Hi

Was having a browse around the Web and came across the British Polymer Clay Guild

Could anyone let me know if they are a member? and is it worth joining?

Just looking for more ideas and chat about polyclay

Tracey

I was a member some years ago. And then last year I signed up again.

I signed up again last year since some of the members at the time were involved in discussions with Fimo about their formulation changes and I wanted to add my weight to that. But nothing much seemed to come of that.

When I was a member before, they did a nice-ish newsletter a few times a year with news and projects. I am not sure if they stopped doing that or just forgot to send it to me this time around, but throughout my membership last year, I don't recall getting one.

They do have a members only forum, although it isn't really very active at all (I think there is more active polymer clay chat here than there judging by the last time I looked)

I guess though it is one of those things where you get out of it what you put in. And if you make more of any effort to get in touch with people, use the forum, do bead swaps or whatever, you would feel more involved.

For me though, I won't be bothering to renew my subscription. I think I would rather put the money towards rejoining the beadworkers guild or something else.

Emma

Thanks for that Emma

The site didnt look all that 'inviting' to be honest thats why I wanted to check with someone first

Like this site, the help, advice and nice people

Ta

Tracey

On my table at the Polyclay thingy there were three people from the Guild and they were keen to push it...but I wasn't convinced!!

I think they have had some discussion about whether or not all the content on the site should be accessible by everybody, members or not.

I don't understand why they have the forum private.

If they opened it up, not only would there be more discussion there, but also more people would be encouraged to join their guild. I always thought it a bit shortsighted keeping it private.

It is the same with the glass beadmakers guild too.


I think when you get these private forums for guilds they can sometime end up a bit cliquey. I have seen some in my time that are nothing but private clubs for members to gossip about non-members. I think there is something about members-only / private forums that really seems to become a breeding ground for that sort of thing unfortunately.

Emma

I have struggled to find out about the British Guild - it seemed quite a "closed shop".....

As a result I launched a European based Forum - free and open to all and then I personally joined the NPCG based in America.

Kylee

Thanks everyone

Thats the first impression I got 'very hush, hush' and not inviting

Also it did say that alot of the site is still 'under construction!' No, the impression wasn't good and now I know

Going to have a look at the NPCG though Any handy hints and tips always welcome and they may have lots!

Tracey


ps: my pasta machine and pearl-ex powders arrived last nite