Dear Jacquie and Julie and Others Interested, First, there is so much on the magazine stands, that I wonder why anyone complains. Surely, there is something just right for each level of expertise. A membership to a Guild might be more satisfying, and provide more additional benefits to you. If we don't support the Guild's, they will die. Most of our teachers are as a result of the Guilds and the programs they provide to develop expertise. Most of our instructional books are from these teachers. ------------------------ As to the letters from Jacquie and Julie: If there is much common interest, we need to find the faithful Anna and Burda readers and subscribers. If a German publisher received a lot of comments from the U.K./U.S./Canada (and European countries where English is a 2nd language, but German is not the needleworker's 2nd language), the comments might push them to think about all English language needleworkers in a different way. Then, they might stock the U.K./U.S./Canada and other countries with a more comprehensive English-language magazine and shut down the *kindergarten fare* you say is published in America and distributed on this side of the "big pond" only. One magazine that fits all English-reading needleworkers makes sense. Devoting 4 to 8 pages per issue to beginners might be all that is needed, and would reduce publishing costs. BUT - what we have to be mindful of is the high cost of shipping and distribution. One lovely 66-pg. magazine published 6 times a year by The Embroiderers' Guild (England), "Stitch", which I buy at Barnes & Noble, costs $9.99. I think the high price is in response to high shipping costs imposed since 9/11. This is in addition to the regular members' 66-pg. bulletin "Embroidery" from The Embroiderers' Guild (England), which costs $82.12/yr. for 6 issues, and is mailed to me in the U.S. Once you have some sort of explanation from Germany, you could ask needleworkers that bought Anna or Burda magazines in the past to write to the publisher. We'd like a *specific person to write to* - someone in a decision-making capacity at the publishing company is preferred, because they should want to protect the reputation of the Anna/Burda brands. They are most probably making decisions based on sales, not on what you want and cannot get from them (so you do not buy). There needs to be balance - and feedback to the publisher. Writers would best express themselves if they read at least one of the unsatisfactory magazines, instead of using a form letter or quoting Arachne correspondence. Arachnes - if we want good publications, it is important to gain the interest of many more needleworkers who will buy such magazines. In the meantime, please don't skip membership in our Guilds which offer so much from generous volunteers, teachers, and authors. No one is getting wealthy doing needlework, and that is one of the problems in 2009. Demonstrate! Give talks! Set up exhibits! Wear handmade lace in public places! Do what you can to increase the number of people who enjoy working with needles, bobbins, crochet hooks, knitting needles, etc.
Jeri Ames Lace and Embroidery Resource Center In a message dated 1/11/2009 4:11:51 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [email protected] writes: In a message dated 11/01/2009 19:49:38 GMT Standard Time, [email protected] writes: > <http://www.annacrafts.com/Resources/AboutANNA/tabid/55/Default.aspx > I was interested to read about the two new Anna's, but I was not impressed by the web site you gave us!!! To me it is an example of AMATEUR, which is especially not good when it's a professional company's site. In the craft school (where it's still only the 4th) there are no answers yet and in the boutique (here it's the 7th) they're still out looking for things to sell. They did manage to have the 11th on Val's blog page. Unfortunately the only entry was dated 8/25/08. Don't rush yourself, Val. Finally, when I followed the invitation to 'click here to enlarge' the photos across the bottom of the page, the result was a full screen, very pixellated and completely unviewable blur. There are 39 comments on the non-blog (with a big rush on the 15th November for some reason - a comment on a chat board perhaps, which encouraged people to complain?) But Val has answered the comments that the designs were too simple with "A commonly accepted belief in American craft publishing is that US crafters only want what's quick and easy--that no one has any time and that anything beyond what's basic will be rejected. I can't tell you how happy I am to hear that this is an incorrect belief" So perhaps they will have the courage to be more like the original Anna. My main point is that there is this apparently smart website, to help promote a new magazine, but 5 months on there is still nothing more than a fancy front page with buttons that basically, take me nowhere. Why don't they think it through and either wait awhile before they start the website or make sure that any buttons there are actually take me somewhere interesting. I am copying this to Anna, and I'll let you know what feedback I get. However, for me here in the UK it looks as if we are still going to have to go without. I can't see the newsagents stocking a German language magazine. Once the US issue gets going, if they really do have more challenging projects and especially if they regularly have either bobbin lace or fine needlework such as Schawlm embroidery, I might ask the shop where I buy my American 'Art Jewelry' if they can get it for me. So please, can we have feedback from any Arachnes who do buy it. Jacquie in Lincolnshire - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected] **************New year...new news. Be the first to know what is making headlines. (http://news.aol.com?ncid=emlcntusnews00000002) - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]
