How Crafting Inspired Me to Launch a Magazine

Over the years, I've experimented with different crafts, including making jewelry, knitting, crafting holiday cards, decoupage, creating Halloween costumes for my children and painting furniture. Sewing, paper crafts and decoupage require a trusty pair of scissors. I am also fond of cooking and baking. In the kitchen, I use scissors to cut herbs, snip off the ends of pastry bags and butterfly poultry.

I haven't been able to stick with one craft because creating something, anything, brings me joy. So when I retire years from now, I'm going to take all the craft classes.

Inspired by People Who Create

I'm also drawn to other makers. I wholeheartedly enjoy meeting people who sell what they make. Photographers, fine artists, fashion designers, knitters, jewelry designers and artisans greatly inspire me. Additionally, I love going to outdoor markets, visiting independently owned boutiques and shopping at stores that sell goods made by independent artists. The experiences ignite my soul.

An Appreciation for Self-Made Individuals

Entrepreneurship interests me as much as crafting. I suppose the two are similar in a way as artisans and entrepreneurs are both creating something.

The Catalyst for Becoming an Entrepreneur

Since high school, I have been a professional writer, which started with an internship with a local newspaper. I studied professional writing in college and always wanted to work for a magazine. Unfortunately, it didn't happen. So I did the next best thing and became a copywriter for the corporate world. However, I still thought about writing for a magazine. I was also intrigued by the idea of working for myself, but I wondered if I could make it financially on my own.

Fast forward to 2014, when I had my first child. My mama persona kicked in, and I had difficulty leaving my daughter for nine hours a day at daycare. I just didn't want to be away from her for so long. My employer at the time let me work part-time, and I was grateful for that. However, I wanted more. So I found a freelance copywriting job and made the leap into entrepreneurship.

Putting it All Together

Writing, being an entrepreneur and making things feed my soul. I always wanted to work for a magazine. Publishing my own magazine was another idea, but I needed to find the right concept.

After all these years, I finally came up with a workable idea that marries all my passions: Artisan Joy, a magazine featuring makers, fashion designers, fine artists, artisans and chic DIY crafts. The publication is dedicated to celebrating a diverse community of makers from around the globe, including weavers in Peru, craftspeople in Morocco and artisans in Zimbabwe.

In our pages, readers can discover art, collectibles, handmade goods, home decor, fashion, wedding decor, stationery and so much more. AJ's mission is to inspire our readers through our maker interviews.

Additionally, Artisan Joy believes that the act of creating something promotes happiness. That's why we include chic craft DIY tutorials for our readers to create art of their own.

Supporting Artisans

When I started the magazine in June 2021, a colleague shared that artisans do not often get promoted in mainstream media. Likewise, a dear artist friend of mine reiterated the same sentiment. She mentioned that it can be difficult for fine artists to get their work featured in publications. Therefore, Artisan Joy is dedicated to promoting makers of all mediums.

What Do Scissors Have to Do with Starting A Magazine?

For starters, Artisan Joy features artisans, such as weavers, knitters, macrame artists and fashion and accessory designers. Each of these makers uses scissors in their creations. Also, Artisan Joy features DIY craft tutorials for our readers, many of which require a good pair of scissors. So please join us as we celebrate all-things handmade.