Spring Bada-Bing: The “Boss” is back

Marge Weimer — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 10:00:28 +0000

On April 18, local and regional artists will converge on Richmond for the fifth-annual Spring Bada-Bing: The BOSS of All Craft Shows. The event, organized by the Richmond Craft Mafia, will be held at Plant Zero from 11am to 4pm.

"There were a record 163 applications for Spring Bada-Bing this year and the show has been carefully curated to ensure a vibrant and exciting mix of the very best that indie craft has to offer," stated Erica Vess, of Bee's Knees Studio and co-chairperson of Richmond Craft Mafia.

The largest independent craft show in Virginia, this year's Spring Bada-Bing will host 65 artists.

“Independent artists and designers from around the country will be in attendance, offering handcrafted wares and helping to educate shoppers about a movement known in crafty circles as the Do It Yourself, or DIY, movement,” stated the Spring Bada-Bing press release. “Fueled by the internet, the DIY movement is at the backbone of a growing craft culture, seeking to prove to Americans that high quality, everyday items are easily available at places other than the mall.”

The Richmond Craft Mafia is a local craft collective consisting of 10 local artists who are "rubbin' out the mass produced." The first Craft Mafia began in Austin, Texas in 2003 and has since spread to cities across the country.

Richmond members include:

Janet Lundy (Monkey Dog Studio)
Erica Vess (Bee's Knees Studio)
Nicole Lee (Nicole Lee Designs)
Erika Hollen (Jackson Sage)
Tasha McKelvey (Pottery by Tasha McKelvey)
Maryellen Kim (Twist Style)
Adrien Hamilton and Kate Poroszok (Keen Designs)
Crystal Robinson (Crystal J Silk)
Phil Barbato (Phil Barbato)
Amy George (Modern Atelier)

"People often have the misconception that we are some sort of social club for craft enthusiasts or that we want to teach people how to craft," Vess stated. "We are very serious about our businesses and many of our members make their living with their craft [and] putting on a show like Spring Bada-Bing takes a great deal of time and effort, all of it unpaid volunteer work on the part of our members."

Craft Mafia members as well as 55 other artists will be selling their unique merchandise at Plant Zero, located at 0 East 4th St. in Manchester's Art District. Creations from the invited designers range from hand-crafted jewelry and accessories to home decor and children's clothing.

Caroline Gibson, of Page-Ricaud Public Relations which is a sponsor of the event, said over 1,200 attendees are expected.

“It’s great to see these creative minds breaking the mold of the everyday - the mass produced and the mundane - creating something with an edge and a bit of magic,” said Gibson.

For a complete list of vendors and more information, check out the websites for Spring Bada-Bing and the Richmond Craft Mafia.

Stay tuned this week for profiles on some of the Richmond artists who will be at the show!

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