CERF+ – Craft Emergency Relief Fund
The Craft Emergency Relief Fund is an organization that provides a safety net for artists / craftspersons in the event they experience a disaster. They also provide great information to help prevent or minimize potential disasters.
To better serve our community they are looking for feedback. Please take 5 minutes to fill in this important survey.
Bloomington Handmade Market is looking for vendors!!
Applications for the Bloomington Handmade Market are open now through September 15! Visit www.bloomingtonhandmademarket.com to get more info and to apply.
The fall event will take place on Saturday, November 10 from 10am-5pm at the Bloomington Convention Center, located downtown at 3rd and College in Indiana.
Ravenswood Remix
Just 9 more days to apply to the DIY Trunk Show! Click HERE for the application. Once you’re done, you should definitely check out the folks at Ravenswood Remix!
This is a unique event aimed to unite and connect forward thinking individuals while promoting the sale of re-purposed arts, furniture, jewlery and anything else under the sun.
To display and sell your art and goods at Ravenswood Remix™, you must use recycled, found or re-purposed materials in the creation of your goods.
BOOTH PRICING: $225 for 10′x10′
Plus $25 City of Chicago Vending License which includes both Saturday & Sunday. There are also a limited number of premium space upgrades available for an additional $100.
To apply, register for a free account with Zapplication and submit your application, five images of your work and a $20 application fee by July 29, 2012.
Paper applications are available upon request by sending an email to info@ravenswoodremix.com
Support local crafters and businesses by saying NO to Walmart
We at the Mafia understand what a wonderful thing it is to purchase locally made goods, and how beneficial to the economy it is. Which is why we were saddened to receive this email from Local First Chicago:
On the heels of getting approval for a number of supercenter Wal-Marts in Chicago, Wal-Mart is preparing to roll out dozens of smaller “Neighborhood Markets”. A Wal-Mart has already been announced at Presidential Towers. Now there is a proposal to locate a store on the property known as “Broadway at Surf” in Lakeview.
Local First Chicago feels that neighborhoods need to understand all of the impacts of developments such as this and that citizens need to make their voices heard. Two meetings have been scheduled and if you would like to learn more about this issue, we encourage you to participate.
Wal-Mart will meet with the Lakeview Community
Hosted by Southeast Lakeview Neighbors
Monday, April 11, 2011 – 7:00 pm
Wellington Church
615 W. Wellington
Parking located at 3030 N. Broadway
A Community Discussion of the Proposed Wal-Mart
Hosted by Belmont Harbor Neighbors
Tuesday, April 12, 2011 – 7:30 pm
Mt. Carmel’s Casey Hall
728 W. Belmont
Learn more about this issue and take action:
Read about the Impact of Big Box Retailers
Sign a petition regarding the Lakeview/Lincoln Park Wal-Mart
Join the Facebook page: Stop Lakeview/Lincoln Park Wal-Mart
We hope you’ll take a moment to find out how damaging big box retailers can be (if you don’t already know) and will take action to say NO to Walmart, thereby helping keep handmade alive in Chicago!
We Are Makers
I love the TED talks! Here is one from MAKE Magazine publisher Dale Dougherty entitled “We Are Makers.” What great inspiration!
Feelin’ Crafty? It’s time for Swap-O-Rama-Rama!
What’s a Swap-O-Rama-Rama? Well, it’s a longish story, but the short version is that it’s a one-day event where you can learn hands-on how to recycle and upcycle clothing. Volunteers with expertise in screen printing, sewing, jewelry-making, knitting, crocheting and more are there to help you learn or you can go solo, making use of provided sewing machines and other supplies.
Swap-O-Rama-Rama screen printing demo
This year, SORR Chicago will be held at the Waldorf School in Roger’s Park (1300 W. Loyola) on Saturday, Feb 12 from 9am to 5pm.
The catch? You have to bring a bag of usable clothing and make a donation (suggested amount is $20)… But you get to leave with as many creations as you can carry.
Get full details at the website.
Dreaming of the big apple…
Applications for Renegade Brooklyn are now open and only up until March 4th so apply early! You can apply here
Have some extra time on your hands?
Check out these two fun sites…
Pinterest a place where you can post collections of things you love, and “follow” collections created by people with great taste.
Polyvore express your style: mix & match products from your favorite stores
Spicy Hot Chocolate
It’s the end of January, and I’m hibernating…. with Hot Chocolate. Because really that is the best kind of hibernation. And for something a little different I whipped up this fabulous recipe from the Manhattan Craft Room, because really, what’s better than Spicy Dark Hot Cocolate on a blustery winter day?
Valentine’s Pastry Market
Just in time for Valentine’s Day! The Logan Square Kitchen will be hosting a small pastry market where you can purchase delicious locally made sweets for that special someone (or for yourself if you have a major sweet tooth like me).
