announcing: spring workshops from the PA Guild of Craftsmen

a message from one of our sponsors

HiP and the PA Guild of Craftsmen have a great relationship! I’m so excited to bring you this announcement of their spring workshops and seminars. You can learn from master craftsmen (and women), improve your business, and meet other artisans.

Have you ever looked into Guild membership? Why not now? The Guild is looking for the next generation of fine craftspeople and have a wide variety of resources to help you achieve the career in arts & crafts that you’ve dreamed of.

I’m also thrilled to note that one of the spring workshops is being taught by…me! Learn the basics of social media marketing from yours truly at the Goggleworks in Reading.

Spring Workshops with the Pennsylvania Guild – by Nick Mohler
Lancaster, Reading, Pottstown

The Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen’s slate of workshops in May and June are geared towards craft enthusiasts, emerging artists and established craftsmen. Registration is open to everyone through the Guild’s website at or via phone at 717-431-8706.

On May 9 in Reading, Wendy Schuster will teach ‘PMC Hollow Beads‘ at the Goggleworks. Beads and bead stringing have always enjoyed popularity in creating pieces for personal adornment. In this Advanced PMC class the student will learn how to make their own beautiful one-of-a-kind Fine Silver beads in a style that is uniquely their own. Instructor will teach two methods to create hollow forms or beads.

Get behind a torch on Wednesday evenings starting May 20 and learn how to make your own glass beads in ‘Wednesday Evening Glass Beads!’ Jason Ryner directs this relaxed, casual yet highly informative weekly class with lots of personal torch time. No experience necessary. This class gives students the tools, tips and techniques to spark their passion with glass. Classes are held at 560 S. Prince St, Lancaster.

Ever wish your coffee mug or pottery could look back you and express an emotion? Learn how to make whimsical, folk-style pottery in ‘Face Pottery‘ with Amedeo Salamoni, a juried member of the Pennsylvania Guild on May 30 at 560 S. Prince St, Lancaster. He will demonstrate the technique of making face jugs and pottery forms.

Work with molten glass! In this fast-paced and friendly course, students will learn to ‘gather’ glass and create solid forms with an emphasis on safety. Joel Bless and fellow glassblowers begin each class with a brief lecture on safety and a discussion of mechanics and materials. ‘Glass Blowing‘ will be held on June 6 at Glasslight Studios in Saint Peters, PA.

‘Hand-created Open Weave‘ will be held on June 13 with Susan Weaver. Using a portable hand-loom, students have fun exploring a variety of open weave patterns, such as Danish Medallion and Brooks Bouquet. They make lovely, open, airy wall hangings, or interesting borders on hand-woven fabric. None of these techniques can be duplicated by machines, so they are truly one-of-a-kind weavings. No experience necessary. All skill levels welcome.

Learn to harness the power of social media and web 2.0 to market your business during ‘Internet Marketing: Free & Easy‘ on June 16 at the Goggleworks in Reading. It’s all free and easy! Make new friends & gain followers – Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and blogs will allow you to create a viral marketing campaign for free. Tara Gentile, of HandmadeinPA.net, will lead attendees through registering accounts, branding your new sites, building a readership base, and creating a buzz about your craftsmanship.

Lisa Muller leads ‘Slip Cast-making‘ on June 27 at the Gallery School of Pottstown. Slip casting tile is an alternative to press molding. The molds for the two techniques are similar, so why slip cast? In this one day workshop we will discover how slip casting tile works and why it may be the right vehicle for your tile imagery or work style. Basics of carving an original and casting an open face mold in plaster will be covered.

Beginner classes on Feltmaking, Pottery, Stoolmaking, Jewelry and Chairmaking are also scheduled in various locations around Lancaster county. Contact the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen at 717-431-8706 or visit their website for additional details and class information.