Magic, Promises, and Thread

“I had buried my secrets early. . . . I buried my magic stones, my mirror, my special promises, my golden threads, objects of identity that connected me to the world . . .” I reread that passage from Ben Okri’s The Famished Road recently, one that I’ve returned to often. I love the images it evokes, that it helps me to remember the places where I have buried my secrets—wrapped in golden thread. I’m also curious about these personal objects that connect us to the world.

Ava T. Coleman's adaptation, shown at left, of the early-nineteenth-century Pineapple bag, shown at right. PieceWork January/February 2012. Photograph by Joe Coca.

PieceWork had a tagline at one time, “connected by thread.” That phrase might also sound familiar to some of you who have written to us about your personal connections to articles we publish or to those personal objects we include in PieceWork because I've used it often in response, marveling at the threads between us.

	Chris Laning's interpretation of the Sion knitted purse dating from the fourteenth century. Knitting Traditions Spring 2013. Photograph by Joe Coca.

PieceWork, too, houses treasure in its pages in a variety of techniques from diverse cultures and traditions, and we've got some superb themes planned for the upcoming year. Subscribe so you don't miss an issue. And consider being a part of it all. Learn more about contributing by reading our editorial calendar and contributor guidelines. Don't be shy. Email us questions and ideas, and let’s keep that thread vibrant and full of magic.

Enjoy,