March 2021 Newsletter

President’s Message:

Finally, a great old fashioned snow just like I remember when I was a kid. So darn much fun out there sledding, no school, building snow huts; however my memory must be a little cloudy because I definitely did not remember the aching back, the aching arm muscles, virtual school. Yeah, I spent a lot of time moving that white stuff as I am sure all of you did as well and I am definitely not sorry to see it go. I have chanted that four letter word, MELT, very loudly and often. But if anyone has any extra snow though, please see that our Vice President Cleon Garl gets it. Rumor is that he just can’t get enough of it.

So as our thoughts turn to Spring we are looking forward to the changes we have anticipated. Things are beginning to open up as the vaccine availability increases and there are less cases of COVID 19 being reported. The time change gives us more daylight and temperatures will be warming. Little green things will start appearing. Our makers and craftsmen get inspired and excited about their new creations and your Board of Directors and Show Committee are trying to get things moving for our members. We have reserved a Pavillion at Renninger’s Farmers’ Market for May 1, 2021. Open spaces and social distancing practiced, along with the week before Mother’s Day might just be exactly what we need and what our customers need. I look forward to sharing May 1 with my fellow craftsmen,

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Helen Keller

Your President, Barry L. Bennecoff

PS Hope to see you at our general meeting via zoom on March 2 at 7:00 PM and come and see several of your Pennsylvania and Reading-Berks Juried craftsmen at “Think Spring” pop-up at Renninger’s Farmer’s Market in the White Room on March 6 from 9 AM to 3PM. (Social distancing and masks are required)

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 Birthday or Mother’s day 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:

I need help, if you are willing to give a presentation, please let me know. In March, we will continue our zoom tradition of looking at what our members have that’s new or just interesting. If you want feedback on a piece, this is a great time to get it!

Programs Chair, Matt Vardjan

General Meetings by Zoom:

Due to social distancing and indoor event attendance limits, we will will be having our March 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” Steve Hunter, Show Chairperson, for Reading-Berks Guild will talk about our upcoming Juried Spring Show by Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen at the Outdoor Pavillion at Renninger’s Farmers’ Market in Kutztown, PA on May 1, 2021. Steve will be there along with several of our craftsmen who will be at this outdoor event. Since we will be using Zoom for this program, we will be talking with these craftsmen live from their home studios. Our craftsmen can’t wait to share with you what they’ve been doing and share what you can expect at this Spring Show. So don’t forget, see this exciting show on Wednesday, March 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.

** Autographs from the craftsmen appearing on this show will be available at our Juried Spring Craft Show on May 1, 2021, at Renninger’s Farmers’ Market.

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 at the April 2021 meeting.

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. As long as the number of people remains small we will be able to do jurying at the GoggleWorks, contact me for room information. For more information on jurying 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)

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

Each month GoggleWorks is looking at the latest guidance from the state on what is appropriate for gatherings at the GoggleWorks. Currently the numbers for each meeting room are too small to accommodate us at this time. Please check each month to see how and/or where meetings are being held.

Shows:

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