tickle's in a pickle... and I need your help!

My name is Tanya and three years ago I created an online magazine called tickle the imagination. Combining my graphic design skills with my love for handmade, my aim was to fill a gap in the newsstand for a gorgeous Australian craft & design magazine...to create a magazine I would love to read!

Filled with gorgeous stories from Australian designers and makers, tickle is more than just a magazine...it's a dose of happiness and inspiration! It makes a beautiful coffee table book or keepsake and each gorgeous issue is A4 in size and printed in Perth on lovely FSC certified, recycled paper.

I have poured my heart and soul into tickle for the past three years and haven't paid myself a regular wage in that time. When I tell people that they usually raise their eyebrows or laugh..."no...really? why do you keep doing it?" they ask with a puzzled look on their face. Why? Because I love it, I love each and every bit of putting my lovely magazine together - I love sharing the amazing work that the Australian handmade community creates, I love being inspired by designers and makers, I love inspiring others to create, I admire those of you who put your heart and soul into what you do. And I want to share all that with the world.

But...the reality is, heart and soul doesn't pay for printing. And, as you can imagine, printing a magazine is an expensive exercise!

Each issue of tickle costs $14404 to print, but currently (despite my very best efforts) advertising sales and pre-orders for issue 17 have only raised $3395...meaning there is a shortfall of $11009 - which I simply can't cover myself. Post release magazine sales will raise a little more - but payment from the distributors takes 6 months - and of course there are other bills to pay aside from the printing.

So, I need to ask for your help lovely people! If tickle has ever done something nice for you...made you smile, shared your business or simply inspired you - please help x Even if you aren't able to pledge, your help spreading the word would mean the world to me.

Of course, you won't be leaving empty handed! Check out all the lovely rewards listed in the right-hand column xxx

You can find out more about tickle the imagination and read all our back issues online at www.tickletheimagination.com.au
Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions you have [email protected]
Tanya x

Funds will be used to cover the cost of printing issue 17 of tickle the imagination. Because we are dedicated to using a local printer and printing onto FSC certified paperstock, each issue costs $14,404 for a print run of 3,500 copies.

There are, of course, other costs involved in running a magazine - marketing, distribution & postage, hosting, photoshoots, proofreading and so on... So, if we are lucky enough to exceed our target, extra funds raised will go towards these things.

I can't see there being any obstacles... other than reaching our target - and that's up to you lovely supporters!!

Delivering the rewards will be the easy bit! It's what we've been doing for the past three years. The fabulous tickle team ensures each issue is filled with gorgeous stories:
+ Tanya Collier - editor-in-chief
+ Helen Louise Wilkinson - craft editor (and owner of the lovely Blossom & Cat)
+ Linda Vandermeer - sweet treats editor (and the lady behind Bubble & Sweet blog)
+ Tania McCartney - bookshelf editor (and amazing author)
+ Elle Roberts - business editor (and very clever owner of Studio Exsto)
+ Michelle Offerman - children's fashion editor (and amazing stylist)
+ Alisha Hinds - explore editor (and super talented artist)