First of all, I want to say a HUGE thank you on behalf of the Chicago Craft Mafia to everybody who came to the show on Saturday. I hope you all had a great time, and scored some super deals on whatever you need for your next crafting endeavor!

The place was packed, and I don’t think I saw anybody leave empty-handed. There’s talk of making this a regular event, so we’ll let you all know if and when anything is firmed up.

In the meantime, if you want to learn more about a crafty endeavor you’re just starting out in, how to turn your hobby into a business, or how to grow your craft-related business, come to the Craft Racket!

What’s a Craft Racket? It’s an informal get-together for crafters and crafty business owners, organized and held quarterly by the Chicago Craft Mafia. The next one is April 15th (that’s a Wednesday) at Beans ‘n Bagels (1812 W. Montrose -right by the brown line Montrose stop) from 6-9pm. There’s no charge (ever), and CCM member Rebeca Mojica from Blue Buddha Boutique will be talking about product photography on a shoestring budget (although it’s not that formal - so don’t feel like you have to be there by 6:01 for a lecture, or anything. It’s all about letting Chicago area crafters and craft-related business owners connect and drink some coffee.). Not into photography? No worries - the rest of the mafia will be there to talk about summer shows, business matters, crafts and techniques, or whatever else you’ve got on your mind.

Getting noticed when you're a small business

Sunday, March 15, 2009

De-stashing like a Madman!

I am humming! We're presenting Do It You Own D*mn Self: craft supplies super cheap! In short, it's a giant craft supply garage sale from 40+ crafty Chicago vendors. It is THE place to be in Chicago on March 28th from noon to 4:00 pm.

This has lit such a fire under my ass to purge my hoarded craft supplies. I've dabbled and dove into SO many different kinds of crafts. For the last few years repetitive stress problems in my left arm has nix a whole lot of crafting. Now I get to go through dozens of boxes, bins and bags of supplies and -
Let. It. Go.

This morning, I filled 200 2"x2" bags in no time flat. Time to order more bags!


Come to the show! Buy my old stuff and make great new stuff out of it!

posted on 12:20 PM by Brandy

Friday, March 06, 2009

Craft Mafia in Entrepreneur Magazine

Check out Entrepreneur Magazine's recent article: Crafting: A silver Lining in a Tough Economy. The last group mentioned in the side bar is the Craft Mafia!

posted on 4:52 PM by Blue Buddha

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Growing Your Crafty Business

I just wrote an article about resources that have helped me turn my hobby into a full-time profession. Visit my website to read the full article (Resources to Help You Grow Your Crafty Business), or skim the list below to find out some of the things that have helped take my business to a new level. Hope you find something that inspires you and helps build your business!

Craft, Inc: Turn Your Creative Hobby Into a Business by Meg Mateo Ilasco — The only bad thing about this book is that it wasn't out when I was first starting! I read other hobby-to-business books that were helpful, but this one is really, REALLY good. I love that it includes Q&A with actual crafters, so you can see some real-world applications for some of the concepts. Craft fairs, marketing, pricing, financing...all this and more is covered in great detail.

Women's Business Development Center — Classes and counseling at little or no cost. I have taken several workshops and met with counselors, and I cannot say enough good things about this place. No clue how to write a business plan? They have a class centered all around business plans, with the ultimate goal of having you leave the class with a completed plan! If you're not in Chicago, there are groups in other cities with similar programs.

Entrepreneur Magazine &mdash What better to help you think big than reading a magazine filled with businesses at the $10+ million level? Even though most of these companies are completely different from mine, many of the issues we face are the same: inventory control, marketing, customer service, etc. I learn something from each issue that will help my business. And they also feature smaller companies who are every bit as inspiring as the big guys.

Instant Cashflow by Bradley J Sugars — If you want to stay in business, having good cash flow is the way to do it. Businesses can be profitable, but still go out of business due to cash flow issues. Really! This book gives nearly 300 strategies (though there is some overlap, so maybe 200 strategies is more accurate) to improve your cash flow. Sure, they don't all apply to crafters, but even if you find just a dozen strategies—and I wouldn't be surprised if you found three times as many—the book would pay for itself.

Guerrilla Marketing — Jay Conrad Levinson has built an empire on the idea of guerrilla marketing. My favorite book is Guerrilla Marketing for FREE. Let's face it, most crafters don't have a huge marketing budget, if we have one at all! So free strategies are perfect!

The Emotion Behind Money: Building Wealth From The Inside Out by Julie Murphey Casserly — Before you build a successful business, you have to be comfortable dealing with money, period. This is great book to help you get in touch with your true feelings about money in business and in your personal life. This book helped me realize it's OK to make money--after all, my goals of changing my community and the world are much more easily achieved with a little extra cash!

posted on 9:18 AM by Blue Buddha

Monday, January 19, 2009

Knitters for Obama

Halfway down this page is a link to a video clip showing Knitters for Obama who have made hundreds of hats all over the country and donated them to people who are overcoming hair loss related to cancer treatments and other ailments. I think this link ties in directly wimy previous post about Knitting for Good, by Betsy Greer. The average hand-knitted hat takes less than 10 hours and about one skein of yarn. But those few hours and small investment can truly make the difference in a patient's life.

posted on 2:49 PM by Cinnamon

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Knitting for Good

I may run a sewn-goods business, but my re-introduction to the world of craft came through knitting more than sewing. I say re-introduction because I was very crafty through early college. I started sewing clothes for my dolls at age 7, progressed to making counted-cross stitch and needlepoint gifts, embroidered C's on several of my shirts during late elementary school (when I really wanted to be as cool as Laverne and Shirley), made Jamz for my brothers and I during the 80's, and so much more. I was so crafty, and so unaware that there was a right way and a wrong way to learn a craft, that I taught myself to knit by reading a Woman's Day magazine in 1986 and my first project was a sweater. It was awful. It didn't fit, the yarn was crappy, it was all stretched out and gross after just a few wearings. But I wore it because I was proud of it. Very, very proud of it.

Flash forward about 15 years and I realize that I've lost touch with crafty side so after making a lot of tatted pieces that just didn't get used on much of anything useful, I started knitting again. And this was in 2001, when the Great Blog Creation was beginning. Since I was turning to the internet for all kinds of things, and since I'd learned so much about tatting from the internet, I began to read about knitting. And I was blown away to find out that I wasn't the only woman who had been an awkward, crafty girl with a skateboard, skinned knees, and a desire to make things with yarn. It was awesome and for the first time I stopped trying to hide my crafty side. I became proud of it. I had understanding. And as I began to "meet" people online, I began to realize that there were some amazing people writing about crafting, activism, changing the world, and politics all at the same time. Betsy Greer was one of those people. Her site Craftivism opened my eyes to a lot of things and made me see my actions in a more global framework. Making a knit baby blanket and bundling it up with some baby powder, washcloths, and a hair brush seemed like a minor way to donate my time to a great cause. But Betsy made me realize that this small act of kindness on my part had resulted in a positive effect on the life of someone I would never meet.

Betsy's first book has been out for a few months now and if you're at all interested in crafting and how it can be used to improve not only your personal world, but the greater world around you, I can't recommend it more highly. Knitting for Good is a great read that includes "larger framework" political perspective, great essays by wonderful crafters (yours truly included in that), and free patterns that you can make for yourself or for a non-profit that seeks out hand-knitted items.

Betsy suggests, and I think all the craft mafia members would agree with her, that taking some time to slow down and think through a project that you are creating can have a therapeutic effect on you and each project is one step closer to a better world. Creation is a great expression of energy. And is positive effects will take one further than you could imagine. Betsy can show you how to make your creative energy impactful in a larger manner.

posted on 11:44 PM by Cinnamon

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Holiday Show - Thursday December 11

Blue Buddha Boutique is hosting a chainmaille show featuring seven talented chainmaille artists. Members of the Chicago Craft Mafia will also be joining the show to sell crafty wares. For many of us, it's the last show of the season, so don't miss out on your chance to shop handmade before the holidays!

posted on 11:33 AM by Blue Buddha

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Volunteers Needed!

Hi, everyone--
The DIY Trunk Show is next Saturday, November 22nd, at Pulaski Park in Chicago!
We're looking for some volunteers to participate in the fun.  Details for the two hour shifts are on the DIY website. We would be most grateful if you would join us!

posted on 12:24 PM by Corinne

Monday, October 27, 2008

The fine print can get ya every time!

A while ago, I did a high-profile show that I was super-excited to have gotten accepted into. There was a LOT of paperwork for the show, and I was a bit overwhelmed by it. Nevertheless I went through everything carefully, and made sure all my ducks were in a row. Or so I thought.

Imagine my surprise (and dismay) to learn that the standard 6' x 30" table actually meant 6 feet long by 30 inches high! So, all my work setting up a sample display at the studio on a 6 foot by 30 inch wide table, was all for naught—the show table was only 24 inches wide. D'oh!

Later, on page 7 of the vendor documents, I found where it said "6' wide x 30" high." Oops.

Live and learn, I guess. And share with fellow crafters, so they always ask if 30" means height or width! :)

posted on 4:06 PM by Blue Buddha

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Craft Show 101: Your First Show

Back in 2003, I wrote an online article Craft Show 101. It was a super detailed account of working the very first Renegade Craft Fair. In the years since, it's been incredibly gratifying to get emails and shout outs at fairs of "Thank you!" I'm very glad that my account and advice has been useful to other crafters.

For last month's Craft Racket, I created a shorter, updated version. At each Craft Racket networking night, we create a one page tip sheet to help spread the crafty and businessy goodness. Click here to download the PDF of Craft Fair 101: Your First Show.

The article gives you pointers on building your inventory, how to show your wares at their best and a helpful list of supplies.

If you're looking forward to your first craft fair this fall, all the best to you!

posted on 4:04 PM by Brandy

Sunday, September 21, 2008

The Boss of You: Everything a Woman Needs to Know to Start, Run, and Maintain Her Own Business

Despite my feeling like I have so much to learn about how to operate and maintain my business, I forgot how much I actually knew about starting a business. Thankfully, Lauren Bacon and Emira Mears saw something in me and felt the need to interview me for their book (which has been out a few months) and is currently on its third printing. The Boss of You is hands down the best book I've had the fortune to read about running a business. It doesn't tell you everything you need, but it does have a great resource list in the back and it provides information you'll need to know so you can Google the answer for your locality. But those are honestly the easy parts of starting a business. It may not seem like it when you get started, but the harder parts to figure out will cause you much frustration and few resources willing to share the exact information you need. That's where this book comes in. It asks you to begin by describing your business in chapter one, and lest you give in to the urge to skip over the exercises to get to the good parts, I highly recommend that you slowly and methodically answer and think about the questions they ask. It truly will make it much easier for you as you read the rest of the book. And it will be amazing how much your answers may change by the time you finish the book. And just seeing how your thought process changes over the course of a few hundred pages will be interesting in and of itself.

So whether you run a small purse-making business, a yoga studio, or a bakery I think that you'll find quite a bit of information in this book that is pertinent to you. The authors are able to speak from their own experience and they're able to describe for you exactly what you need to know and the order in which you'll do best to figure it out. If you like, you can read a more detailed post at my personal blog.

posted on 9:45 PM by Cinnamon

Saturday, August 02, 2008

Part-Time Assistant Needed

If you're one of those folks that find repetitive work soothing, and you also have the compulsion to take a pile of items and sort (by color) and organize (by size), then Blue Buddha Boutique has the perfect job for you. We're looking for an assistant to help our chainmaille jewelry and supplies business keep up with orders. The assistant is responsible for inventory re-stocking, packaging of customer orders and quality control. It's not a glamorous job, but the work environment is fun. It is also a great chance to work with an artist who's turned her dream into reality, and see everything involved with running a small business.

View complete job details here.

Rebeca, founder of Blue Buddha Boutique, has been a member of the Chicago Craft Mafia for 2 years. Check out her profile to the right to see what she's all about.

posted on 4:29 PM by Blue Buddha

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Seeking Design Submissions!

Trish Hoskins (of Crafty Planet) and Rebecca Yaker are working on a book entitled "One-Yard Wonders" with Storey Publishing. Inspired by the success of the One-Skein Wonders series for knitters and crocheters, Trish and Rebecca are expanding this approach to new, exciting projects for sewing enthusiasts. With this book, they are setting out to fill a need that so many of us have: what to do with that single yard of special, coveted fabric purchased on impulse - the perfect projects to FINALLY put all those stashed yards of pretty, pretty fabrics to good use!

All ye crafy loyal readers of this blog are invited to submit your original designs to be published in this work - so bring it!

All the info you need to submit your design can be found here:
www.oneyardwondersbook.com

They look forward to your creativity!

posted on 12:42 PM by Blue Buddha

Sunday, July 13, 2008

The Boss of You: Be it, Win it!

The Boss of You is for sale at Amazon.com and many other independent bookstores all over the country.

Last spring I was lucky to get the chance to meet Lauren Bacon and Emira Mears who were just starting to interview small business owners about their business and learning how to start it, run it, maintain, grow it, etc. After an hour long interview I came away feeling convinced that I didn't have anything to add for them that would be useful. Then the book hit store shelves at the beginning of May, 2008. I was lucky enough to get a free copy and I knew that they'd included at least a mention of me in the book. I had no idea what it was, so I was incredibly shocked and surprised to see that they'd actually included several quotes from me in the book, and a sidebar. I was touched and amazed and awed. But more importantly, since reading the book I've been really reconsidering how I think about my business. I've been reevaluating everything from the ground up. And I'm glad that I have because I've come to some serious forks in the mental road, so to speak. And this book has helped me to develop more questions and narrow down what some of the possible answers are. And I'm beyond grateful. So grateful, in fact, that I've purchased a copy of the book from Women and Children First (a feminist bookstore in Chicago) and will be giving it away to a commenter who answers the question asked at the end of this post on my own site. So if you're interested in starting a business, have just started one and still have a lot of questions, or even if you've been running a business for several years but need something to think about, go leave a comment on my blog. You may be the lucky winner of the best business book I've come across.

Labels: book, giveaway, poise.cc, thebossofyou

posted on 10:11 PM by Cinnamon

Friday, June 13, 2008

Doggie Knits Launch Party!

Come join me and some knitting friends Thursday, June 19 at Knit 1, 3823 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, for the Doggie Knits launch party! Festivites start at 6:30 pm. We're celebrating the Dog(gie Knits) days of Summer, with beverages, snacks, and knitting if you want to!

posted on 9:38 PM by Corinne

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 Blue Buddha

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 Blue Buddha

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 Blue Buddha

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 Blue Buddha

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 Blue Buddha

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

ISBN 9781402730696

Coming to a bookstore near you:

Doggie Knits: Sweaters and Accessories for Your Best Friend

Sterling Publishing

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.

If you want to learn more about Bohus knitting, check out Solveig Gustaffson's web site, or get the book Poems of Color, by Wendy Keele. I got my copy from Schoolhouse Press, the shop opened in Wisconsin by the Mother of North American knitting, Elizabeth Zimmerman.

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 Independent Worker

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 Independent Worker

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 Independent Worker

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 Independent Worker

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!

Leah Bohannon of Red Glow 1500 demonstrated her glass fusing.

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.

Mark Smithivas of Bad Kitten Soaps demonstrated his soapmaking.

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 Independent Worker