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ADHERING TO STANDARDS

Guild standards for accepted work require that the materials used be fundamentally transformed by the maker resulting in work which demonstrates technical fluency, integrity of intent, and a spirited sense of personal vision. 

Each piece should demonstrate that attention has been paid to all surfaces, including the back surface. Connections both hot and cold should be physically strong. The work should be durable and well-made so that it has a reasonable lifespan when used for its intended purpose.

Components and accessories

Components or accessories are parts that are not made in the studio by the juried guild member which are incorporated into craft objects. Such components and accessories are acceptable and appropriate only if they are of high quality construction and materials; they do not visibly dominate the finished object; and they would not be reasonably interpreted, based upon appearance, as objects created by the guild member.

Standards criteria for clay, functional, decorative, and jewelry

  • Forms should reflect a strong, consistent, and original stylistic development.
  • Glazing and decoration should fit and enhance the form in a way that is integral to the function and expression of the piece.
  • Thickness of clay should be in proportion and harmony with the form and function of the piece. Each piece should be finished inside and out.
  • In functional work, surfaces which come in contact with food, the clay and glaze should be fired to maturity and fit each other without excessive crazing, crawling or shivering.
  • In functional work, handles and surfaces which come into contact with food or furniture should be without sharp edges.
  • Attachments should be physically strong. Handles spouts and lids should function well.
  • Any purchased parts must be of high quality and not dominate the work such as lamp parts, bamboo handles, clockworks, etc.

Standards criteria for fiber (baskets, weaving, stitchery, surface design, knitting and crochet)

Standards for baskets

  • A successful basket is made from materials appropriate for its primary function whether expressive decorative or utilitarian.
  • Baskets which are used for storage and carrying need to be structurally strong and made from materials that will weave a firm and compact form. 
  • The weaving ends should be secured and finished in a way that makes them inconspicuous. 
  • Materials chosen for the basket should be appropriate for size, function and design.Forms should reflect a strong, consistent and original stylistic development.
  • Any color or decoration should fit and enhance the form in a way that is integral to the function and expression of the piece.
  • Each basket should be finished inside and out.
  • Handles and rims should be strong, smooth to the touch, and firmly attached.

Standards criteria for weaving

  •   A successful woven piece is made from materials appropriate for its primary function          whether expressive, decorative or utilitarian.
  •   The finished product must be made from high-quality materials suitable for the intended purpose. Enhancements to the finished piece should be well-made and not dominate the work.
  •   Pieces should have even and consistent weaving showing control and mastery of weave structure, warping, tension, and finishing. Selvages should be even and straight.
  •   All woven fabrics (except decorative pieces) must be wet finished.  Other finishing details include pressing, blocking, securing and weaving in loose ends. All wearable woven pieces must include a tag with fiber content and care instructions.

Standards for stitchery

  • A successful stitched piece is made from materials appropriate for its primary function, whether expressive, decorative are utilitarian.
  • The finished product must be made from high-quality materials suitable for the intended purpose. Enhancements to the finished piece should be well-made and not dominate the work. Thread color choices should be considered in the design of the object.
  • Precision is required, whether work is machine or hand stitched. This includes uniform stitching and tension throughout the object. Appropriate fabric, thread and other materials used, with no visible markings. All seams and raw edges should be finished in functional anesthetic manner. Bulk of materials should be  handled properly in layering or seams. Consideration should be given to cut, drape, and bias. All corners of machine or hand stitched pieces should be precise and even. Stripes, plaids and other patterns should be precisely matched wherever appropriate.
  • All fabrics should be washed or dry cleaned, suitably prepared before use. Fabrics should be wearability tested. All washing instructions should be thoroughly tested and included with the piece. As appropriate, finished objects should be pressed, dry cleaned or steamed.

Standards  for surface design, includes painting, stenciling, shibori, appliqué, stamping, batik, etc.

  • Materials and fabrics should complement the process being applied.
  • All dies or textile paints used in surface design must be properly heat or steam set and washed.
  • Objects must be washed tested by the crafts person before marketing. Care labels must be clear and detailed, listing fabrics, techniques used and care instructions.
  • Vat dyed fabric should be free of streaks and soda or salt blemishes unless this is clearly intended in the design of the piece.
  • If hand screened techniques are used, the hand screening should be precise and consistent. If the design is intended to be regular, it should be obviously intentional.
  • If using fabric resist, the resist must be properly removed from the fabric and not leave halos, yellowing, or unsuitable texture.

Standards for knitting and crocheting

  • Pieces should have even and consistent stitches which lay flat without tension and puckering. Good quality yarn in an appropriate weight for the project is recommended.
  • Yarn attachments should be unnoticeable and interwoven into the texture with no knots left in the piece.
  • Seams must be sewn securely, inconspicuously, and be appropriate to the yarn weight used in the garment. Buttons for cardigan sweaters should be appropriate and fit the buttonholes. Any purchased parts must be of high quality.
  • Finished work should be blocked.
  • Tags are labels must list fiber content and care instructions.

Standards criteria for glass

  • Unless done for a specific aesthetic or functional intent, all sharp edges must be removed.
  • Structural integrity must match the intent of use. Fused glasses must be compatible, and all glass properly annealed.
  • Freestanding panels must have zinc, wood or other structural border.
  • Glass must be properly cleaned and or polished.
  • Use of solder and adhesives should be well-controlled and appropriate to the design and function of the piece.
  • The use of color, pattern, cuts, carving, leading, and surface treatments must be in harmony with the form and function of the peace.
  • All materials used, including glass, came, solder, paints, framing materials, lighting components, clock parts, etc., must be of the highest quality for durability and aesthetic consideration, and must not dominate the work.
  • Commercial stained glass patterns may not be used.

Standards criteria for metal:  black smithing,sculpture,metal casting, jewelry, silversmithing, knife making, musical instruments

  • Connections, both hot and cold, should be physically strong.
  • The work should be durable and well-made so that it has a reasonable lifespan when used for its intended purpose.
  • The joining, fitting and finishing of any pieces should be the result of conscious decision and control.
  • Any firescale problems must be resolved. Solder joints are clean.
  • Any purchased parts must be of high quality and be well integrated in the work. Findings should be of high quality, function properly, and be compatible with the materials in the piece.

Standards for enameling

  • All enamels must have counter enamel unless fired on Iron.  
  • They should be labeled as kiln fired glass on metal(Determined by the US Enameling Society)or torch fired glass on metal.
  • Enamel on rings or bracelets should be champleve or have a protective bezel. 

Standards criteria for mixed media

  • Artistry of a piece involves design and composition. Presentation, innovation and creativity also come into play. Form, color and mass should all be working together to make an integrated whole.
  • Each piece should demonstrate that attention has been paid to all surfaces.
  • The work should be durable, structurally strong and well made so that it has a reasonable lifespan when used for its intended purpose.
  • Any enhancements to the finished piece, hanging supports, findings, and accessories should be of high quality, function properly, and be physically strong and well integrated with the work.
  • The use of adhesive’s should be controlled and appropriate to the design and function of the piece. Choice of adhesive must be appropriate to the material and it intended use.

Standards for prints

  • High-quality materials should be used throughout the printing process.
  • If work is framed, the frame should be appropriate to the piece, be of high quality and not dominate the work.
  • Each print should be signed and numbered in pencil. The number of the individual print, as well as the total number of prints in the addition should be noted.
  • The printmaker should demonstrate a sensitivity when using color and an awareness and control of design and composition elements.
  • The juried craft person must create the imagery, color choices and design and create the plates, blocks, stones, or screens of the print. One of these should be presented to  the jury with the printed piece.
  • The juried crafts person must be capable of perform all aspects of the printing process.They must present a printing plate along with work to become a member of the guild

Standards criteria for non-metal jewelry

  • Attention should be given to all surfaces, including the back or underside of the work. The joining, fitting, and finishing of all pieces must be the result of the craftsperson’s conscious decision and control.
  • Connections soldered, glued, stitched are otherwise attached should be physically strong. Findings must be of high quality, function properly, and be compatible with the materials of the piece.
  • Any adhesives or glue used in fabricating the work must be carefully applied with no squeeze out visible. Choice of adhesive must be appropriate to the material and its intended use.
  • The work should be durable and well-made so that it has a reasonable lifespan when used for its intended purpose.
  • Any purchased parts must be of high quality and be well integrated into the work.

Standards criteria for wood

  • All pieces must show a high quality finish at least equal to any fine interior furniture.
  • Attention should be paid to all areas of the piece, including the back, bottom, and inside.
  • Good quality hardware should be used and well installed.
  • The construction of the piece should be of the best quality by today’s standards.
  • The piece should show the makers spirit and individuality of design.

Standards for wood carving

  • Painting and decoration should fit and enhance the form in a way that is integral to the function and expression of the piece.
  • Any parts must be of high quality and well integrated into the work.
  • Each item must be individually carved by the juried crafts person.
  • Mounting and display should not dominate the carving.
  • Realistic carving, whether songbirds or waterfowl, must reflect the species accurately.
  • Folk carving and interpretive carving may rely less on accuracy for impact. All other requirements apply.