Todays New Guild Member The Keepsake Boutique

Welcome to todays new Guild Member:

Member No: 231211194

Sarah Ross from The Keepsake Boutique

Sarah creates Handmade guest books & gifts in the UK

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our members a

Very Merry Christmas

and a

Happy New Year!

Todays New Guild Members Quernus Crafts, Sakura Jewellery and Bridget Bradshaw Designs

Welcome to todays Guild Members:

Member No: 201211191

Kirsten Miller from Quernus Crafts

Kirsten creates beautiful Polymer clay sculptures in the UK

Member No: 201211192

Anna Stassen from Sakura Jewellery

Anna creates lovely Jewellery in the UK

Member No: 201211193

Marian Bridget Bradshaw from Bridget Bradshaw Designs

Marian Bridget is a Jewellery designer/maker working in precious metals in the UK

Bridget Bradshaw Designs currently doesn't have a website.

Although we will try and process applications as they come in, any received between now and the New Year may take a little longer than usual.

Welcome to todays new member So Scented!

We have a new Guild Member. Please meet:

Member No: 191211190

Amy White from So Scented!

Amy creates Gifts, Oil Burners, Wax Melts, Fragrance in the UK

We still have pending memberships from El Creations and Art Eye Candy.

Please get in touch at

info@procraftersguild.com

New Guild Members Two Cats Crafts and Artinkulate

We have a new member for you all to meet:

Member no: 161211188

Jackie Reader from Two Cats Crafts

Jackie business is Card Making, Scrapbooking and Jewellery Making in the UK

Member no: 161211189

Anne Doble from Artinkulate

Anne creates Decorative mini tiles, plaques, notice board magnets and more!
in Scotland.

Hands up if .....

Can I put my hand down now my arm is aching!

Rachael did make a very good point in her comment on the Please don't ask me THAT question post the other day. She mentioned that when people ask her what she does, she always feels as though she has to explain that although she has a craft business, it doesn't make enough money to support her. Why do we feel this way? Because we do don't we! Why do we always feel that we need to defend ourselves. When you think about, there are so many mainstream businesses out there that have very small turnovers and in the current financial climate make losses every year! How much money it brings in does not define your business! And to be honest, it is no one elses business but your own. We should feel confident enough to hold our heads high and shout to the world that 'This is what we do!'

So the next time someone asks you where you work. Say proudly that you own your own business, you are a Professional Crafter. And don't forget that you don't just have to compete with the shop across the road! You sell online! You are in competition with the rest of the world! Every sale that you make is extra special, that customer chose you out of the whole world!

How's that for a confidence boost!

So get that hand down, and keep it down. :)



Inspirational thought for today!

This lovely tea cozy was created by one of our members and is for sale on Artfire http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/BlueShedCrafts

New Guild Members: Touchwoodcrafts and Lobelia Foxburr Stitches & Jewels

Welcome to two more Guild Members:

Member no: 151211186

Beverly Halstead from Touchwoodcrafts

Beverly creates Mostly Wood items in Wales

Member no: 151211187

Amber Marie Waugh from Lobelia Foxburr Stitches & Jewels

Amber Marie creates Jewellery, clothing & soft furnishings in the UK



Please don't ask me THAT question!

I dread people asking me what I do! Because I'm not sure they ever really listen to the answer. Because I don't go out to work I always get the impression that they think I am either making things up to get out of doing the housework or am either too thick or lazy to get a 'proper job'!

Are they totally insane! Do they really not realise how hard it is to start a business from the ground up, from absolutely nothing, whilst trying to ignore everything going on around you. (Housework, small children, pets etc) The answer! No, I don't think they do.

Everyone that works from home knows as well as I do, that although we love our work, and we really do love it! It certainly isn't the easy option. We rarely, ever stop work. You will still see us beavering away whilst cooking tea and juggling children. Doing a spot of PR on twitter or Facebook during advert breaks in the evenings. Often sitting up through the night to finish off orders and projects. So please, please, please don't accuse us of having a hobby! It isn't a hobby, it is our LIFE! And lots of us are very good at it so credit where credit is due!

I started the Professional Crafters Guild, initially to give people something visible that they could slap on their websites and blogs etc. Something that shouts "Hey! I am working here!"
As it is starting to grow and develop I am coming to realise that we could actually make a difference, so if you have any ideas on how we can mature and support eachother I am all ears. :)

With regard to my answer to 'that' question! Well, it is always difficult to say. Yes, I do have a jewellery business, I also run a social network, I publish a magazine and now have this Guild. What do I call myself exactly? ( A total raving lunatic perhaps!) A good friend once said that I do too much and that it is 'virtual self harm'. She could be right, but I love it all too much and so I shall keep on going until I explode. :)

Todays new Guild Members RKADesignz, PinkAngel Designs and Kiln Fired Art

We have three freshly processed members so far today.
Meet:

Member No: 141211183

Denise Jackson from RKADesignz

Denise creates Personalised Gifts in the UK

Member No: 141211184

Kelly Allum from PinkAngel Designs

Kelly creates Handmade polymer clay jewellery and accessories in the UK

Member No: 141211185

Jill Egan from Kiln Fired Art

Jill creates Hand painted porcelain, fused glass, jewellery in the UK

 

We currently have three registrations pending that need more information. If you have recently applied to join the Guild please check your inboxes for our emails or get in touch at:

info@procraftersguild.com

Todays New Guild Members WyreJewellery and Patchwork by Maria Hourigan

Here are some more hard working people who have just joined our Guild.

Meet:

Member no: 131211181

Alison Vincent from WyreJewellery

Alison is a Jewellery Designer from the UK

Member no: 131211182

Maria Hourigan from Patchwork by Maria Hourigan

Alison is a creator of Patchwork Lovelies and Quirky Scarecrows

 It has come to our attention that PayPal has not be sending us notifications of all Guild Application payments. If you have submitted a payment and we haven't been in touch, please let us know at:
info@procraftersguild.com

Two new members! WitchEver Oak and Cherished Stained Glass

As our new blog is up and running, we thought that we would give a mention to our new members as we add them to our merry Guild of Crafters. We now have 180 members! Which isn't bad as we only kicked the whole thing off mid July!

Meet:

Member no: 121211179

Jack Day from WitchEver Oak

Jack is a Jewellery Designer from the UK

Member no: 121211180

Steve Sheppard from Cherished Stained Glass

Steve creates Stained Glass in the UK

We have a few more members in the pipeline as well, if you have applied to join the Guild and haven't been welcomed yet, please check your inbox as we may need more information.

Congratulations! To one of our members.

Member no: 250811073 Emma Maudsley from the Sock Money Emporium has some fantastic news!

She is 1 of 3 UK members of the US based juried craft community The Artisan Group. They represent artists at celebrity gifting suites prior to major US awards ceremonies.
As a result she is sending her business cards to be included in the swag bags gifted to celebrities at the GBK Productions Gift Lounges prior to the Golden Globes and The Oscars.

Also through The Artisan Group she has just sent 2 personalised sock cats to be included in a special gift bag for actress Jessica Alba. They are currently en route to her manager so hoping she gets them in person soon!!

Congratulations Emma!

If you are a member of our Guild and have exciting news, let us know and we will share it with everyone.

Welcome to the new blog for The Professional Crafters Guild

The Professional Crafters Guild was created in July 2011 to help working crafters show the world that they are 'serious' about their craft as a business and not a hobby! Nothing will rile a working crafter nore quickly than thinking that they are hobbiests rather than professionals.

The working crafter works excessively long hours and puts their body and soul into their work and deserve recognition for their efforts.

As the Guild grows we hope to achieve great things and look forward to meeting new people and working with them to raise awareness of our work. In this mass produced world we must strive to keep ancient crafts alive and keep generations of experience within our communities.

Initially, your first step is to wear your unique PCG badge with pride on your sites. Show your customers that you mean 'business'! Never be afraid to get in touch with ideas for the Guild, we need you to help us push forward into 2012.

Together, lets make 2012 the year of the Professional Crafter!

On joining our ranks you will receive a Welcome Pack which includes your unique digital badges that carry your registration number. Your details will also be added to our members list on our website. You will also have a digital certificate which you can print out and keep.

Spread the word and Join us today!

http://www.procraftersguild.com

You can contact the founder of the Guild, Anna-Marie at info@procraftersguild.com