Guild Membership is only open to individuals who live or work in Essex in the U.K., and hand make their craft. Full Membership is not available to those who live abroad or those who hold a craft franchise or who import or sell craft goods that are made by others.
Acceptable Craft applications are based on the Craft Councils list. (WEB SITE LINK here) We do not accept applications for health and beauty/aromatherapy products or for foods - except sugar craft. Please speak to the membership secretary to clarify any concerns you may have. See the Home page for contact details.
Currently the first year's membership fee is £35.
The Guild holds an annual selection evening. Those interested in joining the guild are invited to register by completing this short form. Click here. NOTE only one craft may be applied for per year. Completing this form will ensure you are included in the list to receive the application papers during February. There is a charge of £10 per application towards the cost of the selection evening.
PLEASE NOTE the closing date to register is 14th February. Please be assured that the information you provide will NOT be used for any other purpose than to send your application papers, and will NOT be passed on to any third parties.
The Selection Panel meets in early April to view applicant's work and notification of the results are sent within 10 days. The selection evening is arranged to coinside with the start of the Guild's financial year, meaning that all successful applicants are included straight away in the new Directory, instead of waiting till the following year.
New Members are expected to attend the Guild's AGM, which is held on the evening of the 2nd Thursday in May. They are asked to arrive at 7pm so as to have time to arrange a display of their work as an introduction to existing Guild members. During the AGM the Guild Chairman presents them with their membership pack. The Membership Certificate is presented at the Guild Presentation Lunch.
Guild Presentation Lunch - Guild President, The Lord Petre, will be presenting the membership certificates to members who passed in April 2009 on Sunday 21st February 2010. The lunch starts with a Sherry reception at 12.30p.m. Lunch is served promptly at 1pm and is a 3- course meal, followed by coffee and mints, for an inclusive price of under £20 per head. The event will be held at the Channels Golf Club, just off the A130 near Chelmsford. Full details will be sent to members in January 2010.
To fulfil the aims of the Guild, events are arranged during the year offering members the chance to show and sell their work directly to the public. These events are run as a separate entity with no funds being provided from the annual subscription. Booking forms are sent to members in November, with fees due by December 1st. New members have places reserved at 2 events during their first year, and along with other members not returning their forms by the closing date, take potluck for places at the other Guild events during the year.
OTHER TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP
Guild Friends are individuals who are interested in Craft and who wish to support the Guild and its members. Guild Friends receive invitations to Guild social events and are offered FREE admission to the main Guild Show each year, as well as being kept up to date with what is happening by way of newsletters from time to time. To apply, please complete this form and return with your cheque. Annual fee is £6. Click here.
Associate Membership is offered to Craft Groups in Essex whose aims are similar to those of the Guild. Associate Members receive invitations to Guild Social events and are offered a display area at the Guild's main show each year.Their details are also displayed on the Guild Web Site to encourage new members and arrange a reciprocal link with the Guild web site and their own. To apply please complete this form and return it with a cheque and a copy of your groups Constitution. The annual fee is £25 per group. Click here.