Guest Author - Marilyn Crain

Where do you look for inspiration? Even the most creative of us crave some deeply satisfying food for the soul. Help is here.

Next time you’re near your favorite bookstore’s magazine display, be sure to take a look at the arts and crafts section. Sometimes it has a different name, but you’ll know it when you see it. What a wonderful array of creative magazines are just waiting to be browsed, read and poured over, then picked up and revisited all over again. No matter what your special area of creativity, you’re sure to find inspiration in one (or all) of these gorgeous publications. It isn’t possible to mention all their names or even all the different creative endeavors they spotlight. But, here are a few to give you just a taste of where you might find food for your creative soul.

On my most recent expedition, I found Artful Blogging, a spectacular new publication that is all about creative blogging. In each issue, you will discover profiles of some of the blogging community’s best. New to blogging? No problem. You can learn how to get started, with tips on everything from tools to etiquette. Not interested in a blog of your own? Then, just take inspiration from this hard copy magazine that explores the virtual world of creativity.

Quilting Arts has been a favorite of mine for many years. This publication features profiles and the work of art quilters from around the world. Inspiration certainly abounds in this beautiful magazine. Art Doll Quarterly is another one at the top of my list. It presents the world of mixed media art dolls and the artists who create them. This is a treat I eagerly look forward to.

While doing the research for this article, I discovered what may become my all-time favorite. It is called Life Images, and you guessed it, this one is all about photography, with accompanying text that expresses the photographers inspiration behind the images. I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of Life Images.

In case you aren’t familiar with these publications, they include magazines devoted to wearable art, like Belle Armoire, Altered Couture and Belle Armoire Jewelry. Also, Somerset Digital Studio, The Stamper’s Sampler and Take Ten, which features rubber stamped cards that take under ten minutes, are offered quarterly.

Don’t feel you have to limit yourself to only the magazines that focus on your passion. It’s easy to find creative inspiration for your fiber arts in a stamping magazine or that little ah-hah moment for painting in this month’s issue of Quilting Arts. And, then there are those of us who just want a subscription to every one of these inspiring publications.

All of these exquisite magazines may just inspire a whole other type of creativity--how to afford them. Maybe we’ll have to buy shared issues, with family or friends. Of course, that would then pose the problem of who gets to be caretaker of these treasures? Makes you think about getting a part-time job to fund what can surely become a wonderful creative addiction, doesn’t it? I limit myself to a special few, trying to stay within my preset limits. But, I have spent many inspirational hours just browsing page after page, while enjoying a cup of coffee at my local bookstore with comfortable seating and a cozy fireplace.

Best of all, these magazines are made possible by the submissions of people just like us, who create because it makes us happy. In addition to being able to submit photos of your work and articles about processes and techniques, you will be able to respond to calls for specific submissions and frequent challenges. It doesn’t get any better than this: Food for the creative soul AND the opportunity to share your talent and artful pursuits with the world.