By Patricia Belyea
Years ago, my twin sister Pamela bought me two issues of UPPERCASE in a Seattle gallery. She knew I’d appreciate a magazine for “creative and curious” readers.
Of course, I subscribed. Since then, I’ve immersed myself in its eclectic mix of articles on craft, art, design, makers, and handmade culture — each issue a visual feast of photography and illustration.
Look at my most recent copy, which arrived today!
Janine Vangool is the Canadian founder, designer, editor, and publisher of UPPERCASE. That’s a mouthful — and a testament to her remarkable vision and dedication. She has an extraordinary eye for good design and a genuine commitment to lifting others up through beautiful publications.
Beyond the magazine, Janine has designed fabric collections for Windham and masterminded an ambitious book series: The UPPERCASE Encyclopedia of Inspiration.
I asked Janine where the idea for the Encyclopedia began. She shared: “A little over 10 years ago, I realized there were many creative topics I wanted to explore in greater breadth than I could within UPPERCASE magazine.”
Her goal is to publish 26 volumes — one for each letter of the alphabet. The books are released in a delightfully random order, with 13 volumes completed so far.
I became involved with QUILTED. This substantial 384-page tome features in-depth profiles and narratives that reflect the full spectrum of quilting — from vintage to contemporary. It’s not a how-to manual, but a rich source of inspired content. Originally published in 2019, QUILTED went out of print and is now being reprinted in 2026.
QUILTED is one of my favorite quilting books — filled with luminaries, fresh voices, and yes, me! If you missed out the first time, you can pre-order it +here
Thank you, Janine, for thoughtfully shining a light on innovative makers and their work!
If you’re interested in UPPERCASE magazine, you can learn more +here
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ABOUT US: Okan Arts, a petite family business, is co-owned by mother-daughter duo Patricia Belyea and Victoria Stone. Patricia and Victoria import vintage Japanese textiles, host in-person and online creative quilting experiences, and lead textile tours to Japan.
FOLLOW OKAN ARTS ON INSTAGRAM @okanarts
NOTE: We are sharing links to QUILTED and UPPERCASE magazine because we think they will be of interest to you. Okan Arts receives no compensation.
