The Richmond Craft Mafia graciously invited me to their Spring Bada Bing show which was April 20. It was a great time - there were SO many amazing crafters there and some "big names" from Etsy and the crafting world. I felt like I was among celebrity! Charlottesville was well-represented; please click here for a list of the vendors who were at the show.

It poured buckets and buckets of rain that day, but lots of folks still braved the gloom to come to the show. Plant Zero - across the river from downtown - is a totally wonderful place. I love the old industrial sections of towns like Richmond or Knoxville, Tennessee. Plant Zero and some of the buildings that surround it are a great example of turning the abandoned areas into useful, community-friendly spaces. I wish Charlottesville had something similar! It probably exists, but I just don't know about it.

Luckily I had more than enough soap. Once I had it all gathered from the various cubby holes around the house and got it packed up, I had to laugh that I was ever worried. It's great fun to watch other scent-aholics smell each bar and then try to decide which one or two they'd like to buy. Everyone picked up the Mint Chocolate soap and said, "It really smells like mint chocolate!"

But the fun doesn't stop. Next week I will try to make it to Bizarre Market at Chop Suey Books - a combination craft fair and yard sale. Ten percent of sales go to benefit Books on Wheels, which gives out books and repairs bikes. The handmade revolution in full force ... selling awesome products made in the USA ... giving back to the community. Wal-Mart sure can't say that.

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