February 2021 Newsletter

President’s Message:

I hope all of you are sticking with your “New Year’s” resolutions. (I am; I resolved not to make a New Year’s resolution this year and I am having no trouble sticking with that resolution.) 2021 brings us new hope with a Covid 19 vaccination being available for us some time this year. In the meantime, I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, February 2, at 7:00 PM at our general meeting via zoom. Of course, I would much rather being seeing you all in person at the Goggleworks but for now “zoom” is giving us the opportunity to assemble for our monthly program and business meeting to follow. If you don’t have a laptop, tablet or smart phone, you can call from a land line (you will only be able to get audio). Still uncomfortable, perhaps you could call a fellow member who does and you can at least listen and interact during the meeting.

Also this month, “Something for Your Sweetheart” at Renninger’s Farmers’ Market in the White Room on February 6, 2021 is our first pop-up for 2021 from 9 AM to 3 PM. Two more pop-ups at Renninger’s on “First Saturday’s” in March and April. (Mask wearing and social distancing). Go to our website rbcrafts.org for more information. And just in time for Mother’s Day….Drum roll, please……………………………………
Steve Hunter, show chairperson and the show committee is hard at work on our Spring Craft Show at Renninger’s Farmer’s Market under the Pavilion on Saturday, May 1, 2021. Just the thought of being outside with such talented and creative people gets my adrenaline flowing! Application on our website at rbcrafts.org.

So, my friends, don’t let the winter blahs settle in, get into your studios and turn those ideas you’ve been thinking about into fruition. “Doing” is what makes craftsmen, and that is who we are, The Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen.

“This is a wonderful day. I’ve never seen this one before.” Maya Angelou

Your President, Barry L. Bennecoff

Shows:

Work progresses on our outdoor spring show at Renningers, Kutuztown. Plan for a good show, get your application in now. The sooner you apply the easer it will be for us to do our job. I hope you choose to join us in May.

Indoor Pop-ups. Here is a good way to get your feet wet if you are a new craftsmen or an old hand. These fun and easy small shows happen the first of each month. See the application on our web page.

Show Chair, Steve Hunter

Get your application for our
1st Saturday events

The Reading-Berks Guild Market:

The Reading-Berks Guild Market Facebook Group is still live! Great opportunity for people to buy that perfect Valentine’s gift. To go to our Market, sign into Facebook and search for Reading-Berks Guild Market, or click on groups (the little icon at the top of the page that looks like a group of people) and find us, and there is also a link from our website. To sell, you must be a juried member of our chapter. To purchase, you must be a member of the Group. Just go to the Group and click on Join. For more information, contact Louise at eglassplace@gmail.com.

Market Administrator, Louise Mehaffey

Programs:

Our program this month will be a demonstration of wheat weaving by Linda Beiler. She will be finishing some different size straw stars. The presentation will take place at the beginning of our zoom meeting and will last 10-20 minutes, our general meeting will follow. See you at the zoom meeting!

Programs Chair, Matt Vardjan

General Meetings by Zoom:

Due to social distancing and indoor event attendance limits, we will will be having our February Meeting by Zoom. Please sign up for our Zoom meetings by emailing: info@rbcrafts.org. You will be invited to all future zoom meetings. If you do not have a computer, a table or smart phone, there is a phone in only option.

The link to the zoom meeting will be sent by Mail Chimp a day or two before the meeting.

Media:

This month on “Your Berks Craftsmen” you will be treated to a presentation on Wheat Weaving and Straw Art by Juried craftsperson, Linda Beiler. Linda is not only a very talented artist but a wonderful story teller. She is very knowledgable about this ancient art form and might even have you inspired to do some wheat weaving yourself.

Tune in on Wednesday, February 17, 2021, at 7:00 PM, Comcast channel 15. If you do not have Comcast, please go to bctv.org and watch on your computer. All “Your Berks Craftsmen” shows can be viewed on our website at rbcrafts.org a few days after the original airing time. Find “Your Berks Craftsmen” on YouTube also.Your BCTV Host, Kay Bennecoff

Education:

Mini-Grants:

The Guild awards four Mini-Grants of $50 each year, chosen randomly from applications submitted, to members in good standing who wish to continue their education. Mini-Grants may also be used to explore new areas of interest. The Guild is deeply committed to encouraging each member’s pursuit of excellence and growth. This year’s Mini Grants winners be awarded April 2021.

Winners will be drawn from applications (completed in full) and submitted by the deadline of Tuesday, April 6, 2021. Entries must be received at our Reading-Berks Chapter PGC, ATTN. Carol Haile, Post Office Box 85, Mohnton, PA 19540 by that date. Those received after that date will not be included in the drawing.

Apply Now!

Education Chair, Carol Haile

Standards:

The next jury session is scheduled for Tues, March 9, 2021 at the Goggleworks. Members who have belonged to our chapter for a minimum of 3 months are eligible to present their work for jurying. Because of COVID19, I don’t know at the present time how jurying will be done, but if you want your work juried, contact me. For more information or for an application, go to https://rbcrafts.org/resources or contact Louise at eglassplace@gmail.com.

Standards Chair, Louise Mehaffey

Events:

General Meetings: (1st Tuesday of Month)

February 2, 2021: General Meeting via Zoom at 7 PM

March 2, 2021: General Meeting (details TBD)

Shows:

Something for Your Sweetheart: First Saturday, February 6, 2021 9 AM – 3 PM at Renninger’s Farmers’ Market in the White Room

Think Spring: First Saturday, March 6, 2021 9 AM – 3 PM at Renninger’s Farmers’ Market in the White Room

Hoppy Shopping: First Saturday, April 3, 2021 9 AM – 3 PM at Renninger’s Farmers’ Market in the White Room

Mega Spring Craft Show: First Saturday, May 1 (May Day) 9 AM -3 PM Renninger’s Farmers’ Market Outside, Under the Pavilion

If you would like something added to our next Newsletter, please contact your editor: Sandra Jones at info@rbcrafts.org