History:

The Maui Crafts Guild has a rich history. It began as a corporation in 1982 with 30 members. Some of the original founding members are still currently active in the co-op. It is a Fine Crafts Guild, and therefore does not sell Fine Art. It focuses on ceramics, basket- weaving, textiles, jewelry, glass, woodwork and other crafts.

When the guild began, there were no craft stores on the island. Each individual crafts person produced their craft and sold their products through craft fairs, swap meets, word of mouth and whatever other means seemed to work. Crafts were also sold in Fine Art Galleries, but the artisans found it was hard to make a living that way since the selling price of craft items tended to be less than its fine art counterparts. After awhile, the founding members of the guild noticed they would see the same faces selling their wares at the craft fairs around the island. After meeting and discussing their plight, the craft people of Maui joined together and founded the Maui Crafts Guild. It began with 7 members, and after 6 months it incorporated with 30 members.