Membership.
*Update – Our 2010 membership drive will begin in September 2010 – we’ll vote on new members on Oct. 1st.
How do I become part of the STL Craft Mafia? We’re opening up our doors again soon to add a few new members! We will have a handful of spots available – exact number TBD. If you are interested, please e-mail admin [at] stlouiscraftmafia [dot] com starting SEPT. 1 and we will contact you to confirm your interest.
What information do I need to give you? Please e-mail us your name, website, and something about you – why you’re interested, what sort of events/shows you’ve participated in, anything that helps us get an idea of what you’re like. If one of our current members is personally nominating you, please mention that too.
We will vote as a group at the end of the month and e-mail you with results.
What are the requirements? First, you must be local to the St. Louis area – either Missouri or Illinois. You must have a current online store /website / Etsy shop. You must be an active & practicing indie crafter. You must be willing to volunteer a little of your time and help support your fellow crafters.
What types of crafters are you looking for? We represent all sorts of people and all types of indie craft – competition is fierce these days and we are looking for artists who stand out and offer something exciting and fresh. You can be an old-skool crafter who’s been on the scene a while or a newcomer who’s trying to break into the craft scene. The more original and high-quality the better.
We want crafters who will actively participate in frequent events & sales, and are active business-people growing their own businesses as well as nurturing the indie craft community.
It helps if you are familiar with local crafters and shows, especially members of the Craft Mafia – the more positive interactions we’ve had with you, the better your chances are.
What is required of an active member? Members are required to pay a small yearly dues fee ($15) which goes to support our webhosting costs and other advertising needs. We also require you to link your website/etsy shop to the STL Craft Mafia website. We have an online calendar on which members can post events and volunteer needs – this is a huge part of our event management and keeps you in the know.
We also expect you to be in regular communication with the administrator & the rest of the group - answer e-mails and vote when asked. We have a Yahoo group through which we discuss various things of interest & a Facebook page & blog to promote our events. We also have quarterly meetings – barring emergencies or unavoidable conflicts, we expect you to attend three out of four.
Most importantly, we want members to be INVOLVED and ACTIVE. Volunteering is encouraged and everyone must help in whatever ways they can to make events successful.
What are the benefits? There are lots! You are automatically accepted to mafia-curated & mafia-created shows. You get to be part of a vibrant & supportive community dedicated to promoting one another and celebrating our shared successes. Nice people, very little drama. You’ll hear about events and opportunities before almost anyone else. You have the support network you need to create & grow a show or event of your own. We’ve been around for several years and have been lucky enough to participate and create a number of indie craft events – we want to continue supporting our community!
Membership drive begins Sept 1 and ends Sept 30.
Please contact April at admin@stlouiscraftmafia.com if you have more questions.
