Today is the day for many positive things so I won’t even make excuses for falling off the NaBloWriMo wagon. I got to wake up to the sight of my husband who normally is long gone to work before I wake up so that was good. Its my last day at a part-time gig that turned out to be not a good fit so that’s good. I also received a bunch of job leads that I’m following up on today, so that’s also good. But today I will experience something great. Today is the day that the December issue of Country Living Magazine hits newsstands and my craft work will be featured in that issue!
A few months back I received a convo on Etsy.com from someone claiming to be an editor for Country Living Magazine and asking for samples of my NOEL Scrabble tile ornament. I say claiming because I was skeptical. The craft community is full of stories of shady folks claiming to be with this or that publication and asking for samples just to get free stuff. So I put my years of research experience to work and got on the case to see if it was legit. Turns our the person really was an editor for the magazine and they were looking for ornaments for a “Country Living’s Favorite Ornaments” feature for their December issue.
After consulting with my friend Maryellen of Twist Style (a winner in the 2008 Country Living Pitch Your Product contest) I sent off 5 ornaments, 2 of the NOEL which they asked for and 3 others for variety, to their New York offices along with their required paperwork. My conversation with the editor and their paperwork had made it very clear that there were no guarantees that my items would make the issue and that I was merely submitting them for consideration. So I waited. And waited. And waited. I received the 3 others I sent back with no note so needless to say the worry started. Maybe they weren’t what they were expecting. Maybe they didn’t like them. Maybe they didn’t photograph well. Jeesh – could they just tell me something?! About 2 weeks after that I received the NOEL ornaments back again with no note. The tags had been removed so at least that was a positive sign that they had been handled/photographed. The worry quickly turned to into me preparing myself that I didn’t make the cut. Since I hadn’t heard anything that makes sense right? My husband is a career journalist and was steadily trying to convince me that no news is good news in publishing. “If they didn’t use it, they would let you know.”
Well, about 2 weeks ago I couldn’t take it any longer. I had to know. I emailed the editor with whom I had been in touch. I thanked them for the opportunity and used their own verbiage about wanting to ensure I was prepared with stock to inquire if I had made the cut. Literally, he emailed me right back and said yes. Yes that I was going to be featured in a national magazine. Yes that I was participating in one of their most read issues and that it would be on the newsstands today. Yes that thousands of people will potentially know who and what little ol’ Lark Studio is about. Whoa.
I still haven’t wrapped my mind around the possibilities that this could bring. I am humbled, nervous and excited all at the same time! So please, check out the December issue of the magazine. If you are in Richmond, might I suggest purchasing a copy. From what I can tell, I’m the 2nd local artist that the magazine has featured recently and I know they are considering a 3rd for their February issue. You know I’m all about putting Richmond on the national crafty map so lets hit ‘em where they will notice and increase sales for our area! Maybe that will have them looking more closely at the art/craft scene in RVA… And of course, if you are in the market for a great holiday gift, shop my website at larkstudioart.com or come see me at one of the many local events I’m doing this season.
I’ll be camped out in Books-a-million this evening waiting for them to put out their new issues. I’ll post a copy of the feature once I have it!
