March 2024 Newsletter

by | Mar 2, 2024 | Articles, Newsletter Archive |

President’s Message:

Was the Groundhog right or wrong?  A this point, I am not sure but as far as I am concerned he better stick to his prediction because I am going to move the snow blower to the back and put the rototiller in its spot!  As we all begin to make plans for planting, your Reading-Berks Guild is  planning and has begun some big improvements for our Chapter with different ways to promote our members, our events and our Chapter in general.

With over 150 very talented members of The Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen who have chosen Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen as their chapter affiliation, we are indeed very pleased and grateful for you.  All organizations like ours depend on their members for their participation in getting the job done and Reading-Berks members always rise to the occasion.

We have lots of small jobs that are required to be done and there are bigger jobs and some even bigger jobs.  Some of the bigger jobs can be divided into segments to get done.

Anyone is welcome to attend a board or show meeting to see what happens and goes on behind the scenes.  Join in.  Helping in a small way lightens the load.  Everything thing little helps in a BIG WAY.  What ever you are great at doing….we need you.  Whatever you think you can’t do….we will help you do.

I want to thank Matt Vardjan for volunteering to be temporary assistant treasurer.  I asked him about helping with that.  Jodi Bryza Stevenson, our current co-treasurer and pick-a-prize  chair person, has needed to step down at this time; hopefully be able to return in the future.   On Wednesday night at our Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen Board of Directors’ meeting, he was unanimously approved.

Don’t forget to get your application in for The Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen’s Spring Fine Art and Craft Festival at Renninger’s Farmers’ Market on Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 9 AM to 3 PM, outside under the Pavilion.  Show application deadline is April 1, 2024.

And remember to keep your membership up to date.

“Everything comes to those who hustle while he waits.”  Thomas A. Edison

                                                                                               Your President,
Barry L. Bennecoff

 

Programs:

The March program will feather a scratch egg demonstration and workshop. Elaine and Nancy Vardjan will talk about Easter egg traditions and how to dye and scratch decoration on those eggs. Hope to see a good turn out for this meeting! It’s been a long time since the programs had a hands-on evening.

Program Chair:
Matt Vardjan

Shows:

We are hard at work on our two shows.  We are always looking for guild members to step up and takeover some of the show duties. Many of our team are over 70 and would like to step down, at some time, knowing that the show will go on.

The Spring Show is almost here, if you have not already signed up for our Spring Show, please get your application in by April 1st.

Show Chair,
Steve Hunter

Social Media:

Facebook and Instagram

We’re starting to promote the artisan’s that will be attending our Spring Show. Please help us to spread the word by Liking and Sharing our Spring Show Event, and our Artisan Posts.

Facebook, Reading Berks Guild Spring Show Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/7084969871587569

Facebook, Reading-Berks Guild Artisan Posts: https://www.facebook.com/rbcraftsguild

Instagram, Reading Berks Guild: https://www.instagram.com/readingberksguild/

Artisan Spotlight 

If you are a juried member of the Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen, we would like to promote you on our Facebook page with an Artisan Spotlight. The Artisan Spotlight is a post all about you, and can include links to your website or other sites, like Facebook, Etsy, or Instagram. You will also be able to share it on your page. It’s easy, just request a questionnaire or an interview via the following link, and we’ll reach out to you. spotlight@rbcrafts.org

WE NEED YOUR IMAGES – yes, I’m shouting, please send them to images@rbcrafts.org.

             

                                                                        Social Media Chair,
Lisa  Short

BCTV:

On March 20, 2024, at 7:00 PM “Your Berks Craftsmen” will feature our own Mark Hoffman, a juried member of Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen.  Mark is juried in woodworking and he is going to show and tell us how he starts with the rawest of wood and (like magic) it becomes a creation that is both beautiful and functional.  Comcast channel 15 or watch on your laptop at bctv.org.  Catch up in a day or two by going to rbcrafts.org and we are on YouTube also.

A big thank you to all our craftsmen and fine artists who appear on “Your Berks Craftsmen”.  Without you we wouldn’t have a Show!

Your BCTV Host,
Kay L. Bennecoff 

Standards:

The next jury session is scheduled for Tues, March 5, 2024 at the Goggleworks in room 325. Members who have belonged to our chapter for a minimum of 3 months are eligible to present their work for jurying. The room will be open at 5:30, and jurying will begin at 6:00. Members will be asked to leave before jurying begins, and can return in 30 minutes for the results. Any Standards Committee member who can’t attend, please let me know. For more information or for an application, go to https://rbcrafts.org/resources or contact Louise at eglassplace@gmail.com.
Standards Chair,
Louise Mehaffey 

Mini-Grants:

The  W. Eugene Burkhart, Jr. Memorial Mini Grant  Annual Award for 2024 is now open for application for Reading-Berks Chapter Members.

Four (4) Mini Grants, in the amount of $50 each will be awarded in April, 2024.  If more than 4 applications are received, a random drawing will be held to determine the recipients at either a general or board meeting.

Applications (completed in full) must be received at our Reading-Berks Chapter PGC, ATTN. Mini-Grant, P.O. Box 85, Mohnton, PA  19540 address by April 1.  Those received after April 1, 2024, will not be considered.

Applications will be received from members of the Reading-Berks Chapter, PGC, having a current membership in both the chapter and state organizations, effective January 1, 2024.  You need not be juried, but must have current membership status.

Applications may be applied to further your education in your craft … you may use the grant to purchase books, tools, do research, take seminars or classes, attend workshop, etc. to further your knowledge in the art of your craft. You may also use your grant to explore a new craft.

If chosen as one of the four winners, you must use the grant within the calendar year 2024 (prior to December 31, 2024) or return the grant money.

As a Mini Grant recipient, you agree to give a 15 minute presentation at one of our general meetings.

Please inform Matt Vardjan (pa.germanstarcaft@gmail.com) when you have fulfilled your commitment for this Mini Grant and will be ready to present a program to the general membership.  If you do not fulfill the requirements, the Mini Grant funds must be returned.

 

Click here for the application!

 

                            

Membership:

This month, the State Guild web site shows that there are 156 Reading-Berks Members for our chapter.

To find out find out when your Guild membership is up and you are due for a renewal, you can log into the PACrafts.org website using your ID and password here: https://pacrafts.org/member-login/   Then just scroll down to the heading called Office Use Only and look for Renewal Date (Date of Last Renewal) and you will see when you are up for renewal.

I have five badges that have been created and will hand them out to those who have ordered them at the March meeting.  Come to the meeting for your badge!  I also have two more forms for badges that are in the list for when I get enough for a new order.

If you have not filled out a form for a badge and are a member of our chapter, please see me at the March meeting at the Goggleworks.  Contact me to get a form for a new badge if you don’t already have one.  All members of our chapter can receive a badge for FREE!

Membership Chair,
Gary Rosborough

Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen’s Directory:

Please check your directory listing on our website: https://rbcrafts.org/resources/directory/

This may be the only way some of your customers will be able to find you.   Make sure all of your data is correct and that your link to your website works and is current.    Send any updates to info@rbcrafts.org

Newsletter Editor,                                                   Sandra Jones

Pa Guild of Craftsman Shows:

Fine Craft Fairs – Apply now! The PGC is delighted to announce we will be offering two new indoor Fine Crafts Fairs in 2024.  Pipe and drape is included! 6×10 booths are also offered – perfect for those beginning their journey as our Fine Craft Fairs are recognized as being among the top such events in the Eastern United States.

Summer Fine Craft Fair will be June 22-23, 2024 at the beautiful, climate-controlled, easy-to-access Foundry 48 Event Center in Lititz, PA. Located in beautiful Lancaster County and situated just off PA Rt. 501 N, this event will draw customers from Lancaster, Lititz, Reading, Chester, and regional cities such as Philadelphia & Baltimore.

Fall Fine Craft Fair will be September 28-29, 2024 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA.  Known locally as the “Oaks Expo,” this convention and exhibition center in Oaks, PA, is located in the center of suburban Philadelphia, attracting locals from Montgomery County and Chester County, PA, as well as New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland.

PGC Joint Chapter/Membership Chair,
Denise Wilz

Events:

General Meetings: (1st Tuesday of Month)
 
March 5th, 7 PM at the Goggle Works, check the board for room #

Shows:

Spring Show:  First Saturday (4th) in May

Pa Guild of Craftsman Newsletter:

Did you notice that one of Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen became a Master Artisan?   Congratulations to Rebecca Dawson-Davis for Quilling!

Newsletter:

Changing your e-mail address, please make sure that I get the new address,  Send it to info@rbcrafts.org and have the subject line NEW E-mail address!

If you know a member who is not getting the newsletter, please have them e-mail me at info@rbcrafts.org.

Would like to put something in the Newsletter? Contact me at info@rbcrafts.org
Newsletter Editor,
Sandra Jones