The purpose of this study was to explore inductively older women's involvement in textile handcraft guilds as a conduit for successful aging. Research salient to textile handcraft guilds and the process of aging provided a base from which the study was launched. Data collection included qualitative methods, using a constant comparative procedure of coding and interpreting data gathered through interviews with 30 craftwomen informants. Analysis revealed that the data split into two distinct themes pertaining to successful aging: (a) components realized by the self, or Craft as I; and (b) components that required the involvement of other individuals to be realized, or Guild as We. Through guild membership, women made a conscious effort to provide structure to their lives. The women were able to achieve affective as well as cognitive experiences through craft participation and the finished products. A grounded theory and model of guild membership for successful aging emerged.
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