Tuesday 4 December 2012

HandEye Magazine



Some months ago I blogged about magazines, about the cost, and the frequency with which I buy one, seduced by the eye candy on the front, only to be disappointed by the content within. I mentioned two in particular, Mollie Makes, which I know is a favourite of many of you out there in Blogland, but which I find irritatingly lacking in substance, considering its cost. The photos are very good, plenty of colour, but the content always leaves me feeling unsatisfied. The other magazine I mentioned is Selvedge - a publication I feel is so self regarding it probably prefers to be called 'a slim volume' or something similar! Like Mollie Makes it is beautifully presented but I seldom find more than two articles  of real interest to me, and it promotes one or two favoured makers at the expense of the many other up and coming young crafts people. I burst out laughing at the V&A when I saw the price of some pin cushions and cloth dolls. Ludicrous. I asked how many had been sold and the pained expression on the assistant's face spoke volumes! For all its pretensions, Selvedge is merely an upmarket Mollie Makes, at double the price.

                                                                   Atis Fanm Matenwa

Had quite few comments in the same vein, and I think it was Annie who asked whether I'd read Hand Eye magazine. I hadn't, so whisked off to check it out. A few days ago my first issue arrived, and Annie, you are quite right. A very colourful, informative and interesting publication, well worth the price (cheaper than Selvedge!) And to my delight the fifth article was all about one of my favourite people - Jude Hill, who writes the excellent Spirit Cloth blog. I was totally entranced, and I have hours of enjoyable reading ahead of me. Thanks for the tip-off, Annie!


So many sumptuous photgraphs, and great writing. I also deeply admire the whole vibe of the magazine. I can do no better than the reproduce the final words in the editorial, by Keith Recker, Editor and Founder:

-  "Cratf is powerful. Craft is good. Craft is deeply human. We are eager to have you celebrate it with us."  - Keith Recker. Winter 2012

                                                                       Beading in Kenya

                                                      Embroidery in Bangaladesh

Now I do realise that there are different levels of craft, the 'getting the kids together at the kitchen table' kind, the hobbyist, the happy amateur who does a few craft fairs, sells a few items on -line, the semi-professional, and the professional. No one publication can hope to meet the needs of all these groups, but I feel that the 'bottom' end if you like are being sold short. When you consider the huge amount of advertising in these magazines, you might expect there to be better content; pages and pages of misty dreamy photographs loosely connected by  a 'theme' do not cut the mustard.

I also realise that we all, at times, splash out impulsively on a magazine as a treat to ourselves, and perhaps we aren't as discrimminating as we are when we make a considered purchase. Nevertheless, we deserve to get value for money. Hand Eye magazine certainly fits the bill.

This is a bit of a quickie post as I have been away (again!) and am now struck down by this so-called 24 hour bug, washed out, achey, and worst of all D&V. In fact I reckon I could give the Duchess of Cambridge a run for her money! (And no, I am definitely NOT pregnant!!) I have spent 4 hours gingerly sipping my way through half a glass of sparkling water. Hopefully this will result in the loss of a few pounds before Christmas!! There has to be a positive outcome, surely!!

21 comments:

  1. I'm so glad I'm not the only person not in love with MM mag. I kept thinking I was missing something ...

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    1. Weird, isn't it? It is a beautifully produced mag, but I just keep getting to the end and feeling let down. You are not alone!! Lx

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  2. Do get well soon and many thanks for the recommendation - must check that mag out as I agree with what you say about the others and I follow Spirit Cloth and would love to know more about her and her work. Thanks for this beautifully written post.

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    1. And thank you for the lovely comment! Yes, I was thrilled to bits to find the article about Jude, she is a very special lady, and I love her blog.

      I am hoping that tomorrow I'll feel even better - managed half a small bowl of veggie stock with some dry bread torn into it. Not going to push it too far though! Lx

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  3. I love the look of MM but get very, very frustrated with the instructions which I feel are very poor, or it could be that I'm particularly thick! Who knows! This looks interesting though :)

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    1. Ada, I think there are quite a few of us who feel the same. I don't think you are at all thick!!! Lx

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  4. This magazine looks wonderful, however, where did you get it from? I can only find U.S.A sites
    Hope you're feeling better as the hours go by
    SueXxx

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    1. Sue I just googled them and paid by paypal - which means you don't have to worry about the discrepancy between stirling/dollars; it was all pretty straight-forward.(and you can take that from me! You know my ability to get easily flummoxed!)

      Felling better as from 4pm today, Wednesday, so hope it continues! Lx

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  5. Hope you feel better soon Lynne. I like the look of this magazine and will look out for it. MM is definitely a rip off but sometimes I just have to take a peek just in case I like what I see!
    Patricia x

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    1. Thanks Patricia, feeling slightly better. I do know what you mean,, I take a look myself, as I say I frequently give in but always I wonder why I bothered. Lx

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  6. Poor you! Hope the D&V eases very soon. No time now for that caper!
    I too think that MM mag is far too simplistic and is missing out on good quality projects which will appeal to all levels. I do, however, subscribe and it goes to my DD in Germany after a quick derisive flick through by me. As a novice crafter she finds it inspiring and the projects are manageable for her but she often does her own take on things and even produces far better results than the magazine articles.
    I like the look of Hand Eye Mag. I'm wondering if there is any mention of Ruby Porter, a Liverpool woman I know, who has been out to Bangladesh 32 times in 23 years to teach embroidery to the young girls in the Shripur orphanages. This helps give them a living and Ruby helps market their wares. She also gives interesting talks about her work to groups all over UK.
    Jo x

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    1. Hi Jo, certainly no time to be under the weather! So much to be getting on with.
      I DO agree with you, it's probably just right for younger, newer crafters,but even so I think they get sold a bit short.

      What an interesting lady Ruby sounds; not come across mention of her so far. People like she do such sterling work for no personal gain, I know a lady who helps provide wells in Africa, all in her own time with o recompense. Puts all the celebraties and footballers and politicians to shame, doesn't it? Lx

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  7. Well said as always! Sorry you're not too well - you still sound on top form though! I hardly ever buy mags anymore, but will say that the CHRISTMAS issues of every mag are worse than ANYTHING!! So full of nothing! Will look out for Hand Eye though. Love those spoons in your last but one post! xCathy

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    1. Just a bit of the Lurgy, t'will pass! Was v disappointed with the Christmas editions - just flicked through them, couldn't buy one s they did nothing for me. Bah Humbug!!Lx

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  8. Oh Lynne, I could have written that first paragraph! Hurrah for magazines like Hand/Eye that redress the balance - I find Selvedge particularly pretentious - and isn't it just the most perfectly named of them all!

    Sincerely hope you're feeling better now m'dear, D&V is a hard price to pay for losing a few pounds!

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    1. Hah! Not sure I've even lost a few pounds! Never mind, hopefully it is on its last legs - I know I have been!

      Selvedge is of course edited by the same woman who used to edit Embroidery magazine and THAT was always er....too big for its boots, is the politest way of saying it! Their "Stitch with the Embroiderers' Guild" mag is so much better, but then it was considered a bit of a come down, not aimed at the high falutin' seamstress. And it is all the better for it. Selvedge really gets my goat I'm afraid.

      So pleased you recommended Hand/Eye, and it looks like they will be getting a fair number of new subscribers too! Lx

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  9. Lynne, Thank you so much for your info on this mag. I've never seen it or heard of it and it looks wonderful. I've just ordered the current issue an a back issue. Look forward to reading it. Thanks again.

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  10. Lynne, as usuall you are an inspiration! Just ordered a copy of this magazine for Alice for Christmas . She will love it as it is craft and international development rolled into one! If she likes it I will try to set up a subscription, just hope she let's me read it too!
    Must get together before Christmas and hope you soon feel better xxxx

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    1. Do you know, Sue, I thought of Alice when I first opened my copy! Yes, I'm sure she will love it - and you will too! Be great to meet up....and will sort something out when I'm back to speed. (thoughI've been doing a fair amount of dashing about these past couple of days, I can tell you!!!!!)Lxxx

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  11. Hello Lynne, yes i agree, I have had the odd bit of inspiration from MM but mostly I am ...oh is that it! I borrowed some selvedge magazine from a rich friend!! iam a real sucker for lovely images, and must admit to really wishing I could afford a subscription, they look so lovely and it feels as though they should be the elite of crafting, but it is probably more likely that I am a sucker!! Most magazines I tend to hack to pieces and make up my own inspiration books, but wouldn't dream of doing that to the more expensive ones, at nearly book price!...anyhow I'm rambling, just got back from yoga, and you got me thinking :) thanks! will check out the one you mentioned xx

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  12. Oh and hope your feeling better soon xx

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