From the Editor

Thank you for the hundreds of messages concerning the presentation of our staff in the past two issues. I am glad that you enjoyed reading about those talented and dedicated people who work so hard for this magazine. Many of you said "now tell us something about you." That is always difficult.

I grew up in Virginia and, even as a child, loved to write and to stitch. I have reams of poetry and short stories that I wrote for my own amusement. In high school I wrote a column for the monthly newsletter and during my college years I was "fashion editor" for the weekly newspaper and also created magazine ads for the school to help defray tuition costs. Several years later I did my graduate work at NYU and promptly fell in love with "The City."

I had the "dream job" as advertising director for a large southern department store group. I was in my glory and determined "I will never leave this job!" Never say never. I met John Lukomski and, after a whirlwind courtship, we were married and lived in Europe for two years and then in New York for five years where I enjoyed working in advertising. As fate would have it, John's career brought him to the south and we settled back in Petersburg.

My career became that of "wife and mother" and I returned to my early love of stitching. In the mid 70s a massive embroidery project of mine won the blue ribbon in my Junior Woman's Club. It went on to win in the district and the state, so our newspaper did an article in the Sunday Woman's section. I received a telephone call from a friend who had just opened a needlework shop. He had seen the newspaper story and asked me to teach. Somehow I muddled through those one-hour classes crammed with 25 students, but soon realized I needed to learn more about teaching. How fortunate that I lived near the Valentine Museum where a most comprehensive teacher certification program had been launched. (That program is now called the National Academy of Needlearts.) I completed my certification in 1976 and my life changed forever. I was so influenced by three grand ladies of that program - Louise Downing McGinty, Jody Adams and Betsy Robb. From Louise I learned how to dream. From Jody I learned how to love life and show that love to friends. From Betsy I learned how to survey the facts and make better judgments.

I soon found myself on an airplane heading for Grand Island, New York to teach my first regional seminar. Traveling with me was one of the most loved and respected needlework teachers in this country. Chottie Alderson not only became an inspiration, but also my mentor, my friend, a "Dutch aunt" and a great supporter. On that plane ride she taught me where to store my project to keep it safe for travel, gave advice on handling contracts and, most importantly, how to survive. She was such a supporter of mine and always gave my name when groups were looking for new teachers. I asked her once how I could ever repay her and she said "just pass it on." Every time I publish a new contributor on these pages or encourage an aspiring needlework teacher, in my heart I say, "Chottie, this one is for you." This needlework pioneer died on February 28. I loved her dearly and she will be sorely missed.

Before I knew it, I was teaching all over and soon met Sue Strause, an early force in the development of needlework guilds. Knowing of my background, she asked if I would serve as editor for the guild's fledgling magazine and I did just that for almost twenty years. During this time I met my dear friend, Sarah Bennett, and we have worked together for many years.

At a time when most people start thinking about retirement, I started thinking about this magazine. Because there was such a need for a commercial magazine devoted just to needlepoint, I feel like it almost started itself and I was just the vehicle. In the six years of the magazine our success has been overwhelming because of you. You send your good wishes and support at every turn. I am deeply grateful to the staff, each person who contributes to the magazine, each subscriber and each advertiser and thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Joyce Lukomski

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Last Updated November 24, 2004