Professional associations in the field of craft cover specific types of media and technique, and a good number of them produce magazines. ACC crafty librarian Beth Goodrich highlights five such publications here, with a longer list (not exhaustive) of niche magazines below.
By Beth Goodrich
October 26, 2023
Stained Glass, published by the Stained Glass Association of America, is a quarterly publication featuring articles on the history of architectural stained glass, artist spotlights, and noteworthy projects, as well as resource pages listing suppliers, books, and opportunities of interest to stained glass artists.
The Anvil’s Ring and Hammer’s Blow
The Artist-Blacksmith’s Association of North America (ABANA) issues two publications. The Anvil’s Ring is its primary publication and contains feature articles, historical notes, member spotlights, and book reviews. Its educational counterpart, Hammer’s Blow, provides how-to articles, tricks of the trade, notices, and classified ads for the blacksmithing community.
Leather Crafters & Saddlers Journal
Leather Crafters & Saddlers Journal will provide you with plenty of inspiration for your next project. Each issue features several projects with step-by-step instructions, as well as a large pullout section with cutting and carving templates. The journal also provides industry news and event listings for leather craft.
Hand Papermaking, Inc., publishes Hand Papermaking to promote “the scholarship and production of handmade paper and paper art.” Each issue features artist interviews, exhibition reviews, and articles about historical and regional practices, and includes tipped-in samples of handmade paper.
Other niche magazines to explore:
American Woodturner (American Association of Woodturners)
Book Arts arts du livre Canada (Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild)
Chip Chats (National Wood Carvers Association)
Metalsmith (Society of North American Goldsmiths)
Needle Arts (Embroiderers’ Guild of America)
SAQA Journal (Studio Art Quilt Associates)
Shuttle Spindle & Dyepot (Handweavers Guild of America, Inc.)
Surface Design Journal (Surface Design Association)
Tile Heritage: A Review of American Tile History (Tile Heritage Foundation)
Beth Goodrich, aka The Crafty Librarian, has been the American Craft Council’s librarian and archivist since 2017.
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