Symposium on Craft here in Richmond!

From Etsy's Storque:

You're Invited: Etsy Visits Richmond, Virginia

Photo by dlkdesigns's shop Story by marymary Published on March 28, 2008 in Events

Next week, Rob, Matt, Anda, and Julie will be traveling down to Richmond, Virginia to participate in a specialized symposium at Virginia Commonwealth University in conjunction with the American Craft Council, VCU, and Quirk Gallery. If you are in or near the area, we would be thrilled for you to come to the symposium.

Here is the Press Release from the American Craft Council:

Making Meaning and the Marketplace: Craft and the Next Generation of Thought
A three-part symposia of the American Craft Council

The American Craft Council is pleased to announce the debut of a traveling program series, dedicated to exploring the next generation of craft artists and their burgeoning influence in the market and culture. The symposia will engage students, faculty, alumni and the public at three of the nation’s leading schools for craft media, and seeks to motivate curricular innovation, reveal student/alumni hopes and needs, and develop a future audience for the craft field.

The April 3rd event, developed in partnership with VCU’s Craft/Material Studies department, will feature Rob Kalin, president and founder of Etsy, your place for buying and selling all things handmade, in conversation with Sonya Clark, chair of the Craft/Material Studies department at VCU. They will be discussing the impact of the internet on the craft market and the role of the craft gallery in a booming art market.

The symposium will kick off with a lunch-time program designed for the Senior Seminar class, giving practical information for professional artists who want to “make a living making things.” Etsy will stream the program in an Online Workshop.

Please join us for the evening portion:

Thursday, April 3, 2008
5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Virginia Commonwealth University
The Grace Street Theater
930 West Grace Street
Richmond, Virginia
Reception to follow.

For further information, please contact Monica Hampton, Director of Education, at the American Craft Council, 212.274.0630 x272 or mhampton@craftcouncil.org

About the American Craft Council
The American Craft Council is a national, nonprofit public educational organization founded in 1943 by Aileen Osborn Webb. The mission of the Council is to promote understanding and appreciation of contemporary American craft. Programs include the bimonthly magazine AMERICAN CRAFT, annual juried shows presenting artists and their work, a leadership conference, the Aileen Osborn Webb Awards honoring excellence, workshops, seminars and a research library. For additional information about the American Craft Council, call 1-800-836-3470 or visit: www.craftcouncil.org.

Please help us by spreading the word about this event to everyone you know that might be interested or might learn something new from attending!

xoxo,

Etsy

One day left!

Only one day left to apply to Spring Bada-bing: The BOSS of all Craft Shows!


Click here to apply before midnight March 19th!

Mark's Big Ass Book of Crafts

TV star and author Mark Montano was in town yesterday promoting his new book The Big Ass Book of Crafts. I always love when I meet someone famous and they turn out to be a regular person! Mark was relaxed, funny and personable chatting up all the folks who came out to see and support him. He shared stories about his family, his background and of course, the real stories about the craft projects in his book. One of the highlights of the day was a long time customer showing up in an outfit Mark designed for her 10 years ago. At first, Mark greeted her as he had done other fans who showed up that day, but when he realized what he was looking at his reaction was priceless!


If you are looking for a good book to spark some creative home decor ideas, check out The Big Ass Book of Crafts. With over 150 crafting ideas, you will have no excuse not to get crafting this month!
RCM and REST members posing with Mark

Click here to see more photos from the event.

Spring Bada-Bing :: Call for Vendors & other opportunites

It's that time of year again - Spring Bada-Bing time! The Richmond Craft Mafia is now happily accepting applications for our annual spring show. Now in it's third year, the show will be held at Plant Zero in Richmond on Sunday April 20, 2008 from 11 am - 4 pm.


Go here to apply: http://www.richmondcraftmafia.com/springbadabing2008/vendors.htm

Or if you won't be able to make it there are plenty of other ways to be a part of this awesome show. Check the site for info on sponsorship and/or zine advertising opportunities or to contribute to our swag bags!
Contact:
For Sponsorship/Advertising - crystal@richmondcraftmafia.com
Zine contributions / ads - deanna@richmondcraftmafia.com
For Swag Bags email - nicole@richmondcraftmafia.com

http://www.springbadabing.com

We are super excited to be hosting over 60 vendors this year! Yay!

Another Crafty Event!

Don't forget Ladies and Gentlemen of the crafty variety we have yet another Richmond Craft Event! Saturday is your chance to meet Mark Montano and pick up his latest book, Big-Ass Book of Craft at Tinkers here in Richmond from 2-5!

Mark "is an energetic, young and undeniably cool designer. His creative musings have manifested successfully in the worlds of fashion, interior design and writing, making him a refreshing example of innovation and a beacon of creativity." Want a sneak peak at the crafty goodness check out Mark on i Village! We all know Mark as the top designer for TLC's While You Were Out, host of TLC's 10 Years Younger, and co-host of the Style Network's My Celebrity Home and We's She's Moving In.

Here is what the Books My Space page has this to say about The BIG-ASS BOOK OF CRAFT...

The Big-Ass Book of Crafts is packed with ideas for sprucing up your living space; concocting fabulous, all-natural body products; designing your own unique stationery; and creating countless other crafts that will convince your friends and loved ones that you're the secret love child of Tony Duquette

It's as entertaining to read as it is endlessly inspiring. With more than one hundred and fifty inventive and fun projects, (200 to be exact!) The Big-Ass Book of Crafts is the perfect activity book for readers of every mood, budget, and skill level. Go grab it for your siss, your miss, or your brother. Trust us, they'll love it! ...

Live in the Virginia Beach area? Norfolk gets to have him next! See the Norfolk Craft Mafia for details!

Everybody was Shrinky Dinking!

OH what fun it was! Thanks to Deanna and Mary Ellen for their efforts in getting this thing off the ground...Our first CRAFT LOUNGE was a hugh success. Everyone was doodling and shrinking and dinking, it was crazy I tell ya. A big shout out to The Camel for allowing us the space to be crafty! Craft, good food and beer does it get better than that? A hugh thank you to those who came out to join us! And last but not least thanks to Natalie for manning the toaster oven all night long!

Mark you calendar for the first Monday of next month for more crafty lounging!


people pics....





Doodle pics...







Some Shriky dinks pics.....