ACM Newsletter-January 2007!

Hey all…for those of you not already subscribed to the Austin Craft Mafia Newsletter, I thought I’d post the one that went out today, here. Thanks for reading! *-*, Vickie

Happy New Year from the Austin Craft Mafia!! We know, we know. We never write, we never call. Holy majoly though, have we been busy! Here’s the skinny on what we’ve been up to:

Group Stuff
Have you seen the current issue of Craft Magazine? In it there’s an article featuring the Craft Mafia. Oh and speaking of Craft Mafia(s), take a look at our ever-expanding list of sister groups popping up internationally!

In other news, last November Stitch Fashion Show and Guerilla Craft Bazaar presented two very
deserving craftspeople, and Stitch participants, with the first annual Stitch grant. The decision was very difficult with all of the fantastic applications that we received. Winners were chosen based on their craftsmanship, business sense and future plans for their business.

The first place recipient of the Stitch grant went to Freshie and Zero. The second place grant went to Austin’s own Vinca.

Interested in applying for next year’s Stitch grant? Well, information about 2007 will be up in a few
months, but for now, you can study up and prepare for next year’s grant application!
Sign up for the mailing list and get all of the latest info about Stitch 2007.

Individual Company News

Naughty Secretary Club
Wowsers there is a new season of Jen P’s show CRAFT LAB
LAB airing over at HGTV.
Check out episodes weekdays at 9am Central. Oh and
you can still catch season 1 over at DIY
Network at 11am.

There are new and exciting goodies being added to Naughty
Secretary Club almost weekly! This week alone
there is a new stash of Barkcloth Purses, Revamped
Vintage Earrings and Nostalgic Notions Bracelets!

Watch Craft Lab everyday on DIY Network & HGTV!

Sparkle Craft

Out with the old and in with the new!
Sparkle Craft is going to see some exciting new changes for 2007; the biggest
is that Tina’ll be phasing out all accessories to focus solely on guitar
straps. If you’ve always wanted a Sparkle Craft belt, headband,
wristband or scarf, this will be one of your last chances and you might as
well get it on sale! She wants to end this era with a bang, so She’s
having a big sale January 22nd-January 31st. To get 20% off your entire
Sparkle Craft order, simply type in ‘love’ in the voucher section during
checkout. http://www.sparklecraft.com/
In other news, we’re really pumped to announce that Tina Sparkles
Spring 2007 party dresses are set to arrive just in time for your special
Valentine’s Day date. The dreamy dresses will be available at Parts
& Labour in Austin, TX starting the second week of February. Sparkle Craft and Tina Sparkles have been buzzing
in the press over the last couple of months. Check out my press page to
see all the exciting mentions in Alternative Press, Venus, Nylon, Jewell,
Austin Music Magazine, The Onion and the Austin Chronicle.

Sublime Stitching
Jenny has a new Sublime Stitching project in a just-released book called “Making Stuff: An Alternative Craft Book” from Black Dog Publishing (UK). Check out the unicorn-embroidered satin bomber jacket on page 41!

And, if you happen to have the current issue of ReadyMade, be sure to look for Jenny’s ‘Sewing Card Saint’ on page 72. It’s an embroidered photo of her mother from 1952. Glamorous and lovely.

Sublime Stitching has new stuff in the store! Just visit us to see what awaits you…

Hot Pink Pistol

Hot Pink Pistol has just added brand new goodies!
Check out my new series of new Dead Rappers, vintage hand painted suitcases, new girly girl paintings and new clothes!

Vickie Howell
Knitty Gritty: Knitty Gritty is now not only on daily on DIY but also on HGTV! Tune in weekdays at 11am/10amCT. This just in, new epsiodes from Season 6 will air daily for the first 3 weeks in February. See Vickie’s Blog for a complete list of shows (and all kinds up up to the minute news).
Don’t forget though, Knitty Gritty is only on HGTV for a limited time. If you don’t have it already, make sure you call your cable provider and demand, “I want my DIY!”, so you don’t miss out on upcoming seasons!

New Book: Knitty Gritty Knits, a compilation of kick-ass projects from the first 3 seasons of Knitty Gritty, has hit shelves. Grab it on-line at at your local book store or get a signed copy at one of the spots on Vickie’s book tour!

Book Tour: Vickie Howell’s coming to town! Starting this weekend, Vickie will begin a 13 city tour! From Anaheim, CA to Boston, MA, she will be visiting yarn stores and Barnes & Nobles accross the country. Check out her Events Calendar for details. She’d love to meet you all so please stop by and say “hi” at any of the appearances!

New Yarn Line: Vickie has joined forces with the amazing SWTC to produce her very own yarn line! The Vickie Howell Collection consists of 3 yarns: CRAFT (35% Milk Fiber/65% Organic Cotton), ROCK (40% Soysilk/30% Wool/30% Hemp), and LOVE (70% Bamboo/30% Silk). Look for it in a yarn store near you! Psst…most of the yarn store book signing events on the tour will also include “yarn tastings”. You won’t wanna miss it! Knit In: On Superbowl Sunday, please join Vickie and the DIY Network for a Television Knit In to benefit Warm Up America. There will be a 6 hours of back-to-back Knitty Gritty episodes, accompanied by a simulateous live chat/blog session with Vickie during the entire marathon! Save up all of those hot burning Knitty Gritty questions and she’ll answer them personally on the DIY Website, on February 4th 2007. Check your local listings for Knit In times.

Kiwi Magazine: Vickie now has a regular column in the new healthy parenting magazine, KIWI, focussing on eco-friendly crafts. Check out the current issue for how-to on making super-cute felted pillows out of recycled sweaters! KIWI Magazine’s on newsstands today!