About a week or more ago, Kellie and I hung up flyers everywhere we could think of, announcing the first meeting of Anchorage’s new (and yet to be named) polymer clay guild.  We could hardly wait. Being new friends, Kellie and I shared with each other our frustrations and feelings of isolation as polymer clay artists in Alaska.  We knew of a few local “clayers” and met many in the community that wished to learn more about the stuff.  A guild seemed to be the perfect solution. So why were we so anxious at 7:30 on the fateful Tuesday? The meeting was scheduled for 7 PM and Kellie and I were the only ones there.
I am happy to say that Kellie and I did not have a repeat of that no-show meeting.  The next meeting, we had one other person show up.  It was Kellie’s boss, Linda.  Linda, I think of as a modern day wise woman.  Not only is she a wonderfully talented and accomplished artist, she is a knowledgeable businesswoman and generous teacher in all areas.  Linda is also a past president of the quite sizable Alaska Bead Society, making her an incredibly valuable resource. (Not to mention she’s also a kick in the pants to hang out with.)  Hey, it was progress!
Due to our heavy show scheduled over the summer, we discontinued our guild efforts, but it certainly was not forgotten.  A name was chosen, a logo created, business cards printed and web space reserved.  The Alaska Polymer Art Guild existed.  (If only in spirit and on card stock.)
Those cards moved pretty well over the course of the summer.  At every show, festival, and fair Kellie and I did, we talked to folks interested in polymer clay.  We handed out cards, got names collected addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses.  Kellie even recruited interested parties through her new job at one of Anchorage’s premier bead shops.  Come September, we were ready to try again.
It was once more 7pm at the Barnes and Noble Cafe’.  This time however, we weren’t alone.  There were several others that joined us.  They all varied in background, experience and interests, and they all had input on what they wished to get out of the guild.  Many even claimed to have friends and relatives that would be interested in joining.
The energy level at that meeting was so high.... it was intoxicating.  There was talk of clay play days, a guild video/book lending library, weekend retreats, participating in local craft shows, fundraisers, bringing up guest artists, etc. 
Things were certainly shaping up.
The talk continued on to more immediate, pragmatic matters such as, meeting place, time, range to topics at meetings, and of course dues.  By the next meeting, all those issues were not only addressed but settled.  We had a great, reasonably priced meeting place where we could do clay work, an agreed upon time, (the most challenging issue so far.), and dues set (in some cases, already paid)
We were on the way.

 Kellie and I bid good night to every one, thanking them for coming as we all walked through the lamp lit parking lot to our respective vehicles.  “See ya next time.” They called.  We in turn, promised to bring this and that..... and talk about such and thus...  As we found that it was just the two of us, we looked at each other, grinned broadly and gave each other a high five.
Yup, we were well on the way.