The weekend of September 25 & 26 will be chock full of creative endeavors.  Ed Youtz will be teaching a two day woodturning workshop at Goggleworks Center for the Arts in Reading.  The class runs from from 9am-5pm on Saturday, Sept. 25 AND 9am-4pm on Sunday, Sept. 26. On Saturday, students will learn to use a spindle-roughing gauge, parting tool, skew, and spindle gauge. After practice he/she will design and fashion a dry flower arrangement holder, and an end-grain cup. Sunday students will use a bowl gauge to design and make a plate and a bowl. Each student will have the use of a lathe, tools, and face shield.

Frank Warner will be teaching an introduction to lapidary class.  This two day course, held on Sept. 25 and 26 will educate students about how to use a diamond trim saw as well as diamond grinding, sanding and polishing equipment.  Beginning students in recent workshops have completed four or five cabs in the two day session.  This workshop will be held at the L. Howard Freeman Skill Center of the Tuscarora Lapidary Society (TLS) in Media, PA. 

Just in time for the holiday season, Brian Cunfer will be teaching a workshop about ornament woodturning.  In this two day workshop, held on October 9 & 10 from 9 am to 5 pm, Brian will teach intermediate students to turn three different styles of ornaments: bird house, bell and icicle.  Proper sharpening techniques for tools will also be discussed.

You will learn about expanding into new markets, controlling your schedule and revenue flow, and increasing your income. 

 In this workshop, you will gain valuable information for tackling wholesale including setting your terms and policies, developing your wholesale line sheet, catalog and promotional materials, and finding and exhibiting at trade shows.  

For more information, head on over to our website!

Welding, Cutting and Fabrication takes place on May 1st from 10am-6pm.  In this workshop, students will learn to weld and cut metal.  The main focuses of this course will be electric arc and MIG welding as well as plasma cutting.  I have taken this with George and can tell you how great it is.  You will be amazed at what you can do with your own two hands.  Better hurry, there are only two spots left!

The Sand Casting workshop will be June 5th from 10am-6pm.  In this workshop, you will be creating a small design or piece of art using the sand-casting method to create it out of bronze.  I have also participated in this activity and LOVED it.  Sand casting is one of the most beautiful metal processes to take part in. You will have a hand in almost every aspect of making your bronze.  Fantastic.

I will leave you with this incredible video.  Chinese farmers celebrate Dashuhua by creating their own fireworks.

Using Molten Iron as Fireworks

In this 1 day workshop, you will learn two types of dovetails, thru and half blind.  Experienced woodworkers can even bring their own tools to save on costs.  Sign up now!  This workshop is held on April 10.

Margaret Almon’s Glass Mosaic workshop is a must for those of you hoping to learn to mosaic.  In this two day beginner workshop, you will be taking a piece from start to finish, working with the design and placement as well as gluing, grouting and finishing a piece. 

This workshop will be held at the Goggleworks in Reading.  Sign up today!

Sign up now on PAcrafts.org for Mitch Lyons monoprinting workshop.

What is a chapter and why should I join one?

A chapter brings the Guild into local communities. Guild members in similar areas have formed chapters to focus on specific aims in a more intimate setting.  Many of our chapters sponsor events, such as the Pocono State Craft Festival put on by the Pocono Chapter.  Chapters also work to provide opportunities within its community such as workshops and scholarships for highschool students.

The Bucks County Chapter website aptly states that one of their goals is to:

“assists members in marketing high quality crafts and provides a forum for exchange of ideas and information through its meetings and programs”

If you are looking for a setting in which you can get to know and share information with artists in your own community, join a chapter. Chapter membership is included in the new member rate, simply check the chapter that interests you the most or is closest to you geographically.

The Pennsylvania Guild has 17 chapters, a full listing can be found on our Chapters webpage.

Ken Mueller, the instructor of our upcoming Social Media class on March 10, had a post yesterday called ‘6 Social Media Lessons from a Snowy Day‘ and it got me in the winter spirit. 

I know, I know, many of you everyone is ready for spring but I think we should all take the forced opportunity to relax, reflect and plan for the future.  Here we go:

1. Catch up with customers - First of all, Valentine’s day is coming up next weekend.  What a great time to send out an email discussing what’s new and what’s to come in 2010. The snow has given you the time to send it and your customers the time to read it. If you have your show schedule or a new list of projects, share them.  What you still don’t have an email list organized yet? Then that’s your snow day project. Mail Chimp is an awesome way (and free up to 500 addresses) to organize and connect with your customers (plus its fun to say you use Mail Chimp).
2. Get Organized – Its a dreaded word in the studio: organize! You’d rather be creating than cleaning. Trust me so would I. But its necessary. Putting everything in its place, lets you find it faster when you need it. Plus you know the need to clean up hangs over you every day you work in there. Crank some tunes and tidy things up. You’ll be glad you did afterwards.  Here’s some tips for Getting Organized from ArtBizCoach.com (Alyson teaches with the Guild on May 11-12.
3. Find classes – We all should take a workshop now and then. Sure, you’ve mastered what you do. But have you thought about learning a new craft to inspire your existing craft? Or have you been interested in expanding your business skills or knowledge of social media for promoting yourself?  Take a beginner class can just open your eyes to a new process. It can be a welcome break from always quilting or always throwing pots. Teachstreet is a great site for finding classes in your area. Or look over the online catalogs of some of the many art centers in the state: Goggleworks, Wayne Art Center or Main Line Art Center to name a few.
4. Develop new ideas - Where do you want to go with your craft?  Is there a new direction you’d like to take?  This is an ideal time to do it. Its the first part of a new year. Artists who stay static in what they make eventually diminish on their returns. Plus it’ll do two things: 1) you’ll get inspired by the new line of work and 2) your collectors will have a new object to collect. Want inspiration? Take the Super ‘Bowl’ challenge this weekend with Hammermarks.  It’ll be a fun diversion that might lead to new inspiration.

What are you waiting for?  Get ready for the snow!