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Sunday, April 13, 2008
April Showers Bring May Flowers
Let's hope Chicago's bi-polar weather will work itself out in time for the Mafia's next show on May 3rd:
Hand May-ed
Saturday, May 3rd, 2008
Zola Jones Boutique
1944 W. Montrose, Chicago
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Press release and more info here.
We're very excited to share our work with you and to collaborate with Jason Loper of Zola Jones! His storefront is going to be chock full of craft and fun. Let's hope some beautiful weather.
Also, Montrose Avenue has a lot of great things to do and see. The Brown Line stop is all shiny and new. Glenn's Diner's fish dishes are very tasty. Margie's Candies will satiate your sweet tooth. See art and learn about classes at Lill Street Art Center. Check out the Chicago Taoist Tai Chi Center where I had a great time learning about moving meditation. AND there's Beans and Bagels, just under the train, who'll host our next craft networking night, The Craft Racket (date TBD).
Again, please help us by inviting your friends! Please send along the link -
http://www.chicagocraftmafia.com/HandMayed/index.htm
- to your friends!
We look forward to seeing you Saturday, May 3rd!
posted on 6:10 PM by Brandy
Monday, March 24, 2008
Another Look
Here's another two pages from Doggie Knits, Sweaters and Accessories for Your Best Friend. This is ZeeNa, one of my favorite models from the photo shoot. Note the marking on her forehead that's heart shaped. Isn't she sweet? You can't get enough of cute dogs in knitwear, if you ask me.
posted on 9:28 PM by Corinne
Thursday, March 20, 2008
A Peek Inside
Here's a sneak peek at a few pages from Doggie Knits, Sweaters and Accessories for Your Best Friend, from Sterling Publishing, release date July 1, 2008. It's available for pre-order now!
posted on 10:09 PM by Corinne
Friday, December 07, 2007
Blue Buddha gets a new space!
It's official: my business is moving in Janaury! No more filling orders from the dining room table, and bumping into inventory with every step in the hallway! Woo-hoo!
To celebrate, Blue Buddha Boutique is having a mini holiday party on Friday, December 14th, which will be our last show of the season, and our first show at the new space. Most items will be 30% off for this day only. Certain sale items are 50% off! I will also have a special donation jar set up in case you'd like to give a buck or two directly to me to help ease the transition from work-at-home to work-in-a-studio. *grin*
The show won't be ultra spiffy, as we won't actually have moved in yet. But it's a good chance to get a preview of the space, and buy some holiday gifts while you're at it!
Show Details:
Friday, December 14
5 pm - 9 pm
4533 N Kedzie
Chicago IL 60625
(between Montrose & Lawrence, just 2 blocks from the Brown Line Kedzie stop)
You can see photos on our website. Hope you can stop by and say hello!
posted on 9:51 AM by Rebeca
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Café Society presents: Knitting for the new revolution: can crafts change the world?
"Craftivists" across the country have started a new revolution with their hands, making political statements and agitating for social justice through craft. During the next few days, the Public Square at the Illinois Humanities Council hosts discussions around Chicago on the emerging "craftivism" movement.
Guest speakers will be at each location to share their experiences in crafting for justice. Upcoming sessions are scheduled for Wednesday, December 5th at 12:30 and 7 pm; Thursday, December 6th at 7 pm; and Friday, December 7th at 5 pm.
For more info, please visit the Public Square / Café Society website.
posted on 9:08 AM by Rebeca
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Buy Local! Buy Indie! Stay for Bacon Cookies!
Just a few days away, the DIY Trunk Show! Brought to you by the Chicago Craft Mafia, 96 of the most exciting crafters in our community! We're at the Pulaski Park Fieldhouse this Saturday, November 17, from 10 AM-6 PM. 1419 W. Blackhawk, Chicago, Illinois. We're going to have fun!
posted on 10:20 PM by Corinne
Monday, October 08, 2007
shout-out and congrats!
Friend of the famiglia Victoria Slone's new bath line, Lotions and Potions, was featured in this morning's Daily Candy Chicago!
You can check out Victoria's all-natural products at the upcoming DIY Trunk Show (Nov. 17), as well as on her website, lotsnpots.com.
Congrats, Victoria!
posted on 8:53 AM by Richelle
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Coming to Bookstores This Spring
We're still not firm on the date, but here's a peek!
posted on 8:29 AM by Corinne
Friday, September 14, 2007
 Girl Metro, Inc. in Fall LA Weddings Magazine
Of course I wish it were Girl Metro in LA, given the fact that cold weather is rapidly approaching, but I'll take what I can get.
One of our 2006 couples - Rachel and Todd - are featured in the magazine's "real weddings" section. Happily, nestled among the photos is one of a table setting complete with the letterpress printed menus we created to round out the couple's stationery suite.
posted on 5:48 PM by Richelle
Thursday, September 06, 2007
500 Handbags Call for Entries: EXTENDED DEADLINE
I think there might be one or two purse-makers that read this blog. *wink* In case you didn't know, the deadline for the upcoming Lark Publishing book has been extended. If you make out-of-this-world purses, then you should submit! Here's some more info:
Lark Books seeks images of striking, stylish, and out-of-the-ordinary handbags for a juried collection of work from artists, makers, and designers from around the globe for the upcoming book 500 Handbags. Professional fashion designer Jay McCarroll, winner of Bravo's debut season of the hit show Project Runway, will be jurying images submitted for this book. A diverse assortment of bags will be considered—from teeny evening clutches to rugged bags designed for men—with one-of-a-kind, handmade, and/or limited edition pieces strongly preferred. A wide range of materials, techniques, and looks are desired. To be released in January 2009, this book aims to showcase a fabulous, fun, and funky collection that will inspire amateur crafters, professional designers, and everyone in between.
To be considered for inclusion, please submit high-quality transparencies, slides, or digital images with entry forms. There is no entry fee. We have extended our original deadline; entries must be postmarked by October 15, 2007.
Guidelines & entry forms can also be found on Lark's web site.
posted on 5:31 PM by Rebeca
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
"Links" in jewelry magazine
 The upcoming issue of Step by Step Wire Jewelry, Fall 2007 Vol. 3 No. 4, features two projects by Mafia member Rebeca "Links" Mojica of Blue Buddha Boutique.
Rebeca shows you how to make two easy pairs of chainmaille earrings using nothing but pliers and a few jump rings. Many highly regarded jewelers have appeared in this publication, and Rebeca is honored to be among such good company.
Available September 11.
posted on 1:32 PM by Rebeca
Monday, August 13, 2007
Chicago Craft Mafia at TOJO Gallery
For the month of August, we're exhibiting at TOJO Gallery, 1418 W. Division Street, Chicago. On Saturdays, the gallery is open from 12 PM-6 PM, and other times by appointment. 773-726-4545. Stop by for some delightful summer shopping!
posted on 9:03 PM by Corinne
Saturday, August 11, 2007
posted on 1:19 PM by Brandy
Monday, June 18, 2007
The Craft Racket, June 20
The Mafia will come out of hiding for an evening of networking at Uncommon Ground, Wednesday evening, June 20 from 6-9 PM. It's a great time to meet other crafters in the community to share experiences, and offer advice. We'll be in the front room, waiting for you!
posted on 10:08 PM by Corinne
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Poise.cc in the News
I went out of town for a few days to take a much needed vacation in a much loved city. The humidity of New Orleans was like a hug once I got out of the airport and I ate, walked, and relaxed my way across the city. And while I was gone, I got two wonderful mentions in the press I'd like to tell you about.
The first one is:
Poise.cc is retro-chic. I knew that. You probably knew that. And now many other people will get to know it, all thanks to a delightful mention on StyleChicago.com. Not only did I get a fabulous mention on a cool, hip site. I got mentioned on the same page as Diane von Furstenburg, the queen of prints and color combinations. I may not be quite ready to become the DvF of handbags, but I do love me so prints mixed with prints. Thanks, Style Chicago.
The second one is:
I received a letter a few months ago from the organizers behind Purses with Purpose in Portland, Maine. It's a fundraiser for the local Ronald McDonald House and the focus is entirely on handbags. From handbags that are from top-tier designers and donated by people like Glenn Close to people like me. People who make handbags as part of a fledgling business. I've got high hopes that their fundraiser was a huge success.
posted on 9:32 PM by Cinnamon
Friday, June 01, 2007
Welcome to cyberspace, Vanessa...
My weaver has a website! Some of you may know that Vanessa has been working with me for just about a year (whew, time flies!), and yesterday she launched her own website with lots of nifty jewelry, sculptures and wearable art. I had no idea this lady had wicked talent in such varied media. Though of course, I'm partial to the chainmaille..... *grin*
Check out her work for yourself: Gianessa Designs
Congratulations, Vanessa! I wish you much success!
posted on 4:39 PM by Rebeca
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
ISBN 9781402730696
Coming to a bookstore near you:
Doggie Knits: Sweaters and Accessories for Your Best Friend
release date: April 1, 2008
posted on 10:02 PM by Corinne
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Bohus Stickning
 For my first Craft Mafia post, a black and red sweater!
One of the advantages of living and knitting in Chicago is the great resources available. Chicago has a lively knitting community, and the opportunity to take part in skill enhancing workshops. This sweater is about fifty years old, and is from the collection of Susanna Hanson, a Seattle based teacher, who translates the Bohus Stickning patterns from Swedish for the English speaking market, and taught a workshop in Chicago a few weeks ago. I spent the day making a little cuff in the Bohus style of knitting, using fine wool and angora blend yarn, on size 00 needles. If you know knitting, you can appreciate how tiny that is. Susanna brought her collection of vintage Bohus sweaters for us to touch, examine, and photograph.
Bohus Stickning was an enterprise that lasted from 1939-1969. Wives of unemployed quarry workers were employed to knit, mostly after work or household chores were done, to supplement the family income. The sweaters were sold to wealthy tourists. I tried to re-live the Bohus experience, finishing my little cuff at about 1:30 AM the night after the workshop, with my man snoring away in the next room. I wear the cuff pretty frequently (which is still waiting for its mate), mostly for inspiration to push my knitting skill levels further. Of course I am considering the possibilities to incorporate some of these techniques into my dog sweaters. The use of color for these sweaters is different from most stranded knitting. Many pieces are knit flat, then seamed, so the color work is made more difficult having to reverse the charts to keep the pattern on the wrong side. Texture stitches are worked along with color, to move the colored yarn in different directions. The combination of color and texture results in a garment that is alive with color, and to me, just seems to glow.
posted on 8:59 PM by Corinne
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Reverse Graffiti
I fully admit I'm a curmudgeon who finds it hard to see graffiti as anything but vandalism. But I can get behind this reverse graffiti artist who make his mark by cleaning away dirt on walls. Huge bonus points for being resourceful and ecologically sound!
NPR offers a story:
The tools are simple: A shoe brush, water and elbow grease, he says.
British authorities aren't sure what to make of the artist who is creating graffiti by cleaning the grime of urban life. The Leeds City Council has been considering what to do with Moose. "I'm waiting for the kind of Monty Python court case where exhibit A is a pot of cleaning fluid and exhibit B is a pair of my old socks," he jokes.
posted on 6:17 PM by Brandy
Sunday, March 25, 2007
826Chicago Unveils The Boring Store
826Chicago, gracious hosts to our 2006 St. Valentines Craftsacre, has just opened The Boring Store. 826Chicago is a 826CHI is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students ages 6 to 18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write.
All that great work happens in the back of their Milwaukee Avenue location. The storefront was open and empty holding community art and the occasional Craft Mafia interlopers. It can now "address all your hollow needs." I.e. your secret spy schtuff.
Thanks to The Laughing Squid for the scoop and pics.
posted on 1:07 PM by Brandy
Sunday, March 18, 2007
The Craft Racket: Round 2
If you enjoyed The Craft Racket last September, then you'll enjoy it again. If you didn't make it to the first one, please make it to this one. We're excited to have you join us.
*****
The Craft Racket
organized by The Chicago Craft Mafia
CHICAGO (February 22, 2007) — Tired of being holed up in their studios, the Chicago Craft Mafia members will be at Uncommon Ground on Wednesday March 21st from 6 to 9pm for their second Craft Racket. But they'll see you before you see them, since none of them will be sitting with their backs to the door.
"Our first event was a huge success," said Brandy Agerbeck of Loosetooth.com. "We got a couple of dozen people to join us and share information with each other about how to run their businesses better, make more money, and generally act like the 'wiseguys' and gals that we are."
The Chicago Craft Mafia is part of a larger national Craft Mafia which was started by the Austin Craft Mafia in 2003 after they met through a networking group in Austin.
"We're fortunate to live in such a creative and entrepreneurial town," said Cinnamon Cooper of Poise.cc, "but at selling events, we rarely get to know anyone else. We started The Craft Racket as a quarterly event to keep us in regular contact with other small craft business owners in Chicago. And its a tribute to how the Craft Mafia started."
Admission is free, but attendees are asked to tip their bartender and
bring information to share. Previous conversations have focused on
topics as wide-ranging as website deisgn, wholesale agreements,
balancing work with life, and accounting. The Craft Racket is a casual networking affair that will meet in the front bar section of Uncommon Ground.
"Despite us calling ourselves mafia members, we won't bust yer kneecaps," said Leah Bohannon of RedGlow1500. com. "The only protection you'll need, is from drinking too many $5 whiskeys. "
Uncommon Ground is located at 3800 N. Clark St. The next two Craft Rackets will take place on June 20 and September 26.
posted on 12:45 AM by Cinnamon
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Stop Insulting Our Grandmothers!
I (and my fellow CCMers) agree with Lisa M. of RosieBlogs:
I don't know about you, but Courtney and I are sick of it. We're sick of people claiming that what they do is "not your grandmother's knitting," as if there was something wrong with our grandmother's knitting.
Click here for the full rant. I rant right along with her. I agree that you can have great craft books without pitting us against the earlier generations that taught us.
posted on 5:56 PM by Brandy
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Craft Racket
Thanks to everyone who came out to our first crafter's networking night at Uncommon Ground cafe. It was nice catching up with old folks, and meeting some new folks too! We hope to make this a regular occasion, perhaps quarterly.
posted on 11:50 PM by mvs
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
The Real Hot 100
This past Spring I was nominated for a contest to pick 100 feminists across the country who have done things which make the world a better place. The organizers goal was to find a group of women who are inspirations for young women to show them that it is possible to do things which are valued instead of being valued simply if you're a Girl Gone Wild in a bikini on spring break.
At the beginning of June I was delighted to find out that I was one of the winners. I'll be travelling to New York on Friday August 11th to attend a reception where I hopefully get to meet many, many more of the Hottest 100 women. I'm flattered and delighted to be in usch great company. And honored to be representing to young, crafty women that you can create a business. You can follow your heart, be creative, and get paid to do so. I'm still working on the get paid SOLELY to do so, but its coming, I can feel it. I highly recommend checking out who the other 99 wonderful women are: The Real Hot 100.
posted on 11:37 PM by Cinnamon
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Crafters' Networking Night Aug 30 @ Uncommon Ground
Fellow crafters (and friends of crafters),
The Chicago Craft Mafia is pleased to sponsor a crafters' networking night at Uncommon Ground cafe on Wednesday, August 30 from 6 to 9PM. Please join us for an informal evening kicking back, meeting your fellow crafters, talking shop, drinking whiskey (it's Whiskey Wednesday at Uncommon Ground after all!), and have a generally awesome time! Admit it, you've been dying to ask that crafter you've seen at various shows how they shizzle their fizzle (or whatever it is they do). Well, now's yer chance!
Uncommon Ground
3800 N. Clark Street
corner of Clark and Grace
nearest CTA: Addison stop on Red Line
773-929-3680
www.uncommonground.com
Cost: FREE!!!
Please RSVP by leaving a comment or sending us an e-mail, so we can let the cafe know how many of us to expect.
Hope to see you there!
posted on 2:30 PM by mvs
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Soap conference
I'll be heading to Portland in May for the national soapmakers conference. It'll be a chance to network with the top soapmakers around the country, vendors, and education panels. Can't wait!
posted on 2:19 PM by mvs
Monday, February 27, 2006
Thank you crafty shoppers!
Hey everyone. Long time, no update. It's hard to have time to write to people, even cool people like you, when you're running a small business, working a day job, and slowly working "da business of crafting" to your advantage.
We had a wonderful show on February 3rd at 826CHI a drop-in tutoring center teaching literary skills to Chicago's students. We helped them raise some money, which was great cause the week after our fundraiser they were mobbed with new students. Here's a bit of a letter from Leah Guenther, the director for the organization:
Your contribution was, I should say, accompanied with quite good timing as our tutoring population doubled right after the show. We went from hosting an average of 12 students per afternoon to having nearly 27 each day now. A coincidence? Maybe by a public airing of our ties to the mob, we tapped a new population? Either way, we found ourselves scrambling to buy more tables and chairs the week after the event in order to account for our new students, and I'm happy, and grateful, to say that your contribution more than covered the cost of our new furnishings, so we can't thank you enough. Nor can the kids who were sitting on the floor for a few crazy days!
We're delighted to know that we helped make it possible for this wonderful organization to serve even more kids. But we couldn't have done it without the wonderful folks who came and shopped and bought stuff and maybe got some information so they can make donations on their own or even volunteer. We're all cool with helping out good people, but only because we got good people like you helping us help them.
And we wouldn't be able to notify anyone about our shows if it wasn't for the local media that has given us great publicity and helped us to take this little organization of 6 members and turn it into the crafting powerhouse that it is today.
Here is an article published in the Chicago Maroon about our second annual St. Valentine's Day Craftsacre.
posted on 10:52 PM by Cinnamon
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
DIY Trunk Show III: Revenge of the Stitch
ALL of the Chicago Craft Mafia will be rockin' the DIY Trunk Show on November 5th. It's the show's third year, co-organized by CCM's very one Cinnamon Cooper and the lovely Amy Carlton.
It's personally my fave show - great organizers, space, vendors and visitors.
Worth quoting at length and reading is the DIY Trunk Show Craftifesto:
Craft is powerful. We want to show the depth and breadth of the Chicago crafting community. Anything you want - clothing, jewelry, art, music�you can probably get from a real live person here in Chicago. And buying handmade, one-of-a-kind goods from your neighbor kicks the ass of buying mass-produced, slave-made corporate stuff. Craft is personal. To know that something was made by hand, by someone who cares that you like it, makes that object much more enjoyable. And it makes you feel less lonely when you realize that you know the name of the person who made the bar of soap you use, the earrings you wore when you met that special someone, or the scarf that kept you from freezing while you waited for the train. Craft is political. We're not just trying to sell stuff. We're trying to change the world. We want everyone to rethink corporate culture and consumerism. Craft is possible. Everybody can create something - you don't have to be an established business to make stuff. The DIY Trunk Show encourages new crafters by giving them a place to sell their work for the first time. We hold workshops to teach people how to make things. And we're creating friendships and connections between crafters - being a small business owner doesn't mean you have to work in isolation.
posted on 4:29 PM by Brandy
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
To Help Crafters Rebuild
Also from Suzanne, the Craft Emergency Relief Fund.
posted on 10:09 AM by Brandy
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Hurricane Katrina
Mallory from the New Orleans Craft Mafia, via Suzanne:
plea for help on behalf of all Gulf Coast and New Orleans
residents
First off, I'd like to let you know that I'm safe, our founder, Rachelle is safe, Liz of Itchy Stitches is safe, and I'm pretty sure Mags and Ze were both out of town when the storm came through. I'm not sure of whereabouts/safety of our other members yet, but once I know anything I'll pass that info along.
I drafted this yesterday on my way out of the storm affected areas. PLEASE forward this to anyone, everyone you can think of. Friends, family, individuals, corporations, national and internation news media. Also, if you feel so inclined, feel free to print out copies of this and hand them out to friends and family or even post them up in your hometown.
Additionally, I'd like to ask you to contact your congresspeople and state representatives immediately and tell them to get more national guard and law enforcement officials down there ASAP. The stories I'm hearing from friends and friends of friends who are stuck in New Orleans and even in Baton Rouge are horrifying, it's turning into complete anarchy.
I am writing to plea on behalf of all residents of the Gulf Coast region, from Louisiana to Florida. I am one of the lucky ones – I braved the storm and got out to be able to tell about it. I grew up in Gulfport, Mississippi but have lived and worked primarily in New Orleans for the last four years. Some friends and I evacuated that city late Saturday night to stay in Gulfport where we felt safer from the storm surge and flooding. Eight of us rode it out in my mother's home, listening to and feeling the roaring winds and rains for almost 12 hours. Our back porch roof was ripped off completely, and the roof over our kitchen was punctured, leaving the kitchen in shambles from the effects of wind and rain. We count ourselves lucky, the house is still livable and everyone who stayed there is safe. My mother's business and entire source of income, however, is completely destroyed. All of my friends from New Orleans have given up hope of salvaging their homes and possessions. Several friends, including my boyfriend's father, are still stranded in New Orleans. My boyfriend and I were able to make it out of Gulfport to the nearest open airport, which was Baton Rouge, to fly north to help his company relocate and continue to do business. He is one of the lucky ones – he still has a job. When we left my mother's
house there was absolutely no communication in or out of the area, and we barely knew the status of Biloxi, the next city over, let alone much information about New rleans.
I implore you, I plead with you, and I beg you, HELP US. Millions of people are homeless, without the basic necessities of life, or worse yet, hurt or dead. Many of these jobs and homes will be irreplaceable. The majority of these people have no way right now to ask you for help themselves. I'm sure they won't mind me requesting assistance on their behalf. Last year I felt the effects of the tsunami in Southeast Asia from the other side of the world. Myself and many of my friends donated what we could to help with the relief efforts there. All we can do right now is hope that the people of the world will be as generous towards us as we tried to be for those who suffered through that tragedy. I am begging you, do what you can and put yourself in our shoes. Please know, I have seen friends and neighbors banding together to help each other make it through this experience. I will be the first to condemn those who are seen looting useless personal property, but please understand that those who have been left behind are forced to do what they must to survive at this point. They annot do much without outside help. This is what we need from all of you so urgently at this time. Please don't let us down – we can't make it without you.
Mallory Whitfield
August 31, 2005
________________________
If you're like me, you may be feeling at a loss on how to help. One answer is to donate money. That's kind of the no brainer to anyone who has money to give. I'm trying to think of something more meaningful to do. Just a few disperate thoughts:
1. Give Blood.
Blood is always needed. You can find a blood drive at GiveLife.org. And if you have a space, please consider sponsoring a blood drive!
2. Quilters Comfort America
This is how I'm finding a meaningful way to help. Between having plenty of quilt making supplies around, having those skills and knowing how comforting a quilt can be, I'm taking action in this crafty way. All details are here.
3. If you're donating goods -
That's super. One way you can greatly help is to box and clearly label your donations. There's massive amounts of goodwill and energy going towards people give things - just think about how you can help those mountains be organized. Ex. label a box "Women's Size 16 clothes" and if you can seperate your items into seperate boxes. Be specific. It can only help those who are sorting out all that goodwill and energy!
Also, Crafters United over at Etsy has handmade goods to buy and whose sales go to Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund.
That's it for here. Be well.
posted on 8:54 AM by Brandy
Friday, July 22, 2005
The Good Word
All of us are in the homestretch, preparing for tonight Summer Shakedown show. I've got a last binge of sewing, labeling and then packing up.
But first, a shout out to the shout outs to our show tonight!
(Links to our specific event in the **'s)
Chicago Reader **
Flavorpill **
Gapers Block **
Metromix **
posted on 7:42 AM by Brandy
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Cleaning up liquid-style
I'm quite pleased to be debuting my new line of foaming liquid soaps at Friday's show. These are 12 ounces bottles that dispense the soaps in a variety of scents, including chai and peppermint. If you've stayed away from bar soaps because they're "messy", well now you don't have an excuse, do you?
posted on 3:55 PM by mvs
Monday, July 18, 2005
Summer Shakedown!
We're all feverishly getting ready for Friday's Summer Shakedown show. Emphasis on fever in the height of Chicago summer! Oof. I'll be drinking lots of lemonade while I work on new products this week.
Personally, I'm excited by finishing up my june bugs, making more suns, and working on some top secret necklaces that are coming together well.
We hope to see you Friday folks!
posted on 9:46 AM by Brandy
Friday, May 20, 2005
Crafters Coast to Coast Showing!
The Chicago Craft Mafia is proud to annouce that three of it's six members appeared on HGTV's show Crafters Coast-to-Coast!
Beginning her design of a stain glass lightbox on her worktable
The clear glass "canvas"
Outside, cutting the wood for the lightbox
Assembling the box
Enoying the finished product
Click here for Leah's instruction page on HGTV's site for Crafters Coast to Coast. And as a bonus, Leah's sushi plate project from the end of the episode!
Cinnamon Cooper of Poise.cc demonstrated her pursemaking and beading.
Ironing the Thai silk for her beaded purse
Beading the dolphin motif onto the silk in glass beads
Showing off the great bias tape maker to make her purse handles
She loves her sewing machine!
Viola - the finished purse
Click here for Cinnamon's instruction page on HGTV's site for Crafters Coast to Coast.
Showing the swirled soap he's about to demonstrate
Ready at his kitchen worktable
The Secret Ingredient - palm kernel oil
Swirling the two colors together
Beveling the bars edges for a clean finish
Click here for Mark's instruction page on HGTV's site for Crafters Coast to Coast.
To celebrate these shows, we had a showing at TOJO gallery tonight. A nice little turnout of friends, who enjoyed the episodes, along with drinks and popcorn.
posted on 1:00 AM by Brandy
Monday, May 02, 2005
Network conference
I am blogging from the Meshforum conference today at the Hothouse. It's a conference on the application of network theory to business, financial, and science communities. I think the craft mafia is a great example of a network in practice. Hopefully I'll get some great tips!
posted on 9:06 AM by mvs
Friday, April 15, 2005
DIY Chicago
Here's a soap that may be featured soon in an upcoming TimeOutChicago piece on local Chicago soapmakers.
posted on 10:37 PM by mvs
Thursday, April 07, 2005
Poise.cc on TV!
HGTV to be exact. I'll be showing you how to make the The Roni using a beading trick I discovered all by myself. If you don't get all the directions while watching, you can view them here.
posted on 2:49 AM by Cinnamon
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
WLUW Record Fair
Cinnamon, Leah and Brandy will be representing the Mafia at the 3rd Annual WLUW Record Fair and Other Delights.
Yep, we're the Other Delights. Please stop by and say "hello!"
posted on 11:16 AM by Brandy
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