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Five years ago this week, the first issue of Living Crafts hit the newsstands across the United States. Right from the first issue, it was distributed in major bookstore chains, Michael’s, and JoAnn’s. As a matter of fact, it remains the only one to this date distributed to natural food chains and co-ops. We have decided to cease publication of the print magazine due to increasing costs of production and printing, which exceed the revenue from subscriptions and advertising. Summer 2012 issue is our last issue, and after five years we cease publication of Living Crafts magazine and become a web-only company.
Living Crafts was inspired by motherhood, created to serve families embracing a natural life and a desire for self-sufficiency. Having worked for natural lifestyle magazines since 1996, starting a natural craft magazine was the “natural” step. Using our own savings, my husband and I started the magazine in 2007. Living Crafts was welcomed very warmly and with the support of subscribers and advertisers, grew and flourished. Many of you paid for your first subscription before we even had published our first issue, and have stayed loyal subscribers to this day. I am filled with gratitude and thank you for your support. Subscribers are what make a magazine, and those of you who supported us helped keep it going. During the last five years we have served thousands of mothers, grandmothers, and teachers in the United States, Australia, Canada, and Europe with our editorial, customized just for you. Many blogs, online magazines, books, toy and crafts companies were created, inspired by our seasonal editorial. As I watched everyone’s progress online, my hands were tied with the print production aspects of the magazine, and did not start a blog until three years later.
In the first couple of years our articles were ahead of the mainstream craft magazines in providing articles on natural family crafts. We were the first magazine to dedicate our editorial to address the mother-child need for a natural play environment that went beyond the craft itself, but covered the emotional and spiritual aspects of a child’s world and the crafting mothers’ community. We were pioneers in articles that connected a woman’s hands and heart through connecting with her tribe, and the spiritual realm. Soul Crafts column, Our Tribe, and Evolving through Handwork became our most popular columns. With Sage, we honored those who contributed years of their lives to making toys, creating art, and …. Many crafting mothers’ groups were formed, and the readers were encouraged to buy local and visit local farms to buy their wool or dye their own yarn and sew their own. Soon after, with launching of new magazine-like websites, like Pinterest, many of our subscribers replaced buying a subscription or a back issue with marking their favorites, creating their own online albums, organizing ideas and patterns available online, quenching their thirst for stacking up printed magazines, books, and craft supplies.
Right in front of my eyes our loyal community of natural crafters moved towards the web even more, and while so many still loved Living Crafts in print, they did not subscribe to our magazine. We finally did start our own blog in December 2010, and our online audience grew while print subscriptions stayed still.
The most basic team required to print a magazine includes a customer service representative, a graphic designer, photographers, editors, contributors, and illustrators, and a newsstand manager. Add a printer’s invoice to that and the cost becomes enormous for a publisher that carries a single title. Three specific reasons have come together to end Living Crafts as a print magazine. First, just a year after the launch, our community moved increasingly to the Web. Unfortunately we did not have our blog and good content yet (until December 2010) so we lost some of our readers to the various Web community, as most crafters now check Facebook or Pinterest before they check their e-mail. The second reason is the increase in printing and production costs in the U.S. In order for us to print on recycled paper in the U.S. we had to pay higher costs than most craft magazines. The third reason is the advertisers’ exedus to the Web where they can capture higher number of people for the same dollars, including on our own website. Even our own web community of FaceBook, Pinterest and blog visitors are larger than community of our paid subscribers. Obviously many of our advertisers have been hard hit by the economy. The first item to cut is usually advertising dollars. Our subscribers, too, have been affected by the economy, and although many would love to subscribe to Living Crafts, family priorities draw them to the Web for their crafting needs. In addition to all the above, in order to keep the magazine profitable, I had to work extra hours. This affected my family, and my health, to the point that I developed chest pains. Luckily, the test results came back negative, as they were due to stress, but it was a big scare. My heart was talking, and I had to take note. If we were to continue to print the magazine, it would only mean more stress.
When a magazine ceases publication, its subscriptions are usually fulfilled by another magazine within the same publishing house. Publishing a single title, we had to go outside to find a suitable magazine. When I thought about which magazine is most compatible with Living Crafts, I remembered Linda Ligon, founder of Interweave Press, and my former employer. She was the first to call. She immediately made an introduction to the executive management and we thought their Stitch Craft Create was the closest to our publication. Stitch Craft Create will fulfill Living Crafts’ subscriptions beginning with their Winter 2012 issue. If, for example, three issues remain on your subscription to Living Crafts, you will receive the next three issues of Stitch Craft Create. My wish is for your understanding and that you enjoy their magazine.
While this is a huge change for those of us who love the print edition of Living Crafts, myself and my team included, we are still a community. We have a growing social-media community, with 7,000 Facebook fans and 2,000 followers on Pinterest, and 3,000 followers on Twitter. It was inevitable that our community should move to the Web. Even though most people love the joy and comfort of reading a magazine or a book, most people now spend the majority of their reading time online.
Recently, when my sister wanted to felt a silk-wool scarf for a friend, even though she knew about the Fairy Scarf in the Summer 2008 issue of Living Crafts, she went right to our website to look up the supplies. Fortunately she found her Summer 2008 issue and used it for instructions; otherwise, she had gone to the Living Crafts website to save time, and found a similar project, competing with our own print issue!
If you haven’t already, please join us at LivingCrafts.com. Our blog posts include free projects, giveaways, book reviews, and product sources, and above all friendship. Soon we’ll revamp our website and provide many of our natural and organic product databases and articles online. Our plan includes a chat room and store.
You can still purchase back issues until they last, and we’ll also be providing some of the projects as digital online patterns for sale.
My heartfelt thank you for all of your goodwill and support for the last five years. Many of your letters have brought tears of gratitude. Please leave a comment and tell us how you feel. I look forward to many many years ahead providing the same service online, when self-sustainability and use of Mother Earth’s supply become the norm in our society.
Love,
Pardis
Pardis Amirshahi, Founder
Oh this announcement is so sad! Thank you for allowing your (long-time!) subscribers an option of having another magazine to fulfill it. I am so thankful I kept all the back-issues…it was an exceptional magazine, and I will miss the quarterly ‘happy mail!’
Sarah Mast
Although I will miss the print copy, I surely understand the complications of it. I will continue to enjoy your website and make good use of it. Thank you for five years of bliss. I’ve saved each copy.
Sorry to see you go.
Very boring choice to go virtual.
I am so sad to see such a beautiful, inspiring magazine go away! I have treasured each issue and enjoyed making all the goodies within. I totally understand the huge costs, and so appreciate your mindfulness of using the Earth’s resources wisely. I’ll be first in line if and when you start publishing again.
Im so saddened by this — it gets harder and harder to find print magazines that reflect my interests. Thanks for all you have done, though — I treasure every issue. For readers who still enjoy print magazines, I recommend TAPROOT — let’s support the few decent print magazines out there hanging on!!
Holding your magazine in my hands will be missed by me. I am of the old-school where I have to actually touch a book or magazine. At least you have a blog where I can get my Living Crafts fix. Thanks for a very special five years of enjoyment.
So sorry to hear the sad news about your lovely magazine. The Summer edition was my first and i have poured over it so many times eagerly awaiting the next edition so i am especially sad that it will now be my last.
I know it must have been a very hard decision to make but now that you have made it i hope it has brought you some peace and reduced the stress you must have been under.
For myself i am happy to receive the other publications but as i don’t have any other living craft issues i would also be very happy to have back issues in lieu of my remaining subscription if that helps in any way if it only complicates things then just go with whatever way is simplest for you.
Thank you for taking the risk 5 years ago and bringing so much joy to so many people over the years i’m glad that i did manage to find you even if only for the last one.
Good luck with everything, all the best to you, your family and your staff.
Janine
Wow! I am behind the times. I am not on pinterest and though I am on facebook it is just to keep in touch with family and friends from far away. I will certainly miss my print edition of Living Crafts magazine and will cherish the issues I have from the past 5 years.
I will try to subscribe to you website/blog. Have you considered publishing a digital only edition? I certainly would subscribe.
Blessings and good wishes for your continued health.
Cat Macri
I really loved this magazine and did stay a print subscriber throughout. I will miss Living Crafts although I will continue to follow online. I just want to thank you for the joy and inspiration you brought to me and our family. I hope you will enjoy success in future endeavors.
Pardis, thank you for your thoughtful letter. I am so sorry to hear that your beautiful magazine is coming to an end. I have enjoyed EVERY issue and am so glad that I have saved my back issues to refer to. Good luck, good wishes and good health to you on your next creative endeavor. -Elizabeth, from Massachusetts
Oh Pardis I am so sorry to hear this! I LOVE Living Crafts Magazine – I have saved every issue from the first one and will continue using them FOREVER! I am glad there will a replacement to cover the subscriptions….I don’t enjoy “reading” a magazine online and don’t usually do that….especially patterns. Best of Luck to you and all the people on your staff. (Now I understand why I never got a response to my question about the Fall Issue!)
Oh, another sad announcement from a wonderful publication. Thank you for your work and I look forward to many lovely things on your website.
I will miss this magazine desperately! I will follow you online. Best of luck to you and your staff. I also am glad I saved every issue I purchased!
I was sorry to hear that you are ceasing publication. Living Craft is such a fine magazine – I have every issue, and, of course, I’ll keep them! I’ll follow you on the web.
Pardis,
Thank you so much for the last 5 years – I have every issue saved and treasured. The work and love you and your team put into it was felt in each issue.It is sad to see the print version go but like many things it continues to evolve and print is disappearing. One day we will realize what we have left behind…very sad indeed.
I will continue to follow you online and wish you all the best.
So very sorry that Living Crafts will no longer be in print. I did not find Living Crafts until a couple of years ago and I fell in love. I subscribed and ordered every back issue. Thank you for the inspiration and creativity. I will look forward to the website and I wish you and everyone on staff good luck on your next endeavors.
Oh I am so sorry to hear this Pardis!
Thank you so much for putting so much of yourself in this project, providing a forum for many of us! I feel honored to have been part of this community and hope the on-line edition/blog will bring you joy and lessen the stress for you.
I remember well the time, even long before when you considered creating your own magazine and then when I had my first edition in my hands. What an exceptional magazine it was. Many times I thought how difficult it must be to constantly be under pressure to deliver to a dead line, with tardy contributors and all what it involves
Gratitude, love and joy to you and all the best to all your future endeavors!
I will miss this publication very much, so sorry to hear it is no longer feasible to print. Thank you for fulfilling the remainder of our subscriptions with another publication, I appreciation your commitment to your subscribers. Best of luck in the future!
Thank you so much for 5 years of wonderful projects and information. I was inspired by every issue and return to them again each season. I remember my excitement when I first heard you were going to start publishing on waldorf listserv. What a wonderful idea. I look forward to the web version and hope that all the wonderful contributors and advertisers who supported Living Crafts continue to do so. Thank you, again.
I’m so sorry to hear that you are ceasing publication!
I discovered you last year, and have enjoyed all the back issues I ordered and the recent ones, too.
Take care, and good luck in your future projects!
Sincerely,
Sharon Stewart, San Anselmo, CA
I’d rather have had TapRoot as a subscription finishing magazine….think I have a year or two to go, but I also understand that sometimes one has to make a choice, and I trust you did the best by us as you could. I can always gift forward the other magazine if it does not suit my needs. will look forward to the online life of Living Crafts. Thank you for all of the print issues I do have and now really treasure.
Oh no, I’m so sorry to read you had to make this decision. Your magazine brought me great joy, it inspired me and gave me the confidence to create with and for children, at home and as a residential artist in the classroom. I am very grateful for all the projects and knowledge you have shared over the years. A deep felt thank you!
Pardis,
Thank you so much for bringing a bit of Waldorf to mainstream America. Mothers like myself were shown how to as well as reminded of beautiful ways to address the whole child – head, heart, and hands through your wonderful articles and projects. Your richly filled resource will continue long after the last printed article thanks to YOU.
I too have experienced what felt like a heart attach only to gladly find it was stress related. Sometimes, we need BIG things to happen to lead us in another direction to consider in our travels. Your talent and love will certainly lead you down the right path and we all look forward to what you have to bring to our ‘community’.
Best Wishes to you and all those that were contributors to Living Crafts.
ALOHA!
I am so sorry to see this magazine gone in print!!!
This was the only magazine that I subscribed to and I always looked forward to the quarterly surprises in my mail box!
I am happy though that the magazine will not cease completely.
PLEASE, PLEASE keep the blog!!! DO NOT make it only accessible via Twitter, Pinetrest or Facebook, as I am not on any of those boards, on purpose and with good reason, I will not be able to access your publications anymore. So many times blogs that are easily accessible end up going onto those chat boards only.
I have been a subscriber since the very first issue of Living Crafts and I would be very sad if I would not be able to access your articles and crafts anymore, they are such an inspiration.
Every time your magazine came…I would find a comfey spot and dive in. Thank you so much for that time and the precious things you taught and shared. When I shared with others they just smiled and oood and aaaah. And then of course tried a few things. I also did summer camp this year and loved the lavender articles and we all made those goodies. You shared a precious thing and it will continue. Bless you! And thankyou kindly. Elizabeth
So so very sorry to hear this. I would have been happy to pay a higher price for your fine publication. There are many nice magazines I see at the newsstands that are $10-$15, and I often buy them, but they are not near as lovely as Living Crafts which has always been my favorite.
I’m not much for electronic publications of any kind, they do not compare, but I hope it works well for you.
Thanks for five years of stunningly beautiful creations and inspirations in Living Crafts magazine. I have been a devoted subscriber since the beginning and will miss it dearly. I hope that by some miracle a way will be found to continue publication somehow. Blessings to you all at Living Crafts.
Oh man! What sad news! Your magazine was the only one that I really couldn’t wait to get in the mail. There is no other magazine like yours! It had a very earthy feel to all the projects. I used many of your ideas in my arts and crafts class last year. I will really miss holding your magazine in my hand.
What a shame you cannot honor your commitment. From your blog it seems to me that you could see the writing on the wall a couple of years ago, and I am therefore left feeling annoyed that you continued to offer 2 year subscriptions as late as earlier this year. After much umming and ahing about the finacial outlay I did subscribe for the first time this year, and only received one issue for my trouble. I do not want a replacement magazine as I doubt it can match your excellent one. I am happy to pay full price for my one issue, and trust that you will refund the remainder from $75 as soon as possible.
I am so sorry to hear of your decision to end the print magazine, but I do understand the challenges associated with being a sustainable small business. I loved every issue I received of Living Crafts, and I’ve kept them all. I will look for the back issues for sale. I’ve used many of the ideas with my own children, as well as some with the Brownies and Girl Guides in my unit. I wish you all the best and I look forward to looking through the website.
Deepest thanks for your wonderful magazine. It was an incredibly awesome resource and brought such thought and respect for crafting…something very dear to me and my family. I too am sad to see it end. I am not a facebook or pinterest user. I do read a few blogs though and hope to serve as a customer of yours in this way. All the best to you and your staff.
Although I only came across your magazine a few years ago, I have been a subscriber ever since, and will miss your lovely magazine very much. It has been a source of inspiration, education, and enjoyment, and I have shared each copy with many appreciative friends. I will treasure my wellworn back issues. Thank you and best wishes in your transition; wishing you good health and happiness.
Living Crafts magazine is like having a really good friend come to visit every few months. I looked forward to its arrival and always have an issue next to my bed where I can catch up on one of the many projects you opened my mind up to. Your magazine will always remain a source of great inspiration to me. Goodbye to a dear and inspiring friend.
Thank you for your heartfelt letter. Thank you also for taking care of yourself. I know this must be a very difficult decision for you to have made, but you are setting an example for all of us by drawing a line when your health and family are affected. I will miss having Living Crafts come, and do appreciate having another magazine, although nothing can take the place of LC! I have kept each issue and refer to them often. This week we are making felted lanterns! They will probably be a part of my library forever–there are enough projects and gems to keep me busy for a good long while. Bright blessings and may you feel the abundant universe surrounding you in your new adventures.
I am so sorry to hear your news. I have treasured every issue. I hope that your future is bright and as beautiful as /living Crafts has been.
Sorry to hear but a brave decision for you! I will continue to follow online and look forward to stitch, craft, create!
Warm wishes,
heidi
This makes me so, so sad. I was only recently introduced to Living Crafts and subscribed to the print magazine right away. I guess I will hang onto my one copy and try to be happy with your website. I know this could not have been an easy decision and I wish you the best.
Oh, I am so sorry to hear that you are no longer publishing. As a Waldorf Handwork teacher I used your magazine often in my own crafting and in my classroom. I do hope that you will consider on online publication so we can continue to benefit from the beautiful and creative ideas and love of craft that have inspired me over the past 5 years.
Thank you Pardis and your team for bringing us this wonderful magazine – I will miss it very much and I so look forward to receiving new issues (either by subscription or via our nearest Steiner shop in Melbourne, Australia). I am glad there will be a blog still and the possibility of purchasing back copies of the magazine.
I’m so sad to see this. It seems to happen every time I find a print magazine I love. I couldn’t find it at my local craft or book stores a lot of the time, and being a family with one income and a student parent we couldn’t afford the subscription. It was going to be my Christmas present this year. So sad.
Your health must come first to you.Thankyou for everything.
So sorry to hear this news. Your magazine was only craft one I still subscribed to because your articles were so great and the magazine was so beautifully done. But with today’s economy I certainly understand. I have always saved all my wonderful copies! Glad you will continue online!!!
I had a digital subscription; would have loved to see it go all digital instead of disappearing! Thank you for all of my wonderful back issues and for such a lovely ride. Will digital subscribers get the other magazine as well?
this is very sad news but I’m sure it wil bring new, brighter things our way! I just started my first subscription and haven’t recieved an issue yet. I live in Australia and was wondering if, instead of the alternate magazine, whether you could just give me any back issues? I haven’t any and I just want some of your lovely magazine not the other one you suggested. Maybe I should email you? Thanks Lis
I have never come across your magazine in my hometown, but if I had, I surely would have bought it immediately. I always prefer to have a hardcopy of my favourite craft mags for convenience, no need for batteries or electricity and I could enjoy browsing them anywhere at anytime. But I guess this is the trend nowadays and I am glad that I have found your website. I hope you will prosper more and be able to maintain your health.:D
I have had a paper subscription for a few years, and I’ve loved it (and renewed not that long ago through 2015.) I am really going to miss it– there are plenty of crafting magazines out there, but Living Crafts was unique. I hope you keep your mission going online, and I wish you the best!
I was so sad to hear this news (especially since I had only just received my very first copy of Living Crafts!) and now that I have just received my first issue of Stitch Craft Create I am so much sadder—it looks so Martha Stewart-y compared with the uniquely nourishing, down-to-earth Living Crafts. Boohooooo! sob sob, etc. Well, whatever life Living Crafts ends up living from here on out, I do wish you the best and hope to keep knowing about your work. It has been GREAT work. Exceptional. So sad to see you go.
Ah, Pardis! Blessings to you and yours on this St. Nicholas Day! I’m finally digging through the email backlog in my inbox. I’m not actually on FB much or other social media except occasionally Ravelry, but I’m so, so busy with family life I can’t keep up with all the words. So, I have to say I’m very glad you did start Living Crafts and kept it up in print for 5 years. A noble effort! And I look forward to seeing what comes next.
Oh how sad!!!!!!!! I LOVED your magazine, and this especially because it was something I could grab und flip through lying on the couch sipping my coffee again and again- something I can’t do with blogs or online magazines. I definitely prefer written magazines and although I am a blogger with heard and soul, I resisted all those platforms like facebook and twitter, because I feel like it distracts me too much from real life, from my family and my own thoughts and visions. Written magazines just slip in into my day, give me a break from daily life with all its toils and demands- I’m going to miss living crafts for sure! It was the very only magazin I would buy EVERY single issue, just because it always felt so true and made with soule and passion. I ordered it in Germany where Jademondin gave me the opportunity to get your magazin which was not possible here in Switzerland, where I live… Sad to hear those news… But I understand your choise. Health and real life always should come first and I think you made the only right decision. I wish you all the very very best and thank you very much for the work you’ve done for us. Your inspiration was endless and made me so happy and hopeful! Thanks!!!
Bora from Switzerland
OH! SO sad to hear this news… I was just trying to figure out when my next issue would be coming! I will now be going through my issues to figure out which back issues I will have to buy as I know I wasn’t a subscriber from the beginning. You have inspired me so tremendously! I will be sure to be more on top of your online presence, even though I am not such a huge computer user!
So what happens with the people who have digital subscriptions like me? I got one issue and not even an email about this I just kept checking for a new issue.