Thinking about my blog this last year is like walking past a long-neglected craft room. What used to be a fun spot to hang out and create is now a shameful reminder of good things gone fallow. Shelves that used to hold tidy stacks of yarn are now disheveled, tangled like spilled spaghetti. And the craft table, that blank slate so full of crafting promise, is now piled high with plastic bags from the craft store and projects gone wrong.
But I love this creative space! So get back in there, girl.
Life has been a little upside down lately. (I’m sure I’ll talk more about that in future posts.) And sadly, this sweet blog took the hit for life changes and time squeezes. But let me share what I’ve been giving my creative energy to . . .
After years of publishing jewelry-making patterns in magazines like Stringing, and the like, I got a book contract. Longtime readers may remember that this was a goal I had, and I was thrilled to see it realized. My book, Global Style Jewelry came out in 2016. With its publication came neat opportunities and new friends. But not long after, our beloved Stringing Magazine shuttered and to this day, there is no other jewelry-making magazine that quite fills its void.
That’s where I come in.
I decided, in the quaintest way ever, to try and make a magazine to take its place. It’s called Travelogue Magazine. Travelogue is a quarterly, indie e-mag that features 20-some original jewelry designs. Similar to the J. Peterman-style of my book, I “travel” to a different destination each issue and glean its design inspiration. From ancient craft, to specific design styles, to natural wonders, each issue is a love letter to some distant place, wrought in jewelry design. I think you’d love it.
Travelogue has been a passion project, straight up. Even if no one ever read it, I would keep designing pieces and writing copy for this little indie e-mag. I design the pieces in my studio, and publish each issue from this very desktop. It’s “in-house,” for sure. Who of us can’t relate to that? Those precious projects that may not make sense to everyone else, but they keep you creative, they make you alive.
And it’s an independent voice. Push past all of Amazon’s offerings (if you can!) and you’ll find independent makers, self-supporting artists, people that believe in making beauty. All of us makers make a neat tribe, don’t we? Though often disconnected, we are a collective of creative voices that inspire and innovate, pursue mastery and together make life lovely.
If you’re missing Stringing Magazine or if you want to see something new, leave a comment below and I’ll send you a complimentary issue of Travelogue.
Or buy a subscription for you or a friend here.
Handmade by Anne Potter 
That is great. I miss Stringing magazine as I used to get published in it and was so sad when they stopped it. I would love to contribute to your magazine. so do inform me if you need a post or images.
PS: your contact me link is broken.
It’s so good to hear from you – how nice to connect with another Stringing designer 🙂 Yes, I will be in touch! And thank you for the head’s up on the broken link. You were right, so I changed to “comment” mode instead 🙂 Thank you!!
sure, any time
Hello Anne! So excited that you are doing this! I too miss all the beading magazines from years gone by. Stay well! Diana
Thank you, Diana! I am, too 🙂 It’s so fun to see fresh design, isn’t it? I hope you’re staying healthy and beading!