As the Founder of the Crochet Guild of America, I am so proud to be celebrating OUR Thirtieth Anniversary! It has been a journey that led to much crochet happiness; we came together, shared our passions, our skills and our committment to develop CGOA into THE organization exclusively for crocheters! For 30 years we have have steadily moved forward to meet the needs and passions of crocheters everywhere, broadening our range of activities and moving into an online presense to meet many and varied interests of those near and far.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the journey alongside new and loyal members of our organization, CGOA! Impressive Board members have brought energy and amazing skills to their positions over the years. Challenges, at times, were met head on and we continued to move forward. We created traditions and earned status within the Craft/Yarn industry. This could not have happened without the many, many contributions of members who also brought professional skills voluntarily offered to ensure that our fledgling group continued to advance. I am deeply grateful to the many past volunteers as well as to those yet to give of their talents to the exciting future of CGOA.
I
have appreciated being able to meet many of you in person; yit's the members and chapters make our Guild special! CGOA cultivates an inspiring network of enthusiastic
crocheters. This network includes 30 years of
members who not only love crochet but also want to
meet and spend time with other crocheters, all while
improving their crochet skills.
Today, CGOA remains the ONLY organization exclusively serving crocheters!
"Today CGOA is a thriving organization consistently evolving from its original roots in Chicago, 1994. We bring a diverse audience with a passion for crochet to:
- facilitate charitble work
- offer education to help build crochet skills
- provide professional mentorship and nurture aspiring professionals
- create Masters skill building and evaluate portfolios
- promote crochet as an artform
- provide scholarships
- honor accomplishments in the craft
- conduct in-person and online events and networking." www.crochet.org
It is not surpising, yet still amazing, that we have arrived in 2024 prepared to celebrate our Thirtieth Anniversary under the able leadership of our President, Lindsey Stephens and her talented Board of Directors. They have worked tirelessly to make sure that this special achievement is celebrated the whole year long.
February 2024: Sandra Breuer, Chair of the Hall of Fame Committee is interviewing Hall of Fame Recipients. My interview: Gwen Interview All Hall of Fame Recipients: HOF
Spring 2024: Chan Link Newsletter: Vice President, Melissa Hall announced: Chain Link
is marking CGOA’s 30th anniversary
by inviting folks who were a part of our
founding and growth to share their stories.
First up in this issue is Crochet: A Dream Realized with Guild founder and our first board President." Gwen Blakley Kinsler
June 1, 2024: A new Quarterly Crochet-Along will be celebratory. A materials list is available now to ensure you have the perfect yarns to follow the free pattern on June 1.
July 1, 2024: Hosted by Yvette Malloy-Jiggetts: New members, join this informal social gathering, where we can meet, get to know each other and indulge in some crochet conversation. Be sure to bring a project to work on while we chat it up! 7/25-28, 2024 Ch Sp Retreat in Connecticut Featuring world-class crochet workshops, plenty of time to socialize, and a group shopping trip to Webs – America’s Yarn Store – this retreat will be an opportunity to step outside the hustle of daily life to learn, relax and hook up with fellow crocheters.
October 2024: The Fall Issue of Crochet World Magazine features an article about the 30th Anniversary of CGOA
Take time to Celebrate CGOA this year; endulge yourself and participate in everything CGOA has to offer during this fantastic 30th Anniversary Celebration! You deserve it!
2007: I started blogging; so please forgive me; I don't have links to share from th eearly Conferences.
1992: the first CGOA logo appeared in the Chain Link Newsletter. The first chapter, Northern Illinois Chapter of CGOA, led the way; and chapters began to develop in all parts of the U. S.
1994: The success of first Chain Link Crochet Conference, Ancient Roots ~ New Beginnings, set a precedent and template for future conferences. During the weekend, we were treated to a variety of unique classes taught by distinguished designer/teachers; an exquisite juried crochet art exhibit; appearances by leaders in the craft Industry; a slide lecture by Annie Potter of Annie's Attic; a small marketplace with fine temptations that every crocheter needed 😉; an impromptu fashion show; door prizes; lunches & dinners where we made new friends with similar crochet interests; and comfortable dorm rooms. For those who chose to stay an additional two days, an optional workshop was taught by Pauline Turner of England!
1992-2014: I resumed writing a Pictorial History of CGOA in 2015, as requested by Mary Colucci of the Craft Yarn Council. Her input is included in the final form. Celebrating our Tenth Anniversary is included in this document.
4/30/2009: CGOA celebrates 15 years: 15 8/16/2010: Crocheters and knitters have long had a friendly rivalry and crocheters like to say, "we are hooked." I came to the 15th Anniversary Conference with a loosely put together script. Once there, the excitement of the celebration began to grow and before I knew it I was acting on the stage of the Marketplace! Many thanks to the actors, and expecially to Irene and Alex Ianelli, the Producer and Photographer. Crocheters just wanna have fun! 7/21/2014: CGOA Celebrates 20 years: 20 9/6/2019: CGOA celebrates the 25 years 25
Thankfully, our beloved CGOA does not remain static. We have been led by talented board members, mentored by yarn industry professionals, nurtured and cared for by thousands! The yarn/craft industry has supported us generously; and we will be forever indebted to the Craft Yarn Council which provided our first day-to-day business support (1997-2003); Offinger Management Company (2003-2017); and Celtic Chicago Management (2017-22).
As our CGOA history continues to unfold, it is my hope that the knowledge and memories of the past will endure and be honored. We learn from history, both its successes and its failures. It is by acknowledging our past and adapting to our present that future volunteers will be able to lead us successfully and ensure that our legacy endures.
It has been my pleasure to be a part of the Crochet Guild of all these years and to watch it flourish. More importantly, I have also seen our members flourish because of crochet in their lives! Crochet has been with us for celebrations big and small; for giving and receivng; to calm or excite us; it has marked the development of our skills and many milestones throughout our lives. From my heart to yours: thank you!
Hooks 'n Happiness,
Gwen
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