Finding and Joining a Craft Guild in Your Area

Crafting is a hobby that we can enjoy in the comfort of our own homes. It's something we can do when there's no one else around, or while the rest of the family is doing their own thing. But sometimes it's nice to network and collaborate with fellow crafters.

Craft guilds are designed with this in mind. They help crafters meet others who enjoy being creative. They can exchange techniques, project ideas, and experiences. And, perhaps most importantly, they can get together and craft.

You might be surprised to see how many craft guilds there are in your area. Here are some tips for finding a good one:

1)Decide what kind of guild you want to be a part of. Do you want to be part of a group of general crafters, or would you prefer being around those who do one particular kind of crafting? If it genuinely doesn't matter to you, look for both types of guilds. But if it does, stick with those that meet your criteria.

2)Look in the classified section of your local paper. There you will find event announcements, and craft guilds often list their meeting times and places here. Make note of any that interest you, and call for more information if you need to.

3)If you can't find any in the paper, try looking online. Many local crafting guilds have Yahoo or Meetup groups online. This makes it easier for them to communicate with one another and share ideas between meetings, and it makes it easy for you to find them.

4)When you find a craft guild, learn all there is to know about membership before joining. Some are free, but others charge membership fees. Formal guilds often require that members submit a piece of work for approval. Less formal groups might alternate meetings among members' homes, or ask members to take turns providing refreshments. Knowing these things before making a commitment is important.

Starting Your Own Guild

Can't find a guild that suits you? Start your own. It's as simple as getting together some fellow crafters, finding a meeting place, and setting a meeting time. You can put an ad in the paper to find members, and libraries and community centers will often allow you to use their facilities for free or at low cost. You can make things as formal or informal as you like.

Joining a craft guild can enrich your life in a number of ways. They provide fellowship with like-minded crafters, and they give us the opportunity to learn more about our crafts. If this sounds good to you, pick up the paper and start looking for a nearby guild.