Workbasket Magazines

I've been spending part of the summer looking over my needlework magazines - one of which is the Workbasket.  I have some of the very early ones to the very final ones.  My collection spans about 50 years, give or take and it is really interesting to see what fads have come and gone over time.

I noted the advertising especially.   Early in the magazine, there were lots of ads for hearing aids.  Those ads pretty much continued throughout the magazine over the years, although they did decrease in space and effect as time went on.   I also noted that the diet candy Ayds suffered a major blow when the threat of AIDS and all it's horrors became known.  It was being advertised in the early '80's then - nothing.   It disappeared.  I mean, who would have guessed your brand name would be another victim of that epidemic?

Another interesting thing is the amount of time and column space spent on African Violets, cyclamen, gloxinias, begonias and other houseplants.    Readers would write in and ask questions - unfortunately, it appears no one read the answers because I'd see the same questions asked later.   I'm sure their columnist got really frustrated after a while answering the same questions time after time.....

After many years, the magazine was sold to KC publishing.   The format changed slightly, with less emphasis on the traditional crafting and more on current trends, like plastic canvas and such.   In 1996, the magazine abruptly ended its format and was incorporated into another magazine called "Flower and Garden Crafts Edition".   What???   I suspect readers unsubscribed en masse upon seeing this.   KC Publications was bought by Krause Publications and the crafting was resurrected under the name "Great American Crafts".  It was apparently not as good as Workbasket, but was better than "Flower and Garden Crafts Edition".   "Great American Crafts" morphed into "Michael's Create!".   That magazine changed to "Decorative Artist's Workbook" which is solely for Tole Painters.

It's sad, really, to see this happen.   The crafts I enjoyed as a child aren't anywhere near the same as what is found today.   It's been made into a tool-driven and supply-driven thing, where you have to have this tool, that component and umpteen accessories for your machine.    Gone are the days when you used what you had.  

However, the magazines are still able to be had, and in some abundance.   I suppose no one wants to take the time to enjoy making things with their hands.   It has to be quick, not messy, and something to occupy the kids.   Or, it's been glossed into the ultimate perfection by Martha Stewart.   Another topic I'll delve into later.

Meanwhile, I have my back issues and a lot of nostalgia!  Off to finish the first of the baby bootie!
I'll have some pictures - promise!