Hurry, Buy Woodwork (Magazine) Now, Please!

Please, don't walk, run to your closest newsstand (or go online here) and purchase the annual issue of Woodwork (magazine). I picked up my copy yesterday and have to say that, in spite of the financial problems, it is still a tremendous resource for people interested in wood art. This issue features great profiles on both established (David Ellsworth) and emerging (Yuri Kobayashi) artists; an interesting perspective/review on wood art being shown at of the Philadelphia Craft Show; great images a number of wood art/furniture shows (congratulations to David Hurwitz for the inclusion of his large taffy mirror); an interesting article on Korean furniture/aesthetic; an interesting bio on Emil Milan; an good discussion by Andy Glantz on working with clients; and interesting articles by both Yoav Liberman and Michelle Janssens Keller on the thought process that goes into making a piece of furniture.

In looking through the magazine I noticed a disturbing lack of advertisements. Hopefully, if enough people run out and buy a copy (or copies - they could make a great gift) they can get more advertisements for future issues and continue to publish this great magazine. I think part of their problem is that they are straddling the worlds of woodworkers and art collectors/galleries but that the art collectors and galleries aren't aware of it. If collectors bought the magazine, galleries would advertise in it. Perhaps it is a tough sell, and maybe too specialized for the market, but I see their competition being closer to AmericanStyle and American Craft then it is Fine Woodworking. Perhaps they should scrap the furniture construction articles all together. I don't read them and I can't image people are buying it to find out how to build something. They look out of place and I'm sure most of there readers are beyond following someone else's designs. There are many other woodworking magazines that give step by step instructions on furniture construction and that appeal more to people that need it. In addition, those kinds of article would really intimated/alienate the collector/gallery readers. Their subtitle is "A magazine for all woodworkers" but that may be too broad a goal in the woodworking world while limiting their audience in the art/craft world.

Anyway, I hope they can continue to publish this important magazine and I beg you to go out and buy a copy. Once a year just isn't adequate and never again would be a tragedy.