There’s a new Atlanta Craft Mafia! I’m super excited because some of my most favorite Atlanta crafters – like Glue & Glitter, Lorigami and Lizerati – as well as some other great ICE vendors have created the ATL craft mafia.
They are having a meet n’ greet event on Saturday and I hope you’ll come out and get to know the new ATL familia. Here’s their info on the event:
You may have heard a rumor that there’s a new family in town.
The rumors are true, but don’t worry, there won’t be any glue-gun wars! The Atlanta branch of the Craft Mafia has indeed changed hands, and we’re throwing a party to introduce ourselves.
You are invited!
When: Saturday, February 2nd 1-6pm
Where: Park Grounds coffeehouse in Reynoldstown
Who: The 7 friendly faces behind the new Atlanta Craft Mafia
What: Tasty treats to eat and drink, Crafty demos with a make-and-take table, Meet the “Family” and learn what we’re all about.
Why: We’d like to make you an offer you can’t refuse!
The NEW Atlanta Craft Mafia was re-formed in the fall of 2007 by seven local independent crafters with a strong DIY ethic, a shared love for all things crafty and a belief in the beauty of all things hand-made. The Atlanta Craft Mafia seeks to provide support and resources for other members of the Atlanta crafting community through public events, networking opportunities and collaborative marketing.
To learn more, please visit our website:
www.atlcraftmafia.com
a bardis 
Village of Stone Mountain, Ga.
Creative Economies Project
To: Artists, Crafters, Cultural and History Preservationists and those of similar interests
From: Mayor Gary Peet; Jack Sartain, facilitator for the DeKalb Council for the Arts, Inc.
Subject: Creative Economies Incubators In the City of Stone Mountain April 13, 2009
You are urged to attend the “Creative Economies Convocation” on May 6, 2009, from 10: 00 a.m. until noon. The Convocation will be held at Art Station on Manor Drive in the City of Stone Mountain. Please forward this message to your colleagues and your affinity organizations – they are also welcome.
Why should you attend? Because there may be a definite financial advantage for you and the City of Stone Mountain through your presence in the city! The City of Stone Mountain is seriously contemplating the development of a “magnet city” with a concentrated artist and crafter community to draw tourists and residents to the main street and its present and new businesses and attractions. Conservation of cultural and historic identities are a part of this effort.
City leaders need and want your help in the planning and implementation of this unique annex to the city’s economic development initiatives. They include job creation, historic preservation, downtown re-vitalization, essential community facilities, cultural tourism and a host of other “annexes” (parts of the greater plan). Frankly, we want you in the Village if that is at all possible. There are several choice locations on Main Street. Read on!
We would like for you to do the following to help gauge your interest in helping with this
forward looking initiative before you come to the Convocation.
1. Google “arts incubators” and read about several successful efforts in other cities. Look up Buford Arts Incubator (www.thecolony-arts.com) and the articles by Americans for the Arts specifically focused on this concept.
2. Google “creative economies” to understand the larger but inclusive concept which adds cultural and historic preservation, educational centers and crafters. Take a look at the Georgia Made Georgia Grown website. (www.gamadegagrownproducts.org)
3. Make a few notes about how this initiative can help promote your talent or product (example – subsidized studio and display space; shared workspace; centralized and coordinated administrative and marketing support for your products or services; free onsite business planning and product development assistance; shared equipment and supplies at a wholesale cost or low user fees- i.e. kilns both oxidation and reduction – anything is on the table for discussion purposes.
4. RSVP to jbs5951@aol.com or 770-856-1377 so that all participants will be comfortably accommodated.
A community’s economic development strengths include its leadership, its creative people, heritage and culture of which you are, or could be, an essential part. Please come on the 6th to hear more about this opportunity.
Cc: Steering Force –Mayor Gary Peet; Sandy Nunnally, SMWC; Marcia Watt, artist; Lisa Cremin, AAF; Frank Luton, SMHS; Pat Wheeler, ART Station; Sharon Barnes-Sutton, District 4 Commissioner; Nan Nash, business owner and former Councilperson; Pat Sartain, SMWC; Dr. Anthony Tricoli, President, Ga. Perimeter College; Leslie Breland, Ga. Dept. of Community Development; Becky Blankenship, DeKalb Council for the Arts; Barry Amos, City of Stone Mountain; Susan Colletti, Councilperson; Jon Manns, DCVB; David Thomas, ARTStation; Charles Blackmon, DEBCO; Steve Wells, SMDDA and Mainstreet; Maceo Rogers, DEDA; Philippa Brown, Chief of Staff, Burrell Ellis, CEO; David Wu, DDCD; Chris Morris, DDCD; John Oselette, SMDDA and Mainstreet; Sharon Frierson, Councilperson; Hilde Friese, business owner and artist; Darro C. Wiley, DeKalb Libraries.
Emory University is calling local crafters to join our Holiday Mall in the student center on Dec 3 and 4, 9am-4pm.
If you sell small items that would make great holiday gifts (nothing large works for student purchases) please contact Andrea in Meeting Services at alentz2@emory.edu or call 404 727-5355 for more information.
This is a great opportunity to reach our diverse Emory community!!!