Review: "Making" Magazine

In the vanguard of the burgeoning craft movement comes “Making” magazine, a glossy take on the home made world. It follows in the footsteps of Martha Stewart Living, but manages to even out-Martha the ultimate Craft Queen herself.  “Making” is beautifully photographed and styled, matching the allure of a high quality fashion magazine.  Each issue has a theme – “light”, “vintage” and “custom made” are recent examples. The crafts themselves are divided into living, garden, kitchen, bathroom and wardrobe with normally around two to four projects in each category. There are also a couple features, perhaps interviewing a designer or meeting some craft enthusiasts. I have found the magazine very useful in providing me with details of courses, shows, suppliers, books and giving me pointers towards interesting blogs.

From a personal perspective the projects vary widely in their desirability, but as my number of copies builds up, I’m finding it a great resource library for ideas. I find I am spotting interesting things I discounted on my first browse through. I’m more of fashion oriented crafter so makes that have caught my eye are a fur wraparound stole, a bib necklace and summer tunic. Though I have to admit I’ve not made anything yet.

I think there is something of style triumphing over substance. Stunning pictures and a seductive layout vastly enhance what is often limited content. The kitchen section mainly consists of a few recipes. A keen cook would find more to choose from in most women’s monthly magazines. So I’m not entirely sure the magazine represents value for money at £4.99 an issue. I took out a subscription offer of 50% discount on the price, so feel my £2.50 an issue is a reasonable price.

So in short a gorgeous stylish magazine – but at a price.