By: Shelley Rodgers

** WHAT SCD MEMBERSHIP CAN DO FOR YOU

The Society of Craft Designers provides a meeting place for
designers, writers, manufacturers, retailers, publishers,
distributors, instructors and demonstrators ... in short,
all those who develop and interpret high-quality crafts for
the consumer.

As an individual member, SCD can help you build your image
as a professional within the consumer craft industry;
develop creative competence in the marketplace; and explore
creative opportunities within the industry.

SCD helps you accomplish these things through these
membership services designed just for you:

- Educational Seminars: four day educational seminars held
annually each June offer opportunites for polishing and
refining individual knowledge, expertise and skills.
Sessions are conducted by leading professionals both in and
out of the craft industry, and all sessions are designed to
help you meet the many challenges facing those involved in
consumer crafts.

- Newsletter: published bi-monthly for members, the
newsletter keeps you up-to-date on SCD and industry
happenings.  (Regular features include: "The Business of
Design", "The Society Page", "President's Message" and
Reference Library update.)  Columns focus on attaining and
maintaining a professional approach to all business
relationships.

- Certification Program: as SCD members are constantly
striving to improve the quality of designs and
professionalism within the consumer craft industry, SCD has
introduced a Certification Program.  Members graduating
from this program will have exhibited a knowledge of and
accomplishments within the industry.

- Crafts Auction & Bazaar: held during the January HIA
trade show, the Crafts Auction serves as a showcase
for members' work.  This event provides opportunities for
personal publicity in the trade and consumer press.

- Designers Showcase: held once each year, during the
Educational Seminar, the Designers Showcase gives designers
an opportunity to display their creative concepts and
designs to manufacturers and publishers in a relaxed
atmosphere.

- Reference Library: SCD gathers for its members reference
materials on such vital areas as copy rights, contracts,
taxes, insurance, health hazards, photography, instruction
writing, etc.

- Referral Service: a listing service, computerized for
instant updated, is available to manufacturers and
publishers seeking designers qualified to work in specific
areas of the industry.  Individual members who wish to take
on additional assignments may take advantage of this
referral service.

- Who's Who in Crafts: as a handy aid for manufacturers,
publishers and designers, the SCD publishes annually a
"Register of Craft Designers", listing all individual and
corporate members, along with their areas of expertise.
The Register shows the breadth and scope of talent and
experience available within SCD membership.

- Scholarship Contest: also taking the long view of
increasing our membership's professional standing, the SCD
sponsors a scholarship contest to assist those interested
in pursuing a career in design with tuition expense.
Candidates must submit a design showing a new use or
adaptation of an exisiting material or the use of a new
craft material.  The scholarship may be awarded annually
based on need and quality of design work.

** ABOUT SCD

The Society of Craft Designers was founded in 1975 by
Patricia Nimocks, along with 70 creative people who
attended the first meeting in Chicago.  Its purpose then,
as now, is to help members serve the consumer craft industry
effectively.

In all, SCD membership represents over 80 different
crafts, along with experience in 21 different categories
ranging from new product design and development to
teaching, TV and Radio programs, writing, marketing and
merchandising.

** WHO SHOULD JOIN?

An individual member is any person interested in, or
actively involved in promoting consumer crafts through:
creative projects to meet the needs and interest of the
consuer; demonstrating craft techniques, teaching
workshops, or conducting seminars; writing or publishing for
the craft market, reviving old crafts, creating new crafts,
or inventing craft material; and providing the consumer
with access to craft materials.  If you are seeking to
increase your expertise and professionalism as a designer
and/or teacher, then you should join as an individual
member.

** APPLICATION

Society of Craft Designers
6175 Barfield Road, Ste 220
Atlanta, GA  30328

404/252-2454

Name:
Position:
Company Name:
Address:
City, State, Zip:
Telephone:

Dues amount is $100 and payable at time of application.
Dues payments to this organization are not deductible as
charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.
However, dues payments may be deductible to members as an
ordinary and necessary business expense.  Please consult
your tax advisor for specific advice.