The Standards Committee
Teresa Pitzer and Lynn Brown are the current co-chairs of the Market's Standards Committee. This all volunteer committee is responsibe for assuring compliance with Market's core value that the Maker is the Seller. We are not a craft jury. Instead, we only assure that your craft meets the three basic standards as defined in the Member Information Handbook, and any craft specific guidelines.
The Committee meets the third Wednesday of each month after product screening. We do new product screenings twice monthly on the first and third Wednesdays starting in March. The next scheduled Standards Screenings are:
- Wednesday, March 3, 3 PM
- Wednesday, March 17, 3 PM
- Wednesday, April 7, 3 PM
- Wednesday, April 21, 3 PM
Product screening sessions start with a New Member Orientation. You must attend an orientation session before selling. The New Product Screening Form needs to be presented with your items, you can download it and fill it out in advance if you prefer, or fill it out in the office.
Market's Board of Directors reviews all proposals and decisions of the Committee for final approval.
In addition to product screening, this Committee is charged with formulating the guidelines that define handcrafted. Currently we are considering the role of technology in creating a handcrafted product - things like computer generated art, digitally altered photography, and the use of CAD, CNC and CAM equipment that can replicate or replace traditional skills and methods. Where does craft end and computer programming begin? Is computer programming becoming a 21st century craft? Should traditional methods be protected at the expense of newer means of production? Could we become a market of Luddites or a conservator of traditional arts and crafts; weighty issues with profound implications for the future of Market, and all our current and future members. Your input is, as always, welcome.
Committee membership is open to any active Market member. Voting rights are granted after attendance at three consecutive meetings. All committee meetings are open to anyone and you are very welcome to attend.