Did any of you know about Mary Jane's Farm? I sure didn't and I found it in the strangest of places. I'm still not totally certain how to describe Mary Jane's Farm to be honest, but I'm almost 100% certain that most of you will find it an inspiring read as I did. Here's what I can tell you:
- It is a magazine. Kind of. It has no ads. And Mary Jane (who is on the cover there) sell various mail order organic food mixes and things, which you can purchase through the order form at the back of the magazine.
- Mary Jane Butter runs the magazine (with one of her daughters and a roster of some other highly creative lovely folks).
- The articles, news snippets, letters, recipes and patterns (yes this issue had patterns more on that later) are written by Mary Jane, her friends and reader submissions.
- Mary Jane does indeed have a farm. It seems to be organic. And lovely.
- Mary Jane may also run a delightful B&B at this farm, but I gleaned that kind of on the side and it may not be true.
- This issue of Mary Jane's farm is centred around the theme of Aprons and if you're an Apron lover (like me and of course the large tibe of Tie One On folks) you will adore this issue for that fact alone. It includes several apron patterns in the issue and you can also order some of the other apron patterns from Mary Jane, the range around $8 USD per pattern.
- Mary Jane seems to regularly include recipes for vegan jello mold delights that are perversely intriguing to me and toweringly gorgeous in the photographs.
- And for the true design/crafty/photo geeks out there the typography, photos and design is pretty darn lovely to look at.
This was one of the richer and more inspiring magazines I've picked up in recent memory. The articles are admittedly of varying quality and really harken back to my own 'zine days (some of you will remember me as one of the editors of Soapboxgirls.com) when we would pick a theme and get all the gals we knew to write personal essays on that theme. As I mentioned above, this month's theme is aprons so there are pieces about sewing, apron memories, home economics adventures and more. And lest this is all sounding too precious Mary Jane sees aprons as primarily the uniform of women who get shit done (my own use of foul language but something tells me she would approve). Aprons are for gardening, cleaning, fixing cars, carpentry, making art, etc. In other words, aprons aren't just for cookies and vegan jello molds, though they're useful there too.
There are back issues of Mary Jane's Farm available and I'm tempted to buy the whole darn lot. Nestled in amongst the personal essays and stitchery patterns are hints on organic living, gardening, crafting glories and really just some beautiful imagery. I can't sum this magazine up in one small sentence (as I've duly proven), but I have a feeling that this Mary Jane gal isn't too easy to pin down either. Strangely, I found it at Chapters (while killing time waiting for Martin) and unless I do decide to subscribe I may end up having to troll their magazine isles regularly so I don't miss out on the next issue.
. How nutty is that? 
is a business book for women looking for advice to start or run a successful small business. The book features advice from some pretty smart gals including Jenny Hart (Sublime Stitching), Grace Boney (Design Sponge), Alex Beauchamp (Another Girl at Play), and many others.
I got this magazine the last time I went to the big box bookstore. I thought it was lovely. The only thing I didn't like was that the recipes all involved one having to buy a mix from Mary Jane Farms. Of course, because they have no ads they have to make money SOME way. I was just disappointed that I couldn't make the biscuits immediately!
Posted by: Mei | December 17, 2006 at 12:22 PM
Hmm, I'll keep an eye out for the mag.
This is the first time at your site. I found you through Rose Hip. Pretty cool... two new, crafty Vancouver Bloggers! Come by and visit.
Posted by: Becky | December 17, 2006 at 09:31 PM
Hmm, I'll keep an eye out for the mag.
This is the first time at your site. I found you through Rose Hip. Pretty cool... two new, crafty Vancouver Bloggers! Come by and visit.
Posted by: Becky | December 17, 2006 at 09:32 PM
You have to get her book it is fantastic! It is basically a reprint of everything in the magazines. (http://www.amazon.com/MaryJanes-Ideabook-Cookbook-Lifebook-Farmgirl/dp/1400080479/sr=8-1/qid=1166915552/ref=pd_bbs_1/105-2556492-8374032?ie=UTF8&s=books
i
Posted by: erin frost | December 23, 2006 at 03:14 PM
I would like to buy back issues of the mjf magazine not included in the bundle
Posted by: sandy carroll | August 27, 2008 at 03:30 PM