Are You Crafty On Skates? Join the Fight to Save San Diego's Last Roller Rink!

I grew up skating at the Palisade Gardens roller rink on University Ave. in North Park. Many Saturday afternoons were spent there and I developed a love for the sport of roller skating. When the rink closed its doors in 1985 it was a great loss to the community of North Park. I hadn't roller skated for a number of years, but picked it up again when I discovered women's flat-track roller derby! I skate with San Diego Roller Derby at Skateworld, our home rink. Now the rink needs your help. Skateworld, the last remaining roller rink in the city of San Diego, is in danger of losing its lease. The San Diego Redevelopment Agency has an exclusive negotiation agreement with a private development company (MRW) for the property on which Skateworld is located. This company has indicated that they plan to redevelop the property and the future of Skateworld is uncertain.

Skateworld has been an outstanding member of the Linda Vista community for nearly 35 years. This establishment attracts visitors from all over San Diego County and has made many positive contributions to the public. Skateworld hosts fundraisers for various causes, provides family-friendly activities, and employs many who would not find jobs elsewhere, such as teens with no previous work history. Businesses adjacent to the rink are also supported by Skateworld’s patrons. Many San Diegans, who remember skating there as children, now take their own families to Skateworld. Closing this rink would be a devastating loss for all of San Diego County.

Please join all of us who love Skateworld by voicing your support of the rink to the San Diego City Council. The community of Linda Vista is represented by 6th District Council Member Donna Frye. Her phone number- 619-236-6616; email- donnafrye@sandiego.gov. Tell Ms. Frye that you do not want to see Skateworld close! You can also show your support by signing our petition that will be presented to the City Council at a later date. There is no age limit – everyone is eligible to sign. You can sign the petition at Skateworld or at any NP Craft Mafia sponsored event. If you would like to help collect signatures, you can download a petition packet or sign the online petition! All help is appreciated! Also, don't forget to join the "Friends of Skateworld Roller Rink" group on Facebook & read the new Friends of Skateworld Roller Rink blog! Thanks for your support!
-- Teresa Salazar, NPCM Founding Member
aka Velvet Klaw #10*31, San Diego Roller Derby

Trunk Show Tonight!

Come see us at Queen Bee's tonight from 7-9 pm! Fashion show starts at 8 pm - don't miss that! Plus, you can pick up a $3 discount ticket to see Steve Lucky & the Rhumba Bums later on tonight at the Java Jive- located at Claire De Lune's Snset Ballroom - 2906 University Ave. What a deal! No cover for our event! See you soon!

Our First Goup trunk Show - An Evening of Crafty Fashion & Fun!

The members of the NP Craft Mafia are proud to announce their very first group trunk show! What exactly is a trunk show? A trunk show is an exclusive preview of new products not yet available anywhere else. You will be our special guests at this exciting event! The evening’s festivities will include a fashion show, hors d'oeuvres, free giveaways, and more! What will you see? All three Mafia members will be on-hand to show their latest and greatest creations for fall. Here’s a little peak of what to expect;

Belle Pepper Couture - “My focus is making colorful, fun and fashionable clothing and accessories for pets that are made in the USA, and high quality. I'm working on some different items. New designs that I have been thinking about for a while. New outfits, new fabric patterns for collars, and new fabrics for the fleece vests. Everyday I'm reminded by my sweetheart doggies, Belle, Pepper and Bambi. They always want to be dressed. So I'm always changing their accessories. I love looking at fabric design, color and textures, they give me lots of inspiration. Also, I like to see the current trends of fashion to be inspired to create cool new looks for doggies.”

Velvet Klaw - “I love to work in many different mediums, so I’m always trying something new. This year I have a new line of jewelry made from vintage flatware. I’ve also been working in digital collage and creating fun journals and notebooks and have recently returned my attention to millinery design, so you will see some hats in the fashion show! I love all things vintage and find inspiration from many sources including china, silverware, and textile patterns.”

Meagan Rae Designs - “My designs are fun, funky fashions and accessories inspired by re-inventing re-cycled items for an urban girlie style. New MR Designs include re-fashioned t-shirts paired with full cocktail skirts, accessorized by origami dangle earrings and recycled handbags. I am overwhelmed with inspiration in everything, all of the time. People around me, nature walks with my dog, Sex and the City re-runs, and vintage anything keeps my mind from ever stopping!!!! When I'm focused, the end product is very exciting!”

So, stop by Queen Bee's Art & Culture Center Thursday, June 24th and check this out! It's sure to be a fun time!

Thursday June 24th
7 pm - 9 pm
Queen Bee's Art & Culture Center
3925 Ohio St. - 92104

We're Hosting an Etsy Craft Party!

We here at the North Park Craft Mafia love Etsy. What's Etsy? Etsy has been a major contributor to the crafting community since 2005. They make it very easy for crafters around the world to sell their wares and buy supplies by listing items for sale and shopping at Etsy.com. It's all about handmade, and that’s what we’re about too! Etsy's birthday is June 18th, and in collaboration with over 400 other crafting groups worldwide, we are hosting an Etsy Craft Party - all on the same day! This will be a World Wide Crafting event!!! Because our Crafty Conspiracy craft night was to be held soon after this event, we decided to combine the Etsy Craft Party and our craft night! So, we'll take a break from our regularly scheduled craft night this month for this all-out Craft Party! What can you expect? We'll have a group craft project and craft swap! What’s a craft swap? Basically, you bring your extra craft supplies, that you don't want or need any more, and swap them with someone else for new stuff! More details on the craft project will be posted on our website. It will be lots of fun! Be sure to RSVP on our meetup group's page for this event: www.meetup.com/Etsy-Craft-Party/6333/

Friday, June 18th 2010
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
The Ruby Kitchen, upstairs lounge area
1263 University Ave., 92103