British Polymer Clay Guild

Of
The British Polymer Clay Guild

Contact ;- Gaynor Fryer
gaynor.fryer (AT) talktalk.net

All copies of the Midland Region newsletter can be found

HERE

The 2010 workshop programme is shown in the link below.
2010 REVISED WORKSHOP PROGRAMME

The Midlands Regional Branch of the British Polymer Clay Guild was founded in June 2002 as a result of phenomenal interest. There was a great demand for demonstrations and workshops particularly in the making of polymer clay miniature food, dolls and other items.

There was much to consider, not least of all with our initial problem of a blank bank balance. A generous donation from the Guild allowed us to stand and take our first few steps.

The Midlands Regional Branch was set up to serve the interests of members of the British Polymer Clay Guild living in the Midlands. I consider the boundaries of the Midlands to be very fluid - some members travel regularly from as far afield as Cheshire whilst others living as close as Birmingham feel that Lichfield is too far to travel to. We have some keen members who have visited us from Scotland and even Cyprus SO if you feel you can travel to our meetings here is Lichfield, Staffordshire consider yourself a “Midlander”!

As the Midlands Branch works for the benefit of BPCG members, all workshops are made available to BPCG members initially and on a first come (paid), first served basis. Any remaining places will then be offered to interested non-members.

It was decided that we should meet on a 2 monthly basis. Our January meeting is designated a Play Day. There is no charge for admission, the new programme is announced and those present have first chance of booking their choice of workshops before they are publicised on the Guild web site. There are usually demonstrations/workshops of some kind.

Thereafter we hold workshops every 2 months designating the “Second Sunday” of every second month a polymer clay day.

The main aim of our regional branch is to offer members whatever they want – unfortunately we cannot do this for nothing. Our tutors have worked and studied for many years to reach their levels of skill and now make their living from passing on their skills to us and they as well as the venue we hire must also be paid for as well as administrative and travelling costs funded.

We have debated long and hard on how best to price our events. Making a loss would mean the demise of the club; prices too high would result in a lack of bookings and loss of members, particularly in a recession. With the understanding that we cannot please all of the people all of the time, we have laid a basic framework.

The cost of the “average” all day workshop with in house tutors is being held at £30.00 for 2010 but with a £5 discount for BPCG members. A minimum of 10 people will normally be required to ensure a workshop can go ahead on a financially viable basis but we have never as yet cancelled a workshop for lack of numbers. When more than 10 people attend a bonus will be paid to the tutor. Where the tutor provides basic workshop kits, these will be paid for on the day directly to the tutor. (Approx. £5 - £10).

When guest tutors are invited prices will vary accordingly.

The venue we anticipate using for the foreseeable future is The Conservatory, Curborough Hall Craft Centre, Watery Lane, Lichfield in Staffordshire.

Previous workshops held here have been very successful, not least because of the wonderful catering provided by the Centre restaurant – Mabel’s and lunch can always be booked as an optional extra to complete your day out.

There is also a wide range of interesting craft shops, antique/collectable units, a garden centre and farm shop etc. to visit. You can read more about our venue and find information, directions and maps etc on www.curboroughcrafts.co.uk

Occasionally weekend polymer clay workshops are offered by Guild recognised tutors for the complete beginner or the more advanced “clayers”. Students have travelled from throughout the British Isles and as far afield as Cyprus to attend these longer courses.

Where overnight accommodation is required please try www.visitlichfield.com

Each year I try and update a register of the “Midland members”. This is to control my email contacts address book and avoid sending out unwanted email. Many people change servers without informing me. So - although you may already be a Guild member and live in our region and may have attended past meetings you will NOT be automatically added to my 2010 register. So, please “register your interest” in the Midlands Regional Branch of the British Polymer Clay Guild for 2010 by emailing me your full details of name, address, telephone number, email address and Guild membership number with expiry date.

Please do not hesitate in contacting me for any further information.

With best wishes