: hello marie!

: why thank you! I try! I love your necklace!

: hahaha

: I did dress up for the occasion, you just can't see it

: yes?

: I hail from the great state! ok, gimme a minute....

texas our texas
boots cowboys barbeque sun
SPF 40

: thanks. I miss the temperatures. But whenever I go back I think "holy crap it is hotttt!"

: marie

: *blushes*

: yep

: it's true! I do! it's pretty rad!

: ok....

desk full of crafty
can I embroider my lines
when writers block strikes?

: well, I've been crafty ever since I can remember. what's funny is, I think it's from going to church -- all of those bible school crafts, you know?

: I remember making felt banners, embossed tin, those woven plastic embroidery-like things. We made a fish windsock, I liked that one a lot. And my grandma is a very crafty lady, so I attribute it to her, too.

: yeah

: pretty much the second time I saw the posting for what became my job. Before that, I didn't even know jobs like this existed. I had studied art in school, and was working at Newsweek. I'd been crocheting a couple years and I thought, I can have an online store, it doesn't seem very hard. I built my webpage, contributed to the sampler, did a craft show... and my friend sent me a listing for a job at Joann Magazine (the magazine I worked on before this). For some reason I let it slide. I figured I needed more experience. A month passed and another friend sent it to me- a coworker, actually (hello? sign?). so I thought, I'll just apply and see what happens. Then I got called for an interview, went in, and immediately thought IF I DON'T GET THIS JOB I'LL DIE!

: it was all very serendipitous

: yep!

: I would say it was 2 years maybe? Totally dumb luck.

: I know, it's crazy

: woo hoo! I'm fiery like a jalepeno!

: it was fun. it's interesting- doing a custom publication vs. a whatever you want publication. I learned that coming up with projects is challenging whether or not you are limited by supplies and a certain style.

: Basically, JoAnn's didn't want to publish anymore so our company asked us what we'd like to work on. My boss and I thought "younger, hipper mag please!" And we convinced them to give us a run. So here we are waiting for the first issue! Yay!

: yes! it's a general craft magazine that's aimed at embellishing and crafts that don't take weeks to complete. And we're looking at what's hot in fashion, home dec, etc, so it's very relevant and I can honestly say I want to make all of the projects in this issue (oh wait, I probably already did!). We have a bunch of fun stories. My personal favorites include a music story (rockin' accents!), a mexican fiesta, and a travel story on Austin, Tx (naturally!). I love the fashion stuff, and I love that it's general crafts. It can be a harder sell, but we think crafting is a lifestyle. Most of the crafty people I know don't just knit or just sew or just bead. The do a little bit of everything.

: women age 20-40. who are AWESOME. so make that, awesome women aged 20-40.

: it varies depending where we are in the schedule. but usually I look at press releases and magazines, think of ideas, make things, and write things. soon I will be blogging things, too. So they really are paying me to do what I'd be doing anyway.

: It consumes me sometimes, but it really is a fun job. I wake up and go "omg, did I sew on that button?" -- so it's a different kind of work nightmare. Oh, also- what I love about doing our own publication is that we get to feature indie designers once in a while! yay!

: yes, June 13th. I can't wait any more.

: a bunch of great projects- we have a couple of fashion stories, a home dec story with mirrors, a great article on thrifting, a crochet workshop.... I don't know how much I'm s'posed to give away! It's got all sorts of techniques and supplies- from stuff you've heard of to stuff that makes you go "wow!" when you think of the possibilities.

you can buy it at craft stores (joanns, hancock, michaels) or book stores (barnes and noble, books a milion, etc..) You can also subscribe at the website, www.adornmag.com.

very intertwined. super duper intertwined. I feel like adorn is a baby that has been gestating in our cubicle. I'm ready for it to be born! It's been a ride, but I think it's going to do really well. I think the market is ready for a craft magazine with real, current style.

ok.

adorn magazine
crafts, fashion, decorating
live the crafty life
...

our ad probably says that

maria, I just met a girl named maria. a=e.

do what you love! promote yourself, and what's meant to be will happen. you own your destiny. all of that, it's true. crafts or not crafts.

you can! I've been taking meditation classes, can you tell?

surely. thanks for interviewing me.