Guns, drugs, and sewing machines? While you won’t see the San Francisco Craft Mafia shooting others or shooting up, they do wield some mighty powerful crafting talent. You’ve likely come across my other mentions of the group here on my blog, but if you are just tuning in, you have been missing out. Founded in October 2005 by yours truly, I handed over control of the group to the members last year. Thanks to their own personal dedication and genius, the SFCM has become a well-known entity in the Bay Area. They never cease to surprise me with the unique creations and the events they develop on a regular basis.

Next up for this collection of crafty connoisseurs is the Family Affair event, which is the first of its kind for the SFCM, though I doubt the last. Hosted by fellow SFCM member, the Stitch Lounge, the free event “will feature a variety of Do-It-Yourself (DIY) activities & demos including clothing customization & embellishment, jewelry-making and delicious cupcakes to decorate! Bring a shirt to customize - all patterns, supplies and instructions will be provided.”

Taking place next weekend - Sunday, August 12th from 2-6pm - I’m honored to say that I will be at the Family Affair event, taking part in all the creative commotion. The Stitch Lounge is located in Hayes Valley at 182 Gough Street (@ Oak St), close to oodles of bus and BART lines. For more specific directions and parking information, click here.

I had the pleasure of catching up with SFCM PR Manager and Feisty Elle creator Leslie Yang [PART ONE], as well as two of the three founding members of the Stitch Lounge [PART TWO], to talk about the upcoming shindig, crafting in the Bay Area, and a new great new DIY book coming out in October. Read on to see what these great ladies had to say, as well as an EXCLUSIVE GIVEAWAY.

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I can’t say enough good things about the members of the SF Craft Mafia who took control of its management last year. These ladies love what they create and have a passion for sharing it with others. When I began to think about giving much more control over to the members themselves, I had no doubt that they would rise to the occassion and make the SFCM the best it could possibly be.

Just a few days ago, the little group that I started in 2005 was featured on one of the biggest San Francisco blogs around: SFist. A massive congratulations to everyone in the SFCM - you deserve the attention!

The San Francisco Craft Mafia that I founded is having their first trunk show this weekend in downtown SF. If you live in the Bay Area, then you better be there; otherwise, consider yourself a “marked” (wo)man!

As founder, I have little to do with the day-to-day functions of the group (due to my schedule), so all the credit must go to the great members of the SFCM; rock on folks!