So you want to start your own craft mafia?
Well we don't ask for anything in return, but there are some simple guidelines:

First, each Craft Mafia must represent a single city and not a region. We have so many Craft Mafias popping up that it's just not fair to have a Craft Mafia that covers an entire region. We also never want more than one Craft Mafia per city ~ we don't want any familia feuds! Even if your town has a population of 215, it can have a Craft Mafia of its very own ~ don't be shy! We ask that every group start with at least two members. We just want to make sure that once you claim the name you've already got your membership growing.

You'll need a website of your own so everyone can find you! Please create an independently run website (no one likes pop-up ads!) and that the URL has the name of your mafia in the title (example: dentoncraftmafia.com). We want to make sure everyone can find you. Make sure that on the website there is a link to each member's website, as well as information about your Craft Mafia, if you are open to membership, hold meetings that others can attend...you get the idea! You can purchase multiple domain names for your group, but only use domain names that contain your city and no other city name.

Tell us you exist! Pending our approval we will add you to our map to let people know there is a Craft Mafia in their area. And, keep us informed with your events, press and happenings so we can help spread the word. Email this info here: info@austincraftmafia.com

Link to http://www.CraftMafia.com from each member's website and join our webring. We will link back to you! If your mafia receives any press, please make it known that you are part of a larger familia, the CraftMafia.com, and provide our web address with any press releases or interviews. Not required, but if you do any print advertising, include a little www.CraftMafia.com some where, and you'll help promote all the Mafias in the network!

We have a yahoogroups address for Craft Mafia members to help you and your members navigate your way through the adventures your Craft Mafia will have. You can network there, trade swag or even plan crafting events together! Every member of every Craft Mafia is invited to join. We hope that you'll find this a valuable resource.

And one more thing, we ask that no one sell merchandise with our copyrighted CraftMafia.com logo on it. However, we encourage you to spread the word about YOUR local Craft Mafia through swag distribution and merchandise sales using your own logo and Craft Mafia name. Go for it!! Once you adopt the Craft Mafia name we ask that you maintain an active and fully functioning organization. The Craft Mafia is a growing thriving community. If every member participates every member will benefit. If you do decide to eventually close down your chapter please notify us immediately. We just want to make sure that we're not talking up a Craft Mafia that's not around anymore.

Why do we ask all this? The Austin Craft Mafia is the original craft mafia, and has served as a model group for others. We would like to maintain certain standards of operation among those who'd like to share the widely recognized Craft Mafia name.