Quilting is such a popular craft in New England, I never have any trouble finding local shows that display antique and contemporary quilts, to appreciate or buy. Other crafters, my friend Barbara Kidwell tells me, look to the Connecticut Guild of Craftsmen for networking about upcoming shows. Here's what Barbara told me about this marvelous organization with branches all over New England.

"Suppose you have a talent for woodworking and would like to sell your work in craft shows throughout Connecticut. Like most would-be crafters, however, you have no idea how to begin. Your search for a state or municipal craft agency yields no results. You call the Commission on the Arts in Connecticut for help. They refer you directly to the Connecticut Guild of Craftsmen.

"This non-profit Guild is now the premier source of networking and information for craftspeople in Connecticut, but it began humbly. In 1972 a small group of people interested in crafts were looking for a way to find information about craft shows. They decided to meet monthly to exchange information. Eventually, they began publishing a small newsletter that listed upcoming craft shows in Connecticut.

"The newsletter has grown from four pages mimeographed in the basement to a document that has listed one thousand shows in a single issue. The Craft Digest accepts listings from New England, Middle Atlantic and some Southern states. Shows are listed six to eight months in advance so that crafters have ample time to apply for entry and to plan their show schedules. The listings include date, location, number of exhibitors, number of attendees from the previous year, the contact person, the deadline for entry, and the eligibility requirements for the show. There are also numerous listings for wholesale shows (selling to large stores for resale) and trade shows (at which crafters may buy supplies for their crafts).

"Show listings are not the only resource The Craft Digest provides. The newsletter contains in-depth articles on individual craftspeople and specialty craft groups. It provides networking for people involved in the same craft media. It contains promotions and listings for workshops and seminars of interest to crafters around the state, and offers a variety of discounts to its members. Additionally, itinerant craftspeople, who travel from show to show without a fixed retail outlet, find it impossible to get credit card service. Membership in the Guild allows itinerant vendors to accept credit card payments for their crafts.

"The Guild provides help for craftspeople at all levels, but with an emphasis on informing beginners. Many new crafters are unaware of some of the show basics, such as the difference between an open show (in which all applicants are accepted as space allows), a juried show (in which crafters must have their work judged to be of high enough quality to enter the show) or an invitational show. Many beginning crafters need direction in marketing their products outside of craft shows.

"Joe Mehan, the president of the Connecticut Guild of Craftsmen, tells the story of a woman who called him because she was unsuccessful in selling her photo albums, which she made with white satin covers. Mr. Mehan viewed her work and immediately suggested that she put them on consignment at bridal boutiques - where they met with overwhelming success. As Mr. Mehan commented, "Sometimes a crafter is so absorbed in the creation process that she does not even think of the end consumer - and that is one of the areas where the Guild can offer the benefit of its experience."

"Mr. Mehan and Guild Vice-President Harry Langenheim, have a lot of experience to offer. They have been officers of the Guild since 1976. Together they are responsible for producing The Craft Digest every month. They have also produced seminars and workshops on Marketing Your Craft, How To Start In Crafts, and tax information for crafters. They have sponsored a booth at one of the major wholesale shows in the Philadelphia Gift Show. Mr. Mehan has been on both the jurying and judging end of the craft business, including a tour as juror for the State of Kentucky Craft Marketing Program. This program, run by the Kentucky Arts and Crafts Commission, is a state-funded initiative in which crafters are invited annually to submit their work to be juried. The state then helps people market their products by suggesting the best venues for their particular work. Kentucky even produces a full color catalog showcasing the work of its crafters based on this program.

"Most other states are not as directly involved in the craft business as Kentucky, however, and many crafters are anxiously seeking help. The Guild has become the first source to which crafters look for that help. An early requirement that membership in the Guild be restricted to only Connecticut residents was lifted when out-of-state craftspeople flooded the Guild office with requests to join. There are now members in sixteen states with the highest concentration on the upper East Coast."

"Membership information, answers to craft questions, or a list of specialty craft groups can be obtained by emailing the Guild office at: craft.digest@snet.net or writing directly to the Connecticut Guild of Craftsmen, PO Box 155, New Britain, CT 06050.

LINKS:

New England Artisans Guild

Made In Connecticut Guild

Craftguild (provides members with low cost, world-wide venue)