Black Purl Magazine | Sharing the passion and soul of needlecrafts

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I'm L'Tanya Durante, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Black Purl Magazine.

I have loved needlecrafts for many years. Though I've dabbled in cross stitch, sewing, and needlepoint, my favorite needlecrafts are crochet, knitting, and bead crochet. I particularly love taking classes and discovering and learning new techniques.

I also love learning about different cultures. I used to watch a cooking show with chef Jeff Smith called The Frugal Gourmet. What I loved about his show, was the way he incorporated history and sociology into each dish he prepared. He always told stories while he cooked. Like food, needlecrafts also hold stories.

My love for community, history, and learning prompted me to start Black Purl Magazine, a craft publication of a different sort that incorporates all of my loves. The magazine focuses on needlecraft designers, tips, history, travel...and yes, projects, and should make a nice addition to the craft magazine subscriptions you may already have. It's my dream that a community will become a natural extension of the magazine. With your support, I believe these dreams will come to pass.

Although the word purl is a knitting term, Black Purl is not just for knitters nor is it just for people of color. If you share our passion, it's for you! In fact, black pearls are not really black, but multi-colored -- diverse like our community; diverse like our magazine.

Since starting Black Purl Magazine in October of 2004, my personal life has changed dramatically. In December of 2004, we adopted a newborn baby. Talk about a beautifully life-changing moment. Everything happened so quickly and to say we weren't prepared is an understatement. Now, as a wife and mommy of two (four, if you count Black Purl and our cat, Martin Lawrence), my roles and schedule change by the minute. The constant in my life continues to be my needlecraft work. It soothes and comforts me. It is my passion -- my "authentic swing."

What a great opportunity we have to learn and teach our rich histories through needlecrafts; a wonderful opportunity to connect globally and locally through education, by honoring our social responsibility, by sharing, swapping and teaching, or simply by reaching out and saying "hey" (it's a North Carolina thing). We at Black Purl Magazine would be honored to facilitate these connections, even in the tiniest way. Join us and help Black Purl Magazine become your e-family. Share with us. Connect with us. Stop by and say "hey."

L'Tanya