FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Valerie Parizeault, co-founder of the Montreal Craft Mafia
5668 Cartier, Montreal, QC
514-807-5641
http://www.craftmafiamontreal.com
valerie@craftmafiamontreal.com

A local Mafia is getting down to business; They will make you an offer you can't refuse!

The Montreal Craft Mafia invites you to discover a living community of independent local artists this June 21rst and 22nd by visiting the Fringe Bazaar 2008.

Montreal, QC-May 19, 2008 - Does an Indie Community exists in Montreal? That's what the Montreal Craft Mafia is claiming and this organization of business-owning artists decided to break the Omertà on this issue by organizing the Fringe bazaar, a craft fair to be held at the Montreal Fringe Festival on June 21rst and 22nd in the basement of St. Enfant-Jesus Church, 5039 St-Dominique street, Montreal.

Having their own handmade business, Valérie Parizeault, Paméla Desrosiers and Fanie Grégoire, the founding members of the group, knows the in and out of the freelance world. "Being secluded in our own studios, we were craving for meetings, to be part of a living community which would feed our art and our businesses." "We created the Montreal Craft Mafia because we realised that we also encountered these needs in our networks."

The Montreal Craft Mafia was thus given the mandate to encourage creative local entrepreneurs and independent artists (hence the term "indie") of the metropolitan region; to promote its members trough networking and mutual support; to encourage public awareness of the local community of artists and craftsmen and the purchase of local and handmade products. "To Buy handmade is to participate in the local economy, to pose an ecological gesture and to encourage the culture and artists from here."

This promotion begins with a bang with the Fringe Bazaar 2008. Sixty exhibitors will sell their handmade products: soaps, soft toys, jewelry, art, zine, clothing, ceramics, recycled goods, handbags, accessories, you'll find something for your taste! Moreover, to bring the masses to their cause, The Montreal Craft Mafia is organizing a draw of handmade products. To participate, you simply have to download the participation-coupon on their website (www.craftmafiamontreal.com), complete it and drop it at the Fringe Bazaar.

This said, the Montreal Craft Mafia insists: Buy handmade, Capiche?

To learn more about the Montreal Craft Mafia, its members and on the Fringe Bazaar, visit their website at www.craftmafiamontreal.com. For information, questions or press kit or photos inquiries, please contact Valerie Parizeault valerie@craftmafiamontreal.com by email or by phone at 514-807-5641.
Photos by Gilbert Tremblay