Today is the day!!

TODAY!! 

Saturday April 20, 2013, 11am - 5pm, Hardywood Park Craft

Who: The Richmond Craft Mafia and our full list of vendors!!

What: “Spring Bada-Bing: locally brewed crafty goodnesss” is an independent artist craft show in Richmond, Virginia

Where: The show will be held at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery. Here are the directions!!

When: Saturday, April 20th 2013 from 11am to 5 pm

Why: Because, after 8 years, we still want to bring unique, innovative shopping to RVA – this time with beer!

Vendor Spotlight: RVA Coffee Stain

Richmond is always brimming with creativity and new crafty business are always sprouting up! RVA Coffee Stain is one that you will see today at this year's Spring Bada-Bing. Douglas Orleski creates digital sketches of places that make RVA a sweet place to live and more. All prints are made using a stylus on the program Sketchbook Pro. He has been cartooning for 5 years and has been making cartoons that people like for 4 months. How impressive that he has already been on Virginia This Morning and had an article in RVANews!! 

 

So clever that every piece comes with a vandalized baseball card. 

 

And you should also be on the lookout for one of his art abandonments around town. So fun!

Don't miss ART 180 tomorrow!

I may be a bit biased here, but as a former high school art teacher, ART 180 definitely makes my heart flutter.  I love seeing all the wonderful work they do around the city. ART 180 partners with other organizations to serve children living in challenging circumstances in Richmond.  Their goal is to provide opportunity's for our city's youth to discover ways they can positively engage in and influence their surroundings.   Professional artists and volunteers work with youth after school for 12 weekly sessions. Each program grows from the needs and interests of the group of young people being served.

The young artists are asked to explore crucial personal statements that reinforce their sense of identity and purpose, such as: What is a hero? What do I want people to know about me? How can I make my community a better place? Programs culminate with some kind of public presentation of artwork. These have included billboards, art exhibits, poetry readings, CDs and DVDs.

What Do You Stand For? Project

Please stop by their table to speak with them a bit more about their programs and pick up some their products.  All the proceeds from the sale of their items benefit future ART 180 programs.

See you all tomorrow!

Vendor Spotlight: The Cupcakery

Spring Bada-Bing is less than 24 hours away! Aren't you excited?! We sure are!! We have more lovely vendors to tell you about, and it is always a treat to get a behind the scenes peek at an artist's studio and get a little insight directly from them. Here is a bit more about The Cupcakery, an SBB veteran...

My name is Cindy and I own a little shop near and dear to my heart, The Cupcakery. No, I don't sell cupcakes, but the things that I do make and sell are just as sweet! I started my business in November 2007 as a newlywed, handstitching up felt cupcake ornaments and selling them on Etsy (hence my shop name). It started off as a little hobby and quickly turned into a big passion and dream of mine. I have two daughters, Emmabelle and Zoey, and they constantly inspire me to create. I like to mix my love for vintage fabrics and bright colors to create things my girls love, and of course I make some to share with my shop :) 

photos: a snapshot of what my studio looks like daily, a little self portrait, a sneak peak at some hair accessories, and one of my new favorite dresses that I'll be selling at the show!

Vendor Roundup: RawJawBone Graphics and Red Prairie Press

We're so close to the big event that I can almost taste the beer!

To get you even more excited we have to awesome vendors to highlight tonight, RawJawBone Graphics and Red Prairie Press.
RawJawBone Graphics says of his work:

When I create art, the first thing I want to do is make the 13 yr old kid inside of me (who is currently locked up in a 36 yr old body)look up and say "AWESOME!" I like my art to have the big and bold effect of the comic books, cartoons and video games that inspired me. When I grew older, I gained my inspiration from movies, books and of course art (ancient and modern).

His work pops with color and eye-catching graphics. I bet you'd turn a few heads with an octopus like this on your shirt:

Next up we have another screen printer and designer: Red Prairie Press. Red Prairie Press is an eco-friendly operation that uses water based inks to print her adorable hand-drawn designs. 

For the cat lover in your life (I'm sure you know at least one).

The range of clothing at this year's Spring Bada-Bing is outstanding! We hope you're just as excited as us and don't forget to rsvp to our Facebook Event!

Vendor Spotlight: PrayerMonkey

Did you know you could crochet metal? Well, PrayerMonkey does - enameled copper wire to be exact. Her work is part sculpture, part stitchery, and part fractal geometry. 

 

Along with her ever-changing line of jewelry for him and her, she has recently added faux insect taxidermy, which is also crochet from wire and mount in frames her husband makes from reclaimed wood. 

It's always intriguing to see the process of an artist. PrayerMonkey shares with us the description of her process: 

One of the things I like to incorporate into my jewelry is found/recycled materials. In this case, pottery from thrift store plates. I choose bits that I think would be interesting and mark them. My dear husband then cuts the shapes I have traced with a tile saw. I crochet a setting around then with enameled copper wire and turn them into necklaces, rings, brooches, etc.

Vendor Round-Up: Mood Swing Studio, Matt Butler and Needle Noodles

We are around the 36 hour mark until our 8th annual Spring Bada-Bing. So excited!!!!  In this round-up, a couple more of our crafty neighbors from North Carolina making the trek up to vend at the show.

Teacher turned print maker, Matt Butler didn't consider himself a creative type until he took a printmaking class at a community art center four years ago. Prints featuring  bikes, food and typography matched with his tongue in cheek sense of humor quickly found like minded fans among the craft community. Each print is created from hand carved linoleum blocks, then inked and pulled on his 80 year old cast iron press giving each finished piece it's very own individual charm. Find more of his prints at www.themattbutler.com


Kristen Randall of Mood Swing Studio has been making her one-of-kind and limited edition recycled vintage jewelry and beaded collage pieces for over 7 years.  In addition to dabbling in new designs using enamel techniques, her storybook charms made from vintage children's books are always a big draw. (And super cute!)
Mojo in full swing, her bohemian influenced style can be found over at http://www.etsy.com/shop/moodswing


Christen Haden of Needle Noodles crochet toys are always a big favorite at the show. Rayguns, deep sea divers to valkyries, and much more. Along with finished toys, Christen also sells patterns so you can try your skills making your own amigurumi. Find more amigurumi awesomeness and her book Creepy Cute on her website: http://needlenoodles.com

Vendor Spotlight: Lifeware Pottery

Richmond girl Carla Pillsbury finds the inspiration for her pottery work through another love: Food. Her claim that meals just taste better when they are served on handmade plates certainly rings true with us Craft Mafia folk!

Carla describes her work as a “study of the small rituals that make every day special.” Please visit her booth at Spring Bada Bing and check our all of her lovely wares! Cups and bowls, fabulous spoons, and mugs will be served. 

Sponsor Spotlight: The Yarn Lounge

The Richmond Craft Mafia is proud and very happy to have The Yarn Lounge as a Spring Bada Bing sponsor again this year! Since 2005 TYL has been bringing together knitters and crocheters by offering them a comfy place filled with fabulous fibers to shop, take classes, hang out and share information.

The Carytown shop is literally brimming to the top with yarns and fibers sure to inspire even the most novice needle artist. Proprietress Stewart, and her knowledgeable staff happily answer questions and their class offerings are fabulous – how to choose???

Please stop by the shop soon and pick up a new skein of something lovely, or sign up for a class! You’ll be happy you did!

Vendor Roundup: Hawks and Doves, Neogranny, and Clockwork Gears!

First up on tonight's vendor round up: Hawks and Doves from Durham, NC. Jessica comes from a long line of women that make and craft. And boy does it show! She turns beautiful vintage feed sacks into pillows and bags. But she doesn't stop there - she turns any leftover scraps into appliques for onesies!

What could be more locally made?!

Next we have Neogranny and her delightfully, retro jewelry. I'm personally in love with the lucky diver necklace but each one of these pieces are little pieces of art. She combines vintage graphics and a modern aesthetic to create quirky pieces with personality all their own.

Oh man - and last but not least - Clockwork Gears. Richmonders - we know you love bikes and we know you're going to love these guys.  What started out as a way to make t-shirts they would want to wear, turned into a collective of cycle-centric designs with a sense of humor for everyone. 

Squirrel on a bike!

Vendor Spotlight: Pegged By Grace

Marie Bolton, of Pegged By Grace, started making small wooden toys out of frustration. She was tired of all the plastic superhero toys and wanted a more natural alternative. But they didn't exists - so she decided to make them herself. And boy are we glad she did!

Marie says of her process:

I am constantly getting new ideas for peg dolls - I keep a running list on my fridge door. My friends request a certain peg, or I start daydreaming about what a peg could be, and off I go!  Sometime I sketch my ideas on paper, but more often I just draw them out on the peg, and start painting. The first time I paint a particular design, I tinker with the color combinations, trying to get it just right. On one set of pegs I painted, I had seven different colors on the skirt before I was finally happy. When the paint is dry, they each get two coats of varnish, take place in a photo shoot, and off they go to a happy new home! 

Not only are these little guys fun and all-natural, you'll have a beautiful keepsake to pass on.

Vendor Round-Up: cameraSHY photography, Lucky Accessories, & Metamorphosis Metals

At the time I am sitting down to gather together a few more awesome vendors for this evening's round-up, we officially have 4 days, 12 hours, & 31 minutes left until Spring Bada Bing. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm excited!! So, enough of that...let's get to it!

cameraSHY photography

Stacking Rings

cameraSHY photography's jewelry combines sterling silver and snippets of original photographs.  The photos are sealed in place using cold enameling techniques to ensure a watertight seal and glass-like finish. 

Lucky Accessories

Kiona van Rhee-Wilson is the designer behind Lucky Accessories.  After spending time deep into runways and the fashion industry, she found herself troubled by its rigid notions of beauty.  Now, Kiona creates accessories that encourage wearers to define their own notions of beauty and buck trends.

Penny Pendants

Metamorphosis Metals

Sonya Coulson Rook brings the sweet, playful, and quirky with tiny scenes on her jewelry. Each diorama provides the perfect amount of story to tie into the wearer's personality and conversation-starter with those you may encounter.

Aren't you excited about all the awesome jewelry and accessories you can find Saturday? We'll keep counting down and you just make sure you're there! See you then!

Vendor Spotlight: anykind

Jesse MacKenzie of anykind was kind enough to share some behind-the-scenes photos of her studio and we are so happy to share those with you in today's Vendor Spotlight.

anykind's line of bowties, hair bows, bags & pouches are intended to bring a little style and organization to your life. The bold patterns, particularly the dots, and bright color combinations definitely speak my language and will hopefully speak yours as well.

Here is what Jesse had to say about her process:

"My process begins with drawing inspiration from fabric and supplies. I lay out groups of fabrics and notions to plan my designs, then cut out bags and bows in small batches. I screen print the labels inside my bags and some of my fabrics. Then I construct and sew everything in steps. I do all of my designing, sewing, and printing in our apartment in the Ghent District of Norfolk."

Adding zippers

Jesse screen printing fabric patterns for her line.

Jesse added her first zipper when she was about 13 years old and was completely thrilled to make something truly useful. Fast forward until 2011 and she and her sewing machine were reunited after the ever-persistent interruption called "life." ...And she is really back at it now! Come check out anykind on Saturday at Spring Bada Bing.

Find anykind before the show

etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/anykind

blog + more info: http://wellitsokay.blogspot.com/

We love our Volunteers!

Each time our volunteers show up for one of our shows, we're delighted.  Vendors from in and out of town comment about how wonderful the welcome when they arrive to the show itself.  Having hands that help vendors to load in, hands that help deliver lunches and offer vendors breaks, and hands that help vendors to their cars with a lighter load makes an amazing impact.

If you're one of those amazing, kind souls coming to the show to shop and you want to come a little early or stay a little late, we'd LOVE to have your hands showing welcome to our vendors!  You bring sunshine to our event and add an extra sparkle to the experience.

Letting us know you can help is easy peasy.  Simply fill out a quick online form here and bada bing, we're good!   AND we'll have a special thank you for you good souls the day of the show.  It's the least we can do!

Sponsor Spotlight: Crossroads Art Center!

Richmond's Crossroads Art Center is a gem.  You can find a vast collection of fine arts & crafts. Crossroads also offers classes and parties.  If you haven't made a trip over, go!  We love Jenni Kirby and her team at  Crossroads!

 

The mission of The CROSSROADS ART CENTER is to exhibit the work of emerging and established artists from the mid-Atlantic region; to promote public awareness and understanding of the concepts of all art forms; and to offer instruction and education in the visual arts.

The Crossroads Art Center has served the Richmond, VA area as a Fine Art and Crafts Gallery for over 10 years. The art center represents over 225 local and regional artists in all types of media. Crossroads is actively involved in the Richmond local artists' community and thereby an important educational and cultural resource for the community. The art center's wide client-base includes private collectors, art consultants, corporate consultants, architects, interior designers as well as business, government and social VIPs.

Crossroads' goal is to also continually strive to create an atmosphere conducive to creativity, beauty and the art of self-expression where visitors feel welcomed and at home. You can leisurely stroll around the center, view art on display and watch artists at work creating.

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Vendor Round Up: ADKnits, Articipe, and Inedible Jewelry!

Inedible Jewelry

eat your peas and carrots! 

About the makers of Inedible Jewelry: 

We are Jessica & Susan Partain (yes, sisters!), and we have been creating deliciously realistic miniature foods for about 20 years. We have translated our love of all things food and miniature into fun jewelry. Everyone has a favorite food!

We were recently on the The Martha Stewart Show, teaching her how we create our lemon and lime slices!

mmm...coffee. 

and their very own book!  we love these ladies.  

their work is so great, with something for every taste. 

Articipe

Erin Adams of Articipe brings her bright art + recipes to richmond with these fantastic prints.

Erin is an avid creative with a creative day job. In her words:

I have always had a great passion for design and typography. Recently, I've learned that I LOVE to garden, cook and can. I started a project hand drawing some of my favorite recipes to hang on my kitchen walls and the idea struck me to create custom heirloom recipe prints for ALL!

more mouth watering recipes in handwritten text can be found here!


ADKnits

ADKnits are fantastic.  each Augusta's pieces is handmade with love and is simply bright and bold and wonderful.  About ADKnits: 

ADKnits is an independent line of natural fiber home goods and accessories created by Augusta Donaldson. Everything Augusta creates is knitted or crocheted by hand with an emphasis on function, color, and materials. She enjoys experimenting with the different textures and design possibilities of combining fiber-working techniques. Many of her wool pieces are also felted or fulled, creating a thick sturdy fabric, and often feature embroidered or needle felted detailing. 

A strong supporter of handmade, she believes it is important to focus on detail and craftsmanship over consumption and the mass-produced.
Augusta tries to incorporate the natural world into her designs and materials. Her designs feature nature-inspired motifs, saturated hues, and natural fibers like wool and cotton. 

When she's not creating, you can find her gardening, compulsively organizing, eating, or talking to her dog.

Visit ADKnits to see more hand knit goodness.