Publisher's Note

One of the joys of publishing this magazine is being introduced to the sheer volume of items made and crafted in Mendocino County. It’s a secret peek into a world of expert artisans, craftspeople, and creators. In this issue alone we discover olives, cookies, woven rugs, mushroom dyes, goat cheese, and sparkling wine. Our team of contributors and I have doors opened to us to see first-hand this wealth of creativity and bounty. I sometimes hear the cynical refrain that “no one knows how to make things anymore.” Well I disagree, and we have the stories to prove it.

The craftsmanship that we describe in our pages is often learned over decades. Jennie Henderson’s expertise in weaving began in the 1970s and spanned several countries and cultures (p 16). She possesses a key quality I have noticed among our local craftspeople—a creative fire that is undoused by any obstacle, sustaining them through patient and determined problem-solving until their work is complete. When Miriam Rice (p 33) began dyeing fabric with mushrooms foraged in the forests of Mendocino, she was scratching a creative itch. What began as a fun exploration of pigment led to a groundbreaking text on the practice that has inspired other craftspeople across the globe.

Yvonne and Jurg of Olivino crush and press their own olive oil to achieve a freshness of taste derived from the rolling stones of a cold press (p 5). Their facility is available for other olive growers as well, allowing a community of farmers to produce more of this treasured elixir. Ana and Gil Cox (p 23) have generously cared for both their goat herd and the land that sustains it for more than 40 years, resulting in delectable goat cheese that’s gentle on the planet.

I am continually inspired by the creative work of my friends and neighbors. This holiday season, I challenge you to support these local artisans and maybe even to indulge your own creative side. Perhaps this year is the time to share the gift of homemade jam or blackberry cordial. I am partial to oranges ringed with cloves hung on an evergreen tree. Perhaps you could try your hand at the sourdough trend. And who knows? Someday that playful experiment might turn into a hobby that turns into something more. You might even end up in our pages, joining the passionate, unique makers we at Word of Mouth love to discover and share with you.

Warmly,

Holly Madrigal
Publisher