(photo by Jay Paul (www.jaypaulphoto.com) for Brick Weekly)
It seems that several of the major craft families in the Richmond metro area have joined forces and become the Richmond Craft Mafia, seeking to make the public aware of what independent craft businesses have to offer while providing a support system, including resources and camaraderie, to its members.
The familia of the RCM set up shop to show off wares including pottery, stationary, fashion accessories, jewelry, baby items, and much more. The family strongly urges everyone in Richmond and the surrounding areas to come experience a new approach to shopping.
The Richmond Craft Mafia is the local chapter of parent organization, the Austin Craft Mafia (www.craftmafia.com), which started in Texas. RCM president Leila Wylie brought the idea to Richmond in order to find local business people with like interests with whom she could talk shop. Wylie, who creates stylish diaper bags and other family fashion, explains that the function of the mafia is to provide a support network for small, craft-related independent, or indie, businesses. Founding members consist of Wylie of Cherry Momma, Dawn Anderson of Lark Studio, Nicole Lee of Soleil Rouge and Michele Keiper of Flower Peddler. Since the inception of the Richmond Craft Mafia, the group has grown to include Adrien Hamilton and Kate Poroszok of Keen Designs, Kelly Farrell of Dada Haus, Beth Allums of Monkey & Me, Maryellen Kim of Twist/Maryellen Kim Designs, Crystal Robinson of Crystal J. Silk and Tasha McKelvy of Pottery by Tasha. The group intends to use their collective economic power for advertising and other craft-related events, such as their annual Spring Bada-Bing craft show and Handmade Holiday Trunk show.
Interested parties, including artists and crafts people interested in participating in Spring Bada Bing in the spring, can find more information at RichmondCraftMafia.com .
