We have decided to start a new weekly blog post about frequently asked questions.  I will start with a few I get a lot but if any of you readers have questions, please post comments with them or email me, at jenny.pacrafts.org, I would love to address them.

One thing I have gotten asked quite often: Are the crafts shows the Guild puts on for juried members only?

No.  While our shows are juried, we do not require that members go through the state jurying process to apply for our craft fairs.   Any applicant does have to go through a show selection process and is required to be a member of the Guild.  But juried status is not required to apply.  However, juried members do receive a bonus point during selection that can improve their score, but the bonus point is hardly enough to guarantee entry.

Eric Weit, of Akron, is an award-winning rag rug weaver.  He’s recently set up a shop online on Etsy and its worth checking out.  Plus he just passed along a few rugs to show in our gallery shop until April.

Eric’s approach to weaving is “it is like a puzzle using recycled materials and trying to put them together using the colors of the material that I find and coming up with a new pattern for the warp.”

His Grandmother said something to him a long time ago which he uses as his inspiration and motto, “The secret to a happy life is to keep your hands busy”.

I’m sure you know by now that we have a fall craft festival coming up this weekend at Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell.  We’ve only been saying it every chance we get since it’s a great way to celebrate fall outside!

But there’s a lot more happening in the coming weeks, here’s a quick preview…

Also this weekend, in Lancaster, we have a Juried Member Showcase during Fall ArtWalk at our 252 N. Prince St gallery.  David Lunin and Jay Brubaker are showing their furniture for two days in what they’re calling ‘Divergince’.  These showcases are an opportunity for our juried members to rent our gallery.

October 31 is the final day to see ‘from Raw to Refined‘ at the Reading Public Museum.   If you have not made it, it is worth the drive.  Plus there’s a really cool printmaking exhibition on display with works from Cezanne, Millet and Whistler.

October 31 is also the date of our ‘Anatomy of a Pattern‘ workshop with Debby Spence at Millersville University.  There are a number of spaces remaining.  If you’re interested in making your own patterns for clothing, don’t miss this one.  It’s gonna be great.

We open our Prince St gallery doors for ‘Handmade Holiday‘ on Friday, November 6.  This store setting runs until January 2.  We’ve extended our regular hours for the month of December so you can get in and buy some handmade crafts for gifts.  For those of you from out of town, it’s worth the drive: come down to see our gallery on a Tuesday, Friday or Saturday and you can also catch Central Market, the country’s oldest continuously operating farmer’s market.

Saturday, November 7 is the ‘FELT: Hat, Bag or Vessel’ class with Jeri Robinson.  It’s also the start of Lebanon Valley Studio Tour, which has a number of Guild members involved.

The following weekend is our return to Manheim Township High School for our Holiday Fine Craft Fair on November 14 & 15.  We love this show and we know you will too.  It’s a short (10 minutes) drive outside of downtown Lancaster.  And if you’re planning to come to this craft show, you should make it a point to then drive into our gallery downtown.

I can’t believe how much is going on in the next few weeks!  Leave comments below about other events I may have missed.

Our September jury session took place yesterday in Doylestown and was hosted by the Bucks County Guild of Craftsmen.  The following members attained juried status.

• Deena Ball - watercolors
• Richard Carner - woodturning
• Regina Ewer - jewelry
• Jeff J Haude - furniture
• Michael Lindstrom -furniture
• Susan Wertheimer David - pottery
• Susan Fleischer - polymer clay
• Brad Smith - furniture
• Jacqueline ter Kuile - jewelry
• Eric Weit – fiber

The board of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen approved the formation of a brand-new chapter located in Delaware county.   The Haverford Guild of Craftsmen, an official chapter of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen, is lead by Cathy Hetznecker.

The first chapter activity is a tour of the Wharton Esherick House in Valley Forge on Wednesday, September 2 at 10:20 am.  The cost is $10 for Haverford Guild members or $15 for non-members.  A carpool is being organized.  Contact Cathy Hetznecker if you’re interested in attending (610-449-8118).

Their first official meeting is Sunday, September 13 at 7 pm at Saint George’s Episcopal Church (link for directions) at the corner of Ardmore Ave and Darby Road in Ardmore, PA.  Stop in and show your support.

We’re sure we’ll be hearing much more from this great group of artists in Delaware county.  Congratulations and may your membership blossom.

I want to thank a few people for a wonderful weekend in Wilmington. 

First off, our members who are what makes the show what it is.  Without them, we are nothing and I had a particularly enjoyable time joking and catching up with everyone.  A big thank you for those who volunteered hours and helped us get things setup or managed load-in, load-out, ticket sales, greeting guests and running the information desk.

Second, our ‘fans’ who came out in crowds and had wonderfully kind things to say about the show and our exhibiting members.  I saw a lot of new faces along with some familiar ones.

Lastly, our dedicated staff.  There’s only three of us on staff, but we run 50 workshops annually, 3 large craft fairs, 3 exhibitions and 2 stores plus all of the other membership programs and benefits.

This show just ended and our sights this morning are already on the next craft show on October 17 & 18 and In the Kitchen coming in September).  We’ll see you there if not before.  Have a great rest of the summer.

Yesterday, my interview with Tara Gentile of HandmadeinPA.net ran on her blog.  It’ll give you some great information on what the Guild is and how to get the most out of your membership.  Enjoy the interview here.