Chicago
Craft Mafia Presents First Annual Summer Shakedown
CHICAGO
(June 20, 2005) -- It's been a long time since Chicago had
a mafia it could be proud of. The Chicago Craft Mafia holds
their first annual Summer Shakedown at Catalyst Ranch (656
W. Randolph, Suite 3W) July 22nd from 8 pm to 11 pm. Admission
is free and all shoppers and wholesale buyers are invited
to attend.
The six
founding members of the Chicago Craft Mafia invited 20 "friends
of the family" to join them as they present the finest
fused glass, handmade soaps, custom invitations, stylish home
accessories, handmade purses, jewelry, pet accessories, plush
toys and much more to the discerning public.
"We're
not some cookie-cutter city," says Michelle Dortch of
Chel Decorative Accessories, "so why should we be forced
to rely on national mass marketers to tell us what our style
should be?"
Unlike
most "familias," the only "rubbing out"
these crafters do involves a pink gum eraser. "We created
this group to not only make our own businesses grow, but to
open people's eyes to the amazing items made by area artisans,"
said Richelle Albrecht of Girl Metro, Inc.
Through
some "connections" with Catalyst Ranch owner Eva
Niewiadomski, these crafters decided the innovative and unusual
space was the perfect location for their first large show.
Since their commodities are bright, fun, and innovative, the
fun and funky meeting place seemed to match perfectly with
the Mafia's style and philosophy.
The Chicago
Craft Mafia is part of the "extended Craft Mafia familia"
started by 10 women in Austin. (www.craftmafia.com and www.austincraftmafia.com)
Originally started as a support system for fledgling small
business owners, it became a group that shared ad costs, held
small and large shows, and generally provided business support
and advice. The ladies in Austin credit their ability to start
off small and grow naturally as the main reason for their
success. The Chicago group agreed.
"We're
slowly figuring out what we want this group to accomplish
so we don't feel right adding new members just yet. But we
don't represent the entirety of the Chicago craft scene,"
said Mark Smithivas, owner of Bad Kitten Soaps. "This
show gives us the ability to grow our markets and bring some
much-deserved attention to at least some of the other entrepreneurs
Chicago has to offer."
Most
of the show participants sell predominantly on their websites
and at local shows, but many are expanding their lines to
boutiques and small shops. Most craft shows focus on independent
shoppers who enjoy hitting craft and art shows. The Mafia
is hoping to also attract the attention of local boutique
owners as well as buyers who will be in town for the Chicago
Gift and Home Market. (http://www.biztradeshows.com/trade-events/chicago-gift-home-market.html)
"And
we want to have fun," said Albrecht. "While we'd
all love to support ourselves off of our creativity, we're
doing this show because we know it will be fun and definitely
the most exciting party of the night."
***
| Chicago
Craft Mafia Founding Members |
| Brandy
Agerbeck |
Loosetooth.com |
www.loosetooth.com |
| Richelle
Albrecht |
Girl
Metro, Inc. |
www.girlmetro.com |
| Leah
Bohannon |
Red
Glow 1500 |
www.redglow1500.com |
| Cinnamon
Cooper |
Poise.cc |
www.poise.cc |
| Michelle
Dortch |
Chel |
http://www.chicagocraftmafia.com/chel/index.html |
| Mark
Smithivas |
Bad
Kitten Soaps |
www.badkittensoaps.com |
| Summer
Shakedown Friends of the Family |
| Aimee
Dolby |
Sew
Betsy Ross |
www.sewbetsyross.com
|
|
Anna
Gregoline
|
Voodoo
Toaster |
www.voodootoaster.com |
| Beth
Respess |
Dejahmi |
www.dejahmi.com |
| Caroline
Millan |
Flamebabe
Candleworks |
www.flamebabecandleworks.com |
| Corinne
Niesner |
Lucky
Penny Handmade |
www.luckypennyhandmade.com |
| Diane
Sutliff |
Dragonfly
Handbags |
www.dragonflyhandbags.net |
| Isara
Srimuang |
Polaire |
www.polaire-online.com |
| Josi
Madera |
Weird Mirror |
www.weirdmirror.org |
| Kim
Kraichely |
Ladicakes
|
www.ladicakes.com |
| Kris
Van Stockum |
Kris
Van Stockum Handpainted Linens |
www.krisvanstockum.com |
| Laura
Hubka |
Laura
Hubka Millinery |
www.laurahubkamillinery.com/ |
| Lidia
Wachowska |
Evil
Kitty |
www.evilkitty.net |
| Lizz
Sisson |
Atomic
Mama |
www.atomicmama.com |
| Nadda
Duang |
nFelt |
www.nfelt.com |
| Neysa
Page-Lieberman & Aimee Dolby |
Sugarpunch |
www.sugarpunch.com |
| Rebeca
Mojica |
Blue
Buddha Boutique |
www.bluebuddhaboutique.com |
| Shawn
Smith |
Shawnimals |
www.shawnimals.com |
| |
|
|
