A Note from the Editor: What do you Cherish?

“Under the microscope, the little becomes larger.
To enlarge your life, treasure the little things of life.”
                                         -Martin Uzochukwu Ugwu

As we began to put this issue together, the team floated ideas: Meditation. Dancing with friends. Good food. Gorgeous textiles. Tiny trinkets. Music… We wondered where do we gather or store these things: pockets, chests, pouches, in our own memories? Our journals?

The thread that connected them all, in my mind, was treasure. These are the things we cherish. Books, friends, memories, time, diversity, stars, peace.

Treasure can be a noun: what are the belongings you love or collect?

It can also be a verb: how do you treat that which, or those whom, you hold dear?

Up in the attic, down on my knees…
Lifetimes of boxes, timeless to me.
Letters and photographs, yellowed with years…
Some bringing laughter, some bringing tears.
Time never changes the memories, the faces of
loved ones, dear to me…”
-Amy Grant

The lyrics to Grant’s song, “Heirlooms,” have been close to my heart since my teen years. My treasures? A handmade quilt lovingly cross-stitched and quilt-stitched by my great-grandmother. A blown glass vase gifted to me from artist Jodi Bove at the Texas Renaissance Festival to commemorate my years as the Craft Director. These notes from my daughters, each now at least 20 years, have hung in my closet for decades, reminding me each morning of the joy of being loved.

We hope you find something to treasure in this issue! Meet beloved musician Victoria Van Arnam, known as The Lady Victoria, who shares her whimsy, joyful spirit, and amazing talent with fairegoers across the country. Plunge into the history of women’s pockets (and discover how the patriarchy has affected their use in clothing), take a critical look at the popular practice of trinket-trading at faires, feast your eyes on the vibrant textiles of artist Alexandra Jean Auger, whet your appetite with delicious recipes to wind down summer, and give your spirit a tool for approaching peaceful meditation like the gift it is.

Our Treasured playlist features artists like Joni Mitchell, India.Arie, the Wailin’ Jennys, and more; all weaving songs about what we treasure most: loved ones, laughter, memories, and yes, even a little gold at the bottom of the sea.

We hope you’ll enjoy, subscribe, share, and most of all, look around you for the treasures that the Universe has gifted.