Preliminary steps to start a Crafts Guild

[echnidna]

This springs from the thread "master woodworkers guild?" (http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/showthread.php?t=57636)

Which appears to be primarliy concerned about the desirability of a Guild.

Preliminary steps to start a Crafts Guild must be a thread devoted to just that and nothing else. In other words the thread could be a "steering committee"

Guilds around the world need to be looked at and advice sought from them.
I expect that various pitfalls may be more readily avoided.

I envisage the most practical Australian Crafts Guild may be an all encompassing Guild with different chapters of specialisation.

[wheelinround]

Echnidna me thinks you'll find there are many already even here in AU.

LOML's guild is sub guild of Hand Weavers and Spinners Guild of NSW Inc (http://www.nsweave.org.au/)
and there is one in Vic Handweavers and Spinners Guild of Victoria Inc: Links (http://home.vicnet.net.au/%7Ehandspin/links.htm)
what they do need is a Forum there are many splinter forums but they need a repository like the WWF and its great many off shoots.

[echnidna]

Thanks Wheelin, I expect other forum members may post info about other guilds

[wheelinround]

Thanks Wheelin, I expect other forum members may post info about other guilds


I have or should I say LOML has book marked everything she can so far
here's UK http://www.wsd.org.uk/ has links word wide http://www.wsd.org.uk/

I want shares thanks

Oh and then there is this it will be he best http://www.auscraftnet.com.au/index.php

[RufflyRustic]

Yay - links to information I haven't had a chance to source yet! Thanks Echnidna!

I still think a Guild for Woodwork alone is needed, but I appreciate that some may think it too narrow a focus.

I do know, that there's no way I could do something like this by myself.

I'm still interested though, very interested.

cheers
Wendy

[echnidna]

Well realistically the VWA isn't far off actually being a guild,
Expect some other associations may be similarly placed

The reason I think it has to be wider than a strict woodies guild are these forums.
Look at all the associated or synergetic forums within ubeaut.

e.g upholstery is an important part of furniture making

or a guitar made from wood etc etc

[Clinton1]

not being a smart alec here, but the last post by Echnidna opens a real can of worms.... closest I can come to a name is "Handcraft skills Guild, for all interested and related fields"... as Echnidna mentions in his first post.

For example: make/restore a chair.....
I'd love to find a place that I can talk with obsessive types that are involved in or knowledgable about:
toolmakers, upholsterers, fabric merchants, period tacks and fittings, design researchers, researchers in finishing and period furniture in general, timber collectors like Reeves/Exador, people that I can ask questions about future machinery purchases (as well as visit and play with their kit), obscure furniture related suppliers (horsehair), finishing product recipie collectors..... and the list goes on and on.

That sounds like this forum to me... can get just about every question answered here.

Sorry if thats left field.... but going out to the left of centre seems to be something I'm a natural at. :-

sooooo, after too many words..... wouldn't the guild suffer from being 'physical', when compared against the forum that is 'electronic' and instant?
An online guild?
Meetings on a 'conference call on skype' type arrangements?

[Burnsy]

not being a smart alec here, but the last post by Echnidna opens a real can of worms.... closest I can come to a name is "Handcraft skills Guild, for all interested and related fields"... as Echnidna mentions in his first post.

For example: make/restore a chair.....
I'd love to find a place that I can talk with obsessive types that are involved in or knowledgable about:
toolmakers, upholsterers, fabric merchants, period tacks and fittings, design researchers, researchers in finishing and period furniture in general, timber collectors like Reeves/Exador, people that I can ask questions about future machinery purchases (as well as visit and play with their kit), obscure furniture related suppliers (horsehair), finishing product recipie collectors..... and the list goes on and on.

That sounds like this forum to me... can get just about every question answered here.

Sorry if thats left field.... but going out to the left of centre seems to be something I'm a natural at. :-

sooooo, after too many words..... wouldn't the guild suffer from being 'physical', when compared against the forum that is 'electronic' and instant?
An online guild?
Meetings on a 'conference call on skype' type arrangements?

I think you need to define what a guild is and how you would qualify to be a member, do you have to bring in a piece you have made to be viewed and judged as to whether it is worthy or do you just sign a form and pay your annual membership. If you just sign a form and pay, is the guild then for masters (as mentioned on the other thread) or for everyone. Personally I think that guilds are outdated and that the forum is in essence a modern day guild that utilises current technologies to improve everyones skills. Face to face meetings are great and I think many here already do that informally. I don't believe that any guild could ever provide such an excellent resource as this forum and believe it would just become a social club for get togethers.

[echnidna]

Its a matter of looking at various Guilds and seeing what they do.

Some are in essence only clubs but some are true guilds

Theres no reason why a Guild cannot have various types of members

e.g. Novice Member, Craftsman Member, Master Craftsman Member etc.

But All of this is putting the cart before the horse.

Looking at existing guilds to see if there are sound models to base upon is the start.

Details will fall into place down the track

[wheelinround]

If your talking about things made of wood you can go much deeper vintage aircraft, cars trucks, planes machinery which used wooden structures. Wind mill's and much much more.

Engravers and plaques trophys jewlery list is endless

[RufflyRustic]

yes, the list can be endless, but at this stage, I'd agree with echnidna and say let's do a bit of research first. The good thing is that if we can do this and get the structure fairly good, then it will lend itself to the endless list as well. :)

So what is needed to a) set up a guild, and b) run a guild?

Cheers
Wendy

[echnidna]

So lets keep this thread totally free of questions about the need or justification for a guild.

[Christopha]

I seem to have a vague memory that there was a fancy schmantzy "Guild" or somesuch but it made itself so exclusive it disappeared up its' own fundament...I could be wrong, I thought I was once before but I was mistaken ;)

[aaron.aafjes]

just want to convey that a level of quality and design advice should be able to be offered to your clients.. eg. you don't go to a hyundai mechanic to get a ferrari fixed as he knows nothing about them..... identifying people who know about what they are making.

[echnidna]

huh?

[aaron.aafjes]

just want people or potential clients to be ''assured that the craftsmen that they think they are getting , is able to do what they say they can''. i think you guys are reading to much into this guild idea. i just want recognised quality assurance. simple.:)

[echnidna]

Aaron,this started because of your previous thread,
which was really concerned only about the building trades.

But caught the attention of those who believe an aussie guild may be worthwhile.