in a wonderful cause. It's a fundraising effort for a school lunch program in Lesotho. What's in it for you?? Amazing prizes. No, seriously... good good stuff. So please visit me and see how you can win some great food-related prizes while helping with a fantastic cause.

If you have a blog and would like to help me tell the world about the raffle please do. There are SO many food bloggers out there donating to the cause. I'm donating a huge box of amazing brownies. Other people are donating things like Le Crueset products, cookbooks, classes.... so many great things.

I hope your holidays are warm, cheery and full of many many tasty treats!

Portland Craft Mafia Holiday Bailout Game!

2008-11-18T10:20:00.000-08:00

Would you like to win everything pictured below?

Then play the PDX Mafia holiday bailout game! All you have to do to be entered to win all the above goodies is find the Portland Craft Mafia logo in each of the shops listed below. When you have found each listing on Etsy containing the Portland Craft Mafia logo email the shop names and item links to portlandoregoncraftmafia@yahoo.com. If find them all you will be entered to win EVERYTHING you see in the picture above. That's right it is winner takes all! Keep it all for yourself or give as gifts to those you love during the upcoming holiday season.

The hunt will last 11/15/2008-11/29/2008. The winner will be randomly drawn from all correct entries. The lucky winner will be announced no later than December 1. The entire box of goodies will be mailed out with plenty of time before the holidays.

So what all are you getting you ask? You will win a hand poured candle, two book journals, two pairs of earrings, a mini glass mobile, hair accessories galore, several magnets, a hand carved stamp and more!

Ready to start the hunt? Check out the participating stores below and look for our logo in one of the listings. Email your list to portlandoregoncraftmafia@yahoo.com by 11/29/08!

Hunt for our logo in these partcipating shops:
Autumn Comfort Candles

BeBe Babies and Friends

Ex Libris Anonymous

Flapper Girl

Kenton Beadworks

Leah's Glass Creations

Mode Noir

Sjane

Happy holidays from the Portland Craft Mafia!

Steph from Long Beach Craft Mafia, we heart you big time!

2008-10-17T12:26:00.000-07:00

Thank you thank you Steph for making this quarter's Craft Mafia ads. They're super adorable.

And plus you really came through in a pinch. We really appreciate it. You did a fantastic job!

Petaluma Craft Mafia Presents: Mafia Made "Holiday Craftacular!"

2008-10-10T19:25:00.000-07:00

Dreams of holiday tinsel and Sugar Plum fairies waltzing through your head? Have you ever wanted to meet Bumble the abominable snowman from "Rudolph the Red nosed Reindeer?" Stir that together with a little Nightmare before Christmas and you have Mafia Made HOLIDAY CRAFTACULAR! You can bet your candy-cane striped toe socks, we've got another crazy show planned!

The Petaluma Craft Mafia is pleased to announce our first annual holiday show, "Mafia Made HOLIDAY CRAFTACULAR" to debut on Saturday, December 13th from eleven to five at the Petaluma Veteran's Hall.

Our first show CRAFTALUMA was such a success, we keep getting requests for when we would have another show, so we decided to put together a holiday show with some of the most talented DIY'ers, crafty crafters and kick-ass artisans we could assemble - that includes you!

We will have plenty of crafty how-to demos from many of our inspiring and talented vendors. Mojo talented and local live entertainment from the ever-fresh and pretty dang crafty themselves, Bluebellies and adorable Gabby LaLa. You'll be thrilled to know that the Petaluma Craft Mafia plans to have another crafty raffle. **Vendors, (please send us your swag and any goodies you would love some lucky person to have to promote your wares and your crafty company). Swag bags to the first 50 folks through the door. Our theme is a Retro Winter Wonderland with a hint of kitsch and a bit of underground fantasical Holiday flavor going on -remember, this ain't your dear granny's craft show. Bumble the Abominable snow man may drop by and take pictures with the young folk...and you never know who else....

Get your Holiday Shopping done in one fell swoop, and come away inspired by our crafty cast of characters this year at Mafia Made HOLIDAY CRAFTACULAR.

** VENDORS: Vendors, applications are now available, Send me an e-mail (here or at cheryl@petalumacraftmafia.com) and I can forward you an application. FYI: This show is for Crafty, DIY, craft and art, items only, no re-sale or multi-level marketing items, thank you! Vendors you may apply online right HERE.

** SPONSORS: Please contact cheryl@petalumacraftmafia.com if you are interested in sponsorship and/demo table.

Show attendees and adoring public: We heart you! Thanks for coming out to support your crafty famiglia and their friends at CRAFTALUMA, and making our first show such a success. We couldn't have done it without you!

HOLIDAY CRAFTACULAR starts at noon and admission is 2 dollars. You will get a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of our awesome crafty prizes, and if you bring a toy for our "Toys for Tots" you will automatically get another chance at the raffle. Children under 16 are free. Crafto'licious swag bags for the first 100 folks through the door!

Come on down and meet Petaluma's Crafty First Famiglia under the mistltoe for some crafty fun and great music. We'll have a jolly 'ol tins'o'licious time!

Cheers,

The Notoriously Crafty PCM

"Mafia Made" HOLIDAY CRAFTACULAR
Saturday, 11-5 December 13th, 2008
Petaluma Veteran's Memorial Hall
1094 Petaluma Boulevard South
Petaluma, CA 94952

Craftoberfest in Sacramento!

2008-10-02T16:22:00.000-07:00

The lovely ladies of the Sacramento Craft Mafia present Craftoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 10-4 in downtown Sacramento.

Check it out if you're in the area:

Portland Craft Mafia's Kick Off Show This Weekend!!

2008-09-24T15:12:00.000-07:00

The new Portland Craft Mafia familia is having their first kick off show this Saturday September 27. If you are in Portland or the surrounding areas check it out!

The San Diego North Park Craft Mafia is looking for vendors for the Holiday Hit List 2008!

2008-09-16T13:27:00.000-07:00

Time flies when you are having fun crafting, and the holidays are approaching fast! We are already busy planning the spectacular 2008 Holiday Hit List and we are looking for vendors! This will be a super HUGE event -- to be held at the NTC Promenade at Liberty Station in Point Loma on Sunday, December 7th. If you have a crafty independent business and are in or planning to be in the San Diego area the first week of December, then you don't want to miss out on this opportunity! All of the details can be found here on the San Diego North Park Craft Mafia website. Hurry -- you only have until October 3rd to apply! This is going to be an epic show with entertainment, giveaways, craft demos, fashion show, and more!

The Naughty Secretary Club: The Working Girls Guide to Handmade Jewelry is here!

2008-08-11T13:22:00.001-07:00

Sorry for the mass note but I wanted to let the world know that my new book The Naughty Secretary Club: The Working Girls Guide to Handmade Jewelry is out today!!!!!

If you love kitschy jewelry and especially love making it yourself then might I suggest you run right out to your local Borders or Barnes and Nobles and snag yourself a copy (remember if they don’t have a copy PLEASE ask them to order one), order it off of Amazon or get a signed copy at Naughty Secretary Club!

Also if you could help me spread the word about my book I would love you forever and ever! Re-post this bulletin, Twitter about it, if you make some jewelry from the book add it to our Flickr group, if you have the book and heart it please leave an Amazon review, mention the book on your blog. Every little bit helps!

If you are going to be in Austin on August 30th, please stop by Craft-o-Rama from 3pm-6pm for the Naughty Secretary Club Book Release Party!

Xo,
Jen

P.S. enter the word BOOK into the coupon/voucher field when you check out at Naughty Secretary Club and get 25% off your entire order all August long!

We done did it!

2008-06-30T22:48:00.000-07:00

I know, I sound like a Hee-Haw reject, but I guess my brain is a little fried from Craftaluma, and we sure are proud! Thanks everyone, our attendees, the fabulosa entertainment, our sponsors my entire crafty famiglia, our local newspaper who gave us an awesome interview, and all of you crafty vendors, you sweet craft things you, who make our hearts sing!
We even got our very own song from the Bluebellies, who just rawk along with the rest of our entertainment. Hint: "Just say no to puff paint" we loved it.

I'll post video or photos later. I'm done crafted out for now, folks.

Rest, work play and then on to the next show, Petaluma Craft Mafia presents, "Mafia Made Holiday Craftacular!"

Craft Emergency Relief Fund

2008-06-23T15:47:00.000-07:00

For those of us in the New Orleans Craft Mafia, the flooding in the mid-west is striking a familiar chord.

The Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF), helps artists affected by disaster. It is an amazing resource for helping craftspeople recover from tragedy. Artists can either receive help directly through CERF, which accepts monetary donations, or through fellow artists via the discussion forums.

After Hurricane Katrina, I personally received some awesome assistance from fellow crafters/artists through the discussion forums. People as far away as Germany sent me fabric scraps to help me start rebuilding my business. One kind woman even sent me a replacement sewing machine!

You can view the forums and find a way to directly help someone in need by going to:

http://craftemergency.org/forums

If you prefer a less direct approach, you can donate to CERF by visiting :

http://craftemergency.org/support/contribute

new members for Manchester

2008-06-09T09:02:00.001-07:00

We've been plotting and planning ways to open our doors to more people for quite some time now and Manchester Craft Mafia is delighted to announce that are finally ready for new members so if you're in our corner of the world and want to join in let us know - full details here

If you're not in our corner of the world but fancy a little piece of crafting action anyway, we are working with our neighbours the Manchester Craft & Design Centre to help them create their Garden Party. We need your bunting so get cutting, stitching, knitting, crocheting and other 'ings' now. All contributions very happily received. Here's what to do.