“Spring Bada-Bing: The Boss of All Craft Shows,” will be presented by the Richmond Craft Mafia from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 22 at the 17th Street Farmers’ Market. Inside sources say the event is actually part of a conspiracy meant to ‘rub out the mass produced’ and promote small, locally owned, or indie, businesses. 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.

Sponsored by Richmond Magazine and The Yarn Lounge, Spring Bada-Bing will be the RCM’s first show of the year. Local artists, as well as creative folks from other states, will set up shop to show off wares including pottery, handspun yarn, stationery, handbags, jewelry, baby items, and much more. To The Earth, a local tribal fusion dance group will be performing throughout the day. The 17th Street Farmers’ market, located in the historic Shockoe Bottom area of Richmond, offers an eclectic outdoor venue for the event with its mixture of agriculture, antiques, and arts. This urban setting represents what the RCM strives to offer and what modern consumers are looking for: quality, and socially conscious products. The “family” strongly urges everyone in Richmond and the surrounding areas to come experience this 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 Mamie Originals, 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 Kirsten Hirsch of Baa Baa Yarn, Adrien Hamilton and Kate Poroszok of Keen Designs, Kelly Farrell of Dada Haus, Beth Allums of Monkey & Me, and Maryellen Kim of Twist/Maryellen Kim Designs. The group intends to use their collective economic power for advertising and other craft-related events, such as the Spring Bada-Bing.

Interested parties, including local businesses interested in advertising with “The Boss of All Craft Shows” , can find more information and sponsorship package options online at www.springbadabing.com or www.richmondcraftmafia.com .

CONTACT:
Leila Wylie – Richmond Craft Mafia President
804-714-4785
leila@richmondcraftmafia.com
www.richmondcraftmafia.com