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Chapter Champs: Happily Hooked on Crochet Club Chapter of CGOA

Chapter Champs Interview by Gwen Blakley Kinser Fourth in a series of interviews with inspiring CGOA chapter members: Grace Aquila, President Happily Hooked on Crochet Chapter of CGOA
GBK: Your chapter was started in 2001 by Dee Stanziano. Were you involved at that time in getting the chapter going also? Grace: I found the group through a co-worker about a year into its creation. Loved the people and getting together with them and crocheting. Dee: We were officially recognized as a Chapter in October 2001, right after 9/11. At that time, to start a Chapter, five CGOA members were required. The founders are: Hilda Nichols (deceased), Ruth Arbitelle (deceased), Ruth Young, Kay Perna, and myself.While I have returned to college and am still recovering from an arm injury, I’m still involved with the Chapter and act as co-Vice President with Nancy Smith. Ruth Young, our oldest member (and forever ‘young’) is one of our most active members, crocheting many items for our various charity drives. G…
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Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Feminist Icon, Collector of Crochet

When I first began to hear promotions for a new documentary about Ruth Bader Ginsburg, RBG, I was intrigued. Familiar with her as an important public figure and life-long advocate for human rights, I wanted to learn more.
I must admit that I often look to intelligent and strong women as role models and they may become heroes. In this case, with the knowledge of Ruth’s large collection of jabot/collars and her appreciation of fine lace and crochet collars, she became an instant icon to me.

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Crocheting with Unusual Materials

I was about to blog about crocheting with porcelain clay recently and got to thinking about all the other strange/interesting materials I've crocheted with during my long crochet journey!
#Consider Listening to your inner artist and let me know what interesting things you have crocheted with.

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Inspiration from Indigenous Art

My family moved to Quito Ecuador in 1988 for my husband's job with J. I. Case farm and industrial equipment. During the two years we lived in Quito, the capitol city, I was privileged to explore and learn about the amazing artisan culture and history of the country. I’m indebted to the American & Canadian Women’s Group; my landlady, Irma; and Carmen, the Director of the clinic where I volunteered. Without their knowledge & willingness to share, I would not have been able to access many of the “out-of-the-way” villages where I  investigated the rich textile folk art of generous indigenous artisans!
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Book Review: The Art of Crochet Blankets by Rachele Carmona

No matter whether you have an opinion about crocheted blankets (afghans) or not, Rachele's  book published in 2018 by Interweave will certainly give you a new approach to tradition.
Her subtitle tells the story: her 18 projects are "inspired by modern makers."

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Book Review - Artistry in Fiber, Vol. 2: Sculpture by Anne Lee & E. Ashley Rooney

Proudly, I review this book which was published in 2017 because it includes 6 of the artists I included in my book, The Fine Art of Crochet, published in 2013. Featuring her work on the back cover honors Bonnie Meltzer; and her work featured in the Introduction honors Donna Rosenthal. I also wrote about Jerry Bleem, Norma Minowitz, Karen Searle and Yvette Kaiser Smith.



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Ancient Guilds and Why CGOA Stands for Crochet GUILD of America

It is no coincidence that our beloved association was named a Guildand its soon-to-follow affiliate groups were named Chapters. As the Founder, along with other generous volunteers with knowledge of by-laws, we began to create them for our association. In 1995, when our pursuit of 501c3 status was granted, our bylaws regarding this issue read as follows:

“Section 4 Chapters 4.1 Names and Domain Local Chapters, State Organizations and Regional Organizations, termed chapters in these Bylaws, who wish to become members of the CGOA shall adopt a name including “Chapter of Crochet Guild of America”. CGOA shall assume no liability for its chapters. 4.3 Recognition Chapters shall adopt Bylaws consistent with these Bylaws and the purposes of which shall be substantially the same as those of the CGOA. Chapters may be unincorporated or incorporated under the laws of the state in which the chapter is located.”
On November 3, 2017, the Membership voted to approve updated By-laws and this section did no…
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