If my blog friends did not know, I worked for Hoffman Media for 12 years as a model stitcher in the late 80's and 90's. I stitched many projects in both magazines along with kits and leaflets. I hope that they will continue the Christmas and Halloween issues. I know that Phyllis' son Eric is EVP and here is a quote from him.
"This transaction accomplishes some strategic initiatives we began working on a couple of years ago," said Eric Hoffman, EVP and COO of Hoffman Media.
"Hoffman Media will be more focused than ever, and will continue to build our business around cooking, entertaining and women's lifestyle special interest categories.
"We believe Annie's is the perfect company to take the cross-stitching brands to the next level and truly wish them the best in their continued success."
Here is the link about this bit of news.
http://www.drgnetwork.com/drg_news/newsrelease_detail.html?release_id=1271
I am sad about this because, I am wondering if this is sign that the cross stitching industry is being downsized like everything else. Hoffman Media was located in Alabama and our state used to have a lot of cross stitch shops. JCS even had a shop located in Birmingham. Birmingham alone, had about 4 shops. We now maybe, have 4 shops listed in the whole state of Alabama. I am beginning to think that cross stitch is not as popular in Alabama as it used to be. People are more into sewing kids cute clothes and making crafts with burlap. There seems to be a lot of specialty fabric shops popping up in my area.
The shops that are open in some states have to sell through the Internet to keep their doors open and pay overhead cost. I will confess.. I have to buy off the Internet. Why, because it is a two hour drive to the nearest shop.. Two hours there and two hours back plus gas prices.. I can order from my chair and pay a small shipping charge. I would rather drive to the shop and see all the charts, floss, fabric and doodads in person. I will buy more when I go in a shop.. I also try to find shops when we are vacationing.
I also wonder if cross stitch, is going to become something of a lost art?... Look at crewel work, or embroidery. It has all but disappeared. I can say my daughter knows how to cross stitch. She is not into it, but I did my duty of teaching her! lol Cross stitch has great designers with great ideas. I hope they never stop designing. I live to stitch!
It seems that Hoffman Media is staying with Southern Lady, Tea Time, Paula Deen, Phyllis Celebrate and Victoria. I guess that cooking and entertaining is their money makers. If you read those magazines, I do.. They are full of big color advertising pages. A lot of advertising and more advertising.... Mostly Advertising... As a cross stitcher, why do I feel betrayed? It is like a divorce... lol
I just hope that Annie's keep the Christmas and Halloween issue...
I will wait and see how it turns out. I just bought my November and December issue today.. and came home to this news...
Going to open my magazine and read it. Till Later......
11 comments:
April, I share your concern. We have no cross stitch shop in Seattle WA. There is a shop in one suburb but it is mainly for needlepoint. They have a good selection of floss but very little choice in linen. Because I live across Puget Sound, it costs me over $30 in ferry fees to get to that shop. The only good shop is in Portland, OR a 3-04 hour drive. I'm just thankful for the web stores or I wouldn't know what to do.
s Hi, I have to buy online. It is really hard to get hold of anything cross stitchy in Ireland. RE; embroidery etc: well, I have to disagree there. Most fabric skills are huge and I know of several college courses and university courses where fabric art is massive: embroidery, crochet, crewel etc. There are lots of magazines for these skills as well as online sites promoting and teaching them. Cross stitch will never die out thank goodness. No one taught me, like many I came into it as an adult and self-taught. Same with knitting, crochet and emboroidery. I am looking forwards to seeing how JCS evolves because after this Christmas edition I was so disappointed I decided not to buy another. So fingers crossed. Plus I know the market for the special editions is so big it would be like cutting off their own foot to refuse to publish it lol.
I also hope that Annie's does keep up the quality of these two magazines especially SANQ which is my favorite!
Oh no! I just sent off for a subscription too! Well, maybe they will keep up the good work that we've loved.
I know exactly how you feel!
Here in NY, it is not any better!
I have to do all my purchasing online. What is worse, you cannot always find everything you need in one place. For a recent project, I have to purchase supplies in 3 different online stores, one in Canada!
Frustrating!
I understand the $$$ prospective but it does break a heart to see what could be another stall in out already limited hobby. There were 3 shops here when I moved here in 87 and now look. Nothing and we barely keep a quilt shop afloat. It is costly to drive to the nearest shop.. as we both know. Sad with you!
It is even worse in lower Alabama, April. I have drive to Hunstville or Atlanta to find the nearest shop. Guess I will have to write SANQ off my Christmas wish list :o(
All I can say is BOO, April.
Is the shop in Columbus Georgia still going? I started going there after that one in Homewood closed up.
Mary in TN formerly Mary in AL and I wish was still there.
I don't think the art itself is going anywhere...just the way we purchase.
This is shocking news. I just got my NOv/Dec issue and my ornie issue while out of town this weekend. I lived in Bham most of my life until april of this year when DH took a job in Panama City, FL. The nearest shop to me now is Pensacola (and I heard it was closing??) - it's about 2 hrs drive. I know in S. FL there are several but they are def spaced out over the state. Nothing that I know of from Huntsville to Pensacola for XS shops. Maybe Tuscaloosa?? It's so sad.
I hadn't heard this news but it concerns me too. I believe it is just another sign that cross stitch is on the wane. I have been buying supplies online now for 2 years. The nearest shop is a 3 hr drive away. Like you, I would dearly love to see all the fabric and floss in person.
I will keep my fingers crossed that the magazine doesn't change all that much.
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